How To Be A Good Student (5 Tips For Mastery)
Mastery is what we all want, right?
I mean, nobody in the martial arts wants to just be okay at their art (or arts). We all want to be the kick-heinie black belt master who is badder than Michael Jackson.
Well, shamone! This Cup is all about steps you can take to get closer to your ideal, no matter whether you dream to be a martial bad-butt or a better you than yesterday’s you, you can definitely take something away from these steps.
You can’t beat it.
(You’ve gotta pardon the Micheal Jackson puns–I wrote this Cup listening to some of Micheal’s best!)
Think of it as a kind of study guide for the beginner and senior martial artist. In the words of the Prince of Pop: It don’t matter if you’re belt is black or white.
Well, I’m pretty sure he said something along those lines.
Anyway, let’s do this!
#1: Study Thoroughly
At first, this tip might sound rather vague and like what you normally do anyway. If you want to know more then study hard.
Simple, right?
Nay, say I!
Well, sorta.
You see, many people “study” without really studying all the way. There are a lot of extra side studies you can look at that will REALLY help you out if you simply turn your attention their way.
Of course, studying the history is a good start.
Don’t neglect the culture that the history treads through as well. Study the different styles and specific lineages that influenced yours, and the big thing, the native language as well.
*RECOMMENDED: What The What?! (Language guide)
Strive to know everything about everything you know.
Try your forms with your eyes closed, at an insanely slow pace, etc.
Try your tactics in varying situations (up against a wall, at a different range, etc.)
Explain a philosophical concept to somebody without any experience with philosophy
The list goes on.
Studying other styles and lineages can help you understand your own methodology as well.
Read books. Go to seminars. Exchange ideas with other practitioners.
Broaden your horizon.
#2: Be Everybody’s Buddy
“Be everybody’s buddy” doesn’t mean you carry around a creepy clown smile at all times or be faker than faux fox fur (try saying that five time fast).
It means that you should vary up your training partner when you can.
Just because your best friend takes class with you doesn’t mean you should always race to each other as if the Chariots of Fire theme song were playing in the background.
If you really want to be a good friend, mixing it up would best. For you and for them.
Too often do we get used to the way a certain attacker attacks and reacts. They move their feet in such a way. Their strikes come in this fast. Yadda yadda.
That’s bad. As in, really bad.
The solution? Three words and an exclamation mark: Change it up!
Grab the weakest person in class, the strongest in class, the guy with the sloppiest technique, the girl who kicks super high, the kid who is just barely old enough to be in class, the elderly man who walks with a bad limp, the mini midget, the guy whose genes have gotta be three-quarters Manhattan skyscraper.
Again, change it up!
#3: Keep Your Eyes Open And Attentive
Wham!
“Did you see that?”
“The way the sifu just tossed the guy to the ground like a lead leaf?”
You imitate the sifu’s movements but can’t seem to take your partner down.
Does this seem familiar?
You feel like you did what you were suppose to exactly the way it looked. Your hands were here and your feet were there. What went wrong?!
Externally, maybe nothing. Rather, the problem might be more internal.
Breath.
Balance.
Distance.
Sometimes we forget that there is more to a technique than body placement and directional movement. All of these things are extremely important and yet sometimes ignored.
The correct distance can be the difference between a slipped punch and a split lip.
The proper balance in a stance can make a takedown many times more effective while still maintaining your superior position.
The right breathing can make tough things a breeze! (ba dum tss!)
When your teacher is demonstrating, yeah, watch his technique.
But also look at his balance, where his intent is focused, and where there is relaxation or tension.
Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come
– Perry Paxton
#4: Jot It Down
I would HIGHLY recommend you keep a notebook.
Writing down the things you see and hear in class is an excellent idea for two major reasons:
It helps you remember
It makes sure you understand it
If you write down a technical detail the Sensei mentioned in class today, grabbing a pencil and taking a few minutes to write it on paper reinforces it into your memory. And even if you do forget, now you can just go back and check your notebook.
It can only be a plus.
If you have ever taught something to anybody, you know that teaching can be hard, especially teaching martial arts. It can be tough to vocalize something you have only had to do physically.
Writing an idea down is similar to teaching it in that you have to clearly communicate the details.
It forces you to really know your stuff.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
-Albert Einstein
#5: Attitude!
I’ll keep this last tip short but sweet.
Skill requires self discipline.
Martial ability requires humility.
Be honest and loyal. To your style and classmates and the legacy that together you all carve. To your teacher and what he does for you and others. To yourself and how you carry yourself, how you train, how you live.
In other words…Don’t be a D-Bag!
The Martial Arts aren’t just methods for surviving violence.
They are methods for living.
If I tell you I’m good, probably you will say I’m boasting. But if I tell you I’m not good, you’ll know I’m lying.
-Bruce Lee
