What qualifies someone as a instructor?

47MartialMan

Years?

Rank?

Fitness?

Other?

The Shane

An instructor will be different things depending on what stage athlete you are at. Beginner will need someone with a good technicla knowledge of the sport, knowledge of how the concepts should be taught and an ability to run a class safely while maintaining your interest.

As the athlete becomes more advanced the technical side will even out and the coach will be more involved pyschologically. Keeping spirits up, providing encouragement etc.

Years of training can amount to nothing, Ranks can be assumed, Fitness comes and goes and would preclude older coaches.

Clive

I have a cert with my name on it AND my name on my belt. Clearly I am an instructor.

Tim_Murphy

I have two belts with my name on them. That is seriously qualified!

damo

I am an instructor because i watch UFC and Pride and have trained a little bjj and muay thai.

Now bow to your sensei!

Colm_OReilly

It's a sad state of affairs when The Shane becomes the voice of reason on a thread.

An instructor's ability should be judged on his students ability to retain the information he's taught. A coach's ability should be judged on his athlete's performance.

Black Swan

There are persons on this forum by far more experienced and qualified as instructors than I, but I will give it a shot. First of all, it's hard to put into words what truly qualifies an instructor, other than when you experience their instruction, you just know whether they are poor, average, or great. A grand instructor is so much more than a black belt with stripes or a piece of paper on the wall.

Something I would like to be as an instructor:

Exemplar for students in terms of martial arts mastery, physical fitness, enthusiasm, dedication, teaching techniques, philosophy, and the striving for perfection. And something that my TKD master said: "When he stops learning, he stops teaching."

edges

Knowledge and Experience, and the ability to pass on that knowledge and experience.

memphis

As far as i know.... please correct me if I'm wrong... in ITF TKD a 1st Dan is considered knowledgable enough to be an instructor.

Then I believe that a senior grade i.e. Red tag and above can assist in the training of lower grade students. I know that on a number of occassions I have assisted my instructor (4th Dan) in training the younger kids who would be a lower grade than myself (i'm a red tag).

47MartialMan

The mere presence of a certification and belt cannot completely justify as a qualification. As sure as these are made, others can acquire and use beguilingly.

And what of those people, say like in Pride, UfC, others, who may not have such? Does this disqualifies them when they start to teach or train others?

Baggio...

it's the man, not the Dan...

Dragan

47MartialMan wrote:

And what of those people, say like in Pride, UfC, others, who may not have such? Does this disqualifies them when they start to teach or train others?

An instructor is just a word. The instructor is only made by his students, trainee's etc and their perception of him.

For example, if i were to dedicate myself to MMA right now, and train and compete for 10 years with good sucess, could i then teach others? Of course, once i could pass on my knowledge in such a way that it could be absorbed and utilised by those willing to learn.

A student or possible students needs to look at the person who is willing to teach them, and decide if that person meets there own criteria for being an instructor.

monkey tennis

Dragan wrote:

An instructor is just a word. The instructor is only made by his students, trainee's etc and their perception of him.

Pretty much what I was about to post.

Well, actually I was thinking about posting "instructing" and leaving it as that, as I'm a smartass, but I wanted to draw attention to the fact that the idea of someone being 'qualified' as an instructor is a bit of a side issue - there is no law that requires having a 'qualification' to instruct. There is absolutely nothing stopping any random Joe setting up a dojo/gym/whatever and calling themselves an instructor.

Nor does someone magically gain the ability to teach once they've racked up a) years, b) rank or c) fitness.

Black Swan

memphis wrote:

As far as i know.... please correct me if I'm wrong... in ITF TKD a 1st Dan is considered knowledgable enough to be an instructor.

Same for 1-dan WTF. Matter of fact, it was a requirement for me to assistant instruct part-time for 6 months when deputy black before qualifying to test for 1-dan (Also assistant instructed when a senior red in prep for deputy black, but they didn't push it at that level, I just wanted to).

memphis

Blue_Lagoon wrote:

Same for 1-dan WTF. Matter of fact, it was a requirement for me to assistant instruct part-time for 6 months when deputy black before qualifying to test for 1-dan (Also assistant instructed when a senior red in prep for deputy black, but they didn't push it at that level, I just wanted to).

My instructor doesn't push it either to be honest. Its just that on a number of ocassions i'd turn up for the adult class about a half hour early, and I'd be asked to step into the junior class and assist with instructing the kids.

I have also taken over from my instructor in the senior class and assisted with warming up the class and basic things like that. I actually enjoy doing it. Its good for your confidence etc.

Roper

I wouldnt get hung up on what Dan or what certs were hanging from the walls. Also, I wouldn't get hung up on their fight or competitive record either. Also, I wouldn't get hung up on age or fitness.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't get hung up on anything. There's a saying in some circles "some coaches can't play the game". It's very true in some respects. Some people just know the game they're in inside and out without ever having played it. Many boxing coaches are this way having just hung around gyms all their lives.

Fundemantally, a coach should run safe, enjoyable, well structured classes that enforce good basics at all times. Now maybe you could add to that in some way but I don't think by much. And within that definition I don't see how grade, experience, age or fitness can be a must have.

Baggio...

But how does a student know if he's getting a good instructor? Ask just about any student, what do you think of your Martial Arts teacher? and 99% will say - "yeah he's the greatest!".

It becomes a very subjective matter unfortunately. How many students out there objectively analyze what they are being taught and by who?

Just another angle on things...

gymrabbit

Baggio... wrote:

But how does a student know if he's getting a good instructor? Ask just about any student, what do you think of your Martial Arts teacher? and 99% will say - "yeah he's the greatest!".

