12-year-old makes students 'bully proof'

[John Bennett]

from: http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38061

When 12-year-old Patrick McKay began noticing on the news the high incidence of bullying at schools, he decided to do something about it.

The second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, with the help of his mom and dad, has sparked the interest of some school officials with an instructional video to help children become "bully proof."

Patrick, who has been trained in Taekwondo since the age of 5, wants to start his own martial arts school with his 9-year-old brother and dreams of being an instructor or martial-arts movie star when he grows up.
http://www.shopnetdaily.com/store/images/items/V0623.jpg
His own instructor is a sixth-degree black belt from Korea who thinks Patrick is good enough to compete in the Olympics some day.

http://www.revelationmartialarts.com

The video, which includes interviews and informational quizzes, presents a number of typical scenarios in which a bully has a victim in his physical grip.

[Antares33]

So, is the kid just some hapless marketing tool or did he design the moves used in the video?

[Jen]

I find it interesting that on the site to promote his product, he is incorrectly given the title of Sabumnim. They didn't even spell it properly. It wasn't a simple typo, because it was repeatedly spelled horridly. The title is to be used for those holding the ranks of 4-6 dan. His proper title is Bosabum Mckay, and not Sabeom-Nim Patrick. If they could at least get his title right I might not think the product was crappy so quickly.

[tkdcanada]

I caught that too and found it quite odd!

[TimWHansma]

Is it just me, or is anyone afraid this poor kid going to be turned into the Olsen Twin's of Martial Arts...

Movies, T-shirts, Lunchboxes, Martial Arts Equipment...God forbid- a record Deal...

Hope he ends up better than poor Ashley...

[2ManArmy]

Is it just me, or is anyone afraid this poor kid going to be turned into the Olsen Twin's of Martial Arts...

Movies, T-shirts, Lunchboxes, Martial Arts Equipment...God forbid- a record Deal...

Hope he ends up better than poor Ashley...
It's Mary-Kate who's in the bad situation. ;)

Maybe his movie is bunk, but I'd be interested in seeing him practice nonetheless. There aren't a plethora of 12-year-old second degrees that I'm aware of.

[Chrono]

He looks like a bully himself, looking all mean and intimidating. Whatever happend to running away and telling a teacher/parent?

[jruner]

This is the number one thing I teach my children and as well as fight to run away. The selfdefense I teach my children is designed to keep them out of bad situations.

1. Show repsect to others
2. Your body is your property
3. Walk in groups
4. If bullied run
5. Fighting is bad only fight to protect yourself if running is not possible.
6. Have a password for the person that is going to pick you up to use.

John Runer

[John J Hodges]

Sorry, but anyone who can be bent over your knee and spanked isn't a black belt.

[sean_stonehart]

It's Mary-Kate who's in the bad situation. ;)

Maybe his movie is bunk, but I'd be interested in seeing him practice nonetheless. There aren't a plethora of 12-year-old second degrees that I'm aware of.

There's plenty of 'em around... go to any open MA (ISKA/XTreme This & That, etc...), American "Kurrody", TKD based art, etc.... & you'll see the little devils running around.

[Mandeigh Wells]

Sorry, but anyone who can be bent over your knee and spanked isn't a black belt. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: I love it...nice one!

Anti bullying progs are all the rage at the moment, I guess someone has just come up with another marketing angle.....

Mandeigh

[Webmaster]

In my opinion, the best defense against a bully is self-esteem and self-confidence. Bully's pick on those that lack these two qualities. In today's school environment, fighting back gets you both in trouble and your record marked. Preventing it from happening in the first place is probably the best solution.

[Chrono]

Sorry, but anyone who can be bent over your knee and spanked isn't a black belt.

I hear you, dude. It's probably just me, but I find it hard to believe a twelve-year-old can get a 2nd Dan ranking. Don't you have to be, maybe, 13 in order to be eligible to receive a Dan ranking?

