Teaching the martial arts is difficult. It demands a broad knowledge of subject matter; you have to show enthusiasm, discipline, have a caring attitude, a love of learning…. and perhaps dojo management and marketing; but most of all….. you have to have a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
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There is a huge difference between being a teacher, and being a good teacher.
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Good teachers are masters of their subject matter. They exhibit expertise in the subjects they are teaching and spend time continuing to gain knowledge in their field. It’s demanding, exacting, you have to be determined, committed…… and not everyone is cut out to be a teacher.
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Being a teacher means that you should study karate, not just practice it. You should study, the history, the philosophy, you should study in depth, so you can better understand it, to be able to pass it on to your students.
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The most important thing for a teacher to remember is that….. it’s never about you..… it’s always about your students.
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Karate is a martial art. But very few people know what ‘art’ really means. The ‘art’ we all follow and practice is not a certificate that is hung on the wall. Our ‘art’ is something you do, and learning is at its core. Unfortunately, some people hate learning anything new or different. And do you know why? ….. Because to learn something new means admitting that you didn’t know that thing in the first place….. That my friend is your ego calling.
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Learning requires humility, and that’s why some instructors never grow. They’re too afraid of finding out how little they actually know.
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If you haven’t been guided through the process, you won’t have a clue as to what it really takes to guide others. No matter how many books you’ve read, or how much you’ve studied with the Youtube sensei.
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Sometimes a tiny bit of knowledge on a subject can lead people to mistakenly believe that they know all there is to know about it. As the old saying goes, a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
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An instructor, or anyone in a teaching position within a school or dojo, should be qualified to teach. It’s not just about having a high enough grade, but with experience, to ensure they understand the fundamentals themselves. If you’re asked a question about the basics from a student, you should have an answer for them….. and not BS.
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Teachers should have a deep understanding of what they are teaching. Knowing, is not the same as communicating knowledge effectively.
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You must also have high standards, morals, be respectable and trustworthy…… You have those?…. Right?
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Anyone can set themselves up as a martial arts “expert” – without ever having the deeper understanding that a is needed to be a good teacher.
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A good teacher has skills in communication, listening, collaboration, adaptability, empathy and patience. Other characteristics of effective teaching include an engaging dojo presence, value in real-world learning, and a lifelong love of learning.
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With all these qualities required, it’s no wonder that it’s hard to find a good teacher.👊🥋
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📷 Photo Credit: BSKA – Mills-sensei & Tsukada-sensei at the Honbu Dojo UK.

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