Homework

[Gyakuto]

Do you set you students generic, technical ‘homework’ to do between classes and if so, what sort of things might that include? I’m not talking about particular issues a student might have to work on or general strength/flexibility regimes, but things that muggles tend to have issues with in your system.

For example, in Wado Ryu Karate, beginners can’t seem to get the idea of moving forward (in forward stance) with their feet a shoulder width apart, often ending up with their feet in line with the back foot at 90 degrees to the front and both legs straight! Their homework might be walking along floorboards or some sort of parallel lines to maintain the correct foot distance 10-20 times, morning and evening.

In Iaido, beginners tend to perform diminutive chopping actions with their sword, with feeling of cutting with the part of the blade closest to their hands on the hilt. Their homework might be to perform huge, circular, expansive cuts with the feeling of cutting with the tip of the sword, ten times morning and evening, each day.

What homework do you set?

 

[skribs]

I think some of this depends on the art.

In BJJ, there isn't really homework assigned, because the vast majority of what you do is a personal journey that you need to work out on the mats. Instructionals are good, but students typically take the initiative for that. I imagine there is more homework at a competition school (where coaches may advise you on which instructionals to get), or at a school like Roy Dean's where you have crucibles to get your belt, and you must prepare a demonstration for that crucible.

In Taekwondo, I think it's much more common. There's usually a curriculum that includes forms and some other things. Students will first have the homework of memorizing the curriculum items for the test, and then will get feedback to practice on.

 

[Gyakuto]

I think some of this depends on the art.

Of course!

In BJJ, there isn't really homework assigned,

No bear hugging cushions or rolling around on the floor?

because the vast majority of what you do is a personal journey that you need to work out on the mats.

You mean you need a partner? Even boxers partake in shadow boxing.

Instructionals are good, but students typically take the initiative for that.

But would a muggle know about ‘instructionals’ ? ( I’m not sure what that means). As a teacher, one leads the students learning.

I imagine there is more homework at a competition school (where coaches may advise you on which instructionals to get), or at a school like Roy Dean's where you have crucibles to get your belt, and you must prepare a demonstration for that crucible.

Crucible?

In Taekwondo, I think it's much more common. There's usually a curriculum that includes forms and some other things. Students will first have the homework of memorizing the curriculum items for the test, and then will get feedback to practice on.

Alternate punching is a very odd thing for muggles especially the hand being pulled back (hikite). You can tell poor examples of martial arts exponents when you spot the non-utilised hand dangling in some ill-defined position (see any episode of Cobra Kai). But the correct form has to be drilled into ones movements which requires a lot of practise (homework)

 

[skribs]

No bear hugging cushions or rolling around on the floor?

You mean you need a partner? Even boxers partake in shadow boxing.

Striking arts are 99% non-contact. The only time you feel resistance is when the strike lands.

Grappling arts are 99% contact. The only time you don't feel resistance is before grips or a clinch are established.

Training grappling techniques on a grappling dummy is like learning how to bench press with a pool noodle. It may be useful for a few drills to understand a concept, but it is so radically different from moving around a 200-pound body that's also moving that you don't get much benefit from it.

But would a muggle know about ‘instructionals’ ? ( I’m not sure what that means). As a teacher, one leads the students learning.

It's brought up enough in the BJJ community that you will find out about them relatively quickly. It may be that your coach mentioned instructionals, another student, you saw them discussed on r/bjj, or you stumbled across them while looking for advice.

Crucible?

Roy Dean Crucible

For those who think it's easier to annoy you than to Google 'Roy dean crucible' themselves.

letmegooglethat.com

Alternate punching is a very odd thing for muggles especially the hand being pulled back (hikite). You can tell poor examples of martial arts exponents when you spot the non-utilised hand dangling in some ill-defined position (see any episode of Cobra Kai). But the correct form has to be drilled into ones movements which requires a lot of practise (homework)

Most of the fights in Cobra Kai involve the other hand being used for framing or grappling. Or are held in a position to better protect the body. Or it's more about the flashy kicks than the hand strikes.

If you want folks to do something a specific way aesthetically, then practicing at home makes a lot more sense. If you want folks to practice their techniques on another person, it makes more sense to focus on that in class.

 

[Badhabits]

Never thought of it as homework until reading this. It was ingrained into me very early that the bulk of karate practice took place outside the dojo. You went to classes to get critiqued and be given your next things to work on. Classes were/are a small portion of total training.

 

[Fungus]

We do not litteraly get "specifc homework", but our instructors tells us that especially as you advance in ranks, you MUST practise outside classes. This is just like in school! You con't LEARN everying during classes, you get lectured and feedback during them, and then you got home and contemplate and hopefully LEARN. You can also use classes to ask questions. I see Karate the same.

I practice everything, to my wifes frustration, i never close the fridge door with by hands. Most often a hook kick. I also always turn on the coffe machine either with my big toe OR one of the knuckles. And the reason why i spend so long time in front of the mirror brushing my teeth is not because I am vain

 

[skribs]

Never thought of it as homework until reading this. It was ingrained into me very early that the bulk of karate practice took place outside the dojo. You went to classes to get critiqued and be given your next things to work on. Classes were/are a small portion of total training.

