The current over whelming popularity of Martial Arts is at an all time high.  With the rise to power of UFC and WEC not to mention the dozens of local events held most cities.  You’ve got movies aimed at audiences from age 2-102….cartoon or live action making some serious coin.  So of course with this popularity the Martial Arts community is now being over run with wanna-be black belts or kung fu masters.  But who’s the real deal?  Since there is no real accredited system it’s hard to steer clear of the BS! 

You can go to a doctor and see his diplomas on the wall saying: “University of Here” and “Blah Blah State College”.  If you go into a Martial Arts school you don’t have the accreditation to trust and you definitely don’t have the ramifications for the deceit.  You may see their Certificates on the wall issued by their system as well as awards plastering the walls of the school.  Unless you have a background in their Art, you’re not going to know if they printed these on their home pc or legitimately earned them.  You may also see photos of legends with the schools instructor.  Also not necessarily legitimate.  (I have a picture with me and Garth Brooks…doesn’t make me part of his band!)

Here’s an example of legit vs. NOT! 

An instructor at school Any Town, America claims to have been inducted to the Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year.  Awesome!  Did you know that the Hall of Fame has its inductee’s listed yearly since its creation?  Guess what?  He’s not in there.  Hmmm, maybe he meant loser Hall of Fame because he’s not in a Recognized Hall of Fame.  I’ve met legitimate inductee’s that are not only listed but, pictures of them at the ceremony receiving their award are included on the association’s website.

Schools have people claiming that they have a Black Belt in this system and a Brown in that one.  Aside from actually calling up their original school; you’re not going to know if these are claims of accomplishments or truly deserved.

So how do you protect yourself or your child from these poser instructors?    That’s the 64 million dollar question.  The best thing is to try to educate yourself as best as you can.  The internet is a wonderful thing.  Use it!      

When you are visiting a school it can be overwhelming and confusing.  Some directors will try to distract you from their bottom line by flashing bright shiny objects at you.  Pictures of the instructor or owner with Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan; medals and plaques earned for various things.  Do your best to stay focused and attentive then go home and do your homework.  No one says you have to sign up right then and there.  Take some time to check it out.

Google is a wonderful tool.  You should be directed to several web sites that offer you this very same advice.  If the school is a franchise you should find several links to people loving or hating it.  Beware of the school’s corporate site.  Remember: “avoid the bright shiny things meant to distract you”.

Talk to others that attend or parents of children that attend.  If they are happy, they will share tons of information.  If they are disappointed, they may share even more. 

An important aspect to a Martial Arts school is their support staff; non-paid Black Belts that still continue to train.  Ask when the Black Belt class is and if you can observe.  Many schools have a high attrition rate at the higher levels.  What’s the point of working so hard for something if you quit once you’ve reached the top?  You should find that you haven’t reached the top at all.  In fact you’ve hit a brief plateau that leads you on another climb toward yet another goal maybe your 2^nd degree and so on.  If the Black Belts are unhappy with the instruction it trickles down to the rest of the students. 

If you are getting what you’re expecting and you don’t mind that the instructor is not what he says he is, enjoy your training.  The validity of a person’s credibility should be a huge factor for anyone studying the true art.  A true Martial Artist will hold himself to a higher standard and not inflate their resume with inaccuracies that could be discovered later. 

In the end it’s probably a lot easier to accomplish the goal than to talk your self out of the lie.  It’s just a matter of catching those in that lie.

Good Luck in your quest for the truth!!

Just remember what JFK said: “The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie– deliberate, contrived and dishonest– but the myth– persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”

Black Belt Betty

www.mmavillage.com