Kickboxer101
Master Black Belt
Now this isn't a post to bash the style because I do believe kenpo is a great and effective style. I'm simply commenting on the club I trained at which was not good and just not a nice place and I wanted to share my experiences. So I hope no kenpo people or traditional martial artists take offence.
But the school I trained at it felt more like a cult. If any of the higher students who'd been there a while missed even 1 lesson they'd talk so much trash about them behind their back. One of the assistant instructors didnt come one night because it was his mums birthday and they were so nasty about that calling him a mummy's boy and an idiot etc.
Also one thing I didnt like was the hero worship they give to the higher level belts I mean they talk about them like their gods and can't do anything wrong. I know some may not find this a big deal but it just made me cringe.
The main problem though was it was a high amount of...well not bullying but not any consideration. Like when practicing techniques they'd hit hard literally full contact to the groin and if they were doing that and the student moved or flinched they'd get told off for it.
There was one black belt there a young guy 22 he was at the time a 2nd dan and he was a horrible person if someone had upset him he'd beat them up with the techniques hitting 100%. It was kind if knowledge if he was upset try and avoid him in line because he'd go hard even if it wasnt you who'd upset him. Another time a guy threw an attack for a techique and it wasnt a great attack because I think the guy was nervous about getting smacked so he didnt commit and that the guy annoyed and instead of either adjusting and making it work or asking him to do it again he simply booted him hard in the groin and said do the attack or you'll get that.
The worst thing I saw from him through was in sparring he was sparring a teenage student about 15 maybe and he got caught with a kick that knocked him. Instead of smiling and saying good job he simply walked over in no stance and threw a hard punch in the kids face not even sparring like just like he was pissed and wanted to hurt him.
Not long after that I quit. It was just not a nice atmosphere and I was constantly on edge. It has soured me on traditional martial arts. I do understand that most schools are not like that at all but yeah it wasn't a good place but I did enjoy the style. Just thought I'd share my experiences.
But the school I trained at it felt more like a cult. If any of the higher students who'd been there a while missed even 1 lesson they'd talk so much trash about them behind their back. One of the assistant instructors didnt come one night because it was his mums birthday and they were so nasty about that calling him a mummy's boy and an idiot etc.
Also one thing I didnt like was the hero worship they give to the higher level belts I mean they talk about them like their gods and can't do anything wrong. I know some may not find this a big deal but it just made me cringe.
The main problem though was it was a high amount of...well not bullying but not any consideration. Like when practicing techniques they'd hit hard literally full contact to the groin and if they were doing that and the student moved or flinched they'd get told off for it.
There was one black belt there a young guy 22 he was at the time a 2nd dan and he was a horrible person if someone had upset him he'd beat them up with the techniques hitting 100%. It was kind if knowledge if he was upset try and avoid him in line because he'd go hard even if it wasnt you who'd upset him. Another time a guy threw an attack for a techique and it wasnt a great attack because I think the guy was nervous about getting smacked so he didnt commit and that the guy annoyed and instead of either adjusting and making it work or asking him to do it again he simply booted him hard in the groin and said do the attack or you'll get that.
The worst thing I saw from him through was in sparring he was sparring a teenage student about 15 maybe and he got caught with a kick that knocked him. Instead of smiling and saying good job he simply walked over in no stance and threw a hard punch in the kids face not even sparring like just like he was pissed and wanted to hurt him.
Not long after that I quit. It was just not a nice atmosphere and I was constantly on edge. It has soured me on traditional martial arts. I do understand that most schools are not like that at all but yeah it wasn't a good place but I did enjoy the style. Just thought I'd share my experiences.