I like gradings! I said it!!

When I used to teach for another club, we was anti grading all the way, and at times it was a right bloody mess to rememeber, or sort the sessions out from one month to the next, as most students was not fighting. But with out the structure there, and the students not wanting to train like Thais. It was difficult to tell who was at what stage, and for the more experienced students, I would be surprised if they was not getting bored.

But now, it gives me the opportunity to see where a student is at, at a heart beat. He's green/pink/purple oh he knows this and he knows that. And I can move onto the next thing, knowing they know what they need to, in order to progress.

No body is forced into gradings, just the same as no one is forced into fighting. In fact I have people who do neither! And others that do both.

From some of the first posts I read here and posted here, I learnt that flexiblity was the key, and that you had to offer as many options as possible to the students. In fact I think that was soemthing that you drummed into me Alan! And you have been right, cause it Works!

Those that want to grade can, those that dont, dont! Their choice.

I understand what you are saying about Masters & Grandmasters, but there are a few that I feel very comfortable with calling such;

Master Sken, Grand Master Toddy, Master Woody...

and few that should be named as such.. Master Jitty, Grand Master Yodthong, Grand Master Apijex (might be spelt wrong).

and there are def some that I just dont get, and wont concider calling them Master whatever.

So again I think its down to personal choice! Options...

If you feel like a plonker calling someone Master such and such, then you shouldnt, then you know you shouldnt be, as it doesnt feel right.