Kickboxing instructors, how do you go about teaching?

[chrissyp]

So, i'm gonna start teaching kickboxing/muay thai in a few months, and i'm trying to figure out where to start, how to create a curriculum for teaching.

I have a wealth of knowledge, but i'm not really sure how to begin the process of teaching, how to structure a class, so i'm trying to get insight on what you do, thoughts, feedback, ect.

So i'm thinking about doing 90 minute class with the following:

Warm up, with a focus on fundamentals; Pad/bag work, strengthening the basics and refining technique

the second part of the class would be a hands on teaching of a few techniques, maybe 2 or 3, and really break them down, how the work, why they work, just develop an understanding of a things at a time, instead of trying to overwhelming them trying to cram in too much at once.

usually whatever techniques I'll teach the day, will be able to corilate together, how they can work together by them selves and with the basic fundamentals of the art, and then of course there will be partner drills designed to emphisis use of application of what was taught.

Mostly those would almsot be like very light, borderline sparring. Live drills that involve thinking and actual application with another person,

I would then offer sparring after class to those who wanted to do it, I don't believe in making sparring madatory ever, UNLESS they're going to compete.

Like I said, i'm just trying ot figure out a class structure, the best way to go about instilling knowledge. Any thoughts and feedback are appreciated.

[Nidan Melbourne]

That sounds like a very good idea.

Fundementals is absolutely crucial in all martial arts. Techniques and combinations are important.

One thing you will have to remember is that they shouldn't be going 100% intensity from the very beginning as there is obviously the risk of injury

[chrissyp]

That sounds like a very good idea.

Fundementals is absolutely crucial in all martial arts. Techniques and combinations are important.

One thing you will have to remember is that they shouldn't be going 100% intensity from the very beginning as there is obviously the risk of injury

Thank you! I agree completely. I think thats why a lot of MMA fighters and gyms suck,is because they lack certain basic fundamentals...and i'm not sure if its the teacher, or that nature of how full contact gyms are structured, without a belt system/rank. That's one thing I did like about traditional schools, they instill the hell out of the basic and expand on it