While he may very well be a lethal weapon, nowhere in the world does he need to register his hands
Every term I get new children with lots of notions about what the martial arts are about. Some of the comments I get are funny—you just have to laugh. But in the mix I hear the same martial arts myths that have persisted for years, maybe decades. Here are the most common.
1. Myth: Martial arts are all about kicking, punching, and fighting.
Fact: Most programs teach avoidance of violence and respect for others. They highly discourage violence, and the higher rank one attains in the martial arts, the less likely they will have a need to prove themselves. Students who are in the arts for the wrong reasons are quickly weeded out by most reputable instructors. The ones who discover the true meaning behind martial arts—the respect, self-discipline, and improvement of oneself, and embrace it are the ones we want in our schools.
2. Myth: If you strike a person in the nose, you can drive the bones up through his brain and kill him.
Fact: This is not possible. The nose is made up of mostly soft cartilage, which does not have the strength necessary to penetrate the skull.
3. Myth: A black belt must register his hands as lethal weapons.
Fact: This myth has survived for decades, and there is no truth to it. There is no real regulation of individual martial artists in Australia or in the U.S.. Even if governments could afford to do it, which they cannot, it would probably be considered a violation of civil rights. There is nowhere in the world where martial artists are required to register themselves as lethal weapons.
4. Myth: There is one ultimate system of martial arts.
Fact: The people who claim to have the best system in the world are after one thing–your money. The fact is, there are superior martial artists, but not martial arts systems. Every martial art has something useful, and every one produces champions and people who can successfully defend themselves.
5. Myth: Once you reach black belt you are a master and can now quit.
Fact: Of course you can quit any time, but you are nowhere near a master at black belt. A master is usually someone who has spent over twenty years in the martial arts and is at least 5th Dan level. As a beginning black belt you are considered intermediate level in the whole scheme of things. However, it is still a huge accomplishment in that only about five out of 100 that start martial arts get to black belt.
6. Myth: Girls can’t do martial arts. This one has been around forever. It is amazing; some people still wonder why there are girls in the class.
Fact: There are many outstanding female martial artists worldwide. In fact, the Kenpo Freestyle Sydney team, which I coach, is comprised of about 40% girls and women. Some of our best competitors are female. This team has been undefeated in the NSW ISKA rankings for five years in a row. That should tell you something.
7. Myth: After a few weeks of training you will be able to fully defend yourself.
Fact: I hate to break it to you, but you will need at least six months to learn the basics, and probably at least a year after that of steady training to where you can confidently use it to defend yourself. Be patient and enjoy the process of learning and the self-defence aspects will take care of themselves.
Myths about martial arts are perpetuated through hearsay and exaggeration. Children are particularly susceptible to these ideas as they have no experience with which to judge reality vs. fantasy. It is my job as a children’s martial arts sensei to see that they know the truth. Do you have any myths you wish to add? Have at it!
Top Seven Myths Children Believe About Martial Arts is an original article by Sensei Matt Klein. For more information about the Kenpo Freestyle Sydney team follow this link.
Hey Matt, One myth I used to think when I was a kid is if you learned karate, you could beat up any attacker/s – with or without weapons once you reached black belt. 🙂
While getting a black belt in a system certainly helps, I’ve found that this could be true if one really took training seriously and got in better shape, generally became a better fighter and came up against a group of thugs that had lesser training… then a black belt could really seem to be great.
More to reality though is one will get attacked when he or she is sick, injured, or otherwise under the weather (read drunk) and will have to depend on his or her training to pull oneself through!
Nothing magical or secret… just good training and persistence. But if you are a black belt just for show – did the minimum to scrap by… chances are you will fight the way you train too.
So getting a black belt can be nirvana but it is up each of us to prove or disprove this Myth. 🙂
Hi John. Wise observation, the black belt is not the be-all, end-all that many think it is. There is always someone bigger and badder, as I like to say. But the lessons learned along the way are irreplaceable in my book.
As you say many (cowards) will only attack when the victim is sick or intoxicated, or when there are greater numbers of attackers, so your training and ability to always be prepared are key.
OMG, I’m embarrassed to admit that I thought the nose thing was true! LOL. Glad you cleared that up:)
Glad I was able to clear that up for you and thanks for stopping by Hear Mum Roar.
I’ve heard people say girls can’t do martial arts. My reply is always “Wing Chun”. 🙂
Hi Keith, welcome to our blog. For those in the know, Ng Mui or “Five Flowers” founded Wing Chun in China. She was a buddhist nun. Great insight Keith, and thanks for your comment.
Hi
I must say my son didn’t really have any expectations when joing the Tuesday class at Seaforth but not being a particularly sporty kid he thought he’d try karate. He’d being having a tough time at a new school after 2 interstate moves in 1 year! Poor kid was struggling to fit in and became a bit of a target with an older child. I’m pleased to report that the blocking techniques taught in class have been put into practise and the older boy has backed right off!! No more pushing and punching attempts. So thank you so much from both myself and Ben who has found a new confidence and is much happier 🙂
Thanks so much for your feedback Wendy. Our mission is first and foremost to build their confidence. It is gratifying to hear it has benefited your child.
Before I joined karate long ago I thought that I would be expected to do knuckle push ups for punishment, full contact sparring where there had to be blood or broken bones etc. Many clubs do go about it this way and can produce successful students. After becoming an instructor I learnt that positive reinforcement and guidance is a better tool for promoting disicpline rather than implanting fear in your students via hard core punishment. I can say with pride that I, like my Sensei Matt Klein have been able to produce successful students by using positive reinforcement as well.
Thanks for visiting Sinem! Yes, the carrot is more effective than the stick, at least in the long run. Positive reinforcement is the key to motivation and retention of students.