HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A TOXIC COACH!!

What's up, guys? Today, I'm diving into a topic that doesn't get talked about nearly enough in the martial arts world: toxic coaches. Let me tell you something, there's a lot of toxic coaches out there. The martial arts community is filled with amazing coaches that truly change lives, but it also has its fair share of toxic ones.

The Rise of Toxic Coaches

About three, three and a half years ago, I started coaching full time. Since then, I've seen a lot. My gym is quite big, and I run my own program. Despite being a coach, I still consider myself a fighter because I still compete. This gives me a unique perspective – I always take the fighter's side more than the coach's.

Cobra Kai IRL

Ever watched the Cobra Kai series?

It's funny, but it's actually quite close to reality. You'll find amazing coaches who genuinely care about you and want to see you succeed. But on the flip side, you'll also find head case coaches – toxic, controlling, and all about themselves.

Red Flags to Watch For

Here's the number one red flag to know if you have a toxic coach: they won't let you cross-train. If your coach has an issue with you going to other gyms, that's a massive red flag.

Cross-Training is Vital

You're allowed to go spar at any gym you want. If your coach makes a fuss about it, he's definitely a control freak. A good coach will focus on teaching you technique and won’t worry about where you go to spar.

It's almost always the athlete, period.

Loyalty vs Control

Toxic coaches are all about loyalty – or so they say. If you walk into a gym and constantly hear about loyalty, be wary. Some coaches talk a lot about loyalty to mask their insecurities and control issues.

The Disloyal Coach

The narrative is often about the "disloyal fighter," but nobody talks about "disloyal coaches." These coaches may be mediocre at best but try to guilt-trip fighters into sticking around, blaming them for wanting to find better opportunities.

The Key to Success: Techniques

One of the main reasons toxic coaches don't want you to cross-train is that they don't want you to see better techniques elsewhere. A gym full of sparring partners isn’t always a good gym if the fighters have poor technique.

Spotting Mediocre Coaching

Superstars are going to be good anywhere, but they'll thrive if taught the right techniques. Often, fighters who might have had longer careers get cut short because they stayed loyal to the wrong coaches.

Building Longevity in Your Career

The key to a long career in fighting isn't just hard work and toughness; it's having the right technique. When you reach a high level, everyone is tough and works hard, but not everyone has good technique.

What are you working hard on? Are you working hard on dropping your hands and keeping your chin in the air or are you working hard on fixing the things?

Making the Right Choice

If you're at a gym and feel your technique isn't improving, you have every right to explore other options. Don't let a toxic coach guilt-trip you. Check the coaches, check the defense they teach, and listen to what they talk about.

Trying Out Different Gyms

I always suggest trying out a few different gyms when you're starting in martial arts. Attend classes at a few gyms to see what's available. For striking in particular, observe how much defense is being taught – most coaches don't teach enough.

You Owe Loyalty to Yourself

As a paying customer, you owe loyalty to yourself first. If you're doing everything right but not seeing improvement, you need to find a coach who can offer better technique and actually cares about your progress.

Final Thoughts

If you feel stuck with a toxic coach, explore other options. Don't let them hold you back.

The technique is what separates them.

If you're new to martial arts and looking for a school, check out my book, Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor. It's available on Amazon.

Leave a review if you buy it, and let me know what you think. Drop any questions you have in the comments below. Thank you, guys!Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Red Flag: Coaches who don't allow cross-training.
Loyalty: Watch out for coaches who talk too much about loyalty.
Disloyalty: Both fighters and coaches can be disloyal.
Technique: The quality of coaching is best judged by the technique taught.
Try Multiple Gyms: Always try different gyms before settling.
Be Critical: Be critical of what is being taught, especially defense.

For more insights and useful tips, don't forget to subscribe and keep training smart!