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Post by malk103 on Feb 24, 2012 23:09:49 GMT
I passed Shodan end of last year and was keen to teach, I have since started a new club on Monday nights and have a few new students, it's starting slow and small but doing well so far. The fact i'm turning to instructing early on may be cause for concern for some and I accept this - my theory is that starting with beginners, when they reach Green/Purple level I will have continued my training and should be Nidan by then so will have more to give as they reach a higher level.
At the moment I could do with a second job to help with bills and fuel etc, i've looked about but can't find anything suitable, my Monday club is only designed to cover costs plus pocket money and i have the same ideals that we train for Karate and not for profit, plus the hall can only take a certain number of students.
Then looking around for other opportunities and in the nearby City there is a large school/further education place that used to have a club running, in addition another club within the city has closed, there is another in the centre that is doing okay. The school is on the edge of the city but has a large cachement area and should easily attract 20-30 students with a large Gym/Hall.
The big question is am I capable of taking on such a large club this early?
I know this is a question for me and me alone but would welcome your thoughts. I've heard of experienced BB's that can't teach their way our of a paper bag and Brown belts that were naturals. If I go ahead now I could pass on what Shotokan knowledge I have learnt (and continue to learn), express some of the hundreds of ideas that I have to help others on their way, enjoy the challenge of teaching and as a bonus earn a small amount to help with my own personal finances.
Karate is and always will be the forefront in my ideals and decisions. I would rather teach 5 good than 20 badly. Most of me says go for it, the sensible part says "is this the right thing to do" and have lots of others tried in a similar situation and failed?
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Post by deckerdude304 on Feb 25, 2012 22:27:54 GMT
Hya malk103! It is a question few but a higher belt grade than me with a white belt could answer, BUT.....i would like to wish you every success in branching out on your own, with whatever route you take. It takes b4lls to do what you are about to do, but i believe you can do it. So, have every faith in yourself and see where this takes you. Once again i wish you masses of good luck and best wishes for your future!
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Post by malk103 on Feb 28, 2012 19:52:29 GMT
Thank you Michael, it is a huge responsibility as doing it badly could damage Karate in the students eyes.
I would like to see my Monday night club take off a bit to give me some more experience and confidence as it's done by just me - i've done some instructing over the last few months but always with my Sensei in the background.
I intend to continue learning and visit as many other clubs/seminars as possible to broaden my knowledge and to ensure my syllabus/technique is the same as several rather than a few.
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Post by ruestir on Feb 29, 2012 12:37:21 GMT
I think it could only go badly if you try to teach stuff you don't really know. Keep to the fundamentals and things you're sure of and you should be fine. Also, as I'm sure you've noticed, teaching basics helps your karate quite a bit as you have to think about what you're doing. Good luck!
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Post by tomobrien on Feb 29, 2012 21:42:12 GMT
Just do it Malk & good luck!
Thanks, Tom
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Post by malk103 on Mar 5, 2012 21:59:37 GMT
I helped out with the Friday lesson and had another successful one of my own tonight, still not many students but I did have 2 from Friday come along as they are returning to Karate but studied a different style before but the wife had to take a break. It was strange teaching a Black and Brown belt but they were grateful to learn more of our syllabus, they also seemed to enjoy the lesson. Waiting a bit before starting the bigger club but its still on the cards.
I'm sticking to basics and throwing in a few basic combinations, I intend to be very Kata based but will include Kumite to match the Katas many possible applications. I will keep my feet on the ground though and stick to what I know - if in doubt then keep to the syllabus! ;D
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Post by Paul Bedard on Mar 6, 2012 1:27:40 GMT
Hi Malk. Sounds like you`ll do just fine. All you need is the desire & it seems that you have that part down.. The syllabus is a good foundation, but don`t be afraid to mix things up a bit as you get more comfortable & see that your students are catching on. 3 to 5 move combinations using different stances aren`t to hard but reap benefits, so experiment a bit & have fun. Don`t be afraid to ask for ideas of simple combos, I`m sure that some of us would be glad to offer input.. Osu Paul B
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Post by fujicolt on Mar 22, 2012 19:47:41 GMT
Hey Malk Don't forget to go and research 'How to teach' - there is some wonderful info (sports science and other fields) that give excellent advice on how humans learn and the best way to transmit useful and absorbable info to them. Paul B is spot on - there are some very experienced teachers here at OSS and I am sure we would all be most willing to give you advice and support. OSU!
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Post by malk103 on Mar 22, 2012 21:04:49 GMT
I've had to teach more this week due to sickness and again tomorrow to provide cover. I am more at ease and can tell that nobody is getting bored as they are appreciative of the lessons so far. There is a grading coming up so the next few will concentrate on the syllabus, although I am constantly thinking of things to do to improve. I am hoping a certain friendship course will aid my training and knowledge but i'm always on the look out for good material.
