Junior Black Belt Class

Junior Black Belt Class

Weapons training week is usually the 3rd week of the month; be sure to check the calendar in the dojo. BB are expected to wear their hakama.

TEACHING

At Kensho-Ryu, teaching is part of training. Brown belts with 2 stripes and up are required to help teach at least once a month. Classes are full these days, so there is always someone to help. Check the schedule for class times, and be sure to sign your name on the big calendar in the dojo on the day you teach so that you will get credit. Classes starting at 4pm are where the most help is needed

Remember when teaching, yelling at the kids and giving push-ups doesn't usually work to control behavior, especially on the younger children. Be firm, yet even-tempered, make eye contact when you speak to the students and lead class. Lead with confidence plus a strong (not angry-sounding) voice, and the children will respect your leadership. Your energy level will be matched by the students, so be motivated! Keeping young students active and engaged is the best way to control behavior. Smile and be friendly! If they seem focused and happy to learn, you are teaching well. If they are unfocused and misbehaving, look to yourself to do something different.

Explore using many ways of explaining the same thing. Voice commands, visual commands (letting students copy your movements) and touch commands (tapping the arm or leg, helping them find a stance) are 3 basic techniques to teaching. Be sure to experiment with all of them. Different kids respond to different teaching methods.

Also please remember to keep conversations with other student instructors quiet and towards the back corner of the dojo. It's great that you can use this time to see friends, but don't let socializing become a distraction in the class. Never talk while standing in front of the class during announcements, putting on belts, etc. Do not snack during the time you are teaching.

LEADING BASICS, BLOCKING FORMS:

speak loudly and clearly with confidence

start with "front position, kibadachi" for hand strikes

start with "right foot back" for kicks

do the right, then the left for each kick

start with "front position" for blocking forms

keep it simple for the younger kids and lower ranks

focus will drift if you spend too long on basics, break it up

WHEN TEACHING

DO NOT bring food or drink into the dojo area. Have your snack in the lobby and enter when you are finished.

DO NOT lean on the wall or keep a relaxed posture when leading. This is body language that makes instructors appear unfocused and uncaring. Be alert and upbeat.

DO NOT sit your group down and work with students one at a time. Find a way to keep them busy.

DO use eye contact, let students know you are watching how they perform, not just barking commands.

DO give small personal corrections.

DO be kind in your manner.

DO keep in mind the age and rank you are dealing with.

REMEMBER our dojo is judged by its instuctors. Be sure to conduct yourself in a professional way, as if this were a job. You represent the Kensho-Ryu organization when you help teach, we count on you to make us look great!.

FOOD IS FUEL !

Students who wish to become serious about their goals in the martial arts need to consider their diet as part of their training. Because students have growth spurts, turn on the effort in class and begin to put on serious muscles, nutrition is as important as practicing and doing those extra push-ups. Unfortunately many of the foods that taste so good are the wrong kinds of food to consume when training. The foods students need to consider are what will give them energy, help them build muscle, and hydrate.

Energy foods are what a student wants to eat before class. Carbohydrates that are high fiber, low sugar cereals and granola, fruits such as apples and bananas, multigrain bread, nuts and granola bars are good choices before a workout. These foods release energy in increments, not the quick up and down of processed sugary snacks and soda. A smoothie made with rice or soy milk, yogurt and some fruit is a good pre-workout drink.

Protein is what students need to eat after class to feed the growth of strong muscles. A piece of meat or a protein drink is great after class and just what your body wants. Students with an evening class may want try “splitting their dinner” by having the carbohydrate and vegetable serving before class, and the meat portion afterwards.

Water or Gatorade are the best choices for drinks before or after class. Drink some before, and have something ready immediately afterwards. Caffeinated drinks, coolatas and sodas are the worst. Did you know that carbonated drinks have an ingredient that robs your body of calcium? Growing kids need calcium to be tall and strong. Coolata/coffee drinks dehydrate the body quickly and are loaded with unnecessary fat and sugar.

You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of sweets, but keep in mind that food is fuel. Optimizing your training means putting good things into your system. High rank sets the example to our younger students. Let’s keep the Dunkin Donuts to a minimum. Buy an apple or banana or granola bar at Dave’s once in a while. Eat well. Your performance in class will improve. Your skin will be healthy. You will be in a better mood. Isn’t the martial arts about putting your best effort into everything you do?

Email if you want some ideas for healthy snacks at the dojo, or if you have some to share...

mail@shikonryu.com