Kickboxing, Karate, Kobudo, Aikido, Qi Gong and many other disciplines are often related to collectively as martial arts. Although many would disagree that all should be called such, as there are a lot of definitions bandied around about what should be a martial art as opposed to a combat sport for instance. I will not delve into that argument here as that could be another blog completely and I have previously written on the topic. The term martial artist is used by most in the UK, I find, to indicate someone involved in a wide range of disciplines. Individuals are related to that term and often the term expert is also put onto them if they have been studying for a while. When I had a radio interview a few years ago around the anniversary of Bruce Lees death, he was seen as one of the foremost experts in martial arts history, the interviewer used that term for me although I had asked him not too. It is not about being humble, but to me there is an issue with the overuse of a term. A good martial artist is for me different to an expert, and actually when does one become expert? A good martial artist is someone striving for the ideal of being possibly an expert.
A good martial artist, for me, is one who promotes all of the values inherent in what discipline they are doing, so that is dependent on the teachings and instructor, coach or master they follow. But there are also wider aspects to it too that may not be in the discipline’s teachings, these could include resilience, attendance, studying beyond the teachings, consistent, being a nice person outside the dojo and continuing to learn. Also being good is being able to do the required skills being taught to a reasonable level. The last sentence may test some peoples’ viewpoints as many would say they should be excellent or excel in those practical skills but is that so? Being a good student of martial arts does not require excellence in all skills, who is always excellent? Many very famous students of science and other teachings are not excellent in everything to do with that discipline. They may be excellent at one part but good at the rest. In martial arts one may have an amazing punch but not such good kicking, does that make them an inferior martial artist, not so in my opinion. I do encourage students to find their own karate in my classes. What is it for you? Is a question I constantly put forward. Is it kata and the study of that or is it the sparring, are you searching for a more spiritual aspect of the arts or for the fight within yourself to feel more confident?
Another view that I promote is study beyond the discipline and instructors teaching, this gives students a wider viewpoint of the martial arts and also an insight into their instructor or coach. Any good instructor or coach does not fear comparisons in my view. Yes, the odd student may leave as they find something they prefer, but who am I to hold them back from their search. However, they may also discover more about why they are the best fit d for you. Also, do we not want to encourage that exploratory nature that bought them to you in the first place? As well as this I do offer seminars, opportunities to study with other instructors as well as attending competitions to pit themselves against others, all of these are what I consider outside opportunities that give students a chance to see others and compare themselves against them to see where they are in their journey.
So, overarchingly a good student is someone who is consistent at their studies, who follows the teachings of their discipline and instructor but is also willing to study beyond these teachings to give themselves a wider viewpoint of the world of martial arts and is on a mission to discover aspects of themselves through hard work in the dojo.
Dr Charles Spring 24/08/2026
Ronin Budo 
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