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The uphill battle back

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I only managed one practice of my own last week - as my wife even protested that one, and even though I went to practice last night, I am not sure I'll be able to swing it on Wednesday. Things have been pretty tough at home since our 3rd was born, and I consider every Judo practice that I get in as a gift. When I came home last night, I was told that I was definitely getting up in middle of the night. Personally I didn't mind it, despite the lack of sleep, it was worth the Judo excursion.

On Sunday, I was helping out the kids class. Sensei asked me to give one of the kids his yellow belt test. I was very apprehensive, and had a ton of questions. It's funny, at work, I have no problem taking charge of things and taking ownership. As well as giving people on my staff guidance, but as a Judo instructor, I have very little confidence. I don't know what was my greater fear - failing a kid who was worthy, or passing a kid who was not.

Last night, at the adults class, I went over the exam with Sensei in greater detail, and it seems that I handled it right. I told him that I wanted to make sure I didn't make a mistake, because its his name on the promotion certificate. He appreciated that I thought that way.

I am also working on my own promotion. Since I didn't come up through the ranks with Sensei himself, he handed me his syllabus, and asked one of the senior blackbelts to review all of the requirements for every rank - from Yellow belt through Ikkyu! Sensei has his own requirements, including some items that are not on the standard lists of throws and techniques. I did the Yellow belt stuff last night, and if my wife lets me go on Weds. I will do all of the green belt requirements.

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Comments

Dr. AnnMaria said…
Worthy? Come on, you are talking about a little kid taking a yellow belt test, not licensing someone to perform brain surgery.

I don't tell kids to test unless I am sure they know all the material required to pass and the test is to give them more experience performing and speaking in front of an audience, to build their confidence a little bit.

I cannot imagine what a child would have to do to fail a yellow belt test - wet himself during the test maybe?
11/01/2007
Yonah said…
Okay, maybe I am waxing a bit too philosophical here. Of course this stems for the insecurity of my ability - not the kid's, he was great.
11/02/2007
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