One of the biggest problems that are constantly heard about martial arts academies is the negative atmosphere that can prevail inside them, usually from cliques of older students or athletes with major distinctions in the field.
How the negative atmosphere is created.
It is a huge mistake for teachers or owners to turn a blind eye to bad behavior from a group of athletes or even to isolated situations, thinking that they will come into conflict with them and that it will cost them financially or that they will lose some “important” athletes, because in this way they are essentially accomplices in this situation.
How to recognize the character of your athletes.
Personally, I understand the character of my athletes not from the way they behave toward me, but from the way they behave toward each other. Mainly toward the new members of the academy. It is easy to speak nicely and politely to someone when you have something to gain. True morals and values, however, are seen when you are equally kind and giving to those who seemingly have nothing to offer you. It is our responsibility as coaches to intervene immediately in bad behaviors and to constantly emphasize good behavior with our words, but most importantly with our actions.
Before we demand that our students respect each other, we must first start by changing ourselves
For this to happen, we must change our point of view as coaches and business owners and look from the side of the people who enter our academies.
Become the person you would have wanted to meet on the first day you entered the academy. Become the person who will make someone who has never been involved in martial arts and sports before make them an inseparable part of their life.
Observe how they change over time. Never boast about this achievement of yours, that is not where the essence lies. Become part of this change in them. I do not know if there is anything better than having contributed to a person’s life in a positive way. Let alone many…
In a world that has learned only to take, become the one who gives. It is very beautiful to do things without expecting a reward.
In this way, you show the right behavior through the attitude you first have toward everyone, and you do not allow anyone to change that.
There is only one thing in the world that gives someone true and lasting strength, and that is character.
