ninjanurse

All students are different so it is hard to say, however, from experience I will have to say that being a non-skier gives you the advantage because you have no pre-conceived ideas about movements on the snow. Also, in general, snowboarding is harder to learn than skiing (especially with the new ski technology which BTW is modeled after the snowboard!) but the learning curve is much faster.

Welcome!

We test our students for promotion every 4 months until brown belt, then every 6 months or so until probationary black. Of course there are requirements to be met regardless of time-in-rank.

My "rules" involve the safety of those in and out of the dojang as well as criminal activity and blatant disrespect. I try to nix behaviors that may lead to such violations (especially in the kids classes) by talking frequently with them about such topics. I have never kicked anyone out of the school but I have removed a student from sparring class for shaking a fist at her opponent when she became irritated that she asked her to tone it down.

I agree that students should ask questions but the instructor should answer them appropriate to the students skill level and ability. Sometime it is a fine line between motivating a student by giving them more techniques and risking injury or burnout when they are not ready.

Welcome...I wish I had thought of that!!!!

Welcome...nice car!!!

Welcome and good luck!

Shalom!!!!! Welcome to the forums!

Welcome!

Welcome!!!

Welcome!

Passion...if you don't have it you won't pass it on to your students no matter how good you are.

Teaching sparring is a challenge for any age/belt but I agree can be especially tricky with kids. I use the same drills for adults and kids because I feel kids are fully capable...you just have to alter your approach a bit. This is my progression: Teach basic footwork during warm-up for EVERY class...it will become habit. Pair them up and have them match footwork back and forth. Have one student move forward with footwork and have the other match it moving backwards. Add hands to the above drill...then add kicks. Change the drill to have them feint/check/move to left or right. Assign a 2 or 3 kick combination and have them attack. Their partner uses footwork to move out of range. Use the above drill from closed stance and open stance. Assign a 2 or 3 kick combination and assign a counter: for example, attack with quick kick, rear leg turning kick; counter with full step back- back kick or skip step back-rear leg turning kick. Move to free sparring but use the same progression, i.e., hands only, add kicks, assign a combination or counter that can only be used exclusively. Sparring Games: King of the Hill Tag team World Combat League (thank you Chuck Norris!) Two on one On the Edge (one person stands "on the edge" of the roof surrounded by multiple attackers who attack one at a time in rapid succession) These are just a few things I do. I also compliment students that do well and encourage those with challenges. The key is to recognize their weaknesses and give them tasks that they can succeed in to boost their confidence. Be cognizant of their emotions too and lighten up when they become to stressed or frustrated. The number one rule is "have fun" otherwise they will not want to come back.

I agree with both. Depends on the situation at the time, however, speaking strictly from a self-defense perspective, I tend to teach kids palm strike as a softening technique rather than punch due to the simplicity of the palm over the fist.

A block is a strike and a strike is a block.

If you use money as punishment then you are missing the point of "busting a student to white belt"...this is a lesson no amount of money can buy.

Nice post.

This is a little late but: I spent mother's day with Laurie, Brian, and their "fur child" laying new mats in the dojang. I can testify to the fact that he is very well behaved...and spoiled!!!

I love to train outdoors...but a formal dojo is sweet too! I am opening a new school next week that I hope will have the sense of formal/traditional while being modern at the same time. Although, no matter where you train you can carry that feeling with you....and I hope to instill that into my students.

I personally trained under Tom Callos..an exceptional martial artist and human being. I received my shodan (and nedan) in TKD under him and he has been my mentor for many years since. His teaching style is intense...not for the meek. He will tell it like it is and expect the very best from you every time! The UBBT is a great opportunity...if you have the chance go for it!

I am curious then as to who you think are the professionals.

Congratulations!!

Or the dog, their sister, the neighbor's cat, etc.....

It won't..it only gets worse! Hey, it has passed for me.... Oh really...... ??