I understand your frustration. But remember, we here in Y!A represent only a small fraction of stylists and instructors. Also, if you take all of the adjectives that describe what a McDojo is, then, by someone's definition, every place is a McDojo - 100%. So it's a subjective thing.
Do I teach a McDojo? Perhaps: I teach kids. I don't charge them. I subtract out most sparring. I won't promote anyone unless they deserve it by showing solid understanding of their techniques. (I haven't promoted anyone in almost 2 years.) I do not teach in a strip mall, but I do teach forms. I do not hold birthday parties, but my classes are only an hour long.
By some people's definition of martial arts, I don't even teach that; nor am I a student of one. Since I study and teach taekwondo, and lately of the sport variety, there are some that say that's not even martial arts (therefore, I can't be teaching in a McDojo).
You know what? I met a guy a few weeks ago. He told me he studies taekwondo. He - and his wife and 3 kids - are enrolled in an ATA Taekwondo school. I didn't even get a chance to decide not to sneer, and he started getting defensive by admitting the place is crap as far as technique is concerned. But, his family is happy. And you know what? Who am I to criticize a happy family?
If you are happy with your training, then keep training. And don't worry if you are in a McDojo. I'm convinced most people who enroll in a martial art/sport/whatever school, they will know soon enough if their skills are adequate for self-defense or not. Some don't care, they're just happy.
Am I experienced? That's subjective: I've been studying TKD since 1980, so, I guess that makes me experienced. But there's a ton of stuff I know I don't know, and I guess there's a ton of stuff I don't know what I don't know. So I've got a lot of knowledge to catch up on - maybe that makes me inexperienced?
Is there another criteria for "experienced"?
I'll say one more thing: being taught by top-notch instructors gives a student experience, but that doesn't make the student experienced.
thats it your questions must be less then 20 words from now on.
80-90 percent of schools are McDojo's. i would say this number depends on the area you live in.
some areas its a lot lower, less then 40%. others i would say that is a close number.
what is a mcdojo. its not about style its about how the person runs their business and teaches, it has nothing to do with time in the martial arts as well. its about the quality of his instructions.
the basic definition of a mcdojo is
"McDojo is a school that teaches a watered-down and impractical form of martial arts in the name of making money"
and i took this from the sight
http://mcdojo-faq.tripod.com/
a mcdojo is more about quantity not quality, they are concerned with there bottom line. it doesnt matter if the person is in ma for one year or sixty years, if all they care about is the bottom line and not the student them they are more likely a mcdojo.
a teacher should be more concerned about student not the money. but you need to pay the bills at the same time if you are running a business. which is why i dont have a store front any more.
it takes a lot to run a successful school and a lot the of time as well. it can be done with out it being a mcdojo but its not easy particularly in certain areas
i care more about the student then the money which is why i closed my school and just teach out of community centers and a few of my friends schools. i actually make more money this way my only expanse now is my gas. as long as that is covered i dont care. but then again i dont do this as a business any more either or have to worry about paying my bills
A good teacher is also a good student first. They themselves should always be learning and growing.
Edit
JW I think it's both actally, it's about greets instructors and instructors that should not be teaching
The link is nothing more then a ruff guide. It shouldn't be set in stone or made an absolute.
I'm not sure how you can come up with your 90% figure. I'll agree that there are way too many McDojos.
One thing you missed is that some instructors can start off good but become McTechers. The pressure to pay rent, attract students, and to keep students is too much for many and lead to them going going from being good instructors to bad ones.
It's one reason that I suggest people look for those who teach for the love and do it at places like gyms rec centers, or out of their homes. Granted these don't mean folks are teaching at these places are better, but it does help the odds.
As for myself, I'm very fortunate in that I teach a few students. I'm not doing it for the money and I don't have rent to pay for space. So I can keep the standards high, and teach for the love. I'm also very fortunate in that I've trained with some excellent teachers and continue to do so. Sure some things they do, I don't like but overall, I've learned a lot of great stuff that I get to share with my own students.
This question is way too long.
I wonder where you get the 90% or any percentage numbers?
I do not believe there is anyway to quantify this.
I believe there are both good and bad schools out there. Many of the good schools do not advertise. They often a a small or limited amount of students. I also believe there are some good commercial schools as well that would not qualify as a mcdojo.
