Most readers of this blog know that I have been progressing in getting my different colored sashes in Muay Thai, which represent me moving forward and passing tests, showing to my instructor that I have learned the required techniques.
Traditionally, MT does not have rank. You earn your Thai Shorts (by the way, I think I need a pair of these) and that is pretty much it. The rest is proven in the ring.
However, the head instructor of my gym has installed a ranking system, and encourages everyone to aspire to gain the ultimate goal, the black sash. If you go consistently it takes about six years. The curriculum rotates, so it is easier for new people to get in the groove and everyone doesn't have to keep slowing down for the newbies.
I have been in discussions with other guys who are involved with MT who say that the sash system is bullsh1t. Others think it interesting. I am fairly neutral on the subject. I think it is good and bad. I sure used to be more excited about progressing on the color scale, but the tests don't thrill me as much as they used to. I have enough to deal with in my life at this point, and the added stress of being questioned on a very high level by my instructor doesn't pull my trigger.
Getting tested for my thai shorts was one of the proudest days of my short martial arts career (about 2.5 years now) and that one I will always remember. The others...meh.
The huge advantage that gyms that use some sort of testing system have over others is that they are ORGANIZED. If you don't have goals and organization, you typically will come into the gym and just do whatever the instructor feels like. With the introduction of rank and a set curriculum, the techniques flow together along with new drills.
I think it is good that the beginners and advanced people are separated. I don't really need to spar beginners as I really don't improve anything. Them getting their sh1t handed to them only serves to show them how far they need to go. Which isn't the worst thing.
Rank in our gym doesn't even mean that you are better than someone else. There are plenty of fighters in my gym that are of lower rank than myself that can kick my ass.
There are a few disadvantages of rank I think. Each test is $50 per student - obviously a revenue source for the gym. So are we paying for a certificate and sash? Not really. If you haven't been to classes you are not allowed to test. Does anyone fail? Not that I have seen. I have heard that there will be fails in the future but we will see. I think they don't want anyone at the tests who will fail. Yes, this sounds a bit strange.
The fact that rank doesn't necessarily denote skill is a bit odd as well. MT is a ring sport that can be used on the street. In the ring you either win, or lose. The concept of rank to most implies that someone of a higher rank is "better" than someone of lower rank. It isn't exactly true at my gym, or any other.
Regardless of any carping or complaining, my gym does tests and rank so I will be doing them and progressing along the "rank rainbow" as I call it. Frankly, I enjoy my new "family", as I call them, and training fighters more than anything else. It is odd how you bond with people who you are trying to beat up day after day.
I look at rank quite a bit differently now. I do not respect any fat slob who has a black belt because I can probably kick his ass in a flash. And I have heard horror stories how some gyms give away black belts like they were candy. At least we earn our sashes through a lot of sweat and work. For what it is worth.
6 comments:
Why can a guy with lower rank than you beat you up (in your own gym, not some other gym where their standards are different)? Is it because they are bigger? Or have other skills? Just wondering
Dude, I'm 40. Some of our fighters are 20 year old muscleheads who are insane.
So usually the size is the factor, but sometimes they come to our gym with already developed boxing or kickboxing skills.
I figured it was size
you probably have more cardio than the 20 year olds
Exactly - I am the cardio king at the gym...when faced with some gorilla I usually try to use a lot of lateral movement and let them "blow their wad" right out of the gate, then I can score a lot later in the rounds.
That's an interesting post. Most of it seems to mirror my feelings on the matter. However:
The huge advantage that gyms that use some sort of testing system have over others is that they are ORGANIZED.
I would argue that my school is organised despite the fact that we have no ranks or testing; there are set things to be learned and a specific class structure in which they are learned. Anyone who trains there for any significant length of time will come out knowing the same core of material. The lessons rotate on a regular basis (for the reasons you give above) and new students are given tuition in separate groups until they are able to join in the main class.
Thanks Milo. I guess I shouldn't have made the blanket statement.
Your school is definitely the exception to the rule. I have spoken with many people from many other gyms and it seems that almost all of the time the ones without a system of some sort seem to train in a random fashion.
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