McDojo's

[nightcrawlerEX]

I came to this forum a few days ago and I have been reading alot of posts about "McDojo's".

It seems to me that a "McDojo" is anywhere where people think that they are not taking the martial art that they teach seriously. Although that may be the case many people judge these places without seeing them teach and im most cases after a few bad points have been told.

The way that you label a place a "McDojo" is sickining. Simply beacuse they teach techniques that you can't use on the street. IF EVERY SCHOOL TAUGHT ONLY THE STREET EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES ALL MARTIAL ARTS WOULD BE THE SAME. Since Taekwondo uses too many flashy techniques it's not street effective? The fact is it is effective in taekwondo competitions and it is fun to do.

You also label places that have a high number of children in their classes "McDojo's". What do you want them to do? expose the children (who are at the most impressionable stage of their lives!!!) to large amounts of violence early in their lives?

Also you badmouth schools that have a "family" aspect to them. People you are missing a vital point of martial arts!!

Want a clue?.................FUN!!!!!!!!

If you want high amounts of self-defence and street effective techniques join a self defence class!!

Anyway thats my oppinion

[CosmicFish]

People train for different reasons. Some want to be street effective, others just want a hobby that keeps them fit. Nothing wrong with the latter if that's what you're after. However, I think many people object to places that advertise themselves as teaching "self defence" but don't teach anything really useful. Aside from the wasted time, effort and money, this can give its students a false sense of security. Just my thoughts.

[Jesh]

Originally Posted by nightcrawlerEX

The way that you label a place a "McDojo" is sickining. Simply beacuse they teach techniques that you can't use on the street. IF EVERY SCHOOL TAUGHT ONLY THE STREET EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES ALL MARTIAL ARTS WOULD BE THE SAME. Since Taekwondo uses too many flashy techniques it's not street effective? The fact is it is effective in taekwondo competitions and it is fun to do.

You haven't been reading right. Because if you did... you would have noticed that is is not if the techniques that they teach you are not effective what deems a school McDojo. But it is the overall picture... they claim to teach "secret deadly techniques" in 2 weeks, they charge huge amounts of money, become a black belt in 3 weeks and the list goes on and on. I personally don't care if you like TKD, that is just my point. You do what you want to do... and if it is more style based or competition based and it is good for you, OK !!! Nobody called your school a McDojo, so don't' sweat it. If you have a good teacher and your school isn't a McDojo then BE HAPPY !!!

You also label places that have a high number of children in their classes "McDojo's". What do you want them to do? expose the children (who are at the most impressionable stage of their lives!!!) to large amounts of violence early in their lives?

No, but a degree of violence isn't too bad either... they are going to be confronted with this anyway in the future. Let the kids spar...

Also you badmouth schools that have a "family" aspect to them. People you are missing a vital point of martial arts!!

Want a clue?.................FUN!!!!!!!!

If you want high amounts of self-defence and street effective techniques join a self defence class!!

Anyway thats my oppinion

I think everybody here has fun in MA. So this has nothing to do with the fact if "family" are present or not. It is more the commercial based idea of family...

[47MartialMan]

McDojos are often part of a franchise (hence the name, which derives from "Mcdonald's" and "dojo"). Although not exclusive to the West, such schools tend to prey on people relatively unfamiliar with Asian culture.

Indications that a school may be a McDojo include:

Binding contracts when you join, with high up front training fees, high testing fees and the use of collection agencies to collect any remaining fees if a student quits before the contract term is up.

Promises of obtaining a black belt within a given timeframe.

Very young (i.e., under fifteen-year old) black belts.

Flashy advertising, laden with boasts about the art's "effectiveness".

Questionable credentials of instructor:
Not from a known school or ryū
The instructor looks to be about 30, but claims a title of shihan, sōke (soke), hanshi, hachidan, Great Grandmaster, or other designation of senior status.

Claims to be a synthesis of many arts (very few of these "hybrids" are legitimate); especially if one instructor claims to hold high rank in multiple arts.

A McDojo falls under the category of disreputable/dishonorable martial arts described by some as Bullshido.

In short, McDojo is a term used by some martial artists to describe a martial arts school where image or profit is of a higher importance than technical standards.

