Fun and Enthusiasm

James Rimmer, V dan
Instructor Tauranga

In this article I present my ideas and beliefs on the instruction of a successful class, giving various procedures I use and explaining the needs for both the students and instructors.

Instructing is perhaps one of the most difficult Taekwon-Do techniques to undertake.

Regardless of the courses that an individual may undertake, it is only after many years of practical experience and continual learning that the instructor develops, improves and begins to formulate an innate understanding of an individual pupil.

Eventually an instructor will instinctively notice a good technique at a glance and be able to give encouraging comment on the spot.

I find it helps to know every student's name.

Every instructor has a different way of teaching and every student has a different way of learning.

Because we are all so different, I believe there are some important attributes an instructor must have.

1. Patience.
2. Understanding.
3. Mental and tuitional flexibility.
4. ENTHUSIASM.
5. FUN.

In order for a club to succeed, an instructor must approach every student's needs individually and realise that sometimes a different method of tuition may help a student's learning ability. Perhaps the injection of a FUN activity will be successful.

In order to instruct a class I believe that you must have a clear and precise idea of what you are aiming for, for both your students and yourself.

As part of your overall aim you should consider firstly your relationship with your class and their requirements.

This I call the 'Human Factor'.

The Human Factor

The success of a club depends on the relationship between the class and the instructor.

An instructor must be approachable to students and also to visiting friends and parents.

Take time out and chat to parents and visitors, or ask the assistance of a senior member.

Remember you are not only in full view of your students, but also of every other individual in your training environment. Parents can pull their children from your class in an instant. We have found at Tauranga that FUN and ENTHUSIASM are infectious for the whole family: when they come to watch their children with dad starting or mum starting or dad and little brother starting or dad and little sister starting or little sister starting or little brother starting or dad and little sister and little brother starting.

Most people do not turn up to a class unless they are interested in some way in the proceedings. The trick is too keep them once they arrive.

Your attitude towards parents is critical for not only attracting potential students but also the continued support to your club in camps, tournaments, fundraising and other club activities.

Parents' organisational skills can be invaluable for your club's future.

Many parents have concerns about their children learning martial arts as many clubs have reputations for harsh teaching methods and the like.

It is important to clear up these misconceptions and to reassure people of your aims and teaching methods.

The first phone call is a crucial selling tool for an instructor.

Your phone manner (when dealing with parents in particular) warrants a friendly, no-nonsense approach with a carefully worded conversation.

1. First month free.
2. Well-rounded student.
3. Heaps of children of a similar age.
4. Really cool camps.
5. Tournaments (stress these are optional).
6. Confidence.
7. Encourage a visit to your club.
8. Have the club sell itself.

(Note: Most calls come through Citizens Advice)

The make-up of each class is different and each individual in that class has different learning stages and abilities.

Treat all your members with respect and treat them equally.

Refrain from favouritism as this will only succeed in exiling your members and causing jealously.

Bad lip service, bullying or boasting is a no-no!

It can be detrimental to a student's confidence or faith and could turn them away from your club overnight. It also creates a very unpleasant atmosphere and does damage to the name of the code you are following.

Remember this can also be viewed by parents who regularly watch your classes!

The class must be a FUN and ENTHUSIASTIC unit; it is up to the Instructor to create this unit and ensure that all grades and ages mix freely - higher grades mixing with lower and older with younger.

Aim to use your time efficiently so that it benefits everybody including yourself.

Time should be given not only to the practical and theoretical but also to the discussion of various ideas and ways to improve on class togetherness and relationships. Remember to retain your ENTHUSIASM.

Take time out to hear the opinions and concerns of your members, this will make your club stronger and again create that bond that is so important.

Planning And Preparation

The next step, once an instructor has established their aim, is the efficient planning and preparation of a class.

It takes time and practice to do this and is not an easy task. You can have a clear idea of what your plan will be for a certain training night but this can be altered completely on the night due to such things as student absences or injuries.

Allowing yourself an option is important. Do not be frightened to try out a new idea, it could be FUN, and always try to assess the feedback you get during your class.

1. Be flexible, both mentally and physically.
2. Do not pursue boredom, learn to recognise it then prevent it - perhaps with FUN!

A well-planned class helps the instructor as well as the student. It should follow some sort if pattern, where one part leads onto the next perhaps explaining the previous technique learnt, perhaps application with say 'Break-A Boards' (the children love it), or other similar activities.

Most clubs have a variety of ranks form white to black and in order to give the individual ranks the special attention required, especially when teaching patterns and techniques particular to each rank, it is easier to divide the class up into groups.

An instructor should feel confident in delegating a senior member to help out teaching when necessary. It is critical that your nominated assistant is alert to the key points of the code you are teaching and shares the same ideals of FUN and ENTHUSIASM.

Allotting my time to talk to my students about their techniques or various needs is something that I try to do during the class. This gives them the opportunity too practice while I am at hand. Praise your students, show them off (the children love it), give positive comments with constructive criticism.

We usually have further discussion after class and that helps to cement ideas and techniques.

1. Try to plan a class with variety, FUN and ENTHUSIASM.
2. Be open to suggestions from your students.
3. Be flexible in your teaching methods.
4. Make the learning process FUN and retain ENTHUSIASM; it helps to keep the attention span of the pupils, especially children.
5. Feel confident in the ability of your senior members.

Creating And Maintaining Interest

It can often be difficult to create new ideas and teaching methods but with-out variation in day to day training many students may get bored with the same old routine. It is important to stimulate both their bodies and minds.

There are several ways in which I try to do this:

Variety

This can take many forms such as games, co-ordination skills, three step sparring, self-defence, interclub trainings etc.

There is an old saying, 'variety is the spice of life'.

I believe that my students perform with more zest and spirit if I inject variety and FUN into their training lessons. Tempt the children with destruction or free sparring as a reward if they do there boring ol' patterns properly (children love it).

I find that it is beneficial to the individual to sometimes let them experiment on their own and even try to invent their own patterns or defence techniques, perhaps trying a flying side kick and landing on a large spongy mat. Not only is this FUN, but it gives them encouragement, goals and challenges and enables them to put their skills to the test and realise potential. More importantly children in particular show real ENTHUSIASM.

Incentive

People need an aim and they need incentive to achieve that aim. Each individual in my club is striving for their own goal and I try to encourage them to give their best to their training.

While it is important to correct common faults and point out areas of possible improvement it is also important to give praise where deserved, it goes a long way to instilling a sense of achievement and the student will generally try harder.

I encourage my students to better themselves and their training by having a club trophy that is presented at the end of each year.

Hearing

Making your instructions clear and precise is important.

Explain the purpose of your teaching and invent ways to capture their attention. The odd joke can do wonders for morale as well as make an attentive student (children love it).

I quite often give commands by clicking my fingers quietly to make them listen and become more aware of the use of their ears.

1. Try to keep explanations as clear as possible.
2. Have FUN.
3. Encourage students to always better themselves.
4. Always confirm your lesson by checking with the students to make sure that everything has been understood.

An instructor's work contains many facets. One has to be a doctor, personal adviser, practitioner, psychologist and friend.

It is demanding work but it is rewarded over and over again.

An instructor, above all, should always have a continual quest for knowledge so that they may continue to fulfil and enrich their students.