Student Responsibilities

            With rank testing swiftly approaching, I am once again dismayed to see that there are many students who are somewhat unprepared.  I am also appalled by the attitude of some of these students. Instead of humble requests for extra assistance, I am assaulted by a barrage of excuses like: “I went on vacation so I didn’t practice.”  Or “I didn’t know this would be on the test.”  Even more shocking is that a few students have taken it upon themselves to accuse myself and the instructional staff of failing to properly prepare the students.  I’m going to take this time to set the record straight by laying out the responsibilities of the student.

Student Responsibilities

1. To come to class with the proper physical and mental mindset necessary to learn martial arts – This means that the student must devote themselves physically and mentally to their karate training. Students who fail to pay attention or choose not to put forth their best effort are already violating the covenant between students and teachers. If there is something outside of class that needs attending, then do so. Don’t come to class thinking about outside projects, tasks, or personal dilemmas.  By doing this, you are cheating yourself out of training and wasting the instructor’s time.

2. To attend class on a regular basis – This means that the student should devote the time to come to their scheduled classes.  Sometimes emergencies may arise or illnesses may prevent a student from coming to class.  It is the student’s responsibility to talk with the Chief Instructor about rescheduling those missed classes.  In most cases an arrangement can be made; however, I rarely allow vacationing students the opportunity to make-up classes.  If you are going on vacation, you are making a conscience decision to “get away” from your normal day to day activities (which includes your karate training); therefore, the burden to make up this time is entirely upon the student and it is unfair for them to request extra help (outside of private lessons) because they decided to take it easy and go on vacation.

3. To know the necessary requirements for rank promotion – This means that the student should familiarize himself with the testing requirements for their next rank promotion.  This information can be obtained on our school website (atlantawykko.com) under the “WYKKO Study Guides” option, on the official World Yoshukai website (wykko.com) under the “Handbook” link, or by asking any of the class Black Belts.  If you are a student who desires to move up through the ranks of Yoshukai Karate it is your responsibility to keep track of what is required to do so.  I have not been blessed with telepathic abilities; therefore, I cannot read the minds of my students to determine what katas and techniques you have learned. 

4. To ask for help when it is needed – This means that the student should regularly examine his technique, knowledge, and testing status to determine what areas he needs further assistance with.  Again, the Black Belts aren’t mind readers.  We simply observe your technique and then critique it.  If it appears that you are weak in a certain area, we may offer our assistance and instruction, but we must be able to see these things to fix these things.  In other words, you may have a weak scissor stance, but if I haven’t seen you do a scissor stance, I won’t know that it is weak.  As the class has grown, I have been unable to keep track of each student’s personal strengths and weaknesses.  I look for general trends within the class and try to address those as a whole.  I perform “spot corrections” when necessary, but I do not have a dossier in my mind for each and every student (repeated blunt trauma to the head has somewhat limited my mental capacity and abilities).  Despite these facts, it is the student who must ask for assistance.  If you are having trouble with something, you need to ask a black belt for help.  Don’t allow your pride (or shame) to keep you from asking for help.  Everyone needs help from time to time.

5. To practice what has been taught – This means that the student should take time outside of class to devote to their karate training.  Although practicing in the dojo under the supervision of a qualified instructor is the preferred method of training, it is the practice that occurs outside of the dojo that truly prepares the student for the trials that lay ahead of him.  There is an old Japanese saying that summarizes this idea:  “Tomorrow’s battles are won through today’s practice.”  Furthermore, I have adopted the idea that the dojo is a place for learning and that the home is a place for practice.  Dojo literally means, “place where you learn the way”.  To me, this means that you learn how to do your techniques, kata, etc. in the dojo; however, you practice what you have learned elsewhere.  Don’t get me wrong, you should feel free to practice within the dojo, but you cannot allow the dojo to become the only place in which you practice.  People feel as though the dojo is the only place to practice, but that is not true.  You should pick a place that is somewhat private and is away from individuals who would seek to ridicule or challenge you.  You don’t necessarily need a lot of space.  If there isn’t enough space to do a kata, then practice the stances for that kata.  People are also under the impression that they must fully understand and know something before they practice.  This may be true if what you are doing is truly dangerous (i.e. breaking, sparring, weapons); however, open hand forms and practice of basic techniques should always be attempted.  Simply put, it is easier to make a correction than to have to re-teach something.  Finally, if something has been demonstrated in class by a qualified instructor even if it is only 1 time, the burden is now upon the student to make sure that they possess the tools necessary to hone and practice the technique.

Real-life Application

It is all well and good for me to lay out these “commandments” and expect my students to adhere to them; however, I don’t think that is fair to my students.  I know that I, myself, require a frame of reference to help apply these concepts to the real world.  Thus, I have included some scenarios that would apply to the aforementioned student responsibilities.

