delusional student(s)

[powerof0ne]

Without sounding like a dick and really vent my frustration, I'm going to try to sound as nice as possible This is now my third attempt at typing this...

I have a student that started back in May...this student, didn't come that often, and obviously didn't train on his own during the summer. He just started again a couple of weeks ago for one lesson, then didn't train again for 2 weeks and started again this past Monday.

He has never taken part in kumite...doesn't even have a dogi, let alone sparring gear. (I don't let brand new students do kumite right away, I have a method of breaking people into it which I feel is better in the long run)

This student can't even do a half decent, well anything. That's not to say he never could, but the problem is, whenever I give him some pointers, he doesn't even attempt to change anything he's doing. I'd be thrilled if he'd just attempt, even if he's still doing it wrong, but he's still doing everything the same wrong way. On top of that, he has all the pointers I have given him memorized, so he hears what I tell him but he doesn't actually do any of it.

I'm beginning to think he is really delusional, I see no other option. I've thought this for a while now and the icing of the cake is he asked one of my students who recently graded when he should ask me to grade. Thankfully, my student reminded him to never ask me to grade!

I place an emphasis on kumite, but I also expect a certain level of kihon and kata for each grade. There is no way he could last 3 rounds with my blue belts or yellow belts. My blue belts did 6-7 rounds this past Sunday for their grading and they could have easily have gone for 3 more rounds, if not more.

The point I'm getting at, what more can I do with this student? Should I just approach him and tell him all of this or should I try to be an instructor and somehow show him "subtle" in class?

One idea I'm floating around is to have my female yellow belt partner up with him on some conditioning drills. I think he maybe foolish enough to have his feelings hurt if a female can hurt him (BTW, I'm not that foolish, I'd stay the hell away from Lucia Rijker!) Another one is to have my non-white belts do kumite for everyone to see what it's about.

This is honestly a new one for me, all of my students in the past that aren't children, realize I don't hand out rank like candy. Right now, I can honestly say I'll only have 1-2 more gradings the rest of the year, with my current students...if 2 more.

I'm open for all suggestions and criticism on this one.
Osu!

[hokuto12]

Could you try a kick to the head?

[GJEC]

I think you've got to spell out to him the order of progression.

Preparation (basics and conditioning)
Training (pads and partner work)
Execution (kumite)

He has to understand that although classes of mixed abilities include some of each, as a beginner you expect him to focus on the preparation phase before you will grade him.

If he can't get that concept you're on a loser. I'd remind him every time you see him not paying attention to his basics then if there's no change after a month or so, cut him loose.

Gary

[noahh]

Osu!

Tough one, I have certainly had a few delusional students, I suppose it comes down to how he is affecting your other students.

If he's obnoxious, talking up his own ability, putting others down or giving instruction? I'd say a knock round with another student might help.

If he's just hopeless, I'd leave him be and simply refuse him the opportunity to grade.

We have an attendance tracker (bit like a sticker chart) at the back of the dojo. I remove them and start a new sheet when a student grades. You must have a certain number of classes before you are eligible to grade. No consideration or exceptions. I don't see a need, there will be other gradings.

Of course if you want this guy gone, you could always do the wake up call yourself. Sometimes they surprise you and it becomes the awakening of a good student. Just not often

Osu!

[MMX]

Wow.

Now there is one that I always try to help with tips and although it took a long long time they are finally starting to use them and break the bad habits.

It did take some persistence but also this person was not under and delusion that they were good, I think they just got too excited all the time.

[Deleted]

Let the female yellow belt work with him, once he sees he's getting smacked around maybe his tune'll change.

[wullie]

Oct 6, 2011 11:07:33 GMT -5 @bigal said:

Let the female yellow belt work with him, once he sees he's getting smacked around maybe his tune'll change.

you read my mind BigAl!

[powerof0ne]

I'm going to have a talk with him, and let him know he needs to make changes, especially when I come up to him and give only him pointers...and he doesn't even attempt to do anything different! (strike one)

If he tries to argue with me, I'll pair him up with the female yellow belt. (strike two)

If he tries to somehow ask me to grade that's the point where I'll ask him to leave. (strike three)

Thank you everybody, for all the input, I figured at least one of you have had similar student(s) in the past. This is the first adult student I have ever had, that is like this...besides the few that want to wear their TKD, Shotokan, whatever black belts and when I tell them no, they never show up after that .
Osu!

[mitch]

Does he have a medical condition? It could be that he is somewhere on the autistic spectrum or maybe even on meds for another condition (this was a situation I had in class a little while ago with a student who was on medication for schizophrenia).

Mitch

[powerof0ne]

I don't believe he does Mitch, he does very well in his classes at the university where I teach. However, I'll look into that possibility, I'd feel like the biggest jerk if he does have some form of autism. Thank you for the tip!
Osu!

[powerof0ne]

Plan goes into action Monday, meaning I'll pull him aside in private and tell him why he's not ready to grade. I'm going to be honest, no dancing around "why" he isn't ready. His kihon is bad, his kata is bad, and he's never even done any kumite .

Delusional student had his x room mate who's also a student of mine inquire to one of my students when he'll be ready to grade. I'm now more then a little bit annoyed but won't verbally bash him in front of the other students. However, if he keeps this up I'll tell him to train somewhere else.
Osu!

[GJEC]

I try to use "praise in public, criticise in private" in such cases but obviously you know the chap concerned so you'll know best how to handle this.

Gary

[powerof0ne]

You're right Gary, I shouldn't criticize my student on a public forum. None of my students go on this forum, or if they do, it's very rarely. However, I'm so fed up with this particular student I wouldn't mind him reading this specific thread.

I'm going to have a one on one talk with him, the next time I see him. I'm also going to tell him I think he would be better off in the Shotokan class, then what I have to offer. Not that Shotokan is bad, but I know that group doesn't do much kumite.
Osu!

[hokuto12]

OSU

PO1 what happened with your student?

[powerof0ne]

Time will tell, he has coincidentally not showed up the last few times I have been there, to get a chance to talk to him.

I guess I'm a bit crazy to expect everyone to fully understand that I only test those that have decent form and can at least hold their own against others of the rank they want to grade for. I've been too nice only asking those to grade that I believe will 100% pass, so me asking them to grade is more of a formality.

Maybe I should just hold scheduled gradings, 2-3 times a year, and anybody can attempt to grade that wants to, even if I'm sure they will fail? I failed two gradings under a very strict sensei in the past under one strict sensei and have never failed a grading under any other instructor but him. Perhaps I'm denying my students a tough learning experience they should have?

I'm fairly sure this student will quit asking about when he can test for rank. I let my entire class minus him who didn't show up know on Monday that I don't want to hear of anybody asking when they can grade to me or my students.

I got a little out of hand with this thread, and should not have publicly outing my student which I apologize for. However, the cat's out of the bag and I do think there is some valuable information by others in this thread.
Osu!