In my plan for my TKD school, the responsibility of the student and instructor will change over time.

1. Beginner and intermediate belts (white, yellow, orange purple) - students responsibility is show up, follow directions, and build muscle memory in class. Instructor's responsibility is to quickly show the move, and then "get out of the way" so that students can get as many reps as possible. (i.e. instead of spending 10 minutes talking about the exact angle your toes should be in a fighting stance, take 10 seconds to show the stance, 10 seconds to show the punch, and 9:40 to let students practice).
2. Advanced 1 (green, blue) - students responsibility is to memorize assigned combos and sequences for testing, and to practice at home. Instructor's responsibility is similar - show the stuff, and then "get out of the way" so students can build lots of reps. Note that this doesn't mean the instructor is off to the side, they're still leading the cadence of class. They're just focusing more on students practicing than on critiquing them.
3. Advanced 2 (brown, red) - students responsibility is to develop what they're memorizing. Instructor's job is to focus on improving technique and give the students homework to work on.
4. Black belt - students responsibility is to gather from class what will be of use to them. Instructor's job is to help improve breadth of knowledge (that might open new items to work on) and depth of knowledge (that students can focus more or less on, depending on how close it relates to their current area of focused study). Instead of assigned sequences for testing, students are expected to create their own, as a presentation of their research and development.

 

[Gyakuto]

We do not litteraly get "specifc homework", but our instructors tells us that especially as you advance in ranks, you MUST practise outside classes. This is just like in school!

No it isn’t! In school you receive progressively more challenging problems to solve highlighting sticking points in solving the problem (maths, physics and chemistry). I hope it’s how it still works!.

I practice everything, to my wifes frustration, i never close the fridge door with by hands. Most often a hook kick. I also always turn on the coffe machine either with my big toe OR one of the knuckles.

I think incorporating training into everyday activities is a brilliant thing to do. The two minutes I have while the kettle boils are filled with footwork, cutting movements and the odd kick, punch and block.

We do not litteraly get "specifc homework", but our instructors tells us that especially as you advance in ranks, you MUST practise outside classes. This is just like in school! You con't LEARN everying during classes, you get lectured and feedback during them, and then you got home and contemplate and hopefully LEARN. You can also use classes to ask questions. I see Karate the same.

I practice everything, to my wifes frustration, i never close the fridge door with by hands. Most often a hook kick. I also always turn on the coffe machine either with my big toe OR one of the knuckles.

When you can floss your teeth with your feet, you have attained mastery, Grasshopper (but don’t call yourself ‘master’)

And the reason why i spend so long time in front of the mirror brushing my teeth is not because I am vain

You can never spend too much time on oral hygiene!

 

[Gyakuto]

As a teenager, I seem to remember being compelled to practise those things that were difficult to perform in my practise of Karate, in my bedroom, with ‘Fame’ on my little black and white TV set in the background. Performing a side kick suddenly from ‘out of the blue’, quick and snappy, making my round kick to the head well over my head height, ensuring everything was square in the mirror until it became muscle memory. But this was entirely self-directed learning and I never received ‘homework’. I assumed everyone did this in my dojo, but clearly they didn’t judging from their advancement.

Luckily, for the of my advancement Karate, I was never encumbered by being invited to parties, to socialise after school or any interest from the opposite sex. Such a blessing

 

[Cri70]

Do you set you students generic, technical ‘homework’ to do between classes and if so, what sort of things might that include? I’m not talking about particular issues a student might have to work on or general strength/flexibility regimes, but things that muggles tend to have issues with in your system.

For example, in Wado Ryu Karate, beginners can’t seem to get the idea of moving forward (in forward stance) with their feet a shoulder width apart, often ending up with their feet in line with the back foot at 90 degrees to the front and both legs straight! Their homework might be walking along floorboards or some sort of parallel lines to maintain the correct foot distance 10-20 times, morning and evening.

In Iaido, beginners tend to perform diminutive chopping actions with their sword, with feeling of cutting with the part of the blade closest to their hands on the hilt. Their homework might be to perform huge, circular, expansive cuts with the feeling of cutting with the tip of the sword, ten times morning and evening, each day.

What homework do you set?

I have in no way any students nor I will ever have, but I certainly do "homework" since white belt, and I guess I would have found it very useful to have some directions.

I don't think you can expect all students to necessarily prioritize it (if you get paid for teaching, you're really offering a service, so it's up to them) but the ones who are most interested would probably like the idea. Once you get bitten by the martial bug, you really want to learn all there is and practice it.

Part of the challenge is to have a syllabus to follow - it's not a given people remembers the fine details of what you try to imprint, and that's why they keep doing the same issue. Taking videos in class has become a popular method to have something that can be then re-drilled at home.

 

[Tony Dismukes]

In BJJ, there isn't really homework assigned,

No bear hugging cushions or rolling around on the floor?

