| With the increase in popularity of the martial arts | | | | been teaching, how often do they go on courses to |
| more and more people are searching for a good | | | | improve their own skills? Do they have CPR and First |
| karate school and a good instructor. There are many | | | | Aid qualifications? |
| great schools and instructors out there and | | | | Other important qualities include,: Do they do |
| unfortunately there are as many not so good. How | | | | background checks on their assistant instructors? Are |
| do you tell the difference? What should you look for | | | | they qualified to rank you once you get to black |
| in a good instructor since the instructor in most cases | | | | belt? Is their school a part of a larger organization |
| is the school? | | | | that offers support and guidance to them? |
| Most prospective students think that the most | | | | These types of questions don't always give you the |
| important thing to look for in an instructor is content | | | | full picture of your instructor's ability in the martial |
| knowledge. They want their instructor's karate to be | | | | arts and their level of teaching, but they do give you |
| dynamic, powerful and impressive in every way. This | | | | some idea as to how seriously they take themselves |
| is obviously very important because there is nothing | | | | and their school. |
| that looks worse than a black belt instructor who | | | | What do your instructor's lessons look like? Does |
| can't deliver the goods when it comes to content. So | | | | your instructor teach the same thing every lesson? |
| this quality is definitely high on the list of prerequisites. | | | | Does your instructor seem disorganized and frazzled? |
| However there are other things to look for that may | | | | Does each lesson flow from one activity to the next |
| ultimately be even more important to you. Here are | | | | or is it disjointed and confusing? Some of these |
| some other important points to consider. | | | | things are signs that your instructor doesn't know |
| Does your instructor have good people skills? This | | | | what they are doing. |
| might not seem as important at first because after all | | | | Instead your lessons should be more like the |
| you want to learn about the martial arts first and | | | | following: |
| foremost and you're willing to put forth the effort no | | | | -- A high-energy and positive environment where the |
| matter what. But the instructors who have great | | | | instructor leads by example and models the |
| people skills are usually the ones who care about | | | | techniques or drills |
| their students the most. Generally with this type of | | | | -- Ample opportunity to practice the techniques and |
| instructor your progress will be foremost in their | | | | drills in different ways while giving constructive |
| minds and they will do their best to encourage you, | | | | feedback |
| give you appropriate feedback and ensure your | | | | -- Lessons flows seamlessly from one technique to |
| success in their program. | | | | the next and one activity to the next |
| The opposite type of instructor may well be very | | | | -- The instructor is well-organized and uses multiple |
| good at the martial arts but often seems arrogant, | | | | teaching methods such as verbal, visual and |
| aloof and completely disinterested. It seems like they | | | | experiential |
| are more focused on trying to break your spirit for | | | | -- Questions are asked and comments are made to |
| the purpose of showing you how bad you really are. | | | | help reinforce the content |
| This may or may not be true, and some people react | | | | -- Good discipline is maintained in the class so there |
| very well to this type of hardcore training but most | | | | are minimal interruptions and students are held |
| people don't do well in this environment. Instead, they | | | | accountable for their effort and focus. |
| need a healthy balance of tough love and positive | | | | Hopefully these ideas will give you a better picture of |
| encouragement. Which type of person are you? | | | | what to look for in a good school and instructor. For |
| What are your instructor's qualifications? Again I'm | | | | more detailed information on this topic be sure to |
| not just talking about their technical skill, although this | | | | download my FREE Report "Karate For Newcomers: |
| is important. I'm also talking about other not so | | | | How to Find Out Everything You Need to Know to |
| obvious qualifications they should have. So instead of | | | | Start Your Karate Practice". You will find out how to |
| just finding out what degree black belt they are, try | | | | download it at |
| to find out other things such as how long have they | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate. |
| been practicing the martial arts, how long have they | | | | |