Respect & credit your wisdom
By Gabe "Kuya" Charboneau
The sport of mixed martial arts often times today presents a double edged sword:
The great thing about MMA today is it allows easy access to training.
The bad thing about MMA today is it allows easy access to training.
When does access become too easy and the wisdom imparted by a good coach or instructor undervalued? The great coaches of our era are fast becoming extinct. Men with names like Eddie Futch, Cus D'mato, and many others who's lives read like an encyclopedia of knowledge on the subject of combat.
In today's society if one wants to learn from Greg Jackson, Freddie Roach or any of the famed Gracie names one has only to log on to you-tube to obtain a private one on one. For the right price one can simply "send away" for an internet learning program complete with the instructor who will fly in periodically to belt your students in an odd format that allows white belts to teach so they can continue to generate enrollment for the academy. This creates a situation where the head of the program is forced to rank the instructor of the academy in a matter of months vs the traditional method so the new white belts can advance their stripes. Still others, claiming no allegiance to any one gym or school utilize the drop in policy and relaxed atmosphere most mma gyms maintain under the guise of "cross training." They are often welcome to the same quality of instruction enjoyed by the paying full time students at a fraction of the cost and once fulfilled are able to move about freely to the next academy. Right or wrong, this is part and partial of the sports continuing development and man's unquenchable thirst for want it all and want it now.
What is the value of a good teacher?
To this end I maintain that the best coaches are bound to their students by chemistry. One has only to see the relationship between Freddie Roach and Mannie Pacquiao to realize that the magic made by those two may never have happened between another combination. In era's past the student had to gain the trust and acceptance of the teacher, tasks were assigned and standards set to gain entry to the inner sanctum. Respect, loyalty, sweat and hard work were not only expected but demanded. I am a firm believer in preserving the teachings and contributions of the old guard so that this knowledge may be shared for generations to come. This lies at the heart of the paradox described in the first paragraph of this article. It cannot and should not be taken for granted. It has become too easy to gleam once guarded material and continue to do so with little regard for the source from whence it came. I had to travel around the world over the years for my martial education. I saved my money and went to the sources to get it. I never expected free, was respectful and worked hard. Along this journey my pads have touched the gloves of elite level pros and beginners alike yet I have never failed to credit knowledge shared with me. Even today if working with another coach or instructor at their gym I ask permission if there's something I particularly like and I ask them if I may reshare it.
Teaching is often soul work and most fighters today pay little for wisdom gained over a lifetime of a good coach. Honor them by helping their teachings live on
