teens in the martial arts

[kazon33]

I have started to notice that teenagers are very hard to motivate in the martial arts especially ages 13-15. It seems that they dont care about anything and they have very little respect for the art and for the most part their physical abilities and coordination are pitiful as far as I am concerned.

Is this typical of teenagers or is that just the group that has been attracted to the school that I teach at?

does anyone else have this problem with young teens?

[JadeDragon]

I have started to notice that teenagers are very hard to motivate in the martial arts especially ages 13-15. It seems that they dont care about anything and they have very little respect for the art and for the most part their physical abilities and coordination are pitiful as far as I am concerned.

Is this typical of teenagers or is that just the group that has been attracted to the school that I teach at?

does anyone else have this problem with young teens?

Must be just your school. I see really good talented kids doing martial arts at tournaments. The things these kids doing are simply amazing. The hard work and dedication that these kids have is tremendous. And it shows by the "tricks" that they use in their forms. They're doing 360 degree kicks, 720 degree kicks, Z kicks, back flips, butterfly twists into full splits, etc...... These are hard things to do. It takes some real talent. Go to any NASK rated tournament and watch the night time finals for the youth and you'll see what I'm talking about. Even during the day time divisions they're really good.

[kazon33]

I have been to tournaments and witnessed the same thing but those kids have most likely been doing the martial arts since they were very young. I am refering more to people that just start out when they are 13-15.

some of them tell me that they have played other sports before but when I work with them they seem to have no coordination, flexibility, or discipline. when we get them at a younger age we teach them these things.

[JadeDragon]

I think that the problem with kids that are just starting out in m.a.'s is that they are mezmorized by MMA. They aren't as interested in traditional martial arts like they used to be and thats a shame. TMA has a lot to offer both kids and adults but unfortunitely all the young people want to do is learn how to choke someone out or arm bar someone. I think that if TMA wants to survive then more emphasis has to be placed on the combat side of the art and less on the forms (but don't neglect the forms). Youth like violence, thats a fact. They're attracted to it. Just check out t.v. ratings for different shows and you'll see this. I think that if you show kids the more lethal aspect of the art then they'll be more interested and be more willing to try harder and be more motivated. Just my opinion.

[kazon33]

I have to agree with that, they all want to instantly become MMA fighters and dont want to go through the training that goes along with that. They also dont seem to understand that forms are a big part of learning the basics they need to move up in the martial arts. I place a great deal of enfisis on strong basics because that is what works.

[JadeDragon]

Yep, the younger people want everything fast and don't want to work at it. I teach the basics for a long time. My first 2 years in kung fu all my teacher taught us was side kick, front kick, roundhouse kick, front stance, horse stance, front punch, backfist, fighting stance, and palm strike. That was it. For 2 years that was all he taught us but my basics are VERY good now because of it. We did spar though. And we went almost full contact with very little protective gear. I didn't test for my first sash untill 2 1/2 yrs had passed. That was nearly 20 yrs ago.

[pstevens]

I have started to notice that teenagers are very hard to motivate in the martial arts especially ages 13-15. It seems that they dont care about anything and they have very little respect for the art and for the most part their physical abilities and coordination are pitiful as far as I am concerned.

Is this typical of teenagers or is that just the group that has been attracted to the school that I teach at?

does anyone else have this problem with young teens?

This is actually a very common occurrence in the martial arts industry, as well as other activities during adolescence. As a youth taking martial arts, I experienced this and today I experience it as an instructor.

What you guys have mentioned regarding MMA is true to an extent. During this time, children become disenchanted with hard work and want to take the easy way to success. Part of it may be due to the poor work ethic they develop somewhere else and the other is simply their psychology.

The bottom line is that it’s a very troubling time for kids (13-15). They’re dealing with social groups forming at school, physical changes, and a bunch of other things. The answer to this problem isn’t as cut and dried as it seems. But I will say that you need to be aware of developing problems and address them.

When I notice someone who’s not improving and not motivated, I ask for a little one-on-one and try to find out what’s going on. I let my students know that I’m all ears if they want to talk about things outside of martial arts. Sometimes they won’t tell me anything, but at least they know my door’s open. I open the lines of communication. Even if it doesn’t appear affect them right away, the fact that I’m showing interest and concern for them makes my students think about their choices and behavior in class.

The thing is not to pretend you understand their problems. Just try to be friend and someone who cares whether they grow as human beings or not. That’s all anyone can ask of a martial arts instructor.

