What is a McKwonDo?

A McDojo/McDojang/McKwoon (whatever) is basically a school that will give out ranks simply to paying customers; no or little actual skill is required. It's purely and *solely* a money making venture. These schools are typically marked by certain characteristics. Among these are an extremely fast promotion rate to "Black Belt" often within two years (it should be noted that most other arts typically require 5-7 years to "Black Belt"), numerous (seemingly endless) Gup ranks (sub-black belt ranks) including variations within a rank (It's not uncommon to hear of "Second Grade 'Decided' Yellow Belt" in TKD and such like), lots of testing and associated / non-associated fees, long and expensive contracts (often "guaranteeing" Black Belt within a given period of time). In other words, it's basically a school scamming its students for money and making them believe it's teaching them how to effectively fight, yet, there is little legal recourse if this is true. How does this apply to TKD? Well, perhaps it's just that TKD is more popular or there are more TKD schools on the average then any other style, but it seems that there is a HUGE number of TKD McDojangs turning out Black Belts who couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag and who are defeated by 13 year old. So, be advised and look for the following signs when you walk into a dojang:

• The master claims to be 18^th degree black belt
• Dozen or more belts with stripes hanging on walls
• Students wearing colorful uniforms
• You are promised a black belts in 1 to 2 years
• You have to test for your next belt every month
• You have to pay a membership fee and buy expensive gear
• Lots of talking with little or no sparring in a class
• Overemphasis on tournaments
• Building false self confidence
• Black belt contracts
• Sloppy techniques
• No teaching of history or phylosophy