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John Lindsey
16th September 2000, 15:00
This is the first is a series of questions that are often asked of martial art teachers by parents who are interested in starting their children in martial arts. How would you respond to this:

"Little Bobby wants to do karate, but I want something that also builds teamwork. It seems to me that martial arts lacks any such development in their students. Is this true?”

Gil Gillespie
16th September 2000, 23:21
If this a tournament competition art (karate, judo, TKD, et al) Well, Mom, it's true that in martial arts the emphasis is on Bobby as an individual and his growth in body, mind, and spirit. There will be ancillary benefits like discipline, self-sufficiency, confidence, and others that will far outlast the immediate teachings like self-defense, coordination, balance and grace. As a member of this dojo Bobby will come to feel part of a team, hopefully beyond that,he'll be part of a community, and even of a family. As he progresses and competes at higher levels he will not only represent his dojo (team) with more meaning and prestige, he'll have the responsibility of being a role model for the newer students, later a teacher himself, lateer a part of the history of his art.

He'll get more out of this if he's open to it than he will from any sports team.

Mitch Saret
17th September 2000, 01:57
I have had this question and responded something like this...

The students learn to work together and help each other learn techniques and kata with different skill building drills. Team spirit is also encouraged by breaking down into groups and having a little innerschool competition. However, the individual learns and progresses at his own pace and is not pressured or required to advance with the group.

An interesting side benefit is the students that aren't quite as naturally skilled as others generally improve at a quicker rate when paired with the better students.

Tetsutaka
17th September 2000, 04:36
Not only do we have the benefit of the "rising tide that lift all ships", but the students eventually gain a sense of "bringing along" the less experienced students. This engenders a sense of responsibility and maturity in the student that is above an beyond "competitive" teamwork. Competitions are "for the mats only" but the team building inherent to our approach has positive effects that the student carries out of the dojo. This is an environment where everyone wins.

That's real teamwork - and that's the way we do things.

[How's that? ;)]