"There are no gradings in Muay Thai" is something batted about in the inner circles of the Art, usually on forums and social networking sites. I fully understand the logic of these purists. In Thailand there is no syllabus, you won't ever be asked to take an exam, you prove yourself in the ring and its as simple as that - however your not in Thailand....
In the UK there are two types of Muay Thai Gym, firstly fighters gyms - gyms that are only interested in ring success and they operate a production line of fighters and frankly do a fantastic job. Secondly there are gyms that accept and understand that there is more to Muay Thai than fighting.
Its widely recognised that Masters Sken, Toddy & Woody were the forefathers of the modern grading syllabus. In 1977 they looked for a way to asses their students in the art of Muay Thai. Understanding the wider reaches of Muay Thai (Not just for fighters) the Masters created an assessment processes which consisted of a series of examinations where successful applications would achieve a rank often known as a Khan.
There is a common denominator in the purists negativity to the gradings systems available in the UK- the critiques have not done any gradings themselves! They have not felt the progression and have not had to work towards anything other than the next fight.
There is a reason why gradings are supported by every single governing body in the UK, its simply to keep the tuition standard across the UK, so everyone is learning the same thing - non of the history is being lost, the art is not being watered down.
One of my students told me of a friend who trains at another local gym, a gym that doesn't do gradings, incidentally the same gym doesn't do history, no Waikru or Ram Muay, no music on shows, no bowing in class etc - nevertheless my student seemed quite proud that he knew that there is no gradings in Thailand.
This student is currently booked in for a grade six examination next month. I asked him if he would like to cancel his forthcoming grading and renounce the first five gradings that he has achieved. He sharply replied "no" and went on to add that he's worked hard and felt like he had achieved something, that the certificates were on the wall in his room and he loved taking them into school to "show off" - he went on to add that its not his fault his mate chose the wrong club - chuckled to myself.
Joking aside personal fulfilment is a key factor to why gradings are important. Many people who train in Muay Thai have no intermediate goals, working towards a gradings gives the students focus, this then ensures that they attend class, learn new skills and a byproduct of participating in Muay Thai on a regular basis is weight loss, toning & increased self confidence - win win.
From a club point of view the more people doing gradings the better, it keeps the instructors on their toes - teaching more complicated techniques, the standard of the class improves dramatically because everyone aspires to be like that "Brown Band over there" The more people that are a higher grade the more help is out there for beginners. Beginners learn faster! Classes are always set to the average ability, the higher the ability the better the class. (nothing more demoralising than another night of basic punches)
Then there is reassurance - if you pass you can be proud and confident in your ability. Then the reassurance that if your being taught by a higher graded person - they have been there and done that, probably struggled with the same things as you are - the perfect person to help!
Contrary to peoples beliefs grading examinations are not a "cash cow" for the club, they may cost upwards of £20 but by the time they are registered, certificates are purchased and Kruangs are purchased there isn't a lot left for the club - given that classes are cancelled to take gradings were lucky to break even.
So gradings are very important to individual and the club. If your goals are fighting, I can see why you may dislike the idea of periodic examination. But for the other students not interested in fighting how do they get the same recognition?
In short they are necessary part to learning Martial Arts its a way to show your instructors the level of your progress and to identify areas that need to be worked on and its as simple as that!
There is a common denominator in the purists negativity to the gradings systems available in the UK- the critiques have not done any gradings themselves! They have not felt the progression and have not had to work towards anything other than the next fight.
There is a reason why gradings are supported by every single governing body in the UK, its simply to keep the tuition standard across the UK, so everyone is learning the same thing - non of the history is being lost, the art is not being watered down.
One of my students told me of a friend who trains at another local gym, a gym that doesn't do gradings, incidentally the same gym doesn't do history, no Waikru or Ram Muay, no music on shows, no bowing in class etc - nevertheless my student seemed quite proud that he knew that there is no gradings in Thailand.
This student is currently booked in for a grade six examination next month. I asked him if he would like to cancel his forthcoming grading and renounce the first five gradings that he has achieved. He sharply replied "no" and went on to add that he's worked hard and felt like he had achieved something, that the certificates were on the wall in his room and he loved taking them into school to "show off" - he went on to add that its not his fault his mate chose the wrong club - chuckled to myself.
Joking aside personal fulfilment is a key factor to why gradings are important. Many people who train in Muay Thai have no intermediate goals, working towards a gradings gives the students focus, this then ensures that they attend class, learn new skills and a byproduct of participating in Muay Thai on a regular basis is weight loss, toning & increased self confidence - win win.
From a club point of view the more people doing gradings the better, it keeps the instructors on their toes - teaching more complicated techniques, the standard of the class improves dramatically because everyone aspires to be like that "Brown Band over there" The more people that are a higher grade the more help is out there for beginners. Beginners learn faster! Classes are always set to the average ability, the higher the ability the better the class. (nothing more demoralising than another night of basic punches)
Then there is reassurance - if you pass you can be proud and confident in your ability. Then the reassurance that if your being taught by a higher graded person - they have been there and done that, probably struggled with the same things as you are - the perfect person to help!
Contrary to peoples beliefs grading examinations are not a "cash cow" for the club, they may cost upwards of £20 but by the time they are registered, certificates are purchased and Kruangs are purchased there isn't a lot left for the club - given that classes are cancelled to take gradings were lucky to break even.
So gradings are very important to individual and the club. If your goals are fighting, I can see why you may dislike the idea of periodic examination. But for the other students not interested in fighting how do they get the same recognition?
In short they are necessary part to learning Martial Arts its a way to show your instructors the level of your progress and to identify areas that need to be worked on and its as simple as that!
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