How to effectively transmit the martial arts.
27
votes
17answers
826 views
Is practising techniques on both the left and right sides beneficial or detrimental to martial development?
Is there any evidence to suggest that practising techniques on the left and right side of the body produces more adept martial artists?
By "adept", I mean the learned ability to proficiently and ...
19
votes
5answers
305 views
How can I respectfully raise concerns about class difficulty level/teaching style at my club?
I practice Taekwondo regularly with the club at my university. There are three main instructors, one 3rd dan and two 1st dan (my belt level).
The club has a lot of black belts of varying degrees who ...
12
votes
6answers
286 views
What is a good age to introduce children to a martial art?
I have seen different recommendations for different styles as to what age to introduce a martial art to a child, sometimes as young as 4 years old. Factors such as attention span and interest of the ...
12
votes
5answers
407 views
What's the most effective way to discipline students (particularly juniors)?
When teaching martial arts, particularly to juniors we sometimes run into problems with discipline. Most people assume that you can hand out physical exercise as a good disincentive to poor ...
12
votes
7answers
331 views
What characteristics should I look for in a sensei?
Finding the right teacher is important.
While personal achievement has it merits just because someone is good at something doesn't make them good at teaching that same thing. Are there core ...
10
votes
3answers
164 views
Are students with disabilities tested differently?
I don't use testing when I teach; I observe and promote when students are ready (hopefully avoiding various observer effects). That said, I judge individuals based on their individual capabilities and ...
9
votes
6answers
220 views
How do you ease someone over 40 back into training after many years absence?
I am nearly 50 and have been training more-or-less continuously for most of my adult life. I am careful to baby myself after injury, particularly joint injury, because I'm painfully aware how much ...
9
votes
6answers
336 views
How can I try to engage students who don't really want to be there?
I teach Aikido at a local community college. Roughly half of the kids are there just to fulfill a P.E. requirement. These students can be frustrating because they aren't really interested in martials ...
7
votes
3answers
227 views
How effective is practicing a martial art strictly outside of a dojo for beginners?
My girlfriend has expressed interest in learning one of the martial arts I practice with me, but when she has come to a class she has been very self-concious about being new and inexperienced (I've ...
7
votes
5answers
202 views
How can I judge the competency of a teacher?
Say I went to a dojo (or gym or whatever the place where you train is called) and watched a class. How would I objectively judge whether or not the teacher was proficient at his martial art?
What do ...
6
votes
4answers
119 views
How to cover all of the material? Especially in small classes
Hapkido has an extremely large number of techniques and an even larger number of variations in it. It includes a huge variety of techniques with the hands, feet, and with various weapons. Not to ...
4
votes
2answers
159 views
How can a teacher recognize that a student has progressed from 'ha' to 'ri'?
The Japanese use the concept of Shu, ha, ri to indicate progress in development/growth. Straight from its WikiPedia page, Aikido shihan Endou Seishirou said:
It is known that, when we learn or ...
3
votes
4answers
188 views
How do I coach her mindset to better suit karate competitions?
My fiancé is practicing Karate in the style of Kanzen Ruy. She has a very good technique and strength, and was seen early as a promising practitioner. I have Kyokushin experience and support her in ...
3
votes
2answers
75 views
Does Morote Chudan and Awase Tsuki refer to the same thing?
I hear instructors using awase tsuki or morote chudan in reference to a simultaneous strike to the stomach and face. I want to know if both phrases refer to the same strike pattern and if not which ...
3
votes
1answer
239 views
How effective are different pricing structures for martial arts studios?
There are several ways for students to pay for martial arts lessons... per month, per lesson, and contracts. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these for both the student and school? ...
2
votes
3answers
94 views
Do martial arts instructors also seek fitness instruction certifications?
I suffered a heart attack right after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training last year, and as a result I have been paying much more attention to my health.
I've trained in martial arts on and off for years, ...
1
vote
3answers
390 views
Established “curriculum” for MMA?
I'm basically asking for an established MMA "curriculum". By that, I mean a way of training students for mixed martial arts that has been applied successfully by a significant number of schools. The ...
0
votes
3answers
178 views
How can I deal with the impressive number of charlatan teachers in Italy?
Since I was young, martial arts have triggered my interest, and lately I attended some "try one for free" lessons in various gyms in my town. I come from a competitive level in a totally different ...
