Opinion on Iaido class

marmaduke · Yellow Belt

Hi. New problem. In addition to Karate, my son is taking an Iaido class on the side. During his last class his instructor mentioned to the class that he expects to see everyone at the next Tournament (July 22). He mentioned that grades would depend on participation. This caught me by surprise. I really didn't care for a threat like that. For one thing, I do not take my son to every single tournament just because I am ordered to. We usually go to two large tournaments per year for the Karate class. This Iaido instructor just started training and want to promote his class. More or less plugging an add. I don't care for that. I also have no idea where this Tournament is and do not plan on driving across the state just for one Kata. As it is, Ihave car problems and am trying to save up to have the car fixed. ( I can't do high speed freeway driving rightr now.) I would just as soon end my sons training here and now instead of putting up with tactics from his instructor.

Any comments?? I am just being ridiculous?

lordtariel · Black Belt

Wow, I guess it would depend on the situation. Have you talked to him about your concerns? He should be understanding if you have a legitimate reason for not attending. As long as you address the issue politely I don't think there should be a problem.

Participation in a tournament might not mean competing. You can participate by helping set up and tear down, help the various table officials, help load gear into vehicles, ect. That's how people at our dojo who don't want to compete get around the requirement.
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bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

Some instructors will require things like this. Tournaments can be a great learning evironment, and it is not one that can be simulated in class.

However, it does sound odd that he would require participation. If you don't want to do it, then ending your son's training there may be the only option. Or, if you can't make this one, then try to make the next one.

As mentioned above, talk to him about your situation, and then go from there.
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AikiGuy · Orange Belt

Wow, that's an interesting situation. I have lots of mixed emotions on this. The first thing to keep in mind it that an instructor has the need and obligation to try to keep his class going (for his sake and his students' sake). So if he wants to do a little advertising by showing off his students, that's normal. After all, if the class folds, your son will have to find another school. I once taught a class on a one year contract at a gym. It did OK for about 5 months, then attendance dropped by about half. I never renewed my contract the second year. Now, I'm not teaching and my students don't have an affordable class to attend. Maybe I should have "plugged" a little more.(?)

However the way he sounds in your post does sound a little pushy. I don't really like requiring my students to do anything other than come to class and participate. Everything else is optional. I do know instructors that require extra activities though. Some are helpful and others not so much. Some people require going to at least one tournament before key promotions. Others require placing in the top 3 at a tourney or being a student-teacher for a day. All of these are very enlightening so I see the point. But I still don't like making it a necessary for testing.

It is possible that the instructor meant that participating would be like extra credit on a grading (but not absolutely required to pass). In any case, you can always talk to him and explain your situation with the car/schedule/budget, etc. Most instructors just want to know that you will put in some effort even if it's not at every possible event. He may be very understanding. I hope you get this worked out soon.
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marmaduke · Yellow Belt

Problem solved. The head instructor ( The Dojo owner) came back from vacation and I asked him about it. He told me that the iaido instructor is getting senile and he'll have a word with him. He couldn't see it either that people would have to drive halfway across the state to plug his sword class. He said too many students/parents get upset and leave. As it is, he said there is a Dojo tournament he's planning for September that my son can participate in and that will qualify him for his testing/promotion. So that takes care of that.

armanox · Orange Belt

odd that they would require competition for promotion though......never thought I'd hear that from an Iaido school.....
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