McDojo is a term used by some martial artists to describe a martial arts school where image or profit is of a higher importance than technical standards. A McDojo of Korean martial arts is usually called a McDojang. McDojos are often part of a franchise. Although not exclusive to the West, such schools tend to prey on people relatively unfamiliar with Asian (especially Confucian) culture.
Indications that a school may well be a McDojo include:
- Binding contracts when you join, with high up front training fees, high testing fees and the use of collection agencies to collect any remaining fees if a student quits before the contract term is up.
- Promises of obtaining a black belt within a given timeframe.
- Large numbers of very young (i.e. 6 or 7 year old) black belts.
- Flashy advertising, laden with boasts about the art's effectiveness.
- Questionable credentials of instructor:
- Not from a known school or ryū
- The instructor looks to be about 30, but claims a title of shihan, sōke (soke), hanshi, hachidan , Great Grandmaster, or other designation of senior status.
A McDojo falls under the category of disreputable/dishonorable martial arts described by some as Bullshido.
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