How important is the issue of fraudulent MA practice?
Does it concern you?
Have you observed or even experienced it?
What, if anything, should be done about it?

doesn't make me too happy, but as to what can I do? not much of anything other than give the "teacher" a piece of my mind, but that won't accomplish much. can't issue a challenge that is anything more than a game of tag more or less as that's illegal. even if i did most charlatans would have some reason why they couldn't fight anyway.

Mule when you refer to fraudulent MA practicewhat exactly do you mean?

Are ypu referring to teaching practice or business of MA?

There are notorious fakes and cults throughout the history of MA.
Frank Dux springs to mind for starters.

Any others?

Dare i mention a group of "martial art schools" that come knocking on your door, sign you up with no actual school to train at yet?
Without upsetting people, especially all the amazing people i have met in this forum shall we take a vote on if i name this group? Or if you can guess don't be shy and post it!

at the end of the day - by naming this group you could potentially save individual(s) from embarassement and wasting of time and money if you name such an organisation...

From a Martial Edge perspective we dont have a problem with naming and shaming as long as they are provided with an opportunity to come on here and say what they have to say......

After all, opinions are one thing!


But yeah go for it.

Gahhhhhh i need to know now..... hurry up

dmccarthy wrote:
...can't issue a challenge that is anything more than a game of tag more or less as that's illegal....

I realize this is a bit off topic, but is it really so illegal? People regularly come into my teacher's school to issue challenges. It's a kickboxing and grappling school, and so equipped to do more than play a game of tag without resorting to lethal techniques.

Occasionally, the challenges are in good nature. Some time ago, a judoka nidan visiting from Tokyo issued a challenge (he was very polite, but not too good on the ground), and a couple months ago some amateur boxing champs from your neck of the woods gave our kickboxing coach a good workout. (It would have been nice if the boxers had revealed their backgrounds before stepping into the ring, but fortunately the coach was able to handle them. )

Unfortunately, most challenges come from MMA punks (nothing against MMA, just punks) who have a win or two under their belts and have aspirations of becoming "dojo destroyers." They usually leave with some bruises or a sore joint or two, but it's nothing lethal, and it keeps our coaches on their toes.

All this is rather a roundabout way to say that although challenges are a part of martial tradition, they needn't be lethal or illegal to still prove effectiveness. Do others find the same? I don't mean to suggest that challenges are at all acceptable, as they go against the fundamental tenet of respect common to martial arts. But when someone comes into the school and can't be deterred by friendly and respectful dialogue, then there's at least a way to resolve the issue otherwise.

OK, let me re-phrase.
If you were concerned about fraudulent Martial Arts, or unscrupulous business practice thereof and decided you were going to do something about it, where would you start?

The really dull answer is probably Trading Standards. If one is running a business, one has to do it in accordance with the law. The question is one of a lack of regulation. If someone is a charlatan, what bodies are there in the professed area of MA to prevent them from holding themselves out as a suitable teacher?