Do YOU Think This Is Something Only A McDojo Would Do?

Have you ever been to or know someone who trained at a martial arts gym and the dojo had a policy where you could only train with them? I have met several people over the years that have come from or trained at a martial arts dojo with a policy like this. So the question is, would you?
Is this a McDojo thing and why do you think a martial arts gym would have a policy like this?
#selfdefense #mcdojo #martialarts
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[@metrolinamartialarts]

It's definitely something from the previous generation. I encourage people to cross-train - heck even I do it! I would be a hypocrite if I didn't "allow" my students to cross train. Normally it's an insecurity thing - I know my product is good. 🤷‍♂️ Great video, Coach! Loved the skit 🤣

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Thanks, yeah I do as well. But I think a lot of that is our influence under the Guro lineage, at least in my opinion. And thanks, I thought it turned out pretty good.

[@rohitchaoji]

For what it's worth, if you're a beginner to intermediate trainee, it's the most effective to try out different gyms or dojos for a trial or two, and then stick to the one you like the most, for as long as you want to. But probably stick around until you get to a level of competence (if it is a legit gym teaching legitimate techniques). I see professional and mid-high level amateur athletes at the gym that I go to, who also train elsewhere, and perhaps their level of competence means they can comfortably do that without being confused by different terminology and might find the difference in technique details to be useful. A beginner might still benefit more from sticking to a gym, going there regularly, building rapport with the coaches and training partners, etc. I'm looking at it from a lens of practicality than any loyalty business. But I'd definitely be wary of any business that tries to restrict what I do through a singed agreement.

[@Shojushoju]

JKD instructor here. I agree; they shouldn’t have that policy. A business doesn’t want to lost their members, so I understand why their concerned about students training elsewhere. I do believe that beginning students should stick to one main school/instructor to begin with otherwise, like you said, they’ll get confused by the various “correct” ways to do techniques. This is especially the case if both instructors are teaching the same subject matter (say, boxing). I have the same challenge when I’m learning. (For example, Gabriel Varga & Jeff Chan have completely different styles - but one can learn from both.) Once your intermediate or advanced, then I feel it’s fine to try out different styles and instructors.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

I think you summed up what I was saying. Yet I also think when we are young aka not instructors for sure is when we are most open to other influences. Just talked to someone last night and their old dojo had a basic policy that they only train with their association for safety of the students as other gyms wouldn't be able to control themselves. Yet oddly enough when we hosted a multi-school demo for the mall it was their instructor that hurt someone. They also had a student get hurt when the guy was testing and thought maybe our own people need to not hurt people as well.

[@Omidion]

Your sketch put a smile on my face...so it was good :) You could do a bit of overacting, exaggerating the character. The two in the video didn't stand out that much, but the change of cloths was helpful. Never heard a gym/dojo having such a cult like behavior...the thing that interests me the most, if you sign and break the agreement are you liable to get sued ? As someone who changed dojos i feel it benefited me since i got more perspective. It also helps me focusing on ME, because i train for me to improve my skill, not the instructors or dojos, i see a lot of people feel the "need to belong" to a group and won't even think about going to a class to another dojo because they feel like they'll be betraying their dojo, instructor and friends at dojo. The agreement is i give you money, you teach, keep it professional, fun and friendly...if you want more, you want loyalty (exclusivity) than that'll cost you (the instructor) something. People easily forget that the hard work they put in, to improve is their hard work...no one can do pushups for me so my muscles grow. Other than that i think everyone should go to seminars, open mats, other instructors, other arts and take from it. It's the same with...a dish...beans, if you only eat your moms and never try anyone's u'll be missing out. You could stumble upon a better tasting beans, you could reinforce the fact that your mom makes the best or you'll just be that more knowledgeable, acknowledging that there are different types. Think people should be open to new experiences, always. You've helped me realized that my 3 years of Aikido were not a waste, it has value, all experience has value (even the bad ones) because experiencing things is how we grow.

[@joshuaowens3611]

When I was in an association that had the no train with others rule, it wasn't a policy that you signed. It was however a rule written in their association hand book. It wasn't so much that you couldn't but you did need your instructors permission to train with others or compete outside the association. And of course, typically, if you asked to do so, the answer was no.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Interesting, and I think I remember we asked (I can't remember if we had too or not) to attend a seminar or tournament that the dojo wasn't attending.

[@afadingdream9675]

I think this is definitely an old-school mentality that's been passed down. I had a sensei as a kid who sorta argued with my dad because my dad would learn katas in advance from books, or train at the sensei's students' dojos. I don't think people who think that way generally have bad intent when they try to say or impose this, but I think it will just keep dying out as time goes on. I obviously don't see a problem training with multiple instructors. I think you hit the nail on the head at the end. Doing so on a weekly basis would feel confusing.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

I know there are a few schools I would have left earlier if I had done more crosstraining at an earlier time. I think I didn't really start until I met guro. But I now know my old dojo knew little to nothing about escrima, and probably only taught what they themselves learned for a book or blackbelt magazine.