[jruner]

I have seen children at 8 or 9 with Black Belts that new a lot but not with perfect form very rough. They could do one form very well. But they were not responsible enough to represent a mature example of an experienced student and a lot were bullish in there manners while others were trying to watch a form being done.

As far a self esteem you won't have any if don't show others the respect you want them to show you. I grew up where all my failures were focused on, now that I am a parent I teach my children to learn from mistakes and focus on personal accomplishments and those of their peers. You get what you give! A true friend never puts you down or makes you feel unworthy.

Physical training is good but there has to be some mental training in what it means to be a martial artist. I was taught it is about enlightenment and being the best person you can be. A young child may be eager to be a Black Belt but not ready. I think it is bad to push any child into a position they are not ready for.


John Runer

[John J Hodges]

My system will not even consider someone under 13 for training (few exceptions like me) and will not consider anyone under 18 for shodan (I tested at 19 after 11 years of training).

[Dennis Monk]

Sorry, but anyone who can be bent over your knee and spanked isn't a black belt.


Awe, come on I know at least a half dozen TKD blackbelts from the same local chain school, all of them under age 10. It shouldn't matter that when you ask them to show you chon-ji that they look at you puzzled and ask, "what is that?" should it? :D

[Mister Massive]

I think that children has a way of misunderstanding the important values of martial arts sometimes. For example: when I went to primary school, there was this kiddo everybody was afraid of. He liked to 'showase' his martial arts skills (Penkration I think it was, not sure); he thaught that you learn't martial arts to be dangerous and bad, but that's good for a kid to think like that. Anyone read about when Musashi (a japanese Swordman-legend)? It comes a snake, and crawls around his friend, the buddist-munk, but when the snake look at Musashi, it flees, terrified. Musashi then regrets that his goal in training his Swordsmanskills, was to frighten danger away, because it sometimes can be overdone. :bow:

[Jen]

Come on now Dennis, if he's good enough to compete in the olympics, he wouldn't know Chon-Ji. ITF doesn't compete in the olympics.

[Paul B]

Jeez-o-pete, this really toasts my marshmallows!!!

(Banging head on desk) Why,why, why would you let a 9,10 etc yr. old "have" a BB?

In addition to spanking, how about understanding the difference between right and wrong, based on life experience?

Petulant comes to mind,also acting childish,hmm all these negative images associated with being a child, I wonder why..just a guess, but maybe it has to do with being "immature" or pre-pubescent, or say "incomplete" ,as it were.

I just don't get it, and all the negative views that comes with it from the public:

Awww...look at this picture in the paper....a 9 yr. old BB... he won some trophies at a local competition...isn't that great!!.....Bleeegh!

It used to mean something to have one, and it's been turned into an easily attainable commodity for children, so how hard can it be to have one?

How many 9 or 10 yr old's do you know that can be held accountable for their actions?

Ah, well...that's my rant....jeesh! I feel better now...been holding that in for a bit! :laugh:

Best Regards,

Paul Bladen

[n2shotokai]

Dang it, dang it and dang it. I have seen the video. :embarrass

At a school where I assistant instruct I showed up to help out the kids class and the video was played. The video did spend considerable time talking about attitude, avoiding problems and going to an adult or teacher.

The young man does have considerable talent for his age and I will not go into the whole debate on kids and BB's.

The tape did have good points (for kids) on proper responses and stopped frequently for the purpose of having the live class answer and ask questions.

While some of the techniques for escape and evasion were interesting some rasied my eyebrows. One in particular was an escape I believe a bear hug from behind. The escape was to drop down and raise your arms. I thought to myself "that looks like a great way to move your attackers hand into an uppercut on yourself". As the class practiced the techniques displayed on the video I awaited this particular move. I would say 50% of the class got smacked under the jaw :eek:

[Dennis Monk]

This technique is supposed to be accompanied by a quick thrust backwards with your butt. If done correctly this should release the grabber's hold and you can transition into an armbar or wrist flex. Possibly too complex for children, I agree.

just my $0.02