Why Would People Avoid The Instructor In Charge

[PhotonGuy]

Lets say you're unsure about something about how the dojo is run or about the art that you're learning, it makes sense to ask an instructor but what I don't get is why wouldn't you ask the main instructor in charge of the dojo? Provided you have contact with the main instructor. Depending on the dojo and the situation you might not have regular contact with the main instructor, but if you do, if the main instructor is there on a regular basis why would you avoid asking him and instead ask one of the assistant instructors?

Now in the past I've brought this up in regard to asking about belts and rank advancement but this can apply to anything. Anything you're unsure about. Not necessarily stuff about belts and rank advancement although it can include that but if you don't understand something about how a technique is done or about any of the procedures of the dojo, there is nothing wrong with asking the chief instructor the way I see it. Some people might not think there is a need to ask the chief instructor but why would you deliberately avoid him? Sure, you can ask an assistant instructor but why would you go out of your way to not ask the chief instructor if he's there?

 

[Flying Crane]

Probably because I am building an alliance supported by the junior instructor staff with the end goal of ousting the man in charge, stealing his students and his business, and sending him crying to momma in deep shame and humiliation while installing me in the top leadership role where I can lord over an empire of puppet instructors in a wide network of schools with the aim of building my riches.

When that is what is on your mind, you don’t go “talking” with the head instructor.

 

[skribs135 155]

This question was answered thousands of years ago when kings found themselves too busy to handle every single request from their subjects, and so they instilled tiers of judges to handle things at lower and lower levels. It's why local issues tend to get raised to your mayor or city council instead of to the President or national congress.

 

[philwhite]

I think it depends on the size of the school and the type, imporance, and urgency of the question. Any good school should have someone (instructor or admin) who can respond or relay messages.

 

[Simfers136 44]

I've never had an issue asking a question of the head instructor, but seeing as they can be very busy with the actual running of the school, admin, getting ready for the next class, all that, I'll very often naturally go to one of the junior instructors just to not be a bother. A lot of my trouble-shooting in BJJ has been with one of our newer black belts, who's extremely generous with his time and knowledge, while our professor is running the class after ours.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf135 1]

Lot of reasons. What comes to mind:
1. The head instructor is busy doing head instructor/school owner things, and my questions just not that important.
2. The instructor I work with is probably the one who would give me the more accurate/more practical (for my training) answer.
3. We're in class, and it's easier for me to ask who I'm working with.
4. I'm actively working on an issue with them; obviously they are the one I should ask (aka if they're teaching me a combo, I'm not going to pause them and ask the head instructor a question about that combo - I'll just ask them).
5. I just have a better rapport with the person that I asked.
6. I'm shy/intimidated by the head instructor, so it's easier to ask the person I'm less intimidated by.
7. I trust my head instructor to have competent assistant instructors.
8. I know that whatever I ask, if the assistant instructor doesn't have a good answer/one I'm satisfied with, they can double check with the head instructor themselves.
9. If this is a large class/school, if twenty of us have questions during the same hour, it's much easier for each instructor to field 6-7 of those, than the head instructor spending the whole hour fielding all 20 (and getting nothing else done).

 

[Rich Parsons82 1]

Lets say you're unsure about something about how the dojo is run or about the art that you're learning, it makes sense to ask an instructor but what I don't get is why wouldn't you ask the main instructor in charge of the dojo? Provided you have contact with the main instructor. Depending on the dojo and the situation you might not have regular contact with the main instructor, but if you do, if the main instructor is there on a regular basis why would you avoid asking him and instead ask one of the assistant instructors?

Now in the past I've brought this up in regard to asking about belts and rank advancement but this can apply to anything. Anything you're unsure about. Not necessarily stuff about belts and rank advancement although it can include that but if you don't understand something about how a technique is done or about any of the procedures of the dojo, there is nothing wrong with asking the chief instructor the way I see it. Some people might not think there is a need to ask the chief instructor but why would you deliberately avoid him? Sure, you can ask an assistant instructor but why would you go out of your way to not ask the chief instructor if he's there?

Anything logistically might be better off asking the office or business manager. They handle that multiples a day every day. And there is a high probability that if you asked the owner he would send you to the business / Office manager.

I agree with Monkey's post.

I would like to add, if you asked me I would ask who taught you. I would ask did you ask them? It is a learning experience for both of you.
If you have not done this already then why are you avoiding the other instructors? Are you the type who can only talk to the top person in charge?
(* You generically not the quoted poster or anyone else specifically *)

Now if you went home from a class, and came back the next day and was looking to ask and the owner/instructor walked and you know the instructor you worked with the day before was not going to be there that day or class, then yes ask the owner / top instructor.

And you avoid them it could be for any of the reasons Monkey listed. Shy. They have a better relationship with other instructors.
Note: Sometimes the higher ranked people are great instructors for Black belts and above. And those targeting Black Belt.
Yet they may not be the best instructor for the beginners. Their demands for perfection or master level performance versus early color belt performance.
Yes there is a difference and while one can expect them to get it right and do it right all the time.
It is not that easy.
One does not start the first math class with Deferential Equations. Or Geometry Proofs.
There are a lot of lower level mathematics used to build one's understanding before tackling those topics.

For those who always ask why? and there is no way to explain it to them as they have seen it, felt it, and even done it. They just do not have the proper education for the discussion I use the following argument.

1 + 1 = 2
Why ?

They look like I am an idiot and everyone knows that.

