bushido_man96

I agree, it can be, but it can be managed, too. The instructor needs to be able to step in if something terribly errant is being explained by the assistant. If the assistant is doing a good job, then the instructor can sit back and let them go on for as long as they are doing well. There should come a point, though, when the new instructor is allowed to take care of the class, and then any issues can be dealt with afterwards, between chief and assistant. This will help build confidence, and still provide a learning experience.

I try not to stereotype on anything when I hear of this federation or that association, but at times, this is hard to keep from doing. I was part of the ATA for quite some time, so I've seen both sides of this equation. If I am speaking with an instructor or student, I'll ask if they are affiliated with any federation or association, and if they are not, I'm good with that. I like to ask, because then when they are talking about something like technique, or sparring, or forms, if I know what association they are from, then I might have some framework within which I can understand what they are talking about. If they aren't affiliated, then I like to ask about how their techniques or forms or other procedures vary from what I've done, do, or seen done by others. It really just makes for great discussion for me.

Welcome to KF, Josh!

Welcome aboard!

One thing is for sure, I need to try to get into better shape! My body had gone way down hill over the past year.

I agree. I'm out of town from time to time and it's nothing for a purple or brown belt student to teach. Think about it, a purple belt for us is 4-5 years on the mat. That should be more than enough time to understand the fundamentals and teach them. Plus, it's good experience. I think that having lower ranked students begin to fill in some teaching roles can be a boon to their learning curve when it comes to teaching. Especially higher ranked students, like those of the brown/red belt levels in some of the more traditional styles. If they wait until black belt and have no experience teaching, its really tough to throw them into the fire with no teaching experience. Knowing the material and teaching the material are two different things entirely. Senior colored belts can benefit from putting classes through the basics and warm-ups, and an adult senior rank assisting in teaching kids classes (especially lower ranks) are great teaching experiences, too. Doing this also helps the instructors to figure out who look like good teaching candidates, and who might need some more polishing.

Thank you, everyone!

I see the point you are making, and agree, but in actuality, Aikido wasn't used in this way. It was its predecessor, Aiki-Jujitsu, which had a completely different philosophy in application, that was used. Aikido stemmed from this style, after Morehei Ueshiba had his "epiphany." I'm sure you were aware of this, but I wanted to address it, as even these two styles have differences in approaches and methods.

Ok, the testing has been done for some time now. It went well, and I passed. It was a pretty tough testing, lots of hard drilling, some running, and some more continuous drilling. It was a tough week, but well worth it!

I agree. Go watch a few classes, and see what they have to offer. If they offer some trial classes, give them a go. What have you got to lose, other than some time?

Welcome back!

I'm late here, but happy belated birthday!

Thanks, Bob, and thank you, Patrick! It's a beautiful award!

Congrats!

I will do my best, Bob. Lots of information coming in! Day 4 is in the books. We did some review in the morning, and teach backs in the afternoon, and those went pretty well. Tomorrow, is test day. It will be tough, and exhausting, and tiring, but it will be a blast.

I humbly disagree, I feel that for a person with no experience an who has never been on a fight, and possibly has no ability to visualize this may be more true, but for a person who has experience, has been on a fight, and can visualize quite well, they would get more out of it then an aerobic workout. I can see both sides here. I think one can practice some concepts on his or her own, but to truly train and get some good results from it, having a partner to train with is the greatest training tool ever. Especially if you don't have an instructor to work with. One can theorize on their own all day long about how to defend a certain attack, but until you have it done to you and see the results of what you thought would work, all you have is theory. This is how I see it. If one has to train on their own, that person has to be able to really pay extra special attention to the little details involved in techniques. This person has to be able to critique himself or herself more so than someone who gets good feedback. This person will need to watch as many demonstration videos as possible, and read as many descriptions as possible, and look at lots of pictures if possible, to really get a good indication of how the body should perform the technique. I honestly believe the next thing they need is a good training partner. You can train a lot on your own, and you can visualize all you want, but the first time an attack is thrown in earnest is going to be a real eye-opening experience if all that person has done is train by themselves. Lastly, this person should try to seek out seminars or instructors that would be willing to answer any questions they might have over different techniques or concepts. Is it possible? I do think so. It is definitely a longer road to hoe.

TJ-Jitsu makes some good points. I didn't watch the fight where Rousey was knocked out by the head kick, but I'd be willing to bet that there weren't a ton of head kicks thrown. Timing, set-up, and opportunities are what make for a great kick.

I hope things get back on track for you and the SKKA, Bob.

That's a great list, Bob. And you are absolutely right in that bad customer service can cost a business quite a lot more than it costs itself.

Thanks, Bob, I have been. Days 2 and 3 are in the books now. We covered ground on day 2, and we've done a ton of gun retention and disarms, along now with knife defense and disarms. I'm lucky in that a lot of this is review for me, but the knife stuff is all new. Two days to go!

Hey all, I'm back in another Krav police instructor course. It's another week-long course, and we finished day 1 today. I am one sore fella, too. We covered lots of combatives and self-defense curriculum today. I will sleep good tonight!

Wow, thank you all for the kind words! I can't express how much that means to me. I love this community, and all the contributors that have been a part of it over the last decade plus that I've been a part of it have helped to really make it how great it is. Without all the great members here, I'd have nothing to say, so thank you all from very deep within my heart! Patrick, thank you for bringing me on staff 10 years ago. Thank you for taking the chance and believing in me, and being patient with me. I am forever grateful. I want to thank all the present and past staff members that I've had the privilege to work with here, as well. You guys are a great team, and you all do such a fantastic job! I can't express enough the gratitude I feel in receiving the physical reward, too! I want you to know that I'm out of town for the week, actually at a Krav police instructor course recertifying for DT, so I have to wait until Friday to see it! Thank you, thank you all, so very much.

I think 6 or 7 would be about the youngest, and it depends on the child. Some children are really good in groups, and some are not. Some pay attention really well, and some don't at all. It really should be done on a child by child basis. With that said, I also think kids learn best with kids, and having kids classes available with training that works well for kids as the focus will be the best set-up for them to succeed.

Congrats!

Welcome, and I hope you enjoy it here! Take a look at the suggestions on Google, and see what schools are lying around. Visit each, and talk with the instructors if you can. I'm sure you'll find something that suits your needs.