To come to class with the proper physical and mental mindset necessary to learn martial arts

Situation:  Student A has a huge homework assignment/work project due.  This project is extremely important and could greatly affect his final grade/employment status.  Student B has a severe cold.  Student C has a sprained ankle or other minor injury.

Resolution:  Student A should stay at home and finish their project.  It doesn’t do them any good to come to class if they are distracted.  Karate takes up 100% of your concentration.  You are a danger to yourself and others if you cannot concentrate fully on what you are doing.  Student B should stay at home and rest.  If you are ill, you will not be able to concentrate nor will you be able to give your best physically. Student C should come to class as an observer.  Student C can participate in class as long as he informs the instructor of his injury.  In the cases of Students A and B, they should approach the instructor and inquire as to what they missed.  In all three cases they should ask for assistance before or after class from a black belt if it is needed.

To attend class on a regular basis

Situation:  Student A has an important appointment scheduled on the same night as karate class.  Student B is playing another sport that holds practice on the same night as karate class.  Student C is going on vacation for 2 weeks.

Resolution:  All three students should approach the instructor and inquire as to what they may be missing in class while they are out.  Student A should also approach the instructor and ask if they can come to class on an alternate night.  Because Student B will be missing his scheduled night for class over a longer period of time, he cannot come on an alternate night.  He should instead inquire about private lessons. Student C should analyze what he has missed and make a determination as to whether or not to schedule a private lesson.  Otherwise, he should attempt to seek assistance before or after class.

To know the necessary requirements for rank promotion

Situation:  Student A doesn’t know what kata are required for testing.  Student B isn’t sure if they have to perform self-defense.  Student C has studied the handbook and has noticed a requirement that has not yet been covered in class.

Resolution:  Students A and B should download the Student Handbook and study it to find the answer to their questions.  Alternately, they can ask a black belt for assistance.  Student C should approach the instructor and inquire as to when this particular item will be covered.

To ask for help when it is needed

Situation:  Student A has learned a form in class, but is unable to successfully perform one of the moves. Student B missed a class and was not taught a specific technique.  Student C hasn’t been practicing as much as he should and his technique is lacking.

Resolution:  All three students should approach a black belt or the instructor and ask for assistance. Students B and C should consider scheduling private lessons.

To practice what has been taught

Situation:  Student A has learned a form in class, but is unable to successfully perform one of the moves. Student B is confused about the order of the moves.  Student C lives in a small apartment and cannot practice the entire form.

Resolution:  Students A and B should practice what they know.  Student C should practice the fundamentals of the form (i.e. stances, blocks) while staying in a stationary position.  All three students should seek the assistance of a black belt when they return to class.

Private Lessons

All of the black belt level students, including myself, are happy to help out the students before and after class; however, if you have a problem or question that will take more than 15 minutes to resolve, you should consider scheduling a private lesson.  It is not as if we will simply stop providing assistance after 15 minutes is up; however, if you notice that your problem is taking up to 20 minutes or more to resolve, you should pause and inquire about taking a private lesson.

Private Lesson Costs

Shodan (1^st deg.)  $35 per hour; $50 for two (no more than two people can sign up for a private lesson)

Nidan (2^nd deg.)  $40 per hour; $50 for two

Sandan (3^rd deg.)  $50 per hour; $75 for two

Private lessons cannot take place upon Roswell City property.  This includes any gymnasium, dance room, general purpose room, or outdoor plaza run or owned by the City of Roswell.  Most private lessons occur at the student’s home.  In some instances they can occur at the home of the instructor or in some other neutral location. 

Private Tests/Make-up Tests

Generally speaking, I DO NOT hold make-up tests.  I try to schedule the tests far enough in advance to allow people to adjust their schedules.  In some instances, however, I will allow students to come at alternate times (morning instead of afternoon for example) if there is a valid excuse.  I will also invite them to participate in a neighboring dojo’s rank test once I receive authorization from that schools Chief Instructor.  There is one more option for those who have missed a testing.  Students can pay for the privilege of a private testing.  The basic fees for a private testing are as follows:

$150 per student base testing fee *

$20 per hour for the Chief Instructor **

$10 per hour for each attending black belt (a minimum of 2 not including the Chief Instructor is required if more than one person is testing, otherwise Black Belt attendance is optional)

Traveling expenses (if applicable)

* Base testing fee is non-refundable or transferable in the event of a test failure

** Chief Instructor and Black Belt fees are split amongst all participants

Private tests must be administered by the Chief Instructor and can occur at the student’s residence or at a location of the Chief Instructor’s choosing.  The Chief Instructor reserves the right to deny the administration of a private test.