question about teaching?

[sean applegate]

it takes real caring and dedication to be a teacher. teaching isnt just about what subject they are learning from you. its about enriching peoples lives. its about giving them something that they can carry with them throughout the rest of their lives, and possibly pass on to someone else. not just in jiu jitsu, but in life.

gotta give a shout out to brandon Mc for that one. definitely one of the most important lessons ive ever learned from anyone.

[Justin W.]

Make them WANT to learn....by wuppin that ass.

best answer.

[Brian Debes]

Please help yourself and the BJJ community by not teaching if you don’t love it. Thank you.
P.S. Please re-read everything that Zog said on this post, the man knows something about coaching.

[WesleyPetersen]

Its very difficult to become a good teacher or coach if you dislike people. A good coach genuinely cares for the development and well being of his or her students, and the people in the community. I treat all of my students as if I were their brother and sister. If you have a general distaste for people, I suggest looking into a different field. I truly believe in the maxim of Judo and as it applies to everything. "Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Effort and Mutual Welfare. To be a contributing member of society you have care about society and it's progress.

"I just hate stupid people" is a cop out. Stupid people are just people who haven't been properly educated , as a teacher it’s our job to give to those people, and educate them. If you did your job as a teacher, those "stupid" people will pay it forward and educate others as well.

Jiu Jitsu doesn't lie, if your not a genuine person that has a interst in helping people it will shine through, your mask of false sincerity will be exposed, be true to yourself and others at all times.

This was a great post Herzog. I couldn't agree more.

[scottross]

I think a good entry point for the original poster is to just start helping classmates with techniques. It really helps you break down a move. Once you show them a move, work with them until they can do it properly. Troubleshooting bad technique can highlight aspects of a move that you may have been doing without even realizing it. The rewards on this level are three fold - you get extra reps on a technique, you learn more yourself, and you gain the respect and appreciation of a classmate. Plus, you'll feel good when they tell you that the guillotine you showed them has been working. Once you've run through your bread and butter moves, start asking classmates if they can help you figure out a new move - it's the same process.

I don't know how it works at other schools since I started jiu-jitsu at Tenth Planet (Feb. 15 will be by seven year anniversary!) but my classmates began helping me with extra instruction on day one. The guys who helped me the most in the beginning, aside from Eddie, are all black belts now. I think that says something.

[Slick Rick]

My two cents, and it's probably regurgitating what you all said already:
I don't think you hate people, just the interaction and having show tech to them over and over again(when they don't get it right).

Good teachers are patient, even to the most ignorant person. New techniques are difficult to understand sometimes, so it takes special attention from the teacher.

A good rule of thumb when I teach people something. Expect they know nothing about the technique, and even imagine yourself in the student's shoes. Would you rather have a teacher say, "just do this and this and rep ten times. What do you mean you don't uderstand?".
No, you want to give detailed instructions down to the mindset of the guy your going against... Give limb placement explanation. Why do x, then y. Be bulletproof with your technique and smile when you see people get it right. If they aren't getting the tech right, it could be time to change up your explanation. Remember, everyone learns differently, so as a teacher you have to understand each person's qualities and adapt to them.

[Josh Passini]

Ok so I pretty much figure that in order to learn more you have to become an instructor at some point. I just have a problem I don't like people or every been a people person. I have a strong desire to instruct sometimes but I just can't get past the part of W/e it is that's holding me back. Any advice on how to pass the point of shyness of instructing a class?

Spend more time with James at Elite Fight Systems to learn the ropes. You can always come up here with them on Saturdays to get a feel for how it goes down.

[Josh Passini]

My two cents, and it's probably regurgitating what you all said already:
I don't think you hate people, just the interaction and having show tech to them over and over again(when they don't get it right).

Good teachers are patient, even to the most ignorant person. New techniques are difficult to understand sometimes, so it takes special attention from the teacher.

A good rule of thumb when I teach people something. Expect they know nothing about the technique, and even imagine yourself in the student's shoes. Would you rather have a teacher say, "just do this and this and rep ten times. What do you mean you don't uderstand?".
No, you want to give detailed instructions down to the mindset of the guy your going against... Give limb placement explanation. Why do x, then y. Be bulletproof with your technique and smile when you see people get it right. If they aren't getting the tech right, it could be time to change up your explanation. Remember, everyone learns differently, so as a teacher you have to understand each person's qualities and adapt to them.

Well put. I hope when im out in LA next month i get to run into you at vista or riverside.

[Slick Rick]

Well put. I hope when im out in LA next month i get to run into you at vista or riverside.

It'll be awesome Josh. Had a couple good rolls with Oca at HQ over the last two weeks. It'll be good to catch up with all Chicago folk soon. Still bummed I didn't make it through when I was there for the convention last June. Thts the nature of the job tho.