When you check out other schools....what do you look for?

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

When you go check out other schools, whether its for a place to train, or just to see what else is in your area, or you are travelling through, and thought you'd check out area MA schools just for grins, what do you look for? What do you evaluate? Do you go in with or without biases?

I'm curious, because I am willing to bet that most of us do this; we want to see what others are doing, and compare it what we do; its human nature. So, I thought we could discuss it here.

I tend to look at technique first, from the higher ranks. I check to see what age groups are running around, and how full the class might be, and if its mixed or seperated. I would also kind of watch the curriculum, see where the class focus might be, and compare it to how I've done things in the past.

Other things I'll note are the age of black belts, adult/child ratio, and things like that.

How about you?
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Montana · Pre-Black Belt

Great topic! And one that fits me perfectly, as I'm one of those that pops into dojo's every chance I get, especially when travelling.

I try to keep an open mind when visiting another dojo, especially one that doesn't kbnow that I'm a martial artist also.

First of all, I look at the discipline of the dojo. Is it run like a military organization with a lot of "Yes Sir/No Sir" or is it more relaxed. My preferences are to the more relaxed schools, but that is me. If you like a more strict environment, that's ok too.

Secondly, I look at technique of the higher belts. I wouldn't even want to guess at how many black belts I've seen that, IMO of course, are generating the power that a lower ranking kyu/colored belt would generate. This alone will tell you if you're in a good dojo, or bad.

I watch sparring, which despite the system, is generally pretty mu7ch the same everywhere, with only slight differences, such as Korean systems using more kicks and less hands (generally). As an Okinawan system instructor, I favor the 50/50 hands/feet and kicks to be lower.

I look at weapons usage. Do they know what they're doing, or is it all for flash? If the students/instructors are holding the nunchaku higher (close to the cord/chain) then that tells me they are either self-taught, or just plain haven't a clue as to how to use the weapon.

If time allows, and I like what I see, I will attempt to talk to the head of the dojo and introduce myself and let them know I liked it. On the other hand, if I didn't like what I saw, I would most likely sneak out the door at the end of class before they try to sign me up!
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ShoriKid · Pre-Black Belt

I look for a lot of the same things Montana and Bushido are looking for. Class structure, is it super strict, or more friendly and relaxed? Are the students paying attention if it's relaxed or scared to ask a question in a strict place?

I'll look at how technique are approached and how well the upper belts get/apply the mechanics. And, if their are enough upper belts I like to see if they are individualizing the art while sticking to the same principals. If there is a kids class, is it separate, or mixed. There is a "feel" to a good dojo too. Hard to explain, but it has an atmosphere that invites hard work, camaraderie and makes you want to step on the deck and work out.

And I lastly, like Montana, I like to introduce myself to the instructor at the end, compliment them on their class if it was good. If it wasn't, quietly slip away as people file out of the class.
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bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

Thanks for the responses, guys. Some things I didn't think of there, like noticing the "feel" of a school. Something I also might do is wait until the class is over, or even throughout the training, and see if anyone approaches me and introduces themselves, and how they address me and all that. I like to see if the conversation is one of genuine interest, or like visiting with a used car salesman.
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tallgeese · Black Belt

Right. That's the biggest thing I look for, the feel of the place. Do I like the way the students hold themselves. Is there a prevalent attitude about the place. Things like that. Espicially if I'm considering training there.

I look at the dynamics of the students and instructors with one another. That's a big indicator to me in regard to teh emphasis of the school.

I also look at if the school is accomplihing what it purports to do. If it's supposed to be a combative school, I want to see if what they are doing is combatively sound. How have tehy adapted new training modailites? Do they train live? How do those sessions look?

Too out of control and wild is a bad sign, it goes to a lack of proper technique and training at upper ranks. So constraied and presices as to look rehersed and pristine is equally bad, suggesting that they don't really know how out of control and chaotic a brawl can be.

If that's not the focus of the club, how are they doing at acheiving their goals. If you're looking for a pure BJJ school you should be seeing more technique and less spastic movements in their ranked guys. If traditional oriental arts are the focus, then they should display the form and power you'd expect from high level practitioners.

Really, for me, once you get past the attitude, it's about how well the school is accomplishing it's mission.

Throwdown0850 · Brown Belt

I look to see if they have aliveness in their training. Sparring, sparring and more sparring. How old are the bb's. Is the class a learning experience. Or, an ego fest ( I got to see that today for the first time). Do the players have good sportsnanship.
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Zaine · Black Belt

At this point in my training, I look to see if the teacher giving all the right techniques and focusing on them for an appropriate amount of time, and also how big of an ego he has, I like a humble teacher. I say that because I know that as long as I'm learning the techniques, I can drill them at home enough to become proficient in them, and go back and ask whether or not I'm doing the correctly. For me any martial art as been 30% class time training and 70% solo training.
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sensei8 · KF Sensei

Will you be challenged? If not, keep looking.

Platitudes and the like are fine for decorations, but it's the core of the Chief Instructor that I'd look into. Watch him/her, study him/her, and how well does he/she interact with students and guests.

Watch a lot of classes! Things will reveal themselves during class.

Good luck!

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bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

Zaine · Black Belt

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