Attributes Matter
In martial arts, attributes are crucial as they directly impact an individual’s effectiveness, performance, and ability to adapt in self defense situations. Attributes refer to physical, mental, and technical qualities that contribute to a martial artist’s skill level. These attributes are developed over many years and include but are not limited to:
Physical Attributes: Speed, Strength, Endurance, Flexibility & Balance.
Mental Attributes: Focus, Discipline, Composure & Adaptability
Technical Attributes: Timing, Precision & Strategy
A well-rounded martial artist/instructor develops these attributes over time, many years to be precise, in specific martial arts, and don’t rely on just one attribute. For example, a fighter with great strength but poor speed might struggle against a fast opponent. Likewise, someone technically skilled but lacking endurance might tire out before executing their techniques effectively.
Of all the martial arts styles out there Taekwondo is by far one of the easiest to teach and learn. It’s a martial discipline and sport and pales in comparison to other disciplines as a self defense system. It’s a pretty simple martial art to teach to kids. Learning kicks, blocks, strikes and forms is easier than learning how to do proper self defense. Free sparring though scary is limited to little or no physical contact and board breaking is far from being difficult. Most Taekwondo schools and organizations hand out black belts within a two year period.
So how do some instructors go from teaching Taekwondo to teaching a martial defense style like Jiujitsu or Krav Maga and become an expert in this style over the course of a single weekend? And how do these attributes matter when martial arts instructors become weekend certified experts in a martial art that has very little in common with the style they have been practicing for years? This is not to be confused with a day workshop or a seminar where an individual’s train to further their knowlege in the arts, as a training seminar or camp is not necessarily a certification course.
Weekend or week long certification courses in a martial arts style can be dangerous to both the school owner and to the students. Weekend trainers— or instructors who take a short certification weekend or a week long certification course and immediately start teaching said martial art as an expert may:
1. Lack Deep Experience
Some martial arts like Silat, Kali & Weeping Jujutsu are designed for real-world violence, requiring a deep understanding of aggression, timing, and adaptability. A weekend certification doesn't provide the years of experience needed to truly understand these elements or how to deal with real world violence. Without real pressure-testing, they may teach techniques that fall apart in an actual confrontation.
2. False Confidence & Unrealistic Techniques
Poorly trained instructors often give students a false sense of security.
They might teach flashy, untested moves instead of practical, pressure-tested self-defense.
In a real fight, students who trust these techniques could get seriously hurt.
3. Lack of Proper Teaching Ability
Knowing techniques is one thing—teaching them effectively is another.
A weekend trainer may lack the ability to break down movements, correct mistakes, and adapt training to different students.
They may also fail to instill the right mindset needed for self-defense situations.
4. No Real Sparring or Resistance Training
Many short-term certifications like Krav Maga, focus on theory, drills, and compliant training partners.
Real self-defense requires understanding how techniques hold up under resistance—weekend trainers often lack this experience.
Without full-contact sparring experience, they can't prepare students for real attacks.
5. Legal and Ethical Concerns
Teaching ineffective or reckless self-defense techniques can lead to legal trouble if a student misuses them.
Misguiding students about their ability to defend themselves can have life-or-death consequences.
Ethical instructors emphasize de-escalation, awareness, and real-world effectiveness, not just flashy techniques.
Bottom Line
In truth most Instructors that hold black belts, such in Taekwondo have not been truly battle or pressure-tested, and therefore have no place being certified in a self defense style over a weekend course where 90% of the skills practiced wouldn’t work in a real confrontation. Weekend trainers often lack the honor, let alone the attributes, the depth of knowledge, real-world experience, and teaching skill necessary to prepare students for real threats and violence in the world today.
