Respect or discipline? – Larry Foisy Martial Arts Center

As teachers or parents of a child, we intrinsically desire to be loved by him, but our role as a teacher is to teach. If in addition to imparting knowledge you can make young people like you, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Respect rather than discipline

It was after my first ten years of teaching that my mind became enlightened about teaching martial arts, because many schools loudly display “DISCIPLINE” in their advertisements. However, when I polled my karateka to find out which word best represented the dojo, the word respect was way ahead of the word discipline. This led me to some introspection. I then realized, on the one hand, that respect is a deeply rooted value in me and that, although my students are often praised for their discipline, it is rare that I have to discipline them.

The carrot or the whip?

That’s when everything became clear. Many dojos establish strict discipline to gain the respect of the members, while in my case it is completely different. Furthermore, one must understand that not only is karate of paramount importance to me, but I also teach it on the condition that 3 to 6 hours a day, 5 to 6 times a week. Therefore, if I spent so much energy continually disciplining my students by scolding and berating them, I think it would be unpleasant to endure. Every educator knows that there are two choices: the carrot or the whip. Know that the whip is unpleasant for everyone.

Debunking Renshi’s secrets

But a secret persists; You’re all wondering how I do it. It all starts with good manners. Once we have explained to him why it is necessary to salute when entering the dojo (sign of gratitude), how to sit, what courtesy, etiquette, correctness, empathy and many other principles are, it is up to the karateka to make the right choice regarding his behavior. Not because this choice is imposed on him, but because he knows what the right action to take is based on the values ​​transmitted to him. This is how I build free will which is indeed not common to many dojos, but which corresponds perfectly to our Western reality.

Now apply it

Second mystery: the application of our doctrine. Let’s start from the assumption that unconsciously in children everything is measured in love. Let’s take as an example little Mathieu, who sits very badly. I have two options available: I could take a direct approach and tell him very explicitly that he should sit better. The second option would be to take a moment to congratulate Olivier, his closest neighbor, praising him for how well he sits and telling him that he is a good example. So everyone else will want to have the attention/love I just gave Olivier too.

Mom, dad, watch out for traps!

On the other hand, there are tortuous paths that parents often tend to follow and which cloud the credibility of interventions. Let’s take Mathieu as an example once again, who throws the ball into the window. Dad has two choices. First option: intervene over and over again, always telling Mathieu that this warning will be the last, but in this case Mathieu isn’t sure that there will be 5 or 6 last warnings. Second option: Establish a clear instruction and a clear consequence. Consistency creates an environment in which the child feels safe and, even through the implementation of instructions, the child feels loved and is happy.

In short

In short, teaching martial arts is an art in itself. You could be the champion of champions, have exceptional talent in karate, and still be an average teacher. We who follow the path of martial arts and try to train the individuals who will constitute the society of tomorrow, what do we prefer for them? Who walk upright because it was forced upon them? Or because they know deep down that it’s the right thing to do?