Martial Arts Accreditation and Governing Bodies

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by paihequan, Dec 19, 2006.

  1. paihequan

    paihequan Valued Member

    What are your thoughts on the need (or not) for Martial Arts Accreditation for martial arts instructors and the need for Governing Bodies?

    I belong to the Martial Arts Industry Association MAIA (http://www.maia.com.au) and the International Martial Arts Alliance IMA (http://www.martialartalliance.com). These organisations both offer accreditation for the martial artist.

    Your thoughts?
     
  2. Guizzy

    Guizzy with Arnaud and Eustache

    Personally, I've seen enough fake ones (World Head of Family Sokeship Council) to worry about the usefulness of such organisations. Unless these are: a. government recognized/backed, or b. so well established that they are by far more popular than the fake ones, they won't be credible enough.

    The problem is, the public in general has little idea on who they should trust about martial arts. When they want to see a health specialist, they go see a member of a nationwide and governmentally aknowledged medical order, which (is supposed) to uphold a certain standard of quality. A quack order could not work (the same way) because the government(s) wouldn't aknowledge them as real health specialists.

    So while an accreditation or governing body would solve the problems of who to trust, it would only do so if we knew we could trust the governing body!
     
  3. Keikai-Tsutsumi

    Keikai-Tsutsumi New Member

    It all depends on the type of accreditation, who determines who does the accreditation and what is required for the accreditation. No two martial arts or styles within an art have the same skills, techniques or philosophy.

    This question has been around for a long time in Australia and I have never seen a wholy satisfactory answer to any of the questions.

    I currently hold a Certificate IV in Sports Coaching (Martial Art) as approved by the Australian National Training Authority and while it is a good alround general qualification it does not cover my art specifically and is more about being a good instructor and in particular those who teach towards competition. My form of ju jutsu has no competition and so a degree of what is covered has little to do with my art.

    The who does the approval and on what grounds with in an art has been a nightmare with some people coming away from the whole process very disillusioned. Government organisations have little or no knowledge of what makes for a good art, good technique or good instructors. All too often it is those who shout the loudest who get the nod to give out accreditation. Usually the people best qualified are those who are quietly going about the business of producing quaility students.

    I have seen this process going on for over twenty years and none of the questions have ever been satisfactorily answered.
     
  4. koyo

    koyo Passed away, but always remembered. RIP.

    A friend said all there is to say on this subject as far as I am concerned.
    LESS ASSOCIATIONS AND MORE ASSOCIATION.

    Thanks Gerry


    Regards koyo
     
  5. paihequan

    paihequan Valued Member

    Have any of you visited the links I originally posted to have a look at the type of organisations I was referring to?

    Martial Arts Industry Association MAIA (http://www.maia.com.au)

    International Martial Arts Alliance IMA (http://www.martialartalliance.com)

    The aim of accreditation by these bodies is NOT in certifying one's so-called rank or status in the martial arts but in providing access to accreditation which covers basic requirements for making better instructors. Some of the aspects covered in this form of accreditation includes but is not limited to the role of the coach, planning, teaching skills, group management, communication, physical conditioning, sports safety, nutrition, drugs in sport, sports psychology and development of the athlete. Level Two National Accreditation covers:

    * Planning
    * Risk Management
    * Self-reflection
    * Principles of Training
    * Endurance Training
    * Speed, Strength and Power Training
    * Flexibility Training
    * Functional Anatomy
    * Biomechanics
    * Development & Maturation
    * Nutrition
    * Sports Psychology
    * Sports Medicine
    * Teaching Methods
    * Skill Acquisition
    * Communication
    * Resource Management
    * Drugs in Sport

    The Level 2 Coaching Principles course complements the arts specific component provided by your National Organisation.

    The aim is raising the level of instructors NOT in offering such embroidery as rank and title.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2006
  6. Keikai-Tsutsumi

    Keikai-Tsutsumi New Member

    The basic problem is still the same. Ju Jutsu is such a diverse art with so many styles it is almost impossible to find the common thread to all and to develop a Level 2 course to cover all styles. It would be so bland or so complex that no one would or could do it. Who is going to appoint the persons to oversee such a course? We get back to the same old problems.

    Many arts have competition and national bodies for that art. Judo and Karate come to mind and they still have problems finding the common ground

    A good theory but...
     
  7. koyo

    koyo Passed away, but always remembered. RIP.

    When aikido first spread outside of japan it was considered a budo and cross training with other martial artists (mainly judo karate and kendo) was common. The "instructor" was seen more as an example that you strived for not a teacher as we understand it. The art was a very personal pursuit.You had to seek the principles out for yourself. Only when you were "stuck" would you be given guidance. To accomodate large numbers a grading sylabus was created.In this sylabus were techniques against certain attacks there were simply there to "fill out" the sylabus it was demanded that EVERYONE must execute the technique in an identical manner to pass the grading.
    In arts that are "spontaneous" this is not possible nor desirable.There are far too many approaches that are set in stone.
    We must obey basic principles but we MUST be encouraged to find our own way.I prefare to tell my students to seek out training wherever thay can with whomever they choose.

    regards koyo

    When I began training (late fifties earlt sixties) friends were training in karate kendo and judo some are still training and my students are made most welcome in their clubs (different arts) We have learned a great deal from each other, That is my impression of an association.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2006
  8. adouglasmhor

    adouglasmhor Not an Objectivist

    That is very much what our Shidoshi says. Class members have cross trained or previously trained in Muay Thai, Karate, Kempo, Tai Chi, Yoga, TKD, Escrima, Jui Jutso and Akido to my knowledge.
     
  9. koyo

    koyo Passed away, but always remembered. RIP.

    I am certain that you have found that the core art has benefitted from cross training. I have already posted that I see "aikido" as the name chosen for my approach to budo. Martial arts should be a brotherhood. I do not feel that associations promote this.

    regards koyo
     
  10. John Titchen

    John Titchen Still Learning Supporter

    This sounds exactly like the approach to traiing that I have taken over almost all my time in training. I maintain that you should learn more out of class than in class if you really wish to develop.
     
  11. koyo

    koyo Passed away, but always remembered. RIP.

    Typical "instruction". "You are not attacking the correct kuzushi ,(weakpoint of balance) Find it. "
    It was not shown to you.
    "what should I do when he attacks?"
    answer "Don't get hit.
    "How do I do that?"
    answer "Move!!"
    Then you were left to figure it out for yourself.
    I was also told never to ask for an answer to a problem until I had attempted everyway I knew to answer it myself.Only then would I ask and inevitably the answer would pertain to basic principles.


    regards koyo
     

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