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Post by fujicolt on Mar 22, 2012 21:14:49 GMT
I am very confident that the Friendship Course will prove helpful to you Mal - not only the training content but also the fact that you will 'live' with a group of very experienced instructors whom i know would be most willing to discuss all things 'Karate' with you - so make the most of it!
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Post by malk103 on Apr 18, 2012 20:42:53 GMT
Thought I would give an update, had my first student from my Monday class grade, as it's a small class I had time to get her up to a good standard but my Sensei was soo impressed that she ended up double grading! Tonight was the first lesson in the City of Bath, we had 7 turn up with another 2 promised for next week, one was a Black belt that normally travels into Bristol, another is an Orange belt who's club closed down a few months back. The rest beginners. My Sensei helped out and we had a good first lesson, I was a bit worried about it all but it went okay. In a few weeks time my Sensei will be away so I will pick up 2 of his lessons and still do both of mine so will have to work out some lesson plans.
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Post by malk103 on Apr 30, 2012 19:57:11 GMT
Lessons are going well, I think I am more at ease and compare my progress to "walking steadily" so not trying to run before I can walk.....
Had a 2nd Dan at last weeks lesson at Bath again and another retired instructor dropped in to watch, they were impressed with the lesson which is a good confidence booster. Tonight at the smaller hall near Frome I had lots of Red belts so we did Heian Nidan a lot with plenty of partner work so I could explain some of the typical applications - nothing too taxing but it was an eye opener to a few and helped explain Kata a bit better.
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Post by fujicolt on May 2, 2012 1:22:13 GMT
is this your 'Blog' thread now Mal HAHA!
Actually tis interesting to hear how you doing with your new role Instructing. Lots of experienced Instructors here and you may find it helpful to spend a while reading old threads which over time have contained some gems of info and help. Good Luck.
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Post by malk103 on May 3, 2012 20:33:51 GMT
The blog continues....
Bit of a disaster last night as only half turned up and no new ones from the latest leaflet drop.......
Knocked the confidence back a bit. Either they thought I wasn't very good or they were all busy or scint! I delivered another batch of leaflets so will see next week but I can't sustain the hire charge top up for very long so it could be a show stopper unless I can attract more people. I will be consulting my marketing manager when she gets back from swimming....
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Post by nathanso on May 4, 2012 4:23:53 GMT
I think that you should expect that somewhere between 50- 75% of adult students will show up on a given night. A lot of things happen in life, and karate should not be the most important. Also, expect that most students who start will drop out in their first year.
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Post by fujicolt on May 4, 2012 10:47:52 GMT
Totally agree Nathanso - even in Karate's Heyday it was so. I once calculated that out of every 100 students it averaged 2 might make shodan and only 1 would stay far beyond!
But don't lose heart Mal - you are doing a great Job in a time when we have dire economics and Karate (even if they want to study) is a luxury way down the essential purchases list. Discuss the financial situation with those whom want to stay and maybe do raffles, etc and events such as an open course at your Dojo that will help you boost your Hall Hire Fund.
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Post by malk103 on May 4, 2012 20:10:57 GMT
Back with a plan.....
More marketing, maybe next Saturday handing out leaflets somewhere public, also look at other venue's where the hire isn't soo much and we don't have to have X amount in to cover costs. I'm not looking to make a fortune but more importantly I can't afford to subsidise the hire costs.
Thanks for the kind words, I should know within the next couple of weeks if it will pick up or not.
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Post by fujicolt on May 5, 2012 16:40:11 GMT
Have you thought of hiring a smaller room (still Big enough to do the Job but small enough to be cheaper). Social Clubs and Conference venues often have smaller rooms available. As do many modern Sports Halls that Double as Conferencing and Meeting Centres.
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Post by malk103 on May 9, 2012 20:58:17 GMT
Sometimes the easiest solution is the most obvious - also the one you haven't thought about yet....
Searched for smaller halls, so far found one at half the price but it clashes with my Friday training.
Tonight was better as some came back and had a new student so cleared the hire charge. The new student did it as a teenager and has come back after 24 years!
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Post by fujicolt on May 16, 2012 23:59:38 GMT
Have you contacted your local Sports Council offices and asked for thier input/Help? Am assuming you in a recognised Org?
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Post by malk103 on May 18, 2012 10:09:14 GMT
Yep - AMA, also insured, CRB'd etc. I will give that a go also as not thought of that either....
I have asked the school for more support as they promised a lot but haven't done hardly anything.
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Post by fujicolt on May 23, 2012 20:21:56 GMT
Don't rule out a permanent Dojo - in this economic climate there are many premises empty and you can negotiate very good leases! in the long run it may work out much cheaper and allows you to broaden the usage to help cover costs - contact me direct if you would like some help exploring this option
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Post by malk103 on Jun 7, 2012 22:14:02 GMT
Update.....
