Instructor's Guide
Instructor's Teaching Guide
Rules of Etiquette
1. How to Bow (Rei), How to sit formally and informally. (male and female)
2. How to address Sensei, Instructors, Higher Ranking Belts.
3. Follow Dojo Etiquette Rules.
4. How to show Respect to a Black Belt. (not turning your back, making way, Sir or Ma'am, yes - not yeah, Bowing when told to do something, bowing before moving to do it.)
5. How to talk or ask questions during class.
6. How to respond to questions by Ranking Belts.
7. Sensei and School Loyalty.
8. Explain chain of command.
9. How to address student. (Mr. - Mrs. - May I call you `Joe”?)
10. How to enter a room.
Direct Teaching from Outlined Program
1. Teach beginners directly from Beginning Class outline, so that all beginners get the same information and complete coverage of the handout sheets.
2. Uniformity in teaching, from Sensei down.
3. Complete the lesson plan at all times, use the board so that the 4 class topics are covered no matter which week the beginner starts.
4. Give full attention to beginner students on Thursday night. Make sure all names are on the board, and the classes are checked off as completed.
Class Organization
1. Be sure each class starts out in Rank Order.
2. Try to begin and end classes on time.
3. Uphold discipline, but with a `friendly' attitude as much as possible.
4. Try to limit time spent in Ready Stance, unless making a point or ensuring discipline.
5. Allow Ranking Belts with prior permission to assist in keeping control, or helping lower ranks.
6. Teach patterns of movement in Beginners Class, along with the Front Stance.
7. Try to teach Kata in increments of six moves at a time.
8. Get a head count in each class and note in the attendance book.
9. Try to emphasize paying dues at least once a week.
10. Keep Name Board updated weekly.
Basic Principles of Teaching
1. Explain thoroughly. Talk clearly and in appropriate volume. Do not talk too fast, or too much!
2. Sit or stand students at attention or in appropriate positions to ensure attention while explaining.
3. KISS = Keep It Slow and Simple.
4. Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and then tell them what you told them.
5. Make sure all students are doing the correct technique. If they try to get ahead, or to experiment, or to practice something else it is just asking for injuries.
6. Make sure all students understand what is expected. No one should answer `Yes Sir' to a question unless the answer really is `Yes Sir'.
7. Demonstrate technique. Repeatedly if necessary. Show it from different sides or angles.
8. Explain Technique. Give understanding as to `Why' as well as to `How'.
9. Have students do technique in slow motion. Then when the mechanics are understood, speed up the count.
10. Pair up students, and allow them to work techniques together.
11. Always correct each student separately, especially if only one student is failing to perform the technique. As a rule, do not single out one student “Joe! That's wrong”. In front of the class. Individual corrections should be done `one on one'. If several are doing things wrong, demonstrate the wrong ways of doing things that you have observed to the entire class, followed by the correct way of doing them.
12. If demonstration in front of class fails with student, go back to him to assist personally. If there are still learning problems, get a Higher Rank or Assistant to take student to one side for `one on one' help.
13. Do not `overload'. Try to keep techniques taught in each session to a number that can be remembered and retained.
14. Keep control. Do not allow class to get loud, or to ignore you while instructing or talking.
Always watch for Horseplay, and stop it immediately.
Compliments
1. Always try to compliment several students each class for the things that they are doing well or right. If you see an improvement in a technique, or in general, remark on it.
2. Try to use different students during the class or in succeeding classes. Try not to give impressions of `Teachers Pet'.
3. If you have had to correct technique on a student, always compliment that same student in the same class period. If compliment cannot be for corrected technique, then find something else being done well and compliment that. Never let a student that has been reprimanded or corrected leave the Dojo with that as their last memory of class.
4. Try to make some compliments so that the entire class can hear the person being praised.
5. If the compliment is one on one, be sure to look straight at the person while speaking.
6. Always try to use the student's name as much as possible each class.
How to Reprimand a Student
1. Give a light verbal reprimand. “Please be quiet and pay attention”.
2. Give a stronger reprimand using stronger tone of voice and modulation. “Pay Attention”.
3. Have discipline problem student do individual exercises in front of class. (push-ups, etc.)
4. Strongly reprimand the student, stating that one more problem and they will be asked to sit out the class. (Parental threat if needed, You can explain to your mom why you are sitting here and not participating!)
