Those who try to self-teach themselves martial arts outside of a classroom setting
69The one who says "I learned it off the internet"
I have heard and seen many people try to learn martial arts from watching internet sources, movies, and even copy what they see in person. Many of these dont see how they are putting themselves in danger trying to self-teach martial arts. Learning martial arts outside of a classroom setting is dangerously wrong and these individuals are being representatives of a style they know virtually nothing about. They think if the practice and follow everything that they see and are told about it, then they can master it, but you can not master something unless you allow yourself to be critiqued by a master. You can think you are doing everything right but there are things about form, control, center of gravity, and many many more things that a master can only critique you on and prevent you from injuring yourself and others with malpractice. Martial arts is not all common sense, speed, and fancy movements; it is so much more and these individuals and depriving themselves of that and being a false representatives of these styles.
False Instructors
I have also noticed that there are a whold lot of people going around having sessions or classes with an instructor, copying what they see, "mastering" the moves in their own mind, saying they "trained" with him/her, and advancing themselves in rank. You just can't do that it is not how it works and if you have any respect or honor to the art you wouldn't think about doing it. Then, these same people go and certify themselves (trust me it can and has been done) and they go and start teaching this phony mixed up dangerous style to other people, false instructing. Please be aware of these people and don't be one of these people. If you want to learn the art go to a school of a real certified instructor and make sure you do your research on this person and this style.
learn the science of the art
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I concur.
Martial arts study is so much more than learning techniques by copying the moves (if indeed this could even be considered truly learning them). If one does not learn under the tutelage of a master or qualified instructor/sifu/sensei/guro and the associated critiques, what is learned might be more effective fighting, but cannot be considered martial arts.
Without the wise and critical eye of someone who knows the nuances and hidden aspects of the forms and techniques, the prospective student is actually more dangerous to him/herself, as well as anyone exposed to them and their "technique."
Those who claim to be instructors, but clearly aren't should be extremely careful about making such claims. I know of communities of martial artists where the exposed imposter is given no quarter. I have had many friends from various systems in places I have lived. It was and still is very common to have guest instructors from other disciplines and be invited to train at other schools to build "dojo brother/sisterhood" and to expand one's breadth of martial understanding (I train currently with a circle that includes Kali, Silat, JKD, Wing Chun & Boxing).
What is most notable here is the fact that when such a community is created, one's skill can be that much more easily verified or tested. I was once told a story of a renegade who would brag in certain circles about how he'd trained with this instructor and that instructor (in such a community) and attained some ranking. I was told that he'd unknowingly bragged quite extensively to one individual who happened to have studied for years in that community under a well known soke.
From what I know, this individual was confronted by several representatives from schools that he'd alleged to have studied in. He was questioned and his claims disproven. He was offered an invite to attend a couple of free classes at each school, so that he could have an opportunity to actually train. He was also warned about making such claims in the future because not all who study embrace peaceful solutions, especially when they feel that which they work for is being made a mockery of.
thank you that's what im trying to get out
I'm not sure it is really dangerous, unless you go out and try to start a fight because of a big head. There are even some professional fighters who have admitted to starting out by training with videos and a buddy. The former UFC Middleweight Champion, Rich Franklin is one of those.
The danger that you face is learning things incorrectly. It is much more difficult to unlearn something you have practiced for a long time than it is to learn it correctly in the first place.
I do agree about the problem with the instructors trying to pass their skills off and lying about their qualifications. This is wrong, and you do need to check out the instructors qualifications. Most good schools are affiliated with a national or world wide organization. The last dojo I trained at had instructors and students flying from as far as Hawaii to South Carolina to train and participate in weekend long tournaments. This is another advantage of a legitimate school. You get to work with different Sensai's. Most of the other dojo's taught a more traditional style, where our dojo used a style that had a hint of boxing in it. I have to admit, I did learn some things out of the dojo. When I was in high school I had trained with a buddy who was an Aikido student. He wasn't qualified to really teach me anything but some of the techniques that I learned from him in regard to positions and movements helped out quite a bit. I found out that working off of an X like they teach in Aikido translates very well to boxing and Karate. It helps you slip past a punch or kick into a dominate counter punching position. I even caught my Sensai off guard quite a few times when I was sparring with him until he finally asked me what I was doing.
When I mentioned danger it was more in terms of the fact that someone who hasn't the actual experience of thorough training typically lacks a certain amount of control. I have seen people get hurt by practicing on the mat with someone who did not fully comprehend how much force was too much, or even hurt themselves by thinking they could go too hard. You know as I do that this only comes with experience.
I do agree with you about the value of working from the "x." In Kali I learned the same thing (male and female angles). I find that this type of training translates well into all other training, just like Bagua and their "circular walking".
People are able to learn martial arts from a video source. And perhaps learn the basics. However, if they want to be corrected and improve, it is crucial to have a qualified instructor.
I mean, I learn much faster when corrected by my Aikido Sensei.
Worst case szenario: A guy who wants to teach himself Kendo with some friends. With a real katana. I don't have to go into details about how he ended up, right? Yes, it's a true story and I saw the wound myself.
Please don't train with real weapons at home!!!
jrosemond Hub Author 2 years ago
Keep your comments professional and be honest and open about your thoughts