The short version is to:
1. Greet the students.
2. Encourage them.
3. Be energetic in your teaching.
4. Make it FUN!
5. Plan ahead.
I want to focus today on # 2, encouraging the students. While there are any ways to encourage the student it can still be a hard and challenging job. Some people naturally praise and lift up people better than others do. However, this is no excuse for not practicing the art of encouragement. Although some may be better at it than others it is a necessary practice for us all. The students will not enjoy the class unless they feel encouraged in it. Here are some quick ways we can make sure that we are encouraging and building up the students in our classes.
1. Simply tell them when they are doing a good job. It is also important to use their name when doing so.
Ex: Good job Joe!
This is a simple strategy that produces great results. People like to hear when they are doing a good job.
2. Pay attention to the students when they are practicing. If they are having trouble with the move, go to them and help them out. This can take more skill than you might think. Remember, the goal is not simply to re-teach them the move but to make sure they get it without feeling stupid. You have to make sure that the student feels encouraged when you are done with them. They should feel confident that they can do it and not confused and foolish because they didn't understand. No body will stick around if they feel this way. There are 3 things to consider when helping a student through a technique.
1. Word selection.
2. Comprehension.
3. Body translation.
Choose your words carefully. Speak in a manner that is uplifting. If they are not getting it, be patient and don't let your voice show any frustration. People learn differently and it is up to us to discover how people learn (This will be another blog). Use self-control in your voice and affirm them that they are doing well. We also have to be aware of their comprehension. Not everyone has the same level of comprehension. We can't just assume they know or suggest that they should know what we are talking about. Some people might be listening to you explain and you say, "Shrimp out the the right." and they would be like, "did he just say shrimp?". Don't assume everyone knows what it means to shrimp. You also might say, "Move your right arm under their left leg.". People get confused. They may feel pressured and not use the correct arm in that situation. Don't make them feel dumb by correcting them like they are morons for not getting it right. It happens all the time. In fact, I am sure you have done the same thing. Gently correct them. The youth may not even always be very aware of their left and right. Not everyone comprehends "Move your right arm under their left leg." the same and may need you to be patient with them. Even if they understand their body may not translate it well in action. You often have to be the one to move their body the first few times.
Here is a great video for this topic:
So even through our instruction and teaching methods we want the students to feel encouraged and that this is something they can do and benefit greatly from.
3. Give them direction. Sometimes people just need a vision and direction to feel encouraged. Students may wonder things like:
1. What am I working toward?
2. What do I focus on now?
3. Why do I feel like I am not learning?
4. Why do I keep getting stuck in the same submission?
Some people are very goal oriented and have and set these goals within themselves. Others need you to set goals for them. When someone doesn't have a goal or direction in mind they feel stagnant or lost. This is a discouraging feeling. We can help encourage others by giving them direction. There are different phases in learning and growing as well as different purposes for training. Some people train for the competition while others train for the lifestyle, self-defense, or fitness. If someone started training for self-defense than their original goal can be accomplished rather quick. Where do they go from there? Maybe another person began training simply for the discipline and lifestyle. What happens when they don't feel growth?
Martial arts can offer growth and room for improvement for your whole life span when you are given the proper direction. The general direction of learning would be:
1. Learning
2. Training (for competitions, promotions..)
3. Coaching (help coach competitors at competitions or in class)
4. Teaching
5. Teacher Training (like we are doing now)
6. Learning how to run a school.
7. Open your own school (preferably a Team Clinch Association!!)
8. Training other Teachers..
There is a long cycle of learning, training and giving. Each cycle offers different phases of growth and learning. For instance, there comes a time when you begin learning more by teaching than by training. Just because you are teaching doesn't mean you are no longer learning. You often learn more in this phase once you reach a certain point. We can use this cycle to help encourage people and give them direction.
The more people you teach the harder this can become and that is why delegating and giving other the same opportunity is important. You are not always going to know when people feel lost or discouraged. Hopefully they would bring it to your attention so you can then help find their way. This doesn't mean we should keep our eye out for it and try to initiate on our own behalf. Try to single people out every once and a while and check in when you can. Things like in class discussions can be very helpful in giving encouragement and direction to the group as a whole.
I hope this is helpful for you guys. I want you to know that I am learning just as much as I type about teaching and encouraging others. I need to work on all of this myself. I think that this blog and future teachers meetings are going to be a great help to us and make us one of the most inspiring places to train in the world! Your questions and feedback are always welcome and encouraged.
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