Most instructors are not trained to observe intentionally.
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When students are in your presence, not just when they are training, practicing or competing, it’s a time to see, evaluate and give feedback.
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As instructors you need to learn to become a good watcher and listener, you’ll be rewarded with a wealth of information.
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Good instructors can see behind your excuses, your mask… and the truth is, the good instructors, they see everything.
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It’s just polite for the instructor to not reveal what they see, so they smile patiently as they listen to the excuses, the distractions, and only help or reveal what they see when appropriate.
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It’s up to the student to tread the path, to put in the time and effort, to sort out their life and emotions, an instructor has to wait until the time is right to comment on what they have seen and witnessed.
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But don’t think for a second that they don’t see everything, they do.
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The best teachers, instructors, and leaders are often the best observers. Watching and in particular, listening intently is crucial.
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Karate demands a certain perspective in order to be communicated effectively. It must be based on coherent principles that organize the body and mind in a way that’s dependable and holistic. Interpreting karate as a tool bag of basically unrelated techniques and then teaching them without any sense of connection is one of the biggest mistakes teachers make. And you have to observe this connection in your students.
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Great instructors are master observers. Not only do they observe movement and technique…. they see everything.
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Everything matters. Don’t be that instructor who doesn’t see too much. Observing is intentionality. If it’s important to you, be intentional and look for it.
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Inspired by Steve Rowe 9th dan Shikon International
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