|
Agreed.
It depends on where you train.
In the ATA, right NOW, basically you're in the black belt club, OR you're a black belt. (So you've been in about 6 months, normally...) That's the standard I see used most in the ATA.
I disagree with that standard. I don't intend to let ANY student of mine train in weapons under my teaching, until they have attained first degree black belt.
My reasoning is... there's already MORE than enough things for a white belt, or other color belt to learn, between where they're at, and black belt, to keep them MORE than busy. The first two to three years of training are CRITICAL, to developing good technique and good habits.
Weapons training during that time, is just a distraction that students don't need.
AFTER black belt... I think all weapons training should be OPTIONAL, and I think the individual student should, if they WANT to learn a weapon, pick the weapon they want to learn, and learn it from an instructor that really knows that weapon, and knows how to teach it safely.
If they were my student, I'd probably be beating the bushes to find such an expert to refer them to, because weapons are NOT my strong suit at all. I can teach some very very basic fundamentals, and instill the values and knowledge related to BASIC weapons safety. That's as far as I can go right now, and all the further I'd be able to take them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Getting through life takes just a LITTLE bit of insanity!*g*
|