5. Sit problem student down for the duration of the class. Ask adult student to please leave the class. If any problem arises from this, get Sensei Troxell.
6. Do not get angry yourself, keep in control. Never threaten any one in any way.
7. Never use words like `You are being stupid” or call any student any disparaging name, such as `stupid' or `dummy'. Always keep yourself on a higher level, and stay professional.
8. If a student tries to show you up, explain that you need their cooperation to demonstrate the technique or to show technique safely. If they continue to push or try to show you up, take your level of force up enough to prove your point, making sure that you can do it safely and that you will come out ahead. Do not let student control you or the situation. If you are unsure if you can control the situation, or that you will be unable to `get respect' in the situation, get Sensei Troxell.
9. If the noise level in the class gets too loud, or you are not getting the respect you deserve due to the majority of the class `doing their own thing', use push-ups or exercise for the whole class to get control back. Use this sparingly, as you discipline the good with the bad.
10. Try to avoid terms that cause hard feelings among students or parents. Terms such as “Shut Up' are very harsh and should not be used.
11. Never say anything which could be taken as an insult, or that would make the student an object of scorn or ridicule.
Instructors Attitude and Demeanor
1. Know your subject. Do not say “I think...” Do not bluff. If you don't know something, find out then give your answer.
2. Know your topic and lesson plan beforehand.
3. Talk loudly enough. Project your voice to the rear of the class.
4. Look each student directly in their eyes while talking to them.
5. Try not to `talk to hear yourself talk'. Do not bore your students. Have a point, and get to it.
6. Use high and low voice emphasis. Sometimes you can get more attention to a point you are making by speaking softly. Do not speak in a monotone.
7. Do not use excessive hand gestures.
8. Try to train yourself away from non-essential words and phrases, such as “you know” or “okay” at the end of each sentence.
9. Add humorous remarks to your talk, but do not laugh or break up over your own humor.
10. Keep the class moving, watch the clock, and try to stay on schedule.
Duties of an Assistant Instructor (Mudansha)
1. To assist the Instructor of the class.
2. To help keep order and discipline, without overstepping authority.
3. To help lower ranks prepare for advancement and promotion.
4. To assist in the maintenance and appearance of the Dojo.
5. To help lower ranks get equipment or prepare for class.
6. To help make new students feel welcome, and to give them someone to go to for help without feeling overwhelmed by going to the Instructor or Sensei.
7. Assistant Instructors should always stop talking or working with students when the Instructor or Sensei is speaking.
8. To call `Attention to the Door' when a Black Belt is wishing to enter the Dojo work out area. (Highest ranking Mudansha calls for Attention)
9. To quietly correct lower ranks in protocol or etiquette when needed.
10. To make sure each class that the lower ranks have their Belts (Obi) tied correctly.
General Information
1. Always be aware of potential problems in male/female teaching. Do not say anything sexist or provocative at any time.
2. If needing to touch the opposite sex during any demonstration, explain what you are going to do and ask for permission in front of the class.
3. Follow Dojo Etiquette, make sure the class follows the Dojo Etiquette.
4. When students are late for class, be aware before ordering push-ups etc., that kids have no choice, they arrive when the parents bring them.
5. Try to avoid `one on one' sessions with the opposite sex, or minors. If unavoidable, leave doors open, or work out in the gym.
6. Notify Sensei in a timely manner if you are unable to teach an assigned class.
7. Hand-outs are to be given out only to students with folders. (exception - Beginning Class)
8. You set an example to your students. Your grooming and uniform should be at its best. Make sure your uniform is neat, clean and unwrinkled. Make sure you are well groomed.
9. If you are unsure of anything, refer to the Manual or ask Sensei Troxell.
10. Remember “Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy” - in all aspects.
