For example you set your foot in a dojo, how old would the instructor have to be for you to at least stick around to ask questions and check out the class?
I'd be pretty suspicous of anyone who is under 30, but... I've been in few and currently am in class where the instructor is not 30 yet. However if it's the case, they usually have more than one instructors. I train at two different gyms, one of the gym have four instructors and all of them aren't 30 yet. But I trust them because there's so many coaches that they keep eachother in check. Plus all of them have lot of experience in combat sport and can prove it. My other class, the instructor is around 30 years old.
2007-03-14 05:13:18 · 12 answers · asked by Honor Among the Demons 4 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
I would say it depends on the rank of the student. For instance, I see nothing wrong with a teacher as young as 18 teaching white and yellow belts. It would also be beneficial for the students to be younger than the teacher. I think that as a student progresses from the basics stage of learning into the advanced stages, the instructor has to be experienced in life as well, which usually means he or she will be at least 30 years old.
2007-03-14 06:42:19 · answer #1 · answered by JV 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The highest ranking instructor in my school next to the master is a 20 year old. He's been instructing since he was 18 and doing martial arts since he was 10. He has students ranging in age from 7yrs old to 50/60 yrs old and teaches black belt and above.
He would admit to you that he is not the greatest "fighter" out there and he hasn't even entered into any tournaments. But: This guy has some abilities. When he starts moving and showing you what to do there is little room for doubt. Self Defence and fighting to him are different. For self defence, he is more than capable. There are few questions he can't answer concerning the curriculum or demonstrate. He's known to all the students as someone who focuses on passing on and teaching as best he can than just showing a fighters prowess.
As for talking up this guy, I've seen third dans in other systems come in and not be able to grasp what this guy has already learnt. And we've all met some older instructors and some of them are no where near as capable. They're just older and have got bigger chips.
Age is not the defining factor, its the person. Same rules that applies for martial arts applies here too.
2007-03-16 08:23:38 · answer #2 · answered by Lochlan J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really care about the age of a instructor. I care about if they have actual fighting experience using what they are teaching in competitions or shows.
I mean would you go to a instructor with a 12-20 record who is a healthy 40 or go with a guy who's 15-3 who's under the age of 30 in his prime? Now it can be argued that win or lose, the number of fights a fighter fights in goes towards experience but my personal preference would be to train with a proven winner regardless of how old he or she is.
2007-03-15 00:00:39 · answer #3 · answered by scorpion187us 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For senior instructors/sensei: the appropriate age range is mid-to-late 30's if they recently moved into a senior instructor position, 40's & 50's for experienced instructors.
For assistant instructors: 30's and perhaps late 20's for those who teach the children's classes. Nobody in their 20's is really qualified to be an instructor...not enough "real life" experience or emotional maturity (even if they're in peak physical condition and have studied the art since they were 10).
2007-03-14 16:33:47 · answer #4 · answered by dewmeister 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If there is perhaps a head instructor they defer to, 20-25 years old is an exceptable age . This would be more of an assistant instructor position.
I believe if they have enough knowledge and experience and maturity that 25 and up would be fine.
2007-03-14 12:28:32 · answer #5 · answered by Ray H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not the age that matters, it is the length of experience. There are 5 year olds with black belts who can toss around 30 year olds with no problem. What kind of experience do you think that 5 year old with have when he is 25. 20 years of championship experience. Now, if you get a 30 year old who has been doing it for 5 years, all you get is 5 years exprience. That 25 year old will be far beyond that 35 year old. Experience means everything. Far more important than age. The two are not the same.
2007-03-14 12:17:55 · answer #6 · answered by Rothwyn 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I let them speak, once the words start coming out of their mouth , then the judging begins.
I have been surprised before. I met a young man who's father was a sifu of a koon I was considering for training. The young man was more knowledgeable then older people I have met, he was also very respectful.
So, I try not to judge based on appearances.
2007-03-14 12:23:20 · answer #7 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Age doesnt matter. As long as they are actually an adult (by that I mean 21 not 18) then all that matters is their experience, knowledge, teaching ability and style, etc. In other words, are you learning from this person? Are they teaching you in a safe, efficient, effective manner?
2007-03-14 19:11:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure. I think as long as they are out of their teens
and have trained since they were small they would be
trust worthy instructors. I don't really think age would
matter as long as they knew what they were doing.
2007-03-14 12:21:02 · answer #9 · answered by chmar11 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the qualifications and the maturity as well as their personal philosophy and teaching style matter a lot more than their age. Ask them the same things no matter how old they are, and you'll know whom you feel comfortable with. Not all young people are inexperienced and immature, and not all older people are experienced or mature.
2007-03-14 12:17:01 · answer #10 · answered by charmedchiclet 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