(Approx 1 minute 40 second read)

The martial arts industry is largely unregulated, and even when there are background checks for instructors, there are some that slip through the net, meaning anyone can open a martial arts school. This lack of regulation can sometimes have serious consequences.
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While some training is undoubtedly better than none, extensive knowledge and experience are crucial for any instructor or teacher. Effective teaching requires maturity, responsibility, and a deep understanding of the method you practice. Unfortunately, the absence of regulation allows individuals with questionable qualifications or even malicious intent to exploit the system.
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Students are the most vulnerable in this situation. They may be misled about the quality of instruction they are receiving, potentially wasting time and money. More concerning are the safety risks associated with poor training. Inadequate instruction can lead to injuries and, in the worst-case scenario, leave students dangerously unprepared for real-world situations.
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This has given rise to the “McDojo”, strip-mall martial arts schools that prioritize profit over quality instruction. There’s nothing wrong with making a living by teaching martial arts, but such schools often cultivate an overinflated sense of confidence in students who lack the necessary skills.
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Proper martial arts training can be life-saving. It instills discipline, improves fitness, and teaches valuable self-defense skills. Unfortunately, the unregulated landscape allows unsuitable individuals to become instructors, including bullies, charlatans, or worse, or those who simply lack the necessary qualifications. These individuals prey on unsuspecting students, damage the reputation of legitimate martial arts schools, and boast about their supposed superiority to appear legitimate.
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I have personally encountered such individuals and everyone suffers from the actions of these impostors. Fake instructors create unsafe environments, exploit students financially, sometimes inappropriately, and erode public trust in the martial arts as a whole.
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However, there are steps students can take to find qualified instructors.
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Thoroughly research any school or dojo you have an interest in, don’t just choose the nearest one to you. Read online reviews, and talk to current students too. While looking for schools with certified instructors is important, it’s also necessary to be wary of fabricated qualifications, often difficult to ascertain.
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Fake martial arts teachers exploit innocent people financially and damage the martial arts community’s reputation. Yes, we detest fake martial arts instructors.
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To those impostors: You know who you are. Rest assured, you will be exposed – and some of you already have been.
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Photo Credit: Freepik
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