I have been taking Kung Fu lessons for 2 weeks so far, with a total of 5 visits of one hour long sessions. I have been taught by two different people, with most, if not all, attention on me due to the fact i’m normally the only person there. This can be seen as a great opportunity, but there are some underlying problems that have left me treading water. The two teachers have been giving me different versions of moves being taught. For instance, i’ve been learning jab-cross(quick jab with a straight punch shortly after) and each teacher adds their own steps to the mix; one tells me to thrust with off my back leg while I straight punch, the other doesn’t mention it. Today even, an extra step was added to my roundhouse kick becuase ‘the test-giver might want that version’. I have a lot of trouble remebering sequences. Once I learn a certain sequence, do it many times and then have to revise, I get thrown completely off. I know i’ll have to deal with additions to sequences, but it doesn’t seem right when it’s being changed day to day, especially when they say i’ve got it down. Lastly, i’ve been schedualed to take a test for my yellow belt. It seems very early for that, and I cannot advance to other classes if I don’t pass this. I will have do start with a tai chi warm up called 5 element stretch. I don’t even remeber a majority of the warm up, and they don’t have any resouces to provide me with to study, I have to do it by memory(problem for me). I’d just like some suggestions. Is this a normal approach to teaching students in martial arts? Thank you.
martial arts always chance you should just try to get the best of all its always good to try new things don’t forget what you’ve learn im learning tae kwon do and i’ve had like three different teacher but they are all different and that’s good i’ve learn a lot of different thins ounces you go to Competition and things like that you will see what really works for you only by doing thing you’ll see what works for you
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I would say to continue for now with your current school. Here’s how I would deal with the problems you mentioned:
*On the issue of getting different versions of a move: I had a similar problem with one form I was learning early on in my own martial arts training, and what I did was quietly talk with the head instructor the next opportunity I had. Without naming any names (as there were several black belts who handled teaching in his absence), I explained that I had been getting a couple of different instructions for a particular sequence in the form in question, and asked what the form should look like. I got the “correct” version of the form, along with instructions that if I was to be told anything else by any of the others, I was to (very politely) tell them, “Master told me it was to be this way.”
So talk to the head instructor, and let him know that you’re getting very confused because you’re being taught different things for what you are being lead to believe are the exact same form, and would like some clarification.
*Helping with remembering: I also have this problem at times (I have ADHD), and have found that writing things down when it’s fresh in your memory can help immensely.
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It’s common for each teacher to teach a technique with different little nuances. It’s those details that have helped them that they noticed help them. I remember when I took BJJ for the first time I was taught this move called the “Oopa” one way and then by another teacher with a little detail. It took a while for me to notice that it worked both ways. Don’t sweat that one guy has one way to show the technique while another guy will teach you another version with a different detail. Aside from that, each detail will have come from maybe a setup from a different detail or different scenerio.
As for the yellow belt test tell them you feel uncertain about taking the test at such a soon time. If they refuse to understand this, go elsewhere. It’s your dime and your time. If you’ve signed a contract then you are just going to have to go through that contract.
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