You mean you need a partner? Even boxers partake in shadow boxing.

There are solo drills that can be done to practice fundamental movement patterns in BJJ. Here's a really nice video showing some cool possibilities:

However these aren't necessarily expected homework for everyone. I do recommend some basic movement drills (bridging, shrimping, and technical standups) for my students to practice at home - especially beginners who are struggling with the movements.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Performing a side kick suddenly from ‘out of the blue’, quick and snappy, making my round kick to the head well over my head height, ensuring everything was square in the mirror until it became muscle memory. But this was entirely self-directed learning and I never received ‘homework’.

This is one sign of being a martial artist as opposed to just doing MA.

Luckily, for the of my advancement Karate, I was never encumbered by being invited to parties, to socialise after school or any interest from the opposite sex. Such a blessing

I was similarly blessed. However, after I was teaching for a while I was cursed with much sexual encumberment. I tried to bear it with all the perseverance and physical prowess I gained from my years of karate practice. My sensei even taught me some advanced bunkai that aided me in meeting this challenge. (Not your everyday sensei!)

Curse vs blessing - I'm sure there is some Taoistic yin/yang thing involved here, but why spoil the mood?

 

[Fungus]

No it isn’t! In school you receive progressively more challenging problems to solve highlighting sticking points in solving the problem (maths, physics and chemistry). I hope it’s how it still works!.

Not sure I follow, you mean you learn it at in class in school? For me the in depth understanding takes place during own contemplation, it was the same with physics as well. The lecturer can only throw things at me, but only me can get it into my own head. It's progressively more complex yes, but we also don't start learning the most complex katas, we start with the simple ones.

 

[Fungus]

You can never spend too much time on oral hygiene!

Playing around with versions of mawashi uke was what i had in mind, this takes MUCH longer than brushing the teeth.

 

[Fungus]

As a teenager, I seem to remember being compelled to practise those things that were difficult to perform in my practise of Karate, in my bedroom, with ‘Fame’ on my little black and white TV set in the background. Performing a side kick suddenly from ‘out of the blue’, quick and snappy, making my round kick to the head well over my head height, ensuring everything was square in the mirror until it became muscle memory. But this was entirely self-directed learning and I never received ‘homework’. I assumed everyone did this in my dojo, but clearly they didn’t judging from their advancement.

Luckily, for the of my advancement Karate, I was never encumbered by being invited to parties, to socialise after school or any interest from the opposite sex. Such a blessing

This description fits perfectly into my physics journey as a teenager. I also assumed everyone secretly was sleepness over the mysteries of nature of physical law, but clearly those that did was easily counted on my one thumb. Instead of Fame in the background I listened to a documentary on Bohr, it put me into mood. I was convinced that in higher education, this would change, and there would be a whole class, just like me, but again I was wrong. Eventually I learned to not project my own worldviews and philosophy onto others.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

What homework do you set?

 

[isshinryuronin]

After working out, my homework is recovering.

 

[Gyakuto]

After working out, my homework is recovering.

That’s your homework after climbing a staircase, isn’t it?

 

[Gyakuto]

Not sure I follow, you mean you learn it at in class in school? For me the in depth understanding takes place during own contemplation, it was the same with physics as well. The lecturer can only throw things at me, but only me can get it into my own head. It's progressively more complex yes, but we also don't start learning the most complex katas, we start with the simple ones.

I mean you’re taught the principles and steps in solving a problem in the class room, but these are polished via carefully crafted homework problems that progressively test and refine ones skills.

Similarly, in the dojo , one learns the general shape of kata, kicks and punches but there seems to be a lack of progressive homework given to students that refines the students learning.

I’m learning church bell ringing (campanology) but making slow progress because in each two hour session I only get about 15-20mins on the bells (others are practising) there are too few participants to give me the one-to-one teaching that is usually the norm, and there’s no opportunity to practise in between classes (because of nuisance noise bylaws prohibiting unreasonably disturbing the peace). It’s almost the perfect milieu for failure.

 

[Fungus]

I mean you’re taught the principles and steps in solving a problem in the class room, but these are polished via carefully crafted homework problems that progressively test and refine ones skills.

Similarly, in the dojo , one learns the general shape of kata, kicks and punches but there seems to be a lack of progressive homework given to students that refines the students learning.

Ok, I see your point, fair enough.

My subtle point was this, where I see no difference (set aside "homework", as for me working yourself, is something a serious student of anything would do - wether beeing told to or not)

In physics class, we are taught HOW we can DESCRIBE the physical interactions, by timeless laws and intial conditions. The WHY is simply - beacuse it's was the scientific process led us. For thoose seeking deeper understnadings and want to expand, you are on your own [open problem].

In MA, we are taught HOW do to thins. The WHY is OFTEN - because this is our style, sometimes you can can an more explanation but not necessarily a unique one, but an arbitrary one. So if you seek the constructing principles more deeper, you are again on your own [open problem as well? or?].

This is how I feel. But I see nothing wrong with! I just think it is similar to anything else. I am rarely satisfied by the superfical HOWs.