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Zac Gibbons with Master
Johnson |
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About The Author
Master Ben Johnson, 4th Dan, is owner and chief instructor of
Aim and Focus
Karate in Austin, Texas. "Reflections" is a series of articles or
essays that Master Johnson provides on his website as a way of recording
and sharing his thoughts on various subjects and events. He has allowed
us to re-print his April 2007 issue here for our readers.
Reflections
"I
recently arrived at the dojang for Saturday classes.
The weather was a bit nasty...rainy and cold. As I
walked around the dojang turning on lights and
preparing for class, I noticed a large pile of old
carpet by the dumpster out back. The dumpster had
recently been emptied but the carpet had not been
loaded in the dumpster. It was starting to rain and
I knew the wet carpet was just going to be a huge
mess. It would be very difficult to move and would
probably become a 'rat Hilton' in no time at all.
I
glanced around the dojang and asked my senior red
belt to line the students up and get class started.
This in itself is not unusual, but on this
particular day, the red belt starting class was only
11 years old. I didn't give it much thought as I put
on my work gloves and headed around back to the
dumpster.
The rain
was starting to come down harder and it just seemed
colder being outside tossing carpet in a dumpster.
As I grumbled about the 'carpet folks' not putting
their trash in the dumpster, I heard something very
wonderful. Even outside and standing in the rain I
could hear my students training. The ki haps were
loud and strong. It was obvious class was going
well. I smiled and busied myself with the job at
hand. After several minutes of heaving nasty wet
carpet into the dumpster, I quickly headed into the
dojang. As I walked in the front door I again heard
hard training. This time my smile was a bit bigger.
Korean commands were being given with authority and
the class was responding with loud 'yes sirs'. I
changed into my do bok and prepared to enter class.
I paused
for just a minute in my dressing room and listened
again to class. I wasn't needed in this class...they
were doing just fine. I walked to the edge of the
training floor and raised my hand - 'Permission to
join class?'. I took the last spot in line and
started hammering away on kicking drills. This young
instructor was in charge and the class was
responding. As we approached the first turn, I
executed the incorrect block. My young red belt
noticed my error and made the appropriate
correction. I snapped the correct block and felt
very, very proud of my student. At this point we
were 20 minutes into a 55 minute class. He led the
entire class. There was no need to change
instructors.
I'm very
proud of my young red belt and the students in
class. They all responded exactly as I would wish
them to. No one looked disappointed or lacked
excitement because I wasn't teaching. Good Tang Soo
Do training stands on its own, regardless of who is
leading. Sure, I can't expect my 11 year old red
belts to teach classes for me, but it sure is
wonderful to see them step up and fill in when
needed.
As a
side note, I found myself huffing and puffing next
to a very proud yellow belt. The young man's father
was in line training with us. We smiled at each
other several times but couldn't get too distracted.
Our instructor would not tolerate idleness or a
break in concentration.
Watching
that young red belt lead class...seeing my students
respond with intensity and energy...it was just
incredible!!!
Tang Soo!!!!!"
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