When Visiting Other Martial Arts Schools

Even though you may hold a rank or Dan grade in your system you do not wear this particular belt when visiting another martial art school system. You may share this information to the instructor when asked, but not broadcast to the rest of the school. If you are truly attending that class to learn and take something away from it you must be open to it and be a white belt in heart. Otherwise you will create conflict within yourself and reflect this in your intentions.

If it is your intention to visit other systems to show up their flaws or to belittle their syllabus, you are truly being a coward and this only demonstrates that you have flaws.

Sometimes the instructor will invite you to wear your grade in your particular system, to share or instructor a particular section from your system. If this has been previously advertised, this is acceptable, as long as you do not press that what you instruct is better than the system you are visiting. Remember you have been invited and are a steward for your system, do not tannish its reputation.

If you have been asked to instructor a segment from your system in a haste decision from the instructor; you first should decline. If the instructor insists and it is of benefit for the whole of the class, do so, but do not provide instruction. Instead offer a demonstration and allow the instructor to provide the instruction. If the instruction is incorrect, do not correct the instructor, bite your tongue, and remember it is their class.

Sometimes instructors from other systems will invite you to wear your Dan grade to their class as a regular standing. Decline this offer; you have not earnt this position in that system and generally the instructor wishes to demonstrate they have additional black belts within their system, with you being one of them. They will attempt to show to their own students that the ability or grade you hold has been given by them. Remember you have earnt that grade with your system and a system that offers this is not true to its self.

If you hold a Dan grade in another system, the instructor may ask you to wear a black tip on your coloured belt in their system as an indicator to others that you have a proficiency within another system. This may be an indicator that the instructor does not trust your control with their beginner students or that they wish to demonstrate to others that they have a number of black belts from other systems training with them because they have a superior system. This only demonstrates the lack of confidence, that instructor has in themselves, their system and in you in yours.

After sometime you have been practising within another system and the instructor offers you a grade much quicker than others normally practising. If you take this grade, yes it demonstrates that you have an ability to acquire skills due to your previous abilities, but it is also a poor reflection on one’s character. This may create conflict within that school, remember others have worked hard to gain a certain level and you taking that grade offered prematurely will only devalue their hard work.

In many cases I have been offered multiple grades in a particular system and each time I have declined for this same reason. You must first ponder the reason for you being in that particular class or system. Is it to gain knowledge or belts like trophies?

Many times when travelling or attending another branch of your system and you are the highest grade in the class, what do you do? When visiting, remember you are a guest first. The instructor of the branch class is the conducting the class. Sometimes they are undertaking the class for another Instructor on their leave. The instructor set in place in their absence, has so for a reason. They have the respect of their teacher to conduct the class, they are the steward for that branch.

So if you are a higher grade, you must train in with the class, be an observer. The instructor is gaining teaching skills and the confidence to do so and does not need another detracting from this aim. If a technique can be adjusted for efficiency, you must speak to the instructor to the side and provide the advice and allow them to provide it to the class if they wish.

If you are a higher grade or hold a Dan rank visiting another school different, within your system. You must always be a part of that class and observe. If you become a regular member of that school within that school, only provide instruction when asked by that particular instructor. Doing so is rude and unethical.

When relocating to another branch within your system. You must contact the Instructor and provide an introduction or have your instructor provide an introduction on your behalf. You must provide your grading booklet to the instructor for evidence of your grading’s. After being accepted into the class, you should attempt to follow the protocols of that particular school as soon as possible. This may mean wearing of uniform or class insignia. The wearing of your previous school insignia should be discussed with the instructor. They may offer you to wear it on the opposite side of your Gi jacket or on the sleeve.

When starting another martial arts system you should ask once again ask the instructor if you wear your insignia. They may offer you to wear it on the lower part of your Gi jacket. In normal cases it is best not to wear it and focus on the new system and its instruction.

When a student has left your class to another branch class, what do you do? Sometimes a student demonstrates their loyalty by returning and grading with you. Most instructors will release the student to the new branch and to wish them well in their martial arts journey.

Sometimes the student may take time to advance due to differences between the branch schools. If the student asks to be graded and they can achieve this grade, you must consider what this will do if they return to the school you have released them to (Especially if it is another branch of that same school).

The student may grade with the other instructor and will so sometimes quickly due to the foundation you have provided them. Sometimes the student grades much quicker than expected in the other branch school and you belief they are not of that level.

Either way it is not your responsibility anymore, you have released that student.

If the student returns to your branch and they and not proficient in that particular level, this is a reflection on that student and not on yourself as an instructor. If the student returns to your class and is not at the proficiency of that particular grade, they will sit on that grade until they achieve it. If they leave because of this, this is once again a reflection on them.

The question in each of these situations is, “Are you practising to gain knowledge or for the materialistic gain of a belt”? If you are truly humble and have a respect for the art, the martial arts and yourself this will be an easy question to answer.