Martial art personal question?

Question

hey i really love martial arts ive been going quite a while i really love it even though im not really very good i just manage too scrape through on my grading, but what i want too do when im older is hopefully be a martial arts teacher, i go 2 times a week but just started going 3 times a week but im not like naturally talented at it or anything im 14 now it takes about 5 years too get your black belt....so anyway more than ANYTJING i want too be a martial arts teacher i never knew what i wanted too do but when someone suggested that i realised it was that! but do you think it would be possible for me because dont you have too be like naturally fantasic at it or something? also what else will you really need too know and everything? like GSCEs and that?

i dont really want too ask my sensei because i dont know...i guess he might not take me seriously cos im not that good. nice answers only please! thank you!

Answer 1

I would sit down and talk with him.  Being a martial arts teacher I think also means you have to be a good business person.  I have seen many good instructors go out of business who were not good businessmen.  At the same time I have also seen many mediocre instructors make a living at it and become wealthy who only had half the talent, skill, and knowledge.  The McDojos also pretty much prove that second point.  There are instructors out there with their own schools that make a decent living, have a good business, and who turn out a quality product or student.  That is the hardest thing actually.  Learn everything you can about your art, stay in school and learn everything about business, managing and owning one, and at the proper time possibly become involved in a second martial art that might compliment your first one and you will be better prepared to achieve that dream of yours.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are already on your way to becoming an instructor with your mindset.

I was just like you, it only took me a few months and I knew I wanted to teach and help people with self defense.  My instructor was quite impressed with my ability and attitude and guided me the whole way.  I wasn't allowed to officially teach a class until green belt which is about 2 yrs of training in our system.

The instructor also has instructor training classes for all that was interested because not everyone can teach.  You can be good yourself but it takes a talent to be able to relay the knowledge to someone else.  I always wanted to make sure I could answer any question that a beginner student would have.

I teach part time to mostly friends but I can award rank and belts through the system legitimately and I have two students working on their black belts now, after several years of diligent training.

Making a difference in someones life is priceless as you will learn.

Best of luck and keep pushing, the martial arts needs more good instructors with equally good attitudes!!!

.

Answer 3

Mate all you have to do is train and learn how to teach people! look at most of the world champ boxers, are there trainers world champs? no most of there trainers are not. You have to no allot about a sport to teach it! but you don't have to be a world champ to train a world champ!! understand?? Mate you go out there and train like theres no tomorrow and be the best instructor you can be!!  

Cheers from Australia

Answer 4

You don't have to be naturally fantastic. My instructor says I'm naturally talented, (I just try really hard and can kick very high) but he admits that it was very hard for him to get to his rank. He is a 3rd dan black belt, there is an example of someone without natural skill achieving.

I'd suspect that if you practice then you will improve your skill and get better so just practice more and you should improve. Also if you stretch then you can kick higher and perform moves better.

What you need to know to become an instructor will be told to you when you are at a rank where you can apply. I don't really know as it varies. However you may encounter an instructor training class, an interview, and tests to see how well you show the junior ranks moves, also your attitude.

You should tell your Sensei how much respect you have for his position and how you aspire to be like them. I'm sure he will take it well and offer advice.

But at the moment if I were you I wouldn't worry about being an instructor. Focus on your current material and improving it. You still have a lot of time in between now and then, you may even change your mind.

Anyway, it'd be a great thing to be. You have an excellent attitude about the whole thing. Don't give up and keep up your training. I want to be one too, someday. (by the way, I do Taekwondo, but it's still martial arts just not the same one as you, I have respect for all of them)

PS

For those others older than you who have been doing it longer why does it matter if they get it? Correct me if mistaken but there would be more than one position available and there would be older Sensei's eventually retiring. Don't let the fact you are not alone in your ambition get you down. Even if you don't become an instructor you can still be great at martial arts and respected by others because of your vast knowledge.

Answer 5

Once you have your black belt it will take an additional 10 to 20 years before you can think about being a teacher.

Do you have the dedication / fanatic mindset that will allow you to dedicate your entire life to your martial art?

Answer 6

No worries,dude.I'm twelve and i'm a purple belt in XMA, and I try to get involved by helping my sensei around.maybe you can ask him if he needs help, you can help him out. I am one of the youngest in my class, and since i help, i get to be assisstant. by helping your sensei out you may be able to gain leadership skills, maybe even one on one with your sensei to get better.