Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory and Communication Techniques in the Dojo

by Lawrence A. Kane

" This is the book instructors want to have on their desk, open, and dog-eared ." -- Kris Wilder

While the old adage, "those who can't do, teach," is not entirely true, all too often "those who can do" cannot teach effectively. This book is unique in that it offers a holistic approach to teaching martial arts; incorporating elements of educational theory and communication techniques typically overlooked in budo.

Teachers will improve their abilities to motivate, educate, and retain students, while students interested in the martial arts will develop a better understanding of what instructional method best suits their needs.
The author's approach balances the reality that martial arts instructs are responsible for ensuring the safety of practitioners who learn potentially deadly techniques with the truism that if their classes are not enjoyable and productive no one will participate in them.

Genres: Martial Arts

214 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive, though basic overview of teaching. As one other reviewer commented, this is what you learn year one. I was looking for something that covered the next steps, that adressed us who've been teachers for a number of years. This is not it.

This is NOT a bad book. In this day & age a three star rating is equal to a public flogging but I mean it as a 3/5 mark is intended; Slightly above average. I mean, I could question the whole effort of involving the Meyers Briggs methodology (not all that scientific anymore), or the self-administered psychology test at the end. The intention is nice but in my mind those two things require books of their own to be of any real use. But most of the thoughts & ideas put forward in here are good and valid and can be put to use in any dojo.

[Jaime Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Used it when I wanted to offer classes to those in need within my own community. I taught intense self-defense classes. Classes were given from my garage...but that didn't mean it had to be anything less than a first class experience. Working with children and youth as well as mothers--it was critical to be able to communicate on many levels.

This book was one of my 'bibles' in how to create a consistent method of communication, which was very successful. Highly recommended reading.

[Yadira Denisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very basic concepts for a beginner instructors! I pretty much learn most if not all its concepts when I started teaching at 15! Everything else came with practice...and good mentorship and leadership of course.