Instructor Fitness

47MartialMan

I was weight training with an associate in a health fitness gym when we had taken notice of a large man, oddly shaped, but not grossly corpulent.

My associate stated that the fellow was the center's Tai Ji instructor. Followed by another on how he did not approve that such a person be capable of teaching Tai Ji.

My question to him was;

To be a teacher in such, one has to be in top shape?


Followed by another,

Does a teacher has to have been a student or a person of example?

In other words, can a teacher or coach be one that has not played the game? (In this instance-be in shape)

Respectfully looking for replies.,

cowzerp

I believe a teacher should be a good example-and should have experience in what he teaches..

47MartialMan

cowzerp wrote:

I believe a teacher should be a good example-and should have experience in what he teaches..

But shall they be in a physical condtion of salubriousness?

Could they be a little out of shape?

cowzerp

They should not be as i believe it is not a good example to set-you could be the best trainer but your students have to believe this..

smacl

47MartialMan wrote:

To be a teacher in such, one has to be in top shape?

Does a teacher has to have been a student or a person of example?

In other words, can a teacher or coach be one that has not played the game? (In this instance-be in shape)

I don't believe that you have to be in peak physical condition to coach, but I think it helps to be fit, strong, and capable if you intend to teach by example. Teaching other than by example, IMO, takes a lot more teaching skill and student attentiveness.

IMO, the teacher has to have been a student for a considerable time in order to teach. This is true of all disciplines, not just MA. Personally, I'd rather learn from a MA teacher that was a successful competitor at some stage in their career, for the simple reason that it indicates that they have understood and can apply the theory of their art. IMO, there are plenty out there who are all untested theory.

As for your oddly shaped taiji guy, next time you see him, ask to check out his push hands skills. The two free style formats common to most schools are fixed and moving step. In fixed, you take a stance opposite him, and try and shift the guy or knock him over (no moving the feet, striking or leg grabs). In moving, in a small matted area, try and either put him down or send him out of the area. Sweeps and throws allowed, no striking. A good taiji guy should be a skilled defensive wrestler, and be able to at least hold his own against a Judoka or Jiu Jitsu person of similar experience in this format. The wrestling style should be more technique than power. Some oddly shaped taiji guys are very good. Unfortunately, very many more are not. If the guy is not up for it, I'd doubt his ability to teach martial taiji, and IMHO, if it aint martial it aint really taiji.

Best regards,

Shane

47MartialMan

Thanks Shane.

Not all Tai Ji, like other martial arts, apply competiton tactics.

I know of another person, old and oriental, who does not do push hands, at least not to my knowledge.

Yet, I had been informed by others, he defends himself quite well.

smacl

47MartialMan wrote:

Thanks Shane.

Not all Tai Ji, like other martial arts, apply competiton tactics.

I know of another person, old and oriental, who does not do push hands, at least not to my knowledge.

Yet, I had been informed by others, he defends himself quite well.

Fair enough. Some of the lads I train with apply thier taiji more through boxing that wrestling skills as well, although IMO they are the exception.

That said, I suspect that any old oriental individual that can defend themselves well can do so for the reason that they were once young, fit, and at that time trained very very hard. I have yet to encounter a powerful taiji practicioner that at some stage hasn't put in the hours sparring, wrestling, doing pad work, conditioning etc...

paddyc

good thread


gonna apply this to thai boxing


1. If you training lads to fight I dont think it matters what shape you in at all... normally most of the pad men and trainers are fat... thats cos they spent so much time making weight that they eat like a horse when they stop fighting....

just look at any thai trainer in Ireland

2. I think its very if nt extremely important that the lad standing i yor corner has had thai fights, in fact loads of them... its a dangeous and scary nough place in there... with out having some clown telling you wha you should be doing

only my opinion


ps I should say one of the best gyms in the UK trojans gym, has Tony Myers training them... nerver been in the ring in his live fightin thai... but my god he can produce top class fighters time and time again

just ask any thai trainer in Ireland me and Bstoneman both got beat by his fighters


paddy

dlofnep

Look at any top name boxing trainer, they are all 80 year old men. I've trained with some guys who could compete great, but couldn't instruct at all.

No, physical condition is not important so long as they hav an understanding of the sport/art.

47MartialMan

OK. To put a spin to it-What about a health-fitness instructor?

cowzerp

As an instructor myself i would be letting my clients down if i was in bad condition-i would not pay someone who could not keep themselves in shape as i would have no faith in them.i dont stay in peak conditoon all year but there is a cut off point where your just letting yourself go! my boxing coaches are all still in good condition-(not peak condition) in there 50's because they actively take part in the sessions.
practise what you preach an all that is my belief.

edges

Health and fitness instructors should be both Healthy and Fit, otherwise it's a case of do as I say, not as I do.

A martial arts instructor, should have an encyclopedic knowledge of their art and be able to demonstrate, but absolute fitness is not essential. All the best instructors I know are of an advanced age, many have pot bellies, some are carrying near crippling injuries and yet all of them seem to be able to keep going long after their students have fallen.

When I go to a class and a little pot bellied 60 year old bloke limps over and smiles, I usually expect to learn something new.


Regards

Dave
www.wildgeesema.com

47MartialMan

Another spin-what about a martial art instructor in a wheelchair?

pma-ire

47MartialMan wrote:

Another spin-what about a martial art instructor in a wheelchair?

What about them?

My mentor's judo instructor was in a car crash that left him paralised from the neck down yet he still went down to the dojo to teach the class from the side!!

It's the contents of a parcel that make the gift special, not the wrapping!!

47MartialMan

pma-ire wrote:

What about them?

My mentor's judo instructor was in a car crash that left him paralised from the neck down yet he still went down to the dojo to teach the class from the side!!

It's the contents of a parcel that make the gift special, not the wrapping!!

I am not making an attempt to belittle. But an example if someone cannot physically do, does his give them limitation of not being able to teach. Thus the same as if someone is out of shaoe, etc.

I sincerely apologize for any offense