Agree or refuse?

[Spartacus Maximus]

Just a question for the sake of argument about teaching martial arts: what do you think you would do differently? 

hypothetical situation: After recognizing you as “the martial arts guy” from the community centre(your frequent solo training place) a grandmother and two school age children come asking if you teach/how much for lessons?

The MA guy has never taught formally or outside his instructor’s school. He knows he has been explicitly allowed to teach. The MA guy is still himself a student.

The MA are very commonly considered a children’s activity; and assuming the adult was asking for the children MA guy refuses.

Politely MA guy explains that he is allowed to teach but will not teach children. He also explains that although he would be the only one of his art and lineage, MA guy is himself a student and still training with his instructor of the last 10 years.

[sensei8]

We’re all students of the MA; that will never change because humans don’t know everything and we’re not perfect whatsoever. Even whenever I was teaching at my own dojo forever and a day, I was still training with my Sensei up to the day he passed away.

Instructors can choose whomever they want to teach, and at the same time, the instructor can choose to not teach at all, even if they’re allowed to do so.

[Montana]

 

I'd be sure to clarify that part about "I'm not allowed to teach children" because that makes you sound like a predator. It's the times we live in.

I don't understand the part about "the only one of his art and lineage". Lost me there what that means in reference to this.

If you, the MA Guy, have permission to teach adults, just explain that to them. If you have permission to teach adults, but don't want to, just tell them you're a student and don't teach.

Pretty simple to me.

[Zaine]

I might suggest other places that the grandmother could go, but if you don't want to teach children that is valid. If you don't want to teach at all, that is also valid. No need for justification beyond that.

[JazzKicker]

The old school response is NO, Go away! Then the kids come back and ask again. You say NO. Then the 3rd time, you hand them a broom and a mop.....

The McDojo way is, Sure, here's a free uniform, just pay for 1 year in advance, or you can join the Black Belt Club for 50% off....

I wouldn't take it too seriously, people ask questions, say they want to train all the time, and mostly nothing comes of it. It is kind of odd ("in this day & age") that a grandmother would approach a random guy in a community center to interact with children. If it was me, and I at least knew them by sight, with an adult guardian present I'd show them a couple of things, pique their interest, and recommend a school.

[Spartacus Maximus]

The MA guy in our situation has been using the community centre/public gym to train by himself. The old lady noticed because MA guy trains there almost daily and at the same hours. This isn’t the first time other users have watched him train, and this is probably the reason the lady asked. 

Our MA guy learned and trained in his MA’s place of origin and travels there to train each year. If MA guy taught, he would be the only one teaching that style and lineage because there are no schools or others practising it in MA guy’s country 

[aurik]

It is certainly your prerogative to decide if and who you will teach.  While I primarily teach adults, there are a number of kids of various ages who attend the adult classes I teach.  There are some who are an absolute joy to teach -- we have one kid who is about 13-14.  He is struggling to learn the material, but he is always willing to listen, is very humble and respectful, and after every class I teach, he will come up to me and personally thank me for working with him.  On the other hand we have other kids who have a hard time focusing, and when you're trying to teach a lesson, they are doing silly stuff.  I mean, yes they are kids, but that's the reason that I prefer to teach adults over kids.  

Teaching any age of student can be challenging for a multitude of reasons.  Younger can kids have a hard time understanding some of the concepts you're wanting to teach.  Teenage kids often have attitudes, and lose control of their bodies due to all the growth spurts and changes that are happening, and adults are often set in their ways.  However, I will also say that I learn every bit as much by teaching as I do from receiving instruction from others.  They often say "the best way to really understand something is to teach it to someone else"

 

 

[Spartacus Maximus]

In a few MA schools/lineages(East Asian MA), teaching anyone outside one’s instructor school or having students requires formal explicit permission from said instructor. 

Also depending on the person’s skill/knowledge level, there may be limitations in place. 

Such as a 3dan(for example) being only allowed to teach adults up to brown belt. 

Edited yesterday at 10:25 PM by Spartacus Maximus