Application
Theory is all well and good, but applying these principles in a live class situation is what matters. What follows are some tips to help your instruction.
Teaching Judo is both very difficult and also very easy. Instructors often over instruct and make life difficult for themselves. If I could only impart one idea on most instructors it would be this... "do less instructing in your classes". What I mean is allow your students to learn by doing, let them play, let them fight, let them learn from one another.
All to often instructors (and I am particularly bad for this) end up talking too much. We try and impart everything we know in one hit. We go off topic, we go into advanced techniques and strategy and we waffle on when the students just want to do Judo. I am constantly checking myself and stopping myself from expanding on a teaching point or theory of a technique. Try it for yourself, the next time you are half way through teaching something, stop and call Hajime. You will probably be suprised at how well the class does with half the information, you might find what I often find, that the class discovers the other half for themselves. This makes your job easier and the class more rewarding for the students.
Issue your commands from the same place
I always suggest to instructors they should call Hajime & Matte from the same place on the tatami. Do your demonstrations in the same spot, with your students in the same place. This consistency does many things, firstly it gives a professional feel to the class. It makes the class feel more like a cohesive planned session, which helps everything gel together.
It also helps control the class, students develop an ability to hear your voice from that spot, they will here Matte more clearly and this helps control the class
Have a Plan!
Have a class plan, know what you are going to teach, what games you are going to play, etc. Have a plan for the class, for the week, for the month, the term, the year! Having plans ensures that you share everything with the students that you'd like to. It also helps give a professional feel to your classes. Finally it helps you plan around holidays, gradings and competitions, ensuring that your classes meet the needs of the students.
Drop the plan and wing it!
Have a plan yes, but be ready and able to drop that plan and adapt and improvise to meet the needs of your students. Plans are good, but not if inflexible.
Wear the same brand/model suit as your students
If your teach kids in particular, wear the same brand and model of suit as you would like them to wear. This means don't wear your flashy expensive suit with patches, flags, your name across the back etc. That is just posing. Wear the cheap affordable suit, the good quality but low cost suit you recommend to them (or sell to them).
Set an example
Be the very model of what you would like your students to be. If you would like them to be punctual, show up early EVERY class. Want them to be tidy, iron your suit. Want them to smile and be cheerful, be happy and smile alot. Want them to respect you? Respect them, especially with children do not talk down to them! If you'd like them to be modest, be modest yourself.
