skribs
Grandmaster
This is something my Master has talked with me several times about, that popped into my head as I was reading another thread. We often think of beginners as learning new techniques, but there is a lot that beginners have to learn in a martial art besides just how to properly punch, kick, block, throw, and fall. And I think some people don't realize this, or have forgotten.
Language
Beginners have to learn a new language when they start taking a martial art. On the metaphorical level, your body is learning a new language. It might be a completely new skill for someone who has never done any formal physical activity, or it might be a new dialect for a dancer or athlete, but it's going to take some getting used to. There are a lot of students, even in the adult classes at my school, that have trouble with concepts like "move your front foot", "step out with the right leg". They'll use the other. As they get to higher belts this gets easier, but for some it's a big challenge to go from hearing the direction to exactly following the direction, even for gross motor movements.
However, there's a much more literal sense of the word as well. You're learning new vocabulary. You might have to learn the difference between a jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. You might need to learn a front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick. Maybe different types of locks, sweeps, or throws. But you also need to learn what they're called, and build the stimulus-response for those specific commands.
If there's a language barrier, or the student is really young (like 3-5 years old), this can be an even bigger consideration. Some are learning the difference between "punch" and "kick". If your art uses the traditional technique names and you are not in the same country as it was founded, then you will have a difficult vocabulary lesson as well.
School Rules and Culture
One thing my Master told me a few years ago is that I can't give discipline in the white belt class the same way I would in the red belt class. This is because the white belts are still learning the rules and need to be reminded of them, but the red belts should know the rules and should be expected to follow them much more closely. Not only that, but they have practiced following those rules, and have a lot more experience in being reminded of them (if needed).
The same applies for the culture of the class. This one applies to brand new students, but it also applies to transfers as well. For example, some schools will typically drill kicks on your spot, where you return to your stance after a kick. Other schools will drill kicks where you follow through by stepping forward. When we get transfers at my school, their first couple classes are mostly spent getting used to the way we do things.
But it goes deeper than that. New students are trying to figure out the hierarchy within the school, even if it's just to learn who to go to for advice. They're learning what the Master's focus is, and his teaching style. They're learning the kinds of things that will get "good job" or "you need to work on this" or "stop doing that immediately". Some of this goes back into rules, and some of it goes into my next point.
Students are also going to have to build the reflexive response for "yes, sir", "no, sir", "I'm sorry, sir," and similar comments. Students are going have to learn the more formal style of speaking in this situation.
Learning How to Learn
Students are learning how to learn their techniques. There are a lot of things that you can do to practice alone, but some students might not have these study strategies. Things like:
It's very easy to forget that a new student doesn't know what it takes to improve a technique, because that new student has no experience in improving their techniques.
Learning Partner Learning
Working with another student is one of the most important aspects of martial arts training. And yet most new students don't know how to properly work with another student. They will be learning how to communicate, how to improve their technique, and how to do so safely.
Communication is very important. When we do one-step punch defenses at my school, the attacker will assume a front stance and kiyhap. Then the defender is in ready stance and kiyhap's as well. That's when the attacker steps forward and punches, and then the defender executes their defense. This helps formalize the process (which is useful for testing) but is also a proper call-and-response communication so both partners know they are ready. (We don't do this in sparring, don't worry).
I've mentioned improving technique already, but now you have to work with a partner. You have to not only improve your technique, but help them improve theirs. As a black belt, I can tell when someone needs to build muscle memory, needs to learn the finer details, or needs to learn the proper application. A white belt doesn't even know about these concepts, so we generally aim for a middle-ground where the partners will provide passive resistance. That way they can learn the proper technique, without failing the next step.
Safety. Safety is very important, especially when working with a partner. A partner who resists a submission too hard might end up with a dislocated joint. A partner who is too careless with their strike might break someone's nose. A person with improper aim or technique may hit the knee in sparring when they're supposed to aim for a chest protector. And this goes back to communication - every submission grappling artist should know how to tap out.
Discussion
There's probably some things I missed. Feel free to bring those up. I just think most of us when we discuss beginners on the site, we tend to forget that there's a lot more they're learning than just how to punch, kick, and throw.
