The Beginner and Discipline
In this month’s blog, I might be tramping on some toes, but this comes from my heart and is something I have observed and experienced, many times in my 55 years as a karate instructor.
I am specifically speaking about ‘Discipline’ and in this blog specifically about beginners. The question is:” Who should have discipline?” I strongly believe that, first and foremost, discipline should start at home with the parents, but often parents bring their children to enrol in karate, with specific instruction that we as instructors should teach them discipline. Most instructors will know this to be true. By failing to install discipline into their children at home, that child already has less chance off persevering in karate and life, as notedly, karate is a discipline sport. Unfortunately, it has to be a team effort, both parents, child and instructor to instil the discipline needed to make a success of the child’s karate career, as well as other parts of their life. The moment one quits, discipline will not be achieved.
Never the less, the student starts their karate training with all that entails. Beginning by packing their shoes correctly before entering the dojo, bowing before entering the dojo, training with clean hands and feet, short fingernails and toenails. Beginning and ending their training with respect. This is just the start, before the actually training begins. Learning how to make a fist, to punch, block and keep a proper stance, but also doing physically challenging exercises, like push ups, jack knives, bunny hops, duck walks, etc. to improve and build their strength and concentration, as well as teach them never to give up!
This is hard work and only the start, which normally goes on for about 3 months before a student grades. Many who start quit within a week. Some last longer. Some even get to 2 months, before the parents advise that the children say it is too hard / difficult and they want to stop karate. This poses the question of who is failing in applying discipline…….students or parents. Quitting when things get difficult does not teach discipline. Fortunately, not all students give up, but persevere and reap the benefits of karate! Oss.
I will discuss discipline for colour belts to shodan, in my next blog.