| Becoming an instructor in a martial arts school is | | | | plan. |
| often a really exciting time because in many ways | | | | Mistake #3: Teaching class so that you get a good |
| you feel like you have made it. In order to teach | | | | workout. There is a difference between leading by |
| others you must have already mastered the basic | | | | example and training with your peers. In every class |
| content and now is your chance to "give back" your | | | | that you teach, your primary focus should be on the |
| knowledge and continue the progression of your | | | | needs of your students and not on your own |
| style. | | | | personal needs. It will be inevitable that you will get a |
| This is a great honor but it is not without its pitfalls. | | | | good workout just by demonstrating the different |
| As any experienced instructor knows, teaching | | | | techniques, forms and partner work drills to your |
| martial arts, and practicing martial arts, are in many | | | | students, and it is important to model these things |
| ways two completely different skills. | | | | well. |
| So if you are a new instructor listen to these words | | | | However, you must observe your students closely |
| of wisdom because while you are probably a | | | | so that you know which of them need help. In this |
| competent black belt student, you are a now a | | | | way, you position yourself to give valuable feedback |
| beginner again in terms of teaching. Here are some | | | | rather than just working up a good sweat. |
| of the most common mistakes that new instructors | | | | Mistake #4: Being too hard or too easy. There are |
| make. | | | | very often two types of new instructors. Type 1 is |
| If you are an experienced instructor reading this, | | | | the drill instructor who wants to put the students |
| please do not forget to relate some of your own | | | | through hell so they know who is boss, and type 2 is |
| teaching horror stories to your assistant instructors, | | | | the friend who wants everyone to like him and is |
| so that they can learn from your mistakes as well. | | | | overly nervous about how well he taught each class. |
| Mistake #1: Showing up to class without a lesson plan | | | | Try to find some middle ground and work your |
| and "winging it". This is a BAD idea for any new | | | | students hard by holding them to high standards, but |
| instructor. Planning is critical in all aspects of life and in | | | | also develop strong and respectful relationships with |
| any job. Being a martial arts instructor is no | | | | them and show them that you care about them and |
| exception. Just because you are good at your | | | | their success. |
| chosen art, does not mean that you can instantly | | | | Mistake #5: Allowing your students to decide on the |
| snap all of the instructor puzzle pieces together and | | | | content for the class. This is a BIG mistake because |
| teach an inspiring class without a lesson plan. | | | | so many things can go wrong. First, you cannot |
| Even many experienced instructors refer to some | | | | please everybody and by asking what your students |
| type of lesson plan or overall structure before | | | | want to study you will get requests for everything |
| teaching each class. A lesson plan will guarantee that | | | | possible within any group - forms training, sparring, |
| you are organized, that you do not "freeze" on the | | | | pad work and target training, and self-defense. You |
| spot, and that you are not constantly thinking, "OK, | | | | can't possibly fit everything into one class, nor should |
| what shall I do next?" When you are in this mode, it | | | | you (see mistake #2). |
| means that you are not focusing on your students in | | | | In doing this, you are setting yourself up for failure. |
| the moment! | | | | What would you do if they asked you to teach |
| Mistake #2: Trying to teach everything you know in | | | | something you do not know very well yet, like an |
| one class. It is very tempting as a new instructor to | | | | advanced form or some knife defense that you may |
| feel the need to stamp your authority on a class and | | | | not have studied yet? You are the leader of the |
| to prove yourself to your group as being very | | | | class and your students expect you to know what |
| knowledgeable. Consequently in your first class you | | | | they need to study. Do not abdicate your |
| drill your students in every possible basic technique, all | | | | responsibility to your students and allow them to |
| of the different forms whether they know them or | | | | dictate your content or methods in the class. |
| not, and multiple partner work drills to the point of | | | | For more information and tips for instructors read my |
| overload. | | | | FREE Report: "Instructor Mastery: How to Become a |
| This causes major stress to your students as they | | | | Great Instructor Right from the very First Lesson". |
| feel completely overwhelmed and when you go to | | | | You can download it at |
| teach your next class, you will not have anything left | | | | If you need anything more from me personally, email |
| to give them that is new. There are very good | | | | me at Good luck and best wishes on your journey in |
| reasons for a structured curriculum and a solid lesson | | | | karate. |