Language
Beginners have to learn a new language when they start taking a martial art. On the metaphorical level, your body is learning a new language. It might be a completely new skill for someone who has never done any formal physical activity, or it might be a new dialect for a dancer or athlete, but it's going to take some getting used to. There are a lot of students, even in the adult classes at my school, that have trouble with concepts like "move your front foot", "step out with the right leg". They'll use the other. As they get to higher belts this gets easier, but for some it's a big challenge to go from hearing the direction to exactly following the direction, even for gross motor movements.
However, there's a much more literal sense of the word as well. You're learning new vocabulary. You might have to learn the difference between a jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. You might need to learn a front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick. Maybe different types of locks, sweeps, or throws. But you also need to learn what they're called, and build the stimulus-response for those specific commands.
If there's a language barrier, or the student is really young (like 3-5 years old), this can be an even bigger consideration. Some are learning the difference between "punch" and "kick". If your art uses the traditional technique names and you are not in the same country as it was founded, then you will have a difficult vocabulary lesson as well.
School Rules and Culture
One thing my Master told me a few years ago is that I can't give discipline in the white belt class the same way I would in the red belt class. This is because the white belts are still learning the rules and need to be reminded of them, but the red belts should know the rules and should be expected to follow them much more closely. Not only that, but they have practiced following those rules, and have a lot more experience in being reminded of them (if needed).
The same applies for the culture of the class. This one applies to brand new students, but it also applies to transfers as well. For example, some schools will typically drill kicks on your spot, where you return to your stance after a kick. Other schools will drill kicks where you follow through by stepping forward. When we get transfers at my school, their first couple classes are mostly spent getting used to the way we do things.
But it goes deeper than that. New students are trying to figure out the hierarchy within the school, even if it's just to learn who to go to for advice. They're learning what the Master's focus is, and his teaching style. They're learning the kinds of things that will get "good job" or "you need to work on this" or "stop doing that immediately". Some of this goes back into rules, and some of it goes into my next point.
Students are also going to have to build the reflexive response for "yes, sir", "no, sir", "I'm sorry, sir," and similar comments. Students are going have to learn the more formal style of speaking in this situation.
Learning How to Learn
Students are learning how to learn their techniques. There are a lot of things that you can do to practice alone, but some students might not have these study strategies. Things like:
- Isolate different parts of the technique before putting it together
- Practice slow and build the form first, and then build speed and strength
- Training flexibility is just as important as training form
- How to memorize forms or prescribed combinations
- What things to focus on remembering vs. what things to just get your body used to
- How to identify when there is something that needs to be improved
It's very easy to forget that a new student doesn't know what it takes to improve a technique, because that new student has no experience in improving their techniques.
Learning Partner Learning
Working with another student is one of the most important aspects of martial arts training. And yet most new students don't know how to properly work with another student. They will be learning how to communicate, how to improve their technique, and how to do so safely.
Communication is very important. When we do one-step punch defenses at my school, the attacker will assume a front stance and kiyhap. Then the defender is in ready stance and kiyhap's as well. That's when the attacker steps forward and punches, and then the defender executes their defense. This helps formalize the process (which is useful for testing) but is also a proper call-and-response communication so both partners know they are ready. (We don't do this in sparring, don't worry).
I've mentioned improving technique already, but now you have to work with a partner. You have to not only improve your technique, but help them improve theirs. As a black belt, I can tell when someone needs to build muscle memory, needs to learn the finer details, or needs to learn the proper application. A white belt doesn't even know about these concepts, so we generally aim for a middle-ground where the partners will provide passive resistance. That way they can learn the proper technique, without failing the next step.
Safety. Safety is very important, especially when working with a partner. A partner who resists a submission too hard might end up with a dislocated joint. A partner who is too careless with their strike might break someone's nose. A person with improper aim or technique may hit the knee in sparring when they're supposed to aim for a chest protector. And this goes back to communication - every submission grappling artist should know how to tap out.
Discussion
There's probably some things I missed. Feel free to bring those up. I just think most of us when we discuss beginners on the site, we tend to forget that there's a lot more they're learning than just how to punch, kick, and throw.
