Hi guys
I've been noticing a problem in modern MT/MMA gyms and would like some input as to whether you agree/disagree with my observations.
Recently, I've have had to moved gyms due to work. To allow myself to make an informed choice, I did trial classes at a fair few gyms to see which would be the best fit. To my surprise, despite the fact the different trial classes took place at different gyms, the coaches' approach was almost always the same - a typical class will start with a warm up, the coaches will then show 2-3 combos, there will be a warm down (sit ups, push ups) and...that's it. There wasn't any timing exercises, any footwork drills and the combo sequences were often long (think 4+ punches) with very little attention to detail. For example, a coach will go through a combo by only demonstrating the punches on the pads two or three times. The coaches wouldn't explain what the role of each punch is (that e.g. the jab's role is to help establish distance/sets up heavier punches). The coaches wouldn't talk strategy either (e.g. to first jab high to get the hands up then follow it up with a punch to the body). To obtain a higher "graded" t-shirt/armband (even if the striking arts never traditionally *had* any kind of grading system), students only need to demonstrate set combos. This method of teaching to me is ludicrous.
Now, to make matters even worse, sparring at the gyms I've went to has even become optional. If it wasn't, even with the patchy instruction, students can (to a degree) fine tune their footwork/timing/technique as their mistakes will be highlighted when they get caught with their partners' strikes. However, at every single gym I went to, there was a seperate sparring class if you wanted to spar and, at some of those gyms, you could only spar after you have attended a 'learn to spar class' (and paid extra $$$ to attend the class). Sparring in these sparring classes will also always be light in nature.
For a long time, a portion of the combat sport community has made fun of traditional martial art (e.g. TKD/karate) precisely because TMA students seemed to struggle with applying their art in real-life, real-time scenarios. My question is whether MT/MMA gyms are slowly becoming the schools their students once laughed at? I wouldn't have a problem if it was only one MMA/MT gym that was doing this (as that gym will clearly be a mcdojo) - I wouldn't even have a problem if the class clearly said 'MT Fitness' or the gym clearly advertised themselves as a boxercise type of school. Yet the gyms I've been to (think 5-6) all advertise themselves as fight orientated and the coaches themselves are well qualified. The fighters/advanced students at these gyms seem to be putting in decent work and getting decent training...but when has basic footwork/timing/strategy been reserved for only the experienced pupils? My question is: is your gym like this/do you know of any gyms like this/do you think this is slowly becoming a trend, and do you agree with this being a major problem?
I've been noticing a problem in modern MT/MMA gyms and would like some input as to whether you agree/disagree with my observations.
Recently, I've have had to moved gyms due to work. To allow myself to make an informed choice, I did trial classes at a fair few gyms to see which would be the best fit. To my surprise, despite the fact the different trial classes took place at different gyms, the coaches' approach was almost always the same - a typical class will start with a warm up, the coaches will then show 2-3 combos, there will be a warm down (sit ups, push ups) and...that's it. There wasn't any timing exercises, any footwork drills and the combo sequences were often long (think 4+ punches) with very little attention to detail. For example, a coach will go through a combo by only demonstrating the punches on the pads two or three times. The coaches wouldn't explain what the role of each punch is (that e.g. the jab's role is to help establish distance/sets up heavier punches). The coaches wouldn't talk strategy either (e.g. to first jab high to get the hands up then follow it up with a punch to the body). To obtain a higher "graded" t-shirt/armband (even if the striking arts never traditionally *had* any kind of grading system), students only need to demonstrate set combos. This method of teaching to me is ludicrous.
Now, to make matters even worse, sparring at the gyms I've went to has even become optional. If it wasn't, even with the patchy instruction, students can (to a degree) fine tune their footwork/timing/technique as their mistakes will be highlighted when they get caught with their partners' strikes. However, at every single gym I went to, there was a seperate sparring class if you wanted to spar and, at some of those gyms, you could only spar after you have attended a 'learn to spar class' (and paid extra $$$ to attend the class). Sparring in these sparring classes will also always be light in nature.
For a long time, a portion of the combat sport community has made fun of traditional martial art (e.g. TKD/karate) precisely because TMA students seemed to struggle with applying their art in real-life, real-time scenarios. My question is whether MT/MMA gyms are slowly becoming the schools their students once laughed at? I wouldn't have a problem if it was only one MMA/MT gym that was doing this (as that gym will clearly be a mcdojo) - I wouldn't even have a problem if the class clearly said 'MT Fitness' or the gym clearly advertised themselves as a boxercise type of school. Yet the gyms I've been to (think 5-6) all advertise themselves as fight orientated and the coaches themselves are well qualified. The fighters/advanced students at these gyms seem to be putting in decent work and getting decent training...but when has basic footwork/timing/strategy been reserved for only the experienced pupils? My question is: is your gym like this/do you know of any gyms like this/do you think this is slowly becoming a trend, and do you agree with this being a major problem?