How do you become a martial arts teacher?

Question

Im a 2nd degree black belt and I was wondering since I live in a place with all kinds of community centers and stuff how in the world do I sign up to teach a class? I wanna teach even if its only to little kids. I mean I can't even figure out to teach under young olympians

Answer 1

Maybe contact the YMCA and also Boy Clubs in your area. It sounds like you have moved away from your home school or they would be wanting you to teach there.

Just contact the director of the these community centers and find out if they are interested in offering these classes. Understand that there is a liability issue on their part so it is nothing personal if they decline.

It is admirable that you are seeking to give something back to the community where you are now residing.

Answer 2

There is no way possible you can learn online to effectively study the arts. You can learn the moves and the terminology, but the actual application you need to be in an atmosphere that will allow you to practice with others. There are so many things you have to be aware of, such as, the natural reactions of the body when struck, the different, counter techniques and coutnless other things that an instructor would have to be present for you to even know if you're doing correctly. Unless it's a group of you practicing with each other (which wouldn't be safe or smart) then I can't see how online martial arts would do you any good. Besides learning how to protect yourself involves actually protecting yourself in situations where you can build that comfort and confidence and that only happens in training.

Answer 3

I'd say that you teach by example. You don't need a building to do that. Depending on what style you teach will determine the requirements as far as space. I train and teach at three diff. places in and around my town. At an estab. dojo, in my garage and in the basement of a friend. Once you find a location that will allow you to teach just get the word out that you have classes in "X" style of martial arts. It may take time to estab. yourself but once you do you can start making plans to move to a building of your own. You have to decide weather you want to be a martial arts teacher that has a "real job" or a martial arts teacher that does it full time. This is an important question. I know that there have been questions like that on this site and you should check them out.

Answer 4

I'll assume that your own instructor required that you assist at his/her school and that you participate in leadership training, so that you have teaching experience under your belt, so to speak.

Contact the association through which your black belt certifications were issued and ask whether they offer instructor certification courses. Many martial arts associations do not recognize their black belts as instructors unless they have taken their certification courses. Our association, for example, offers a weekend "boot camp" style of instructor certification, after which an instructor candidate must pass both a written and practical exam. But then again, I know of one prominent association in the US in which the only requirement for instructor certification is paying the head of the association $150.

Next, make a list of the community centers in your area. Before you even contact them, visit them. If they have web sites, check them out online to see what kind of comparable classes they offer. If you want to teach Shotokan Karate, you can pretty much cross off a community center that already teaches Shorin-Ryu, for example. But if a center offers Judo and Ju Jutsu, they may be open to adding another martial art. Don't assume that if a center does not offer any arts that it's the place for you. Sadly, a lot of centers refuse to offer martial arts because they fear that it promotes "fighting" or because their liability insurance will not cover contact sports.

Once you've checked out what some of the centers in your area offer -- and which centers seem to match your philosophy in teaching (ie, if you are all for family togetherness, the Y is for you; to help youth in need, try the local Boys' and Girls' Clubs, etc.) -- put together a proposal. Describe:
• the martial arts style you wish to teach and your experience training and teaching this art
• what kind of class/classes you want to offer
• the times you wish to offer these classes
• the age range for these classes
• the approximate space you'll need for these classes
• any special class requirements (mirrors, mats)
• how long your classes will run (half hour, hour, etc)
• whether you will require uniforms (a BIG thing since a lot of people who use community centers have limited funds)
• how you will handle rank tests
• what you would like to charge for your classes
• whether you have First Aid/CPR
• whether you have liability insurance

Note that some community centers will ask you to become an employee in order to teach. This will mean that you will get an hourly wage rather than a flat fee per student or per class.

Don't mail these proposals out. Call the community centers and ask for the name of the director who handles martial arts (usually sports or fitness directors). Then ask to be transferred to that person's line. Speak to them (if it's voicemail, call back later). Let them know what you'd like to do and that you have a proposal for new classes. You may get a not interested or a not at this time. Thank them, then call the main desk, find out when that person is usually in, then go in person and introduce yourself in person and give them the proposal to review and keep on file. Perseverance and energy are fabulous marketing tools in your favor.

Understand that if you choose to teach to small children (say, ages 4 and 5) you will be interacting more with their parents, pleasing their parents, doing positive customer service with their parents. You also need to be able to relate to these young students while maintaining discipline in your class room. If you have no particular curriculum for this age, I suggest checking out NAPMA's Little Ninjas, Century's Little Dragons, and Dawn Barnes' Tiger Tots. These children's curriculums are cross-platform, not necessarily connected to any specific art but a gentle intro to martial arts, complete with uniforms, incentive patches, belts, you name it.

From our experience, I strongly recommend limiting your 4 and 5 year old class to 12 students, your 6 and 7 year old class to 14 to 16, and your 8 to 11 year old class to 12. After age 12, we consider them adult.

I hope this helps you with your instructing goals.

Answer 5

I think you should ask one of your teachers maybe for suggestions on teaching and inquire with your martial arts group about younger teachers. Maybe you could teach an 'elective' so people could see if they liked it!

As a side note, I'm getting my very first lesson tomorrow so I'm very excited!

Answer 6

you usually have to get certified by your school before you can teach. I think that may also require a higher degree in belt ranking, but it depends on the school. If you just start right off the bat you could get sued.

Answer 7

to teach you need to be veryfied by your teacher that you can teach and allowed now things you need that your teacher cant help you with is : Insurance
first aid
mandatory course (you have to do this now its law especially if you work with kids under a certain age) Good luck

Answer 8

well how i think you could start is talk to your sensei. see if there are any programs that he seems fit for you. It's a whole different world trying to teachit than to learn trust me i know. but find out if your senei thinks your eligible for a job or maybe contact adult school programs.

Answer 9

get in touch with a community center and tell them what you want to do and see if they would be interested in renting the building to you....its really not that hard, just time consuming. just remember to be polite and patient even if they give you the run-around! good luck

Answer 10

Yupchagee is correct, also find out about local laws in your area.