teaching question for all:

[Andrew Green]

If you are not an instructor that is fine, we can pretend What I'm looking for is opinions on teaching for different goals.

3 cases, all come too you for private lessons. We are also going to grant you unlimited martial arts knowledge, you've just mastered all disciplines and styles possible, congrats!

1 - This person wants to be a competitive fighter, Vale Tudo style fighting. They have no martial arts skills yet.

2 - This person is a LEO or security, has to regullarly deal with less then co-operative people. Wants to learn restraining, protecting self, and escorting style of techniques.

3 - This person is a smaller female, from a bad area with a history of bad relationships. She wants to learn ways to defend herself if assaulted by a larger male, either a unknown one, or a future partner showing a violent side.

4 - A teenager, with a not so great past. Has been in some fights, minor troubles with the law. His parents want him doing something rather then hanging out with the "wrong" people getting in to trouble, joining a gang, etc.

So the question is, what would be your priorities on each? What would you do that would be different in terms of teaching style, training methods and techniques?

 

[Hand Sword]

For: 1. Focus on BJJ, Boxing and Muay Thai drills
2. Focus on Aikido, or Chin na techniques
3. Focus on Nasty ground fighting skills, as that's where she''ll probably end up.
4. Have the teen focus on traditional ways, including the spiritual side.

 

[Jonathan Randall]

If you are not an instructor that is fine, we can pretend What I'm looking for is opinions on teaching for different goals.

3 cases, all come too you for private lessons. We are also going to grant you unlimited martial arts knowledge, you've just mastered all disciplines and styles possible, congrats!

1 - This person wants to be a competitive fighter, Vale Tudo style fighting. They have no martial arts skills yet.

2 - This person is a LEO or security, has to regullarly deal with less then co-operative people. Wants to learn restraining, protecting self, and escorting style of techniques.

3 - This person is a smaller female, from a bad area with a history of bad relationships. She wants to learn ways to defend herself if assaulted by a larger male, either a unknown one, or a future partner showing a violent side.

4 - A teenager, with a not so great past. Has been in some fights, minor troubles with the law. His parents want him doing something rather then hanging out with the "wrong" people getting in to trouble, joining a gang, etc.

So the question is, what would be your priorities on each? What would you do that would be different in terms of teaching style, training methods and techniques?

1. BJJ and Muay Thai.

2. Judo or BJJ mixed with some Aikido and EPAK or WELL TAUGHT (not a given) Krav Maga.

3. I'd concentrate mostly upon assault prevention and escape. "The Gift of Fear" and "Strong on Defense" would have to be read and studied to near perfection. After that, BJJ combined with EPAK.

4. Sport TKD - get's them productive and competitive without making them dangerous.

 

[Andrew Green]

In addition to techniques, how about training methods? How would you go about teaching a skill? drilling it? making it "effective"?

Also, lets' forget about individual styles for now

 

[Jonathan Randall]

In addition to techniques, how about training methods? How would you go about teaching a skill? drilling it? making it "effective"?

Also, lets' forget about individual styles for now

Good question.

For the young woman - definitely scenario based training with an emphasis upon awareness and avoidance with specific work on body language and verbal responses. Physically, lots of groundwork and close quarter's defense against intimidation weapons - knives and handguns - as well as mucho escapes against grabs and holds. I know you don't what particular styles, but I'd have to say that some BJJ training is essential here.

For the LEO, lots of weapons retention and arrest scenario matwork.

For the competitive fighter - lots of matches with other MMA fighters after they have learned basic grappling and striking skills. On the job training, so to speak.

For the troubled teen: lots of great workouts with lectures afterwords on character and integrity. Camping trips and other "fun stuff" to develop character and teamwork and get them focused on non "street" stuff.

Great thread, Andrew!

 

[Robert Lee]

First you would have to be open to training different aspect of peoples need. Not full training. For the person wanting to compet. You would have to look at what you can offer. if you can . You give them a stand up clinch and ground training . Wher you give them small amounts of each area that are useable workable applictions. Give them strong enderance training for putting them into shape to compete. For the security type you give them control applications From what you do and know. That are limited to the required level. As in this field you are charged with control with being over active in defence. For the woman you give her strong are defence Such as eyes groin . Then you give her ideas on what not to do in relationships and about being aware of her surroundingd and how to safely get to know a person befor you go alone with them. A women should be aware of useing car keys. pens pencils. Even carry a card that may say she has aids to use in emergancy purposses to off set an over active date or such. Ides of safety should be a strong mental training For women. not just defence training. But agin you look at what you can offer and how you can offer that. Many schools have a set standard they teach. And do not take on other levels of teaching. Then others will sepperate and do this in group or individual level training.

 

[MJS]

If you are not an instructor that is fine, we can pretend What I'm looking for is opinions on teaching for different goals.

3 cases, all come too you for private lessons. We are also going to grant you unlimited martial arts knowledge, you've just mastered all disciplines and styles possible, congrats!

