Articles

	Zac Gibbons with Master Johnson

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!!!!!"