How to Tell if a Martial Arts Instructor Is Qualified
Choosing a school with good teachers is a crucial element in your martial arts training. Here are a few ways to determine the quality of instruction.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Martial Arts Encyclopedias
- Martial Arts Supplies
- Martial Arts Videos
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1
Watch the instructors. If you're not a student, ask permission first. Do they demonstrate techniques and do they correct any incorrect techniques students perform, or do they simply give commands?
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2
Determine the level of discipline used. Are they too lenient, just right or too severe?
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3
Assess the extent instructors encourage respect for partners and opponents during drills and practice.
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4
Identify how often instructors ask for student feedback. Are they open to suggestions and innovative practices within a structured curriculum?
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5
Check with other students and share examples of good and bad instruction.
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6
Ask the head instructor how the school's teachers are chosen. What qualifications do they have? Are they promoted in an accredited organization, such as the World Tae Kwon Do Federation?
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7
Assess your progress. Have instructors provided clear direction when asked? Have they encouraged short and long-term goals for each class?
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1
Tips & Warnings
Good instructors model the same values they expect from you.
Consult a physician before beginning any exercise regimen. Remember that the practice of martial arts can be dangerous, so use caution at all times.
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Comments
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*facepalm* Are you from ATA or something? Okay, anyone looking for traditional martial arts or practical self-defense, ignore this thread. Anyone looking for a tournament-going, federation-based, olympic sparring Taekwondo or Karate school that ONLY focuses on the mental/moral side of martial arts (no offense to good TKD and Karate students, this is just what I see most often from those styles) then use this thread, you'll find exactly what you're looking for.
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Obviously a Tae Kwon Do member or student has instigated this thread. Suggest you visit/call a few clubs and go in for a free trial class. Have an idea what you want out of it in your mind. Do you want to learn Sport Karate/tae Kwon Do or self defence. The sport side has quite often nothing to do with fighting, more collecting points the right way to win the fight. In a real fight, there isn't any points or referee. What suits one student doesn't necessarily suit another. MOst Karate styles have Kata in thir syllabus, and its taught like a dance, hence the description of patterns, that TKD give to it. Some styles, have self defence applications incorporated in their Kata, so whenever you learn a Kata, you also have to learn how to appy the moves against a real person partnered up with you in class. Good luck. Oh, what style do i do, I teach and practise Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate which I have been involved in for 33 years, and have also trained in kyokushinkai Karate for 4 years prior to that.
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tengu
Nov 06, 2010
yea I look under where the instructor has trained under and if he or she is listed under the black belt assocition. if not than I question if him or her is able to teach. I also go to the school , see if they have there teaching award/AK/ rank, school they trained at, there instructor name , rank on the wall. I also watch the class more than once I go to the class and just watch to see how the teacher is talking to the student , if her or she get mad quickly at the student ,if they have patience.I talk to the mom, dad of other student to see how they feel about the kids , if they are in joying the class . if the instructor is part of the class , just dose not stand there , tell the kids how to do the techniques ,is not showing how to do the techiques with another instructor. i feel there must be more than 1 instructor to help with the class. -
finnviking
Dec 12, 2008
(cont'd from below) If you can't find such a master, then look for a person who has trained under a master. Surely that person knows something useful to teach you. So, ask around. Many skilled martial artists do not advertize, but most of us will have a spare saturday afternoon to give private lessons. In fact, that's how a lot of martial schools get started...
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finnviking
Dec 12, 2008
(cont'd from below) If you can't find such a master, then look for a person who has trained under a master. Surely that person knows something useful to teach you. So, ask around. Many skilled martial artists do not advertize, but most of us will have a spare saturday afternoon to give private lessons. In fact, that's how a lot of martial schools get started...