[@MichaelThomasOflaherty]

My first Wing Chun teacher was a jerk that held Me back doing the same forms for years so I left His Wing Chun school and found a better Wing Chun school which didn't hold me back behind the other students and taught Me more than just the forms actual sparring and the all important chi sao drills of the more Practical teaching of Wing Chun. I'm still doing Wing Chun at 40 years old and I actually progressed to a black sash which was extremely difficult to achieve

[@zenshinacademy4096]

I would absolutely not train in a gym that required only their gym. I have been training since 1978 and have always been eclectic. When someone comes into our dojo and asked about such a question, I whole heartedly suggest going other places, learn from whoever and whatever you can at all times. I think only someone who fears will demand not going other places.

[@bwalltv2511]

I don’t think I would sign up for being restricted to training only in one place. I do totally understand the point in that it could be confusing to train on a similar matter with different instructors if you are still in your infancy in training but in the end for me I learn better hearing, seeing, doing from different perspectives.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Agree and agree.

[@cpiper6338]

I'm sure some of this still goes on today, but I remember back in the day (decades ago) it was prevalent. There were TaeKwonDo schools that only allowed students to participate in TaeKwonDo tournaments, same with some Shotokan or Goju or Shorin-Ryu, etc., etc., etc. The primary schools I've known and/or been involved with were all open to learning and expanding their art. And they all attended open tournaments.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Yeah I remember a lot of different schools at the tournaments I attended, yet I now think about how many never showed up to those as they followed the "rules" and only did stuff in-house basically.

[@cpiper6338]

@@martialartsunlimited01 Yeah, I'm thinking of the 70's & 80's especially when the ATA had there own closed tournaments (and still do) because God forbid someone should get PUNCHED in the face (as opposed to kicked full power in the head 😆) and the AAU also frowned on there members going to 'unsanctioned' tournaments. I personally know of one competitor from each of those organizations who did break outand competed in open tourneys... and both did extremely well!

[@nacktheslayer9882]

I think if you're looking to supplement your training with some thing else or there's a scheduling conflict there's no issue. If you're going taekwondo class on mondays and wednesdays, then karate class tuesdays and thursdays I think there could be some problems especially if you're a beginner. IF you're already a 4th degree black belt in one and want to learn the other for your own benefit then that's probably not a problem. But on the other hand, for example say you train at a bjj school that also offers kickboxing but you can't make it to the kickboxing class, but another school has a kickboxing class that you can make it too, I don't see that being a problem as long as you can keep it up. Our school encourages crosstraining, but they do sometimes say that it can bring attitudes and habits that they don't want in their school.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Yeah I can honestly say having an actually open "open mat" policy did cost me a few students over the years. Someone would attend and poach my members to come teach for them or come train for free type stuff. But I cannot ever remember not being allowed to train anywhere else.

[@CompetitiveWingChun]

Our policy is to allow you to experience different teaching of Wing Chun if you so desire, if you cross train make sure this doesn't distract you from learning or practicing Wing Chun because Wing Chun needs your full attention in order to get good at the Wing Chun forms like Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu and Biu Jee. You must be able to concentrate on your Wing Chun training or your not learning Wing Chun to our high standards. And our Intensive lesson classes are for fast learners if your not fast enough as a learner go back and try our slow paced classes and learn Wing Chun at a |Gold standard

[@dotslashsatan]

Yep most karate gyms in Lancashire won’t accept someone from Yorkshire who is black belt

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Really, why is that?

[@Sooska100]

What do You think about wing tsun?

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

LOTS of traditional arts in Japan don't let you cross train or train under another Sensei.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Really, I only trained in Aikido in Japan so it's not something I guess I would have noticed.

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

@@martialartsunlimited01 If you ask around or maybe look at channels/websites that discuss Ko-Ryu arts, you should be able to see it. For example, most Karate schools in Japan and Okinawa will not allow you to train in another style without WRITTEN consent from the instructors. The Bujinkan won't let you train in another TaiJutsu style . Many Judo dojos won't let you train BJJ etc. They are really picky about sticking with one style and one head instructor.

[@mutant0177]

I would not sign a contract like that. I would say if you a new to matial arts in general train one art in one dojo for at least a year. After that espeacially if you focus on self defence look in other places maybe. But do not thing "my training was a waste of time" just because you loose to kickboxer in kickbox sparring after that.

[@stuartpaul9211]

Gracy Bar type brands are worst. got to wear their gi and pay direct debit only etc.

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Really, I once looked into the affiliate program and that had a lot of rules too

[@joshuasowash242]

my Senesi Harris said when I get my six the degree black am going to trai jeet kune and mauy thai

[@martialartsunlimited01]

Sensei Roy Harris?