There are many schools that pass themselves off as a traditional martial arts class, but they advertise sports karate or sports tkd, etc. If that is the case it is not a traditional school. But I would not classify all of them as mcdojo either. I would not likely attend one of those school for training. Not because it is a mcdojo, but because it is not my preference to participate in a sport.
I disagree with Kokoro on the mcdojo thing. I think it has everything to do with quality of instruction not quantity. I never point anyone to the link of mcdojo as I do not agree with things on there.
Edit: I do agree with Kokoro that it is both.
Dude, you need to learn that after 30 words most people quit reading. Yes a large hunk of schools out there suck, I don't know the actual statistics but I would say over half are teaching BS. The best way to find a school is to try it out.
If that didn't answer your question, my only response is that your question was way too long and boring......
Dude, if an instructor gives you a camo belt,you're in mcdojo
I'm going to say; get over the angst, log off the internet, and get yourself to any dojo.
I cant read all that, send me a copy of the dvd
One of the often asked questions on this forum is, "What is a McDojo, or, is this a McDojo?" The answers are generally provided from the perspective of those in the "know". Granted, those with the most simplistic understanding can figure out McWhatever is a process of providing a product with speed, quantity being the objective and quality sacrificed for profitability.
Ask 10 teachers that are being honest, and they will say 80-90 percent of schools are McDojo's, maybe higher. (I'd say about 99 percent) Ask the same 10 if they are McTeachers, and the answer is no. So, there is a problem, logic and fact do not match up.
Forget the various titles of the main person in the many arts, lets call them teachers. What is a teacher? A mentor? An instructor. A guide? A manager? All four?
A mentor is going to take to heart the feelings and understanding expressed by their subject, influenced by that, more than their own beliefs or wishes on that which may be most beneficial to their charge, though these sentiments would be provided as options as food for thought to the student.
An instructor can pass along valid material and information pertinent to the goal of the student, by and large, restricted to the subject material at hand. This is how to throw a cross, this is how the great Ali did it. The body is propelled, the arm launched, the fist lands. An instructor is little more than a verbal definition, possibly a visual example, but the "job" can be accomplished with command of a piece of the picture rather than the full spectrum. There is far more to a cross than I have identified, but for visual identification and demonstration purposes, it can suffice. Tape a child doing it, and while the many critics will have advice on how it can be better, if the question is asked, "What are they executing?", a cross will be the answer.
A guide can show one around a school. These are the lil dragons, these are the big dragons, that is the locker room. They don't need experience, just memorize a few things. A guide takes a person a place and says, this is it.
A manager, a good one, is essential to the business side of a school, but doesn't mean they are a good teacher. Yip Man is reported to have been an awful manager, loaning people money, doing favors that went unappreciated etc.
A teacher must be a mentor, and a guide of sorts, a "pointer to truth" as Lee said, and they must be able to instruct, though, technical information that requires physical movement to attain skill, when devoid of the true wisdom found in been there, done that, is reasonably useless. One can develop the ability to know things, without understanding them. If kids really understood fire is bad, they wouldn't be burning stuff down accidentally. Is a roll in the hay as good as it gets (and that is pretty darn good) or is that magic that occurs turning the woman to your personal angel during the same roll, as good as it gets?
Does length of time involved in a profession have anything to do with experience? If it does, how can a 40 year MA teacher be a McTeacher, and there has to be plenty if 90 percent of schools are. When Apple kicked Jobs out, they brought in an experienced CEO, dude turned Pepsi around and gained a large portion of the Coca Cola stake in the market, but almost ran Apple into the ground. There are teachers in the education system going through the motions for an entire career, very few people look back and cite having many great teachers, many say one taught them beyond the books.
Pro athletics have stat sheets on players, years of experience is calculated as a pro. All the pee wee, pop warner, high school, college experience means crap in the pros, because most don't make it. They develop technical skills and basic information, and can't transistion. An NFL player with 15 years is a lifetime, and the good one say they find out they knew nothing the first few years in the pros.. So we have these elite level guys, with 12 years or so of solid experience, that attain legendary status, and are embarrassed to cite their skill and ability as elite when a rookie, though those traits are why they were drafted.
Are you experienced, or are you a McTeacher?
