Teaching Teenagers

[scottnshelly]

A few friends and coworkers have recently expressed interest in taking a martial art. I’ve heard some say that they’re not interested in the BJJ school in town because it is “too much rolling around, not enough punching”. This makes me think that they might be interested in letting me teach them some of what I know (Tae Kwon Do and Kenpo). The only thing that I’m concerned about is, if they are that gun-ho about learning to fight, how can I be sure that they are going to understand not to abuse their knowledge?

I’ve taught many classes before, but all of my classes were either experienced adults or new kids. I know how to tell kids not to abuse it, but teenagers and young adults are “too old to listen”.

Is anyone concerned about teaching inexperienced teenagers and young adults for fear that they would abuse their training? I don’t mean they might turn into a bully, but that they wouldn’t take it serious and might try to “play fight” with their friends.

Thanks,

[Menjo]

A few friends and coworkers have recently expressed interest in taking a martial art. I’ve heard some say that they’re not interested in the BJJ school in town because it is “too much rolling around, not enough punching”. This makes me think that they might be interested in letting me teach them some of what I know (Tae Kwon Do and Kenpo). The only thing that I’m concerned about is, if they are that gun-ho about learning to fight, how can I be sure that they are going to understand not to abuse their knowledge?

I’ve taught many classes before, but all of my classes were either experienced adults or new kids. I know how to tell kids not to abuse it, but teenagers and young adults are “too old to listen”.

Is anyone concerned about teaching inexperienced teenagers and young adults for fear that they would abuse their training? I don’t mean they might turn into a bully, but that they wouldn’t take it serious and might try to “play fight” with their friends.

Thanks,

I'm sure you know this however:

In my dojo, or in my style, a complete beginner would never be able to use the techniques with success. This could apply to all martial arts, by the time the student is able to effectivly use shotokan, they have already developed strength of character and discipline. I dont teach, but this is the feeling that I get from my dojo.

For me, my sensei is either a expert stalker, or he can read my mind.

If I was to do something wrong, it would be picked up immediatly, so that keeps me in check whenever I feel tempted to test myself on my friends and I dont feel the discipline to hold back.

Especialy since whenever someone finds out I take some sort of martial art, I have to watch my back constantly for those "what if" scenarios...

[MartialArthur]

In just a few taekwondo classes I can teach most people how to deliver a very effective punch and kick...effective against an average person who is not trained in MA. Since the average teenager is surrounded by untrained people, I can see where this is a concern.

I can teach the techniques, discipline, and self-control. There is no way to make sure it all sticks. Teenagers sometimes do the wrong thing even when they know it is wrong. It just works that way.

..

[marie curie]

I was a pre-teen when I started martial arts, and started with a bunch of teenage boys. My sensei had a whole "what you are to not do" talk about character and responsibility with knowledge with us. We signed an aggreement that we wouldn't use our training in non-self defense (or defense of others) situations. Every class we had to recite our Karate Creed:

I come to you with only Karate, my empty hands.

I am a law abiding citizen.

At no time shall I ever use the techniques taught to me in a manner that will inflict personal injury.

Nor will I bodily harm anyone, except in cases of emergency needs whereby my life, country, honor, and the lives and physical safety of other may depend upon my knowledge in application of these techniques.

This is my creed. Karate.

Also, it seemed to me that the kids mostly into real fighting got frustrated early on by rules and proper technique, and quit.

[scottnshelly]

Thanks to everyone so far.

I know how important the “soft skills” of martial arts are, and I know how to express that to new students. My biggest concern would be a student that is not interested in learning about martial arts as a whole, but only wants to know some “awesome deadly techniques”.

[jaymac]

In our school, it is clearly talked about the very first time a student begins class and revisited often. If they use self defense in a non threatening situation, they will be expelled from the dojo. No ifs, ands, or buts. We have only had one issue that I know of where someone was told they could no longer train because of their outside behavior.

[Sensei Rick]

SnS, I see it from a different angle. Don't teach them. And don'[t try to be everyones teacher. I just kicked someone out of my class tuesday.

When I first started teaching I tried to be everyones teacher, I didn't want to loose one student. I kept chasing after students that didn't fit my schools goals or personality. This ended up irritating some of the "good" students that I wanted to keep. I learned a lot those first few years.

My point is, these guys sound a bit like they could go either way. If they don't want to learn traditions, then they may not be a right fit for your school. People are always impressed with the size of my program, which is running currently around 700 students. but more impressive than that, is the number of students I turn away.

I have read some of your other posts and it doesn't sound like you need these students to keep you lights on so only take them on if they meet your minimum criteria.

[parkerlineage]

My parents always say this, so it bugs me to say it, but...

Teenagers are like toddlers. So, you have to tell them/us everything we can and cannot do. And if they're bad - boot 'em (not literally, though that's worked for a few of our students). Like Sensei Rick said, don't teach them.

I'd personally not like to be responsible for teaching some idiot teenager how to injure his friends. That's why I won't instruct any of mine - I love them all, but don't trust any of them in this aspect.

[cathal]

My dojo has a few teenagers, we find them to be very energetic and eager. We don't have any major problems with them, except that some of them can be a little eager to "test themselves" against the older students.

[Fairfax_Uechi]

We have several teenagers in our dojo. They are just like every other person, but as others said, they can be very energetic and gung ho at times. The key is to treat them with respect, and lead by examples. Include the parents, and make sure that ramafications exist if they use what you teach them to harm someone.