http://www.mattfiddes.com/

This chap has been around for a while now.... He`s certainly got the junior end of his market covered, what with his celebrity links, and he`s got a very broad range of styles to mix n` match with....

But I`m not convinced. Is this just a case of giving the public what they want or another nail in the coffin of "Traditional Martial Arts?"

Has anyone trained with him or at his classes?

From his picture on his website he seems to be about 15 years old. And he's a 5th dan.

One of the menu link on the top of every page says "Franchise".

I think that says it all.

So would you like fries with that?

Mike

It must be good. Uri Geller (a 70’s fake) and Wacko Jacko are his friends. I get a little worried about that combination. And what is a black belt lifestyle???

I think the website says it all, lots of flashy stuff (really annoying), and it doesn’t render properly in Firefox.

This person and his school are a topic of discussion on other forums as well. Can't really comment as I don't know the standard of karate being taught. Yes the website is flashy and yes it has a link for franchise and unfortunately, on the surface would appear to be another McDojo but Matt Fiddes had to get his 5th dan from somewhere apart from the Kellogs Cornflake packet.

Pictured with Wacko Jacko, say no more.....

The site boasts a non-contact style. Why the need for boxing gloves and head protection?

I'm always wary of anything that has the name mentioned too often. Matt Fiddes this Matt Fiddes that.
Does sweet FA for me...

Being pictured with Michael Jackson probably appeals to some people, others would have warning flags flying.

Could the boxing gloves and head protection be a safety measure or insurance related????

Website should promote the style not the founder.

Unfortunately the corn flakes packet is not the only source of dan gradings (or driver's licences).

There are groups, most visible in the USA but also elsewhere, which you can send them your requirements for whatever dan grade you want, a signed statement that you have completed those requirements and they will issue a certificate of rank. After payment of the appropriate fee of course.


Mick

A year or two ago I saw a 4th dan who couldn't have been more than 15 years old and a 1st dan who must have been about 7. I'm not exaggerating about either their ages or their grades.

Frankly I think I'd prefer to think that they got them from the back of a packet of sugar coated ninja-flakes rather than the reality that they were awarded them by someone ranked 6th dan.

And then of course there's the recently outed 'Hanshi' Steve Grayston in the UK. He graded himself all the way from 1st or 2nd dan to something like 10th dan.

Sadly the martial arts are awash with self-promoted hanshis, sokes and grandmasters.

Mike

Could it be that he is as good as the site says?.... and is just a big head!

Well, a little self-promotion goes a long way! Does anyone remember that american guy "Ashida Kim"? His website escapes me, but I think the upshot was that you could probably grade in whatever you wanted, as long as you handed over the readies.

As for these 10th Dan grades. It`s very easy to create your own syllable then get an Examination Board to grade you to that level - Though of course I`m assuming one of the board members would have to be of that grade themselves.....

Although.... Surely these grades are awarded to karateka who have furthered the cause of Martial-Arts, rather than on techical ability.

It will be interesting to see what replies we get on this - might be worth a thread on its own.

I'm sure Matt Fiddes is very good... it's just the students his franchise churns out that are a bunch of crap.

And as for how he came by his 5th dan, well I've heard rumours, but as I can't back them up with evidence and can do without an expensive lawsuit I cannot really go into any detail.

Anyone who calls themselves a 'master' after a mere 15 years or so of training is frankly a bit of a clown if you ask me.

Today I've been training with a group of dan grades of varying disciplines including people of 6th dan and higher. To the best of my knowledge none of them call themselves 'master' and all were willing to acknowledge that there is plenty of stuff in martial arts that they certainly have not mastered. I wonder how well Master Fiddes would measure up against these guys?

On the other hand, Matt Fiddes obviously has a much better head for business than I do so maybe I'm just a bitter old has been?

Mike

Mike, I believe that`s why you teach Martial-Arts because you enjoy what you do, rather than doing it simply as a money-making venture. Same goes for you too Mick, and probably every other instructor we`ve got here!
As for the Dan grades, well I think I`ve probably answered that - and like Angela said, I don`t really want a lawsuit!

The youngest Dan grade I`ve ever known was a lad I worked with a couple of years ago. He was 18 and had been doing shotokan since he was 4. I remember him saying that his instructor ( his father, as I remember ) held off grading him to Shodan until he was 15 to make sure he understood the why and the how of what he did - rather then just handing him his belt on a plate.
But all clubs are different in that respect.