Insights
What makes a ‘Young’ British Wadokai Student a Yudansha?
Simple: Enthusiasm, consistency, technical ability, total dedication, loyalty, that’s all, it’s not
rocket-science! It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, if you possess these as ‘natural qualities’ you will get there.
You don’t get out what you don’t put in, and very often many people can think that they can.
You will never ‘get away with it’ by applying for gradings and expect to get the promotion‘you deserve’ automatically. If you are not good enough you will fail, and if you are not dedicated
you may not even get the chance to attempt the grade in the first place.
It is the responsibility of every instructor to ensure that all his students are ready and prepared
for each grade, but commitment goes both ways. If the student is not committed
then all the teaching in the world will not help him to pass.
Early grades, from 9th Kyu to 6th Kyu, you may get away
with just one session per week. But for Brown belt
and above you should be training under instruction
at least twice a week. Three times a week if
you are a Yudansha of 1st to 3rd Dan.
Home training is also important. Where else can
you practise the techniques that you have been
taught? Just relying on training sessions may also be
a deficit to your progress, you still must ‘practise’ it
consistently - Repetition creates reaction.
Gary E Swift Kyoshi.