Judging in the dojang

[Old Warrior]

Virtually every class ends with bouting of some sort. Either we divide into 2 teams, one person stays up till beaten, or the Master goes down the line and defeats everyone.

I have reached the conclusion that much of the judging that is done in bouts between students is slanted. Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint. I see some of the scoring as intended to bolster the confidence of those who need it and to take others down a peg. What it has done for me is to cause me to not worry about the judging. My job is to do my best, all the time. Whether or not I "win" any particular bout has become meaningless. If I know my opponents men was good (and it does not score) I try to remember to tell them (later) I thought it was good. By the way, I believe I am the beneficiary of many of these slanted calls, although my confidence does not need help. I see it as a form of encouragement.

How does the board feel about using "judging" as a teaching aid?

[kendomushi]

In all cases judging has a subjective element to it. I see no problem with using it in the confines and privacy of the dojo as a teaching tool.
I've had my sensei tell me on a couple occassions that he didn't give me a point because it was good, but not good enough. He expected more of me in that particular situation. I have also seen it used to encourage beginners, and I'm sure I have enjoyed that slant as well many times.

[Neil Gendzwill]

In all cases judging has a subjective element to it. I see no problem with using it in the confines and privacy of the dojo as a teaching tool.
I've had my sensei tell me on a couple occassions that he didn't give me a point because it was good, but not good enough. He expected more of me in that particular situation. I have also seen it used to encourage beginners, and I'm sure I have enjoyed that slant as well many times.
Absolutely. Especially in a practice environment, the judging can be used for different purposes. Plus, surely you've noticed that when sensei says "ippon-shobu" he means until *you* get a point, with the standard for that point varying depending on what he's looking for and how gassed you are?

[Karaken]

Virtually every class ends with bouting of some sort. Either we divide into 2 teams, one person stays up till beaten, or the Master goes down the line and defeats everyone.

How does the board feel about using "judging" as a teaching aid?

OW, let's not forget the expectation of IPPON is different depends on your level. Judging will tell you what you did is right to get a point. Moreover, it'll teach you that what you thought was a point is not good enough as a point at your level. In my view, judging, if properly done, is not only a teaching aid but it is very good teaching itself. In a perfect world, hitting a corretc point with kiai, with proper posture and with zanshin is not just a good point, it's a good kendo.

Center

[Stan]

OW,

We do the same in our club. When some one new hit something that resembles a point we give it and if they are trying techniques that maybe too advance for them we do not give it (let me clarify a bit...Often beginners(new in bogu)try to do hiki waza because they cannot do straight forward waza, so we do not even acknowledge their effort in an attempt to promote better waza). We are always more stringent with more advanced players and do not give points for so-so points. I beleive that is a good way of teaching. I also agree that one should be told if more is expected of them. Along the lines of "the point was not good enough" more is expected from them. For me that is more encouraging than landing a half-assed point.

Stan

[Old Warrior]

Last night it was my turn to be on the wrong end of the scoring curve. No matter what I did it seemed to be - not quite good enough. I did a hiki-do [sp?] that had a resounding crack, that last week would have been a winner, and it was for naught. I could feel, that it was turn to be taken down a notch and forced to fight for the full length of a bout in oppressive heat. But, I will say that the most competative Kumdo experience I ever had was that bout. It took all my energy, forced my concentration, all when my body was on heat overload. Even though, I lost - it was great. I had been in a competative experience and did okay. I have a lot to improve, but I am thinking about it today. I already know a couple of things I can do better next time.

[kendomushi]

Absolutely. Especially in a practice environment, the judging can be used for different purposes. Plus, surely you've noticed that when sensei says "ippon-shobu" he means until *you* get a point, with the standard for that point varying depending on what he's looking for and how gassed you are?

Exactly correct.