Returning to a previously practiced style and then told to start all over again

[CoreGirl]

Hello,

As many of you all know, I just received my black belt a few weeks ago. Before I studied at my most recent dojo, I did 8 months of krav maga. Now I want to return to krav. The krav teacher I had several years ago has since gone out on his own and opened his own school. That is the school I plan to attend. Here is my dilemma. I completed level one of krav maga at the old school and was training in level 2 before I left. Now I'm returning with 3 years of training in kickboxing and TKD. My new instructor told me that testing is every six months and the next test is in Nov. He said I would test for level one then. I mentioned to him that I was training in level 2 before I left, and he said he is part of a new organization that is a little different. So in November, I will be testing with people that have 6 months of krav maga training. I, on the other hand, will have had 12 months of training in krav maga plus three years in other styles. If I began a style I had never done before and is completely different from what I know now, then I'd understand starting at the beginning. That isn't the case here and I need the challenge to thrive. I do martial arts because it is fun and empowering. Being held back or not given the chance to prove how much potential I have takes that away from me. I want to talk to him about it, but I want to make sure that the message comes across as "I'm willing and able to rise to the occasion" instead of "I already know that". I would have to ask him to test me privately outside of the testing sequence and take private classes for review, but I'm willing to do that. I also want to take private classes to catch up to where I need to be for testing in Nov. If I don't pass, then I don't pass. I just want the opportunity to try. (I will pass)

I am fully aware that my martial arts journey is just beginning. There is an infinite amount of wisdom to be learned and I just want to devour it all up. I don't want to be coddled or held back. Any ideas on the best way to approach the topic with this new instructor?

[Webmaster]

That isn't the case here and I need the challenge to thrive.

Perhaps the challenge then should be to "empty the cup"?

Instructors have a right to have any student start at any level necessary to safely reintegrate them back into the class. You've been gone for 3 years doing a completely different martial art. I can promise you that even without a new organization, your instructor does not teach the same way today as he did 3 years ago. Even if the curriculum is standardized, as in the case of many Krav Maga organizations, you'll find what and how an instructor teaches will change with time. Instructors are learning too, even if you've been teaching for a long time you will discover better ways to teach a technique or concept.

Another thing to consider is that you left once and went to another school. He might think of you as a dojo hopper and of questionable loyalty. You have to understand that an instructors time and attention on the dojo floor is limited. It is impossible to watch everyone all of the time. So you are selective with your attention. Once the instructor is confident that you're there for the long haul, you'll get a lot more personalized attention. His asking you to test could be his way of seeing if you're serious about training with him or not. It's going to require a little more of you, but how badly do you want to train with him?

Or he could just be hustling you for a testing fee...

Just accept the challenge and show your instructor that you're serious. I think you'll find things much better afterwards.

[Jonathan Randall]

First question: is there a testing fee involved?

I do not know either you or your instructor so I cannot come to a conclusion on this matter. One thing to consider, however, is the importance of basics. A refresher on the basics could hardly hurt you - even though you want to jump back in at a higher level. That is understandable on your part, but I would consider respecting your instructors wishes in this matter.

[cejames]

This is a bit harsh, if you want krav maga then shut the &^%$ up and train dude In the overall scheme of things it really doesn't matter, does it?

Charles J.

[CEB]

The amount being changed for testing fees would have probably have a big influence on my opinion. Especially a school where they are teaching a several different "systems" But I come from a background where. I never paid a dime for a yudansha promotion. My mudansha promotions were $10. About $5 covered the cost of the belt and the rest went toward the post testing party. He held testing about once or twice a year.

It never was a big emphasis at our dojo. ..... plus Shodan and above didn't pay dues. You could not promote too many people and keep the dojo doors open.

Judo you pretty much permenantly carry you rank pretty much everywhere and the test fees were really cheap. I tok about 10 years off from Judo then came came back and I kept my brown belt. I came from a USJF dojo and the USJA dojo I ended up at recognized it.

In BJJ I never even had a test. Pretty much every class is a test. Kendo again reasonable it cost a little more just because Kendo in general seems to be geared toward more economically affluent people. Everything cost a little more, equipment, organizational dues etc... I think my last kendo test was $50 and it is done at an organization level. Dojo do not promote people.

I've attended camps and did seminars at groups that charge $100+ for tests. That has always been a red flag for me. I don't like gradings being tied to $$$'s

[Tony Dismukes]

I don't know how the training "levels" in Krav Maga are organized. I do know that after 6+ years of BJJ training, my favorite classes are still those dealing with fundamental techniques and principles that I was originally taught in my first 6 months of training. I inevitably learn some fine detail that I somehow managed to miss previously.

I've recently restarted my study of judo, which I had practiced for about a year a while back. I'm in the process of discovering that I had misunderstood a lot of important details about the most fundamental beginning principles of the art.

I practiced muay thai for about 6 or 7 years. Most of that time was taken up with drilling the same basic techniques that I learned in my first few months for training.

All of which is to say, if your teacher wants you to spend time focusing on the "level one" of your art (whatever that my include), don't look at it as holding back your progress. It may in fact be the best thing for speeding up your progress.

[rainesr]

I have been a white belt twice in TSD once after eight years of TSD, and as I moved jobs I was had to find new schools and became no belt/white belt three more times in different arts. Every time I "started over" I still learned something valuable regardless of my previous rank. It boils down to dropping the ego and worrying about what you are being taught not what you know. If the things you know are useful to the immediate lesson they will shine through on their own while you are learning. A good instructor will notice and train you accordingly.

~Rob

[Eliz]

.... So in November, I will be testing with people that have 6 months of krav maga training. I, on the other hand, will have had 12 months of training in krav maga plus three years in other styles.

.... Being held back or not given the chance to prove how much potential I have takes that away from me. I want to talk to him about it, but I want to make sure that the message comes across as "I'm willing and able to rise to the occasion" instead of "I already know that". I would have to ask him to test me privately outside of the testing sequence and take private classes for review, but I'm willing to do that. I also want to take private classes to catch up to where I need to be for testing in Nov. If I don't pass, then I don't pass. I just want the opportunity to try. (I will pass)

I am stunned

If you are willing to "rise" to the occasion," then why do you need to speak with your instructor on the matter? Just go train level I and learn even more then you did the first time.
I do not find it unreasonable that your instructor is putting you back to beginning level as you only trained 12 months in that art.

You have had 4 years of total training. Others here (myself included) have 4 + decades of training. If I started Krav Maga, I would expect beginner status as a KM beginner is exactly what I would be.

[Abbax8]

The evil part of me wants to enroll in class as a total beginner. Wait, I tried that, the instructor figured that me and my friends had previous trainng. Anyway, I still wore a white belt and just had fun.

Dennis

[CoreGirl]

Thanks,

As I thought longer about it, I decided to let it go and just go to class. I had some other battles in my life going on when I wrote this, so I guess I was on the defense. Starting over is fine. The new thing they do now in my krav school is make girls where a cup! You should have seen my face when he threw one to me on my first day!