I will certainly keep the idea of a fixed Dojo in mind, for now we have left the School in Bath and I have found a smaller cheaper Community Centre who couldn't be more helpful. I dismissed it before as they already have MA there, I have since discovered that the busy Youth club was on the same night that I was trying to run lessons so I had automatically excluded some of the local youth! Unfortunately that didn't come up in my planning....
The organisers of the centre have been very helpful already and have a few people interested in Karate, they can also provide referals from Autistic groups etc which is not a problem. We will train on a Sunday late morning and see how it goes.
Anyone near Bath looking for an extra workout on a Sunday morning then come along!
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Post by fujicolt on Jun 7, 2012 22:48:29 GMT
Good Luck Mal!
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Post by marie on Jun 9, 2012 23:09:11 GMT
From what I've always been told, it's good to have at least a few Dan's behind you - in my defence at least 3. I know I wouldn't start up my own club unless I was at least a 3rd Dan as I'd want to have as much knowledge as possible before passing it down the line to people who are aiming to get to my stage in the art.
Subsiding that, it's a brilliant career choice and I admire the fact that you've taken it on board and that you've got classes running on a Monday. If you decide to pursue in it, then I wish you the best of luck.
All the best, Marie
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Post by malk103 on Jun 12, 2012 18:13:20 GMT
Thanks Marie
In the club there are 5 Dan grades, 2 of us are new instructors but we have the rest to help out, provide guidance or take the odd lessons for us. The chief instructor should have gone for his 4th Dan ages ago and will hopefully pass this year.
One of my theories on starting early was that I would get mostly beginners and by the time they got near Brown belt I would be 2-3 years on with my training so would know a lot more. That theory mostly went out the window when a load of seniors grades turned up though....
We got the first Sunday session done and hope to encourage a few more in for next week. Last nights went well and is now feeling more "comfortable" if that makes sense, i'm starting to pick out where there are week points and spending more time on them.
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Post by nathanso on Jun 13, 2012 2:42:50 GMT
I have seen sankyus who would be great instructors, and sandans who couldn't teach someone who to use a pay toilet.
For a new shodan, I think the important things are to have an accurate knowledge of your strengths and limitations, to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish in each class, and to be aware of the different ways that your students optimally learn what you're trying to teach.
As for wanting to make money from teaching, I think that there are pros and cons to that.
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Post by malk103 on Sept 30, 2012 16:09:22 GMT
Update time..... ;D
I'm currently doing 2 or 3 lessons for myself to continue my training and teaching 2 times a week. My Sunday lesson in Bath is still ticking along but needs another marketing push, the Monday one has picked up and now fills the hall comfortably.
A local Sensei in another club has just decided to drop everything and move areas so there are a couple of clubs/students that are headless, we may look into taking over the time slots. We are also approaching a few large schools/companies to see about giving lessons as one of our instructors is currently out of work so we are trying to kick start a potential self employed venture for him.
As for teaching - it's going really well, I am still keeping my training up so get a constant supply of material, I also study to keep up to speed. Still keeping a mixture of 3 K's, SD and some extra fun thrown in. My son also helps out, especially when I go through Kata, he takes the lower grades over their Kata again so I can move on to the rest.
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Post by Paul Bedard on Oct 3, 2012 3:34:34 GMT
Hi Mal & kudo`s to you. It would seem that you are doing just fine as an instructor. One of the most re-assuring things for an instructor is that the students keep coming back. It sure seems that you are doing just that. Good for you!! Utilizing a student ( your son) to work with one group, while you lead another is a great way to keep everyone moving. You should be pleased with yourself. Keep up the good work. Osu
Paul B
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Post by malk103 on Aug 19, 2013 22:17:04 GMT
Well overdue for an update Sunday stopped in the end, the locals couldn't be enticed in so some weeks it struggled to meet the hire charge. Worth a try but got to know when to move on. Started a new club on Wednesday night in a newly finished hall in Westbury right in the middle of a massive new estate, within a couple of months it was heaving and we have new students interested all the time, we may even have to extend the times or try to get into the bigger hall soon, or have a waiting list! The Monday club is still going and has gradually attracted new students, both nights now gain 3 or 4 times more than the hire charge so very happy, it means we can offer better discounts for families and be able to fund things like Friendship courses! Much more comfortable instructing now and one of my original students has just managed to pass their brown belt with the help of a double grade and an extra grade at our summer camp! It now means that I am gradually expanding my teachings to match the students, it also means I will soon get more seniors to assist and make the clubs better. Itching to start a new one but i'm still training 2 or 3 times a week.
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