[KenshiRyan]

I think that if you show kids the more lethal aspect of the art then they'll be more interested and be more willing to try harder and be more motivated. Just my opinion.

I disagree; Theres no point treating teenagers any different, if there not willing to participate then tell them to stop wasting there time and go elsewhere, its near to impossable to make a teenager do somthing they dont want to do so dont bother trying.
I also think teaching kids (especially ones that show no motivation and respect for the art) lethal techniques just to keep them in your gym training is possibly the stupidest thing you could ever do (like seriously what the f***), all your going to end up with is young adults who had no true interest in martial art to begin with knowing lethal techniques that their likely to use without any real thought getting them in the sh!t and possibly seriously hurting somone, you'll also get real arrogant types who use what theyve learnt to push their way round school etc etc so you'll just stuff everything up.

If they arent motivated tell them to leave and stop wasting your time and their's, focus your attention on young adults that show true interest and motivation to better themselves physically and mentally, and by mentally I mean generally maturing into a responsible and good person who will use what they've learnt properly, and not turn into some arrogant git.
Its these teens you wana work with and make better.

and this is coming from an 18 year old MA.

[Scott Bolinger]

I have started to notice that teenagers are very hard to motivate in the martial arts especially ages 13-15. It seems that they dont care about anything and they have very little respect for the art and for the most part their physical abilities and coordination are pitiful as far as I am concerned.

Is this typical of teenagers or is that just the group that has been attracted to the school that I teach at?

does anyone else have this problem with young teens?

you just gotta set the tone. Make sure that they know and udnerstand the rules of your gym and that there there to train, not run around playing tag.

your there for there benifit, but if all they want to do is screw around, you don't need them messing up your gym. You'll get students that actually want to be there and learn what you teach.

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

When i was 13-15 i wouldve loved to begin training. WTF is wrong with your students? U a Mcdojo or something?

[pstevens]

When i was 13-15 i wouldve loved to begin training. WTF is wrong with your students? U a Mcdojo or something?

That's funny, from the way you've been attacking every thread with your childish antics, I'd guess you were 12 or even 11...

Either way, come back when you have something important to say... we'd like to a decent discussion here.

[pstevens]

I disagree; Theres no point treating teenagers any different, if there not willing to participate then tell them to stop wasting there time and go elsewhere, its near to impossable to make a teenager do somthing they dont want to do so dont bother trying.
I also think teaching kids (especially ones that show no motivation and respect for the art) lethal techniques just to keep them in your gym training is possibly the stupidest thing you could ever do (like seriously what the f***), all your going to end up with is young adults who had no true interest in martial art to begin with knowing lethal techniques that their likely to use without any real thought getting them in the sh!t and possibly seriously hurting somone, you'll also get real arrogant types who use what theyve learnt to push their way round school etc etc so you'll just stuff everything up..

I agree. If they weren’t motivated before; a few new techniques aren’t going to change their attitude. The problem isn’t about the “techniques,” rather it’s the teaching system. I’m not implying that anyone is a bad teacher; I just think this the first place we should begin. As instructors, we always need to evaluate our methods and systems.

If they arent motivated tell them to leave and stop wasting your time and their's, focus your attention on young adults that show true interest and motivation to better themselves physically and mentally, and by mentally I mean generally maturing into a responsible and good person who will use what they've learnt properly, and not turn into some arrogant git.
Its these teens you wana work with and make better.

There’s a point where you have to cut your losses and separate from bad students. However, you have to take into consideration the repercussions. As an instructor and mentor, you accepted responsibility for this troubled youth when you had his/her parent sign the contract. The fact that you’re so quick to give up on them won’t bold well for your reputation. And in the martial arts industry; reputation is everything!

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

That's funny, from the way you've been attacking every thread with your childish antics, I'd guess you were 12 or even 11...

Either way, come back when you have something important to say... we'd like to a decent discussion here.

someone is a little defensive

[KenshiRyan]

The fact that you’re so quick to give up on them won’t bold well for your reputation. And in the martial arts industry; reputation is everything!

And there in lies the problem; your too busy protecting your "reputation"

If the kid has no interest being there, theres no use him/her wasting their time and yours and their parents money, it benefits no one.

You arent a daycare, so why boter babysitting them.

THEY came to YOU for training; if they arent bothering with that training they dont need to be there. end of story.

[jonbey]

My question is, why are they there at all? Can you not talk to them about their motivations, desires? Are they there under duress? I admit I have only been in classes where everyone makes that daily decision to turn up to train.