I continue with there are three proofs that I know of.
The first is pictorial the second is is multiple double digit pages front and back proof and then there is the third which is multiple hundred page proof.
I will accept any of them.

After a quick pause. I continue.

Yet we learned 1 + 1 = 2 so let us table that discussion for later and take it as a given.

Even if they are not happy they move on.

Asking is important. Yet there are many valid reasons to pick a specific person or to ignore a specific person.

 

[jks9199108 1]

Some schools have a stricter hierarchy and you work your way through the chain. If you don't, you're jumping over people, and are going to face repercussions.

Sometimes, you might have a better rapport with one instructor rather than the head or owner.

 

[PhotonGuy]

I think it depends on the size of the school and the type, imporance, and urgency of the question. Any good school should have someone (instructor or admin) who can respond or relay messages.

True, the size of the school and the situation that a student might be in as to whether or not he has contact with the head instructor can vary quite a bit. I knew of a case of a head instructor who ran three or four different dojos so he could be at any dojo at any given time so as a student you might not have regular contact with him.

And then there are those instructors that run just one dojo and you do have regular contact with them.

But what Im saying is, if you're able to talk to the chief instructor, why would you avoid doing so?

 

[PhotonGuy]

I've never had an issue asking a question of the head instructor, but seeing as they can be very busy with the actual running of the school, admin, getting ready for the next class, all that, I'll very often naturally go to one of the junior instructors just to not be a bother. A lot of my trouble-shooting in BJJ has been with one of our newer black belts, who's extremely generous with his time and knowledge, while our professor is running the class after ours.

As its been pointed out here and as I mentioned in the previous post, what contact and under what circumstances you might talk to the head instructor can vary. It sounds like you go to quite a large school.

 

[PhotonGuy]

6. I'm shy/intimidated by the head instructor, so it's easier to ask the person I'm less intimidated by.

That can be a big mistake. Most of your other reasons sound valid but as I said, your reason #6 is a big mistake, I speak from my own experience.

 

[PhotonGuy]

Some schools have a stricter hierarchy and you work your way through the chain. If you don't, you're jumping over people, and are going to face repercussions.

Sometimes, you might have a better rapport with one instructor rather than the head or owner.

We're talking about a dojo not a multi level corporation where you're an employee.

 

[philwhite]

We're talking about a dojo not a multi level corporation where you're an employee.

I went to a karate school that had like 25 dojos. So yes mega schools do exist. I do however think it's good optics when the head instructor takes time (within reason) to answer questions and be present.

 

[Simfers136 44]

As its been pointed out here and as I mentioned in the previous post, what contact and under what circumstances you might talk to the head instructor can vary. It sounds like you go to quite a large school.

I don't, actually (I used to, though). Family-owned-and-operated, head instructor is running all the classes, single room. Which is why I often wind up going to another black belt with whom I have a great rapport. While we're trouble-shooting BJJ techniques for ten minutes in a corner of the room, it gives the head instructor five minutes to have a quick break before starting the muay thai class rather than rushing to deal with my question and then starting the class on time.

But I know he'd answer any question I have without hesitation. I just choose to give him that small break. Seems like a nice thing to do.

 

[PhotonGuy]

I don't, actually (I used to, though). Family-owned-and-operated, head instructor is running all the classes, single room. Which is why I often wind up going to another black belt with whom I have a great rapport. While we're trouble-shooting BJJ techniques for ten minutes in a corner of the room, it gives the head instructor five minutes to have a quick break before starting the muay thai class rather than rushing to deal with my question and then starting the class on time.

But I know he'd answer any question I have without hesitation. I just choose to give him that small break. Seems like a nice thing to do.

I see, so what you say makes sense although sometimes you might want to clarify stuff with the head instructor even if you do get answers from an assistant instructor. Im not saying it has to be this way with everything but sometimes it might be a good idea to clarify certain stuff with the head instructor, just to be absolutely sure. After all the head instructor would be the ultimate as to how things are done at the dojo.

 

[Simfers136 44]

Oh for sure, the head coach is the final authority, and he's been doing this for long enough that his knowledge and experience are unimpeachable. But what I like about his way of teaching is that he doesn't impose his vision. As long as the basic principles are respected, how you do a technique is perfectly valid, as long as it works. So there's seldom a need to go to him to find out "how it's done".

After all, "if he taps, it's jiu-jitsu".

 

[jks9199108 1]

We're talking about a dojo not a multi level corporation where you're an employee.

And we're talking about a school culture, which can often be very hierarchical. Don't forget that many early instructors, who founded the schools, initially learned while serving in the military, and brought that culture with them. Others simply try to take the culture of their art to the nth degree.

 

[HighKick]

And we're talking about a school culture, which can often be very hierarchical. Don't forget that many early instructors, who founded the schools, initially learned while serving in the military, and brought that culture with them. Others simply try to take the culture of their art to the nth degree.

I fully agree with your post. But, I will also add that this is too often done to a fault.

 

[HighKick]

I don't, actually (I used to, though). Family-owned-and-operated, head instructor is running all the classes, single room. Which is why I often wind up going to another black belt with whom I have a great rapport. While we're trouble-shooting BJJ techniques for ten minutes in a corner of the room, it gives the head instructor five minutes to have a quick break before starting the muay thai class rather than rushing to deal with my question and then starting the class on time.

But I know he'd answer any question I have without hesitation. I just choose to give him that small break. Seems like a nice thing to do.

This is how to do it. Didn't you just answer your own OP?

 

[Prince_Alarming73 9]

Maybe he smells?