Recently, I had a conversation with Master Chuck regarding martial artists who say, “I already know that” when training.

Sometimes, it means they don’t want to lose face and not admit they don’t know the material. Often, it means something else.

It means that the student, being presented with the material, thinks he “knows” the material, having practiced it. Having seen it, they either say to themselves or out loud, “I already know this.”

Unfortunately, this thinking prevents them from being receptive to new learning experiences and exploration. It may also suggest a certain arrogance in presuming that they “know” it.

To use a Modern Arnis example, I’ve done the first left vs. right tapi tapi pattern hundreds of times. I “know” the basic pattern. However, unless I practice this repeatedly, how can I discover new paths and variations/subtleties of the technique?

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If I say, “I already know that,” and refuse to practice the technique on those grounds, I am robbing myself of new learning experiences. Moreover, saying “I already know that” to a senior of mine, I’m telling that senior, “I don’t want to learn anything more.” 

For example, if I’m working with Master Chuck, why would I say that to him? If he says, “I’ve got something to show out of the first left vs. right pattern,” I will jump all over it and say, “Yeah, I’d like to see it!“

Unfortunately, as one guy said, “If I had a dollar every time I heard this, I’d be rich.” It’s all too common not only in martial arts but elsewhere.

So I’ve learned to watch out for people saying, “I already know that.” My experience is that they are not quite as receptive to instruction as others.

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