1. The Soke, professor, Dr., Grand-Pooh-Bah! One should stay away from schools that tout important sounding titles that are non-martial, or just plain unbelievable. For example, some schools use the term Dr. or professor. If they have an accredited PhD. From a real University then they can use that as a title. Some Dojo’s instructors use this self-given title to make you think they have more to give. Some instructors use the title Style-head! If this was given to them by the dying previous style-head, then it is true. If the person using this title were a 30-year-old teaching in rural America, I would wonder and be wary.
2. World champion! Be wary of this one too! If two schools get together for a inter-school tournament they decide to call the “world championship” they are going to deceive you into believing they are the world champion! There are a thousand little organizations in this country running “world championship” tournaments. I find it odd that a person can never drive more than two hours from their home and somehow be the world champion. There are reputable sporting organizations that are recognized as hosting real world events. NASKA, PKA, PKC, and the AAU. Are a few of the best and can be trusted.
3. “To get my black belt I had too…” Stay away from the super human stories of glory! The old “I had to rip the heart out of a wild boar…” is just fantasy. The truth is in most real martial arts; black belt is the true beginning student rank. Being a black belt will not endow you with super human ability, period! You will be able to do some really neat and amazing things. You will not be able to fight off 20 ninjas in a secrete test! Most promotions to black belt will test you physically and mentally. For the most part though, it is academic in its approach. Some styles will have you fight the higher grades in what can become rough. But the Sensei is there to keep it safe. Walk away from the storytellers. If it sounds like a movie plot, that is probably where they came up with the idea.
4. Hall of fame inductee. For about $250.00 to $500.00 anyone can nominate themselves for any host of mail order or Internet “hall of fames”. This is the same as a diploma mill on line where you buy a fake collage degree. Many imposters use this approach. Remember, just because they can show you a list of hundreds of other imposters, that does not make it legitimate. There are a few halls of fames that are recognized in America and Asia. These people have been inducted for moving martial arts forward as a course of study. A good one is Black belt magazines hall of fame. You will find innovators and people responsible for spreading the joys of the arts worldwide!
5. “My teacher is dead, or missing, out of country.” Unless the instructor is up there in years, they should still answerer to a teacher. I know of few high ranking black belts that do not still train and take instruction from their teachers. Generally, if an instructor can’t make his teacher available to you as a student, they were probably kicked out of their dojo, or they left prematurely. Sensei Likens is a 6th degree black belt. His teacher is an 8th degree black belt, his teachers teacher is a 9th degree black belt, is Chinese, and has been featured on the cover of Inside Kung-fu magazine. A well respected forum for martial arts. This is called a linage. Schools that don’t have one, or receive rank from the back of a magazine for $25.00 should be ran out of town.
6. Parent cannot watch class! Stay away from this one please! There is a miss-given trust placed in those that wear a black belt. These days, no child should be left with an adult in some “back” room for a private class! Ever! As a police officer Sensei Likens can tell you that predators work in all occupations. The argument that “the child will do better if you are not there.” is malarkey. Our dojo has parents and grandparents watching every class. Never has this been a problem and it shows the child you are taking an interest in their activities. The usual reason scamsters do not want you watching is because they are playing dodge ball and not doing karate!
7. “We are a traditional dojo. Look at all our trophies!” Real dojos’ do not make tournaments the reason for training. One of the true goals of karate is to become humble. One cannot become humble training to “beat” people so they can be “champion” many good dojos’ do compete and win tournaments, if they use that as the validation for you joining, they are probably focusing on the wrong things.
8. Former Navy seal, Special Forces, recon, blah blah blah. Instructors that give you this line, with no photo’s to back it up are Lying! There are some instructors that do have this background. They usually do not try and use their service to this country as a gimmick to sell karate. They have much more class and dignity. Some of these instructors will mention it but these guys have pictures and other credentials to back up the claims. Those that lie about serving their country in dangerous positions are of the lowest caliber.
9. Secret death matches. Sometimes you will run across this load of dung. They will tell you of the secret fights in the Japanese underground they had to endure while living in Asia. Unfortunately none of these claims can be proven because of the secrecy.
10. We guarantee you will be a black belt! Guess what, if it were that easy everyone would be a black belt. Not everyone has what it takes to make it that far. They can guarantee it because for $4000.00 you buy it! If that is what you are looking for, just order one for $25.00. A real black belt from a real school takes time and effort. There are requirement that need to be met. If a school will guarantee it, they are selling you a bill of goods. We say every student can earn one. Earning and receiving are two different things.
These are some of the more prevalent scams being used right now. We hope this gives you more knowledge in choosing a school.