1 - This person wants to be a competitive fighter, Vale Tudo style fighting. They have no martial arts skills yet.

BJJ, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai. Any of those or a combo. of a few of them. Training methods: Drilling position of the ground. All the submissions in the world aren't going to help if you can't maintain position. Footwork: This is key for proper movemnt both in avoiding as well as applying strikes. Bag work: working combos on focus and Thai pads. Sparring: Getting in with someone is the best way to get the feel for your techniques. Conditioning: This will happen naturally just from doing the mentioned things, but jumping rope, road work, etc. will be a plus.

2 - This person is a LEO or security, has to regullarly deal with less then co-operative people. Wants to learn restraining, protecting self, and escorting style of techniques.

Restraint needs to be exercised here, as the job of the LEO is not to stand there and trade blows, but instead, subdue the suspect. Having some ground work would be a plus. I'd also suggest something along the lines of Aikido, Hapkido, Arnis, etc. to provide a solid background with joint locks and manipulations. Training methods: Having the person apply these techniques on a 'subject' who does not want to have them applied to them. In other words: Aliveness, resistance, etc. (I've seen those words alot lately. )

3 - This person is a smaller female, from a bad area with a history of bad relationships. She wants to learn ways to defend herself if assaulted by a larger male, either a unknown one, or a future partner showing a violent side.

There are a number of arts she could study, but if shes looking for something fairly quick, I'd say something along the lines of Krav Maga. I'd also suggest some ground work. Not so much in the lines of worrying about submission, but how to escape a bad position, get back to your feet, and escape. Training methods: Have someone play the role of the 'bad guy'. This will involve padding up. I'd also suggest instruction on how to properly strike.

4 - A teenager, with a not so great past. Has been in some fights, minor troubles with the law. His parents want him doing something rather then hanging out with the "wrong" people getting in to trouble, joining a gang, etc.

Again, many arts to choose from. I'd look for something where the focus is on self discipline, self control, etc. Training methods: Work on re-programming him so to speak. Probably not the best choice of words, but I'm not talking about turning the kid into a robot. I'm saying, show and prove to him that there is nothing positive about a gang, how having run-ins with the law, can effect him when it comes time to enter the real world.

Mike

 

[Grenadier]

1 - This person wants to be a competitive fighter, Vale Tudo style fighting. They have no martial arts skills yet.

Make them well-rounded in both striking and grappling. Combine something such as Karate and Jiu-Jitsu, or boxing and wrestling, kickboxing and Sambo, etc. It's important to be able to do both in today's MMA world, hence the new term of MMA.

2 - This person is a LEO or security, has to regullarly deal with less then co-operative people. Wants to learn restraining, protecting self, and escorting style of techniques.

Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, or something similar, but in this case, make sure they get some kobudo training. As a secondary art, a striking style would supplement this very well, but the primary style would be more of a grappling one. Furthermore, the learning of kobudo would come in very handy, since such individuals usually carry melee weapons as well (nightstick, knife, etc).

3 - This person is a smaller female, from a bad area with a history of bad relationships. She wants to learn ways to defend herself if assaulted by a larger male, either a unknown one, or a future partner showing a violent side.

A striking art such as Karate, Gung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, as the primary style, and more of a self-defense training method as a secondary style. I doubt she's going to have the need to restrain the abusive one, since she's going to be fighting for her life, and what happens to the bad guy isn't the primary concern.

4 - A teenager, with a not so great past. Has been in some fights, minor troubles with the law. His parents want him doing something rather then hanging out with the "wrong" people getting in to trouble, joining a gang, etc.

In this case, a traditional system that places a strong emphasis on discipline would help. It's not really a matter of what specific style he trains in, but rather how the system is run.

 

[Ross]

4 - A teenager, with a not so great past. Has been in some fights, minor troubles with the law. His parents want him doing something rather then hanging out with the "wrong" people getting in to trouble, joining a gang, etc.

So the question is, what would be your priorities on each? What would you do that would be different in terms of teaching style, training methods and techniques?

I agree with most of the posts on here for the other three people. However, in my experience something like Judo would work best. It will tire them out very quickly and will give them an opportunity to release aggression within the rules. I would advise against a striking art as you would potentially give them something of an "arsenal" should they leave. Worse than this, you would give them increased confidence to go out and think they are the dogs danglies and end up getting into a lot more trouble than they are already in. I have seen this happen a lot with kids.

Never lecture them on anything!! Otherwise you will be regarded as an authority figure and instantly something to rebel against.

Teaching methods you would need to take a firm but fair approach. Reward and encourage. If necessary giving them a sense of responsibility actually is proven to work very well. Ie, ask them to help you out with the junior class (teaching kids what they know).

 

[Phoenix44]

Small woman with history of bad relationships: Self esteem issues, conflict avoidance, basic self defense.

Law enforcement: jujutsu has great locks and submissions.

Teenager with bad past: any art, with emphasis on self esteem and self discipline.

Competitive fighter: strategy, fitness (cardio, flexibility, strength and speed), combination of martial disciplines