I am attending A martial arts school called J.K. Lees and I am just wondering about the legitimacy of the dojo. I’m not sure if anyone
else has heard of this school because it seems pretty residential and not as widespread as any other school might be. I’ve been attending
the school for about a month and a half and I have earned my yellow belt. I go 4-5 times a week; I’ve taken taekwondo and earned my yellow belt before at a different dojo but dropped out. For the first 3 months it cost 4$ for my mother & I including the uniform’s. After this first payment the rates for continuing the practice goes way down. They hold testing every 6 weeks (they tell us you don’t have to go, you can spend as much time on a belt until you’re ready) and you have to pay 50$ for each testing & I believe there are 10-11 belts you can earn.
I’ll list them here:
White belt
Yellow belt
Purple
High purple
Green
High green
Brown
High brown
Red
High red
Black (1-9 degrees)
Classes are taught based upon level. There are usually two different types of classes that children and adults can attend. They have low ranking classes (white-green) and then classes for higher ranks (brown-black). The instructors are incredibly nice and welcoming and teach the class decently. For warming up they usually have a young black belt or the most experienced/highest belt in the class lead us and then when it comes to the actual techniques an experienced black belt teacher leads the class. They further group us up based upon belt level in the class and work on each individual belt levels techniques. If they see that we are having problems they are happy to come and help us. They have a lot of extra things that are purely optional to attend such as baby sitting courses, other types of self defense courses and picknicks that you pay for if you want to go. Does it sound like a McDojo, should I move on to a different place in search of better quality teaching?
Update:
J.K lee’s is a school for tae kwon do and they do teach us Korean terminology.
Update 2:
Also adults & others are allowed to watch the classes take and I was allowed to try the class for free before deciding to jump in.
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✅ Answers
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If you spar once a week than you know the place is legit. If not it is probably a mcdojo. I checked out the website and it seemed to be a dojo geared for kids. These dojo’s are great for kids to have fun and learn simple fundamentals. BUT if you are over 13 you need to go to real gym wear you feel exhausted and sore after every workout.
It sounds like they are more interested in your money. Telling you you can spend as long as you like on a belt. Having set periods for testing is kind of weak too. Your instructor should tell you when you are ready. Not you. Also, if they don’t teach you the practical applications of what you are learning then its fake. If the youngest black belt is 12 o 13 or 16. It’s probably a McDojo. If they teach you to make the first move in a fight. Then, they are doing it wrong. Martial arts is not about fighting. It’s about learning how to avoid fighting. But, having a plan to take care of business if you do need to fight. And once you do get into a fight. Finish it as quickly as possible. Also, when you reach the higher levels. You only get one reaction. Other wise you might be seen as using excessive force. It’s better to err on the side of caution. If they don’t teach you any of this then. It’s probably fake. Also, if your school goes to tournaments. And the black belts don’t know how to run a ring or how to set up brackets. It’s fake. If they make promises like get your black belt in a year, It’s fake. They should be teaching you about the whole marital art. Not just the kicking and punching,
Source(s): Brown belt tae kwon do
Who cares. This McDojo thing is old. In the 16’s Miyamoto Musashi wrote; “there are no warriors that clearly know the martial arts in the world today.”
“These days, men making the way through the world calling themselves martial artist (side note some “major contributors in this forum, this is you) are generally only teachers of techniques.” “…these ways a proffered as merchandise…. One talks of this dojo or that dojo, teaching this way or that way, in an attempt to gain some benefit.” “Various arts have been tailored to be items for sale”
He goes on to say how dodos just pop up with no real understanding or proper teaching. He talks of “form is made into ornament and technique is made into display”
The McDojo has been around since at least the 16’s so forget it. Just find a place you like, if you feel you are benefiting or learning then be happy with it. If they don’t teach you what you want to learn or how you want to leave.
Yes it does in way. If you just look around and mostly everything involves payment they make you sign long term contracts then you’re in one. Also look how old the sensei are if they’re a master (8 degree black belt) and they don’t look older then 35 then yes it is. Ask your sensei how he became a part of that art and if he doesn’t answer or give a weird question mcdojo. Also watch the advance students to see if they actually have skill hope this help.
Source(s): Lots of research on mcdojos
It sounds pretty legit, but you’re not giving too much details to be sure.
The belt rankings are kinda suspicious; they’re definitely not WTF taekwondo.
yes