[Jesh]

Originally Posted by 47MartialMan

In short, McDojo is a term used by some martial artists to describe a martial arts school where image or profit is of a higher importance than technical standards.

This sums it up for me ( in short )...

[kungfuprincess7]

IF EVERY SCHOOL TAUGHT ONLY THE STREET EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES ALL MARTIAL ARTS WOULD BE THE SAME. ..........



hahaha that is one the funniest comments i have seen in these forums in a long time... only one real way to fight effectively hahah

ok ... im better now

oh wait you must be defending your own dojo.. ok i get it now.... fewww i was soooo confused for as sec.

KP

[JinkokMike]

Must say there's some interesting oppinions there.
I hope you don't mind me asking a little question since were on the topic where did the name Mc dojo come from is from Mc donalds or something? Just curious

-Mike

[Bograt]

nightcrawlerEX You are totally of the mark.........

As has been stated it has nothing to do with the techniques being taught, but when what is being taught, how it's being taught and infact if anything at all is being taught, is being shown to be a load of garbage inefective due to lack of teacher knowledge experience etc or if what goes on in that Dojo is just a total rip off Based of factuall evidence, then it will be deemed a MD..

And not because someone on here is upset with a dojo and decides they will slag it of.

[Bograt]

Originally Posted by mike_01

Must say there's some interesting oppinions there.
I hope you don't mind me asking a little question since were on the topic where did the name Mc dojo come from is from Mc donalds or something? Just curious

-Mike

[JinkokMike]

Cheers bograt .

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by mike_01

Must say there's some interesting oppinions there.
I hope you don't mind me asking a little question since were on the topic where did the name Mc dojo come from is from Mc donalds or something? Just curious

-Mike

Yes, it is a pun named to give analogy like the "fast food" concept.

See my other post

[Jesh]

Originally Posted by mike_01

Must say there's some interesting oppinions there.
I hope you don't mind me asking a little question since were on the topic where did the name Mc dojo come from is from Mc donalds or something? Just curious

-Mike

You also have Budo Bell ...

[Slindsay]

Originally Posted by nightcrawlerEX

I came to this forum a few days ago and I have been reading alot of posts about "McDojo's".

It seems to me that a "McDojo" is anywhere where people think that they are not taking the martial art that they teach seriously. Although that may be the case many people judge these places without seeing them teach and im most cases after a few bad points have been told.

The way that you label a place a "McDojo" is sickining. Simply beacuse they teach techniques that you can't use on the street. IF EVERY SCHOOL TAUGHT ONLY THE STREET EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES ALL MARTIAL ARTS WOULD BE THE SAME. Since Taekwondo uses too many flashy techniques it's not street effective? The fact is it is effective in taekwondo competitions and it is fun to do.

You also label places that have a high number of children in their classes "McDojo's". What do you want them to do? expose the children (who are at the most impressionable stage of their lives!!!) to large amounts of violence early in their lives?

Also you badmouth schools that have a "family" aspect to them. People you are missing a vital point of martial arts!!

Want a clue?.................FUN!!!!!!!!

If you want high amounts of self-defence and street effective techniques join a self defence class!!

Anyway thats my oppinion

Would this by any chance be directed at me?

[inbuninbu]

Pertaining to the suggestion that very young BBs are one potential sign of a McDojo...

I defiantely agree! I'm 19 and I know that the majority (we're taking over 95%) of young ppl are no way amture enough to sport a BB and live up to all that it means.

Have you ever thought that in actual fact a large number of adults are certainly not qualified in terms of personal character and attitude to merit a BB?

Some ppl may never be ready for a BB while yes, others may be ready when they are very young. It varies from person to person.

[mystererae]

Indications that a school may be a McDojo include:

Binding contracts when you join, with high up front training fees, high testing fees and the use of collection agencies to collect any remaining fees if a student quits before the contract term is up.

I don't personally think that this is a fair indication of a McDojo in many cases. A contract is a promise from the student to be serious about training in the art. I wouldn't label a school who asks prospective students to sign a six-month contract before joining to at least ensure that the student is serious about training with them for half a year "commercial."

It can't be so bad, especially in martial arts, to expect a student to have the discipline and commitment to uphold a deal to the best of their ability.

If a student quits for a good reason, most schools are fair and will not force them to pay off the remainder of their contract.