Do you need an instructor?

[bushido_man96]

Riding on the wave of boyo1991's thread do you need to be at a dojo?, I propose this question: do you need an instructor?

Or, do you just need a good group of peers that you can bounce ideas off of in order to get feedback and improve?

[Throwdown0850]

Riding on the wave of boyo1991's thread do you need to be at a dojo?, I propose this question: do you need an instructor?

Or, do you just need a good group of peers that you can bounce ideas off of in order to get feedback and improve?

I believe that a good group of peers may work but, if they have not been trained and have ideas that "seem" logical then all of them are practicing something that may or may not work?? I believe that someone should have a good instructor that hopefully teaches the right ideas then he could get a group of his buddies and practice..

[bushido_man96]

I think that having a good group of peers can help, depending in the level of experience of some of those peers. One may be "old hat" at self-defense/realistic conditions, and may offer enough experience to help improvement. But, would he be considered an instructor?

Just prodding for ideas!

[crazyferret]

Riding on the wave of boyo1991's thread do you need to be at a dojo?, I propose this question: do you need an instructor?

Or, do you just need a good group of peers that you can bounce ideas off of in order to get feedback and improve?

There is no need for a static instructor who is always present.

We have a club made up of 12 guys, we get together and we work MMA technique. We share a space with some guys who put on pro wrestling shows - they are in the space on T/Th/Su and we are in the space on M/W/Sa

We work from instructional DVD's and go to Straight Blast Gym seminars and invite wrestlers and boxers in to work with us.

We peer coach each other, and we've come a long way.

[pittbullJudoka]

I think that there has to be someone who knows the proper technique. And somehow I see that they must train/trained in a picticular art to have the knowledge. I have grappled alot in my day. I have been to a few seminars and trained with alot of people who have done jujitsu but I will always tell someone I've rolled alot and watch alot of fight tape and read alot of books. You need someone who have trained quite a bit because they can spot improper techinque. But I can agree with everyones thoughts here. At my dojo we do alot what if's and tell me howthis works and work though the move until it works for that indiviual.

[tallgeese]

I'm going yes here. Someone who is knowledgeable needs to be present in that peer group. This person will inevatibly become the defacto "instructor".

Yes, great leaning and training can occur in this setting, but someone has to be able to point everyone in the right direction. Hence, the instructor role needs to be filled.

The exception, and of course there is always one, is a group of highly skilled individuals working together. Hiigh end competitors or black belts all working together might function well without a central figure teaching, but usually someone will guide even that group through certain movements that they are more comfortable with than the others.

[Throwdown0850]

I think that having a good group of peers can help, depending in the level of experience of some of those peers. One may be "old hat" at self-defense/realistic conditions, and may offer enough experience to help improvement. But, would he be considered an instructor?

Just prodding for ideas!

I would say wise..

[humble monk]

Chicken or egg? Somebody created styles we recognize today, and whoever originally created that style couldn't have an instructor.

[Zanshin]

Don't even get me started

Of course you need an instructor, you can get to 5th and 6th dan etc and still need guidance.

Training with mates is great (in fact important), but you really need an old git to truly show you the way (to Amarillo ).

z

[bushido_man96]

I think that having an instructor, per se, is not a requirement. Having peers to bounce ideas off of I think is very beneficial. And of course, there is always the school of hard knocks, and although not the recommended, or most efficient, path to take, is a legitimate path none the less.

I don't really look at having a group of experienced peers as instructors. It depends on how the group is organized, though. If you work off of each other's experiences, then each time someone different may be the head of the class for the day.