It becomes a very subjective matter unfortunately. How many students out there objectively analyze what they are being taught and by who?

Just another angle on things...

Well some people are stupid and some people aren't. What I mean is, I've never taken a dancing class and I've no idea what certs etc. a dance instructor needs. But if i went to a dancing class and after an hour I felt I learned something or that the thing I was suppose to learn was clearly explained to me I'd consider the instructor a good instructor. So I think if people are realistic and clear thinking they can tell if something is being done properly or not.

Dyr

gymrabbit wrote:

Well some people are stupid and some people aren't. What I mean is, I've never taken a dancing class and I've no idea what certs etc. a dance instructor needs. But if i went to a dancing class and after an hour I felt I learned something or that the thing I was suppose to learn was clearly explained to me I'd consider the instructor a good instructor. So I think if people are realistic and clear thinking they can tell if something is being done properly or not.

One possible problem though is that if you havent a clue about dancing then you've no real frame of reference as to whether what you learn is any good in the greater scheme of (dancing) things. Its more likely your impression is based on how the teacher comports themselves and how confident they appear. bear in mind that there's a reason chancers are called confidence men

Baggio...

gymrabbit wrote:

So I think if people are realistic and clear thinking they can tell if something is being done properly or not.

I'd agree with you.

Sometimes I feel that there are a quite a few people out there who just take their instructors word for everything - I'm not bashing any particular style here - more just some of the crap instructors. Particularly like some of the guys that I have dealt with in the past. I got out very quick, but there were a lot of guys stayed on, and only left years later (not mentioning any names of course ).

B.

47MartialMan

Baggio... wrote:

it's the man, not the Dan...

How true...but the higher the Dan, more money in hand.

47MartialMan

Baggio... wrote:

But how does a student know if he's getting a good instructor? Ask just about any student, what do you think of your Martial Arts teacher? and 99% will say - "yeah he's the greatest!".

It becomes a very subjective matter unfortunately. How many students out there objectively analyze what they are being taught and by who?

Just another angle on things...

Very good. However, a little research could go a long way.

Think of it like buying a car.

47MartialMan

Baggio... wrote:

I'd agree with you.

Sometimes I feel that there are a quite a few people out there who just take their instructors word for everything - I'm not bashing any particular style here - more just some of the crap instructors. Particularly like some of the guys that I have dealt with in the past. I got out very quick, but there were a lot of guys stayed on, and only left years later (not mentioning any names of course ).

B.

Ah yes, ignorance is bliss...there are a lot of happy people out there.:)

47MartialMan

Baggio, have you returned?

47MartialMan

Baggio-have you returned?

mikeruurds

47MartialMan wrote:

Very good. However, a little research could go a long way.

Think of it like buying a car.

Take your own advice for a change. You clearly don't know anything about anything.

Mike

Baggio...

47MartialMan wrote:

Baggio-have you returned?

I certainly have...:D (to everyones delight I'm sure).

And the good news is that I have a lung infection - which means I'll have lots of time to post as I'm not in work.

47MartialMan

mikeruurds wrote:

Take your own advice for a change. You clearly don't know anything about anything.

Mike

Thank you for your annotation of nugatory.

47MartialMan

Baggio... wrote:

I certainly have...:D (to everyones delight I'm sure).

And the good news is that I have a lung infection - which means I'll have lots of time to post as I'm not in work.

In sincerity, what had caused such a infection?

Baggio...

47MartialMan wrote:

In sincerity, what had caused such a infection?

Ah - it's just my crap constitution. I had the flu, and it caused an infection to one of my lungs. Should have drunk more orange juice.

Baggio...

Bambi wrote:

One possible problem though is that if you havent a clue about dancing then you've no real frame of reference as to whether what you learn is any good in the greater scheme of (dancing) things. Its more likely your impression is based on how the teacher comports themselves and how confident they appear. bear in mind that there's a reason chancers are called confidence men

Great post Bambi...This is what I'm talking about.

I met lots of guys over the years who train in various Martial Arts, and they all would say "my school this, my school that - Yes of course it will work in the street, my Sifu said so".

But have they really analyzed or tested their material properly - and I'm not talking about light dojo sparring which does not reflect real violence whatsoever. To me some of these Clubs are like living in a goldfish bowel.

Just my thoughts...

47MartialMan

Baggio... wrote:

Great post Bambi...This is what I'm talking about.

I met lots of guys over the years who train in various Martial Arts, and they all would say "my school this, my school that - Yes of course it will work in the street, my Sifu said so".

But have they really analyzed or tested their material properly - and I'm not talking about light dojo sparring which does not reflect real violence whatsoever. To me some of these Clubs are like living in a goldfish bowel.

Just my thoughts...

Yes- I too have met many whom had so many theories.

mikeruurds

47MartialMan wrote:

Thank you for your annotation of nugatory.

My pleasure.

I tend to minimise my vapid postings, whereas you seem to prefer flooding threads with yours.

Have a good day.

Mike

Edit: I have made use of the ignore function

buck65

back to original post
I have 2 instructors and this is a good thing ( 1 is senior and the other is getting into it over the past 2 years) it does tend to freshen up things even though the classes are similar. I find the senior instructor very good on the technical side of things ( board breaking, proper kicking, patterns) and the junior instructor very good on stretching and physical training.
Also we have incorporated some self defence techniques outside of the TKD syllabus recently - surely this is a sign of a good instructor - looking outside ones own discipline for influence?

Baggio...

buck65 wrote:

Also we have incorporated some self defence techniques outside of the TKD syllabus recently - surely this is a sign of a good instructor - looking outside ones own discipline for influence?

I'd agree... Loooking beyond is a great place to start.:)

FiannaGym.com

Basically, I give out certs.