how do identify a good martial art's instructor?
OCBujinkan
New member
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuEcCjDwmSPLRK5kkJsVTT48.Bd.;_ylv=3?qid=20101201141039AA9ZEac
I feel my answer to that is inextricably linked to your question, and should be the first round of weeding out potential instructors.
Now... Part of it is luck – Like finding a needle in a haystack, you're not going to know it until you come in contact with it. Good instructors are such because they mesh well with their students. You can know the art inside and out, but unless you can find a way to reach your students as an instructor, you're not going to be worth a damn. I've known instructors who've taught for 30 years that just couldn't connect with me, and I learned nothing from them because of it. Then there are times that I caught myself thinking I knew better, and was refusing to learn (this is a huge trap for martial artists, whether they admit to it or not – there's a reason for the overflowing teacup parable).
Look first into the organization – does he meet the minimum requirements. There are usually standards to teach. If he meets those, then move onto the next criteria, and to do that, make use of the free lesson that most instructors offer.
Does his movement match your understanding of the art? You can use youtube or other video sources, but you have to look through a lot of videos of different practitioners to find the mean, the midpoint. Compare him to that. If he deviates, can you see why?
If that is acceptable, finally, determine if you get along with the classmates and the instructor. You're going to be in extremely close proximity to these people, so you want to get along. Does the way the instructor conducts the class sit well with you?
Experience is good, especially if they have experience applying the art. If you're learning a self-defense art, but they've only done point sparring, leave. If you're learning a sport martial art, then self-defense applications aren't applicable. Know what you're looking for.
Give yourself time to try it out, and, if worse comes to worse, transfer. But always always always listen to your gut – it'll tell you what you need to know.
I feel my answer to that is inextricably linked to your question, and should be the first round of weeding out potential instructors.
Now... Part of it is luck – Like finding a needle in a haystack, you're not going to know it until you come in contact with it. Good instructors are such because they mesh well with their students. You can know the art inside and out, but unless you can find a way to reach your students as an instructor, you're not going to be worth a damn. I've known instructors who've taught for 30 years that just couldn't connect with me, and I learned nothing from them because of it. Then there are times that I caught myself thinking I knew better, and was refusing to learn (this is a huge trap for martial artists, whether they admit to it or not – there's a reason for the overflowing teacup parable).
Look first into the organization – does he meet the minimum requirements. There are usually standards to teach. If he meets those, then move onto the next criteria, and to do that, make use of the free lesson that most instructors offer.
Does his movement match your understanding of the art? You can use youtube or other video sources, but you have to look through a lot of videos of different practitioners to find the mean, the midpoint. Compare him to that. If he deviates, can you see why?
If that is acceptable, finally, determine if you get along with the classmates and the instructor. You're going to be in extremely close proximity to these people, so you want to get along. Does the way the instructor conducts the class sit well with you?
Experience is good, especially if they have experience applying the art. If you're learning a self-defense art, but they've only done point sparring, leave. If you're learning a sport martial art, then self-defense applications aren't applicable. Know what you're looking for.
Give yourself time to try it out, and, if worse comes to worse, transfer. But always always always listen to your gut – it'll tell you what you need to know.
PaulG
Member
Look at the way his/her students behave. When I started looking for a dojo for my Kids, I went to a lot of places and there were some where I took a glimpse at some of the students and they were nothing but big mouth bullies, very aggressive and disrespectful. These kids get their asses kicked in a heart beat.
Also, see the way he keeps discipline in and out the Dojo.
The Master I finally found for my children was a 68 year old man (that seemed a lot older) but his students from the youngest through the oldest were so respectful and calmed. They were punctual and rarely missed training. They enjoyed it.
After this I got to see this man in action. He took care of two thugs at a supermarket with such ease. I t was fun 'cause on street clothes he looked like anyone's grandpa.
Also, see the way he keeps discipline in and out the Dojo.
The Master I finally found for my children was a 68 year old man (that seemed a lot older) but his students from the youngest through the oldest were so respectful and calmed. They were punctual and rarely missed training. They enjoyed it.
After this I got to see this man in action. He took care of two thugs at a supermarket with such ease. I t was fun 'cause on street clothes he looked like anyone's grandpa.