[grecocat]

In your eyes, or mind, what is a McDojo?

I have moved to a place with no training center! So I am starting my own academy. Not many options, but I want to continue my training. I am a Purple belt under Carlos Machado, and a former Div II wrestler. What can I do to get the non-McDojo seal of approval?

[jakeharris.]

Being able to use you're schools logo would be a HUGE bonus, and becoming an official affiliate would be awesome.

[jiujitsunoob]

Teach the real deal - if your a purple belt you know the real deal.
Compete - nothing says what you know and teach the real deal when you and your students go to competitions and do well.

Oh and don't say your a BB when your not.

At least this is my opinion.

[davii]

the core of McDojo to me, is abandoning many of the core values of the art (like hard work, sweat, and time on the mats) for quick belt promotions to keep your customer happy.

Teaching a few things about the art and where it comes from aka Saulo Ribeiro style = bonus. But not needed.

Having students that understand BJJ versus students that just come in with an ego to wrestle shows the colors of the instructor and in the end, whether the place is a mcdojo or not.

[John Bennett]

[spartanmachine]

It's great to start your own academy, the surefire way to not become labelled as a mcdojo is simple.

Teach the real thing, be there for your students development first and not for the money first.

Many people who run full time schools will tell you, you haveto make money to keep the place running, this is where they may run into trouble. What happens is some forget what they are there for and make it about money first so they sacrifice quality and authenticity for anything that will bring in money. Be it awarding belts for money and time put in. More time equals more money.

If you stay true to what you are saying you are opening the club for, training, and honor the way your teacher taught then you won't run into any problems.

Take care of your students and make sure you are teaching them for their development and not money or your own ego and you'll be fine.

[jackjitsu]

Dont think you are in any danger of starting a McDojo with those credentials.

Do what you have always done, train hard, train LIVE, test yourself and your students at comps, and dont put on a fake belt and you will be fine

When I think of McDojo, (of the worst kind) I think of the fat guy wearing a mail order black belt, with a bunch of certificates on the wall he downloaded from some pseudo-martial-arts organization anyone can join for $20, then printed them out on his $30 inkjet printer, cant throw a front kick above his waste, never spars with his students, and demands everyone calls him masta

[fenris9]

If you're asking the question, I don't think you're in danger of going down that road

[slideyfoot]

[stevebuyshouses]

[grecocat]

At first it will be a non-profit club. I made arrangements to teach out of the wrestling room at my kid’s school. All the money paid in by people will be used to buy mats, supplies, and make a deposit on a rental space.

Once we move into a small place I will have a meeting with everyone to let them know if I will have to increase tuition to make the rent.

I want to be honest with people to let them know my goal is to use my profits to travel out of town to learn new material. Bring it back to teach and help the school grow as a group.

I am an avid competitor, and will continue to work towards a high level game. Yes, my dream is a Black belt, but I know I have a long way to go before that happens..

My prices will be $65 for adults and $45 for kids. I will have class twice a week at first to see how many come in. If it grows at a good steady rate I will add an extra day.

I still travel to my current school twice a week but it is a 50 minute drive, and with two small kids I don’t want to put my Bjj before my little people.

[ullmanm]

[slideyfoot]

[camboselecta]

I was just accepted to work for http://www.gkrkarate.com/ Go Kan Ryu karate. Ive never done karate and dont really want to. I got a job working for what I thought was going to be the front desk. Duties I was told included signing new students up and learning the art to become an instructor. The money was ok.

I then find out after watching this very strange video and going to a "seminar" that I was expected to walk the streets cold calling at peoples house and talking them in to joining, pay was commission based!

He then told me that I will start my training to become a black belt and should get it with 2 years! I told him about BJJ and how there was no chance of progressing at that speed, he said it was because of the one on one teaching I would get. Not trying to be horrible but the guy looking like he worked in a bank, not judging books and covers but I wouldnt be worried if I spilt his beer down the pub!

Anyway I told him I didnt want anything to do with it. I want sure of the whole McDojo thing....but I am now!

[fenris9]

I really didn't want to get drawn into this discussion, but here goes, lol
I understand the terms because I've had enough experience with what people call McDojos but I also run my own BJJ school and understand the need to make a living.
I think it simply comes down to the way its run, whatever the style. The problem is some styles have really adopted the Big fitness center mentality....numbers, numbers, numbers. I worked for a fitness center where we were told if someone asked what the membership cost, we had to answer "Well, what's your health worth to you?" I refused to do that. But, I saw it again later when I went to Big Black Belt type school (for research - a friend of mine was opening a Muay Thai school and had no idea what people charged for martial arts in the area). Anyway, we asked for general information and they were really sketchy. They wouldn't give us any prices (even ball park), but kept trying to get us to commit to an intro 2-month program. No answers to backgrounds, credentials, etc.
Another good example is I was told by another guy that the way to be successful is to take stuff you would normally teach in class and do it as cost seminars. (Want to learn how to kick properly? $150 seminar). I have no problem with seminars but not for stuff that should be taught in class.
ON THE OTHER HAND,
I own a school because I love BJJ but ALSO so I can make a living. As a Black Belt friend of mine said, "I didn't spend 14 years training, spend tons of money, get broken bones, spill lots of blood and sweat to get paid $6 an hour." If a person spends the same time to in college as he does to get a BB, he would have a post-doc. He shouldn't be getting paid like a guy with a GED.
I'm the least money-oriented person you'll meet. I cannot hardsell. I've turned people away from my school because I didn't feel like they were going to be a good addition to my program. But, I do want to eat. And, I'm surprised how many people think they can train for free or "pay you when I get a couple of dollars." I've had to make sure some of my more hardcore students are warm to new students. I tell them "we have a beautiful school because I have a lot of students. If you want a personal fight club, we either train out of a utility shed on cardboard or you guys pay me $1000 a month."
As for cost, it's a fine line. The first question out of most people's mouth is "how much does it cost?" To many people, all martial arts are the same, so they just want the cheapest they can find. I tell them, but then I have to do some explanation.
As for schools, it comes down to the intentions of the instructor. For me, it's to make the best BJJ players I can then to make a living. I think it's usually pretty self-evident to most knowledgeable students if a school is a McDojo (using the term as a general pejorative, without getting bogged down in semantic minutae )

[kuangren]

Just the fact that you are worried about it and trying to avoid it probably means it is not going to happen.

[ullmanm]

[slideyfoot]

[CarlosJesena]

[ullmanm]