World Seikido//teaching

STUDENT - INSTRUCTOR RELATIONSHIP

Seikido combines traditional oriental philosophy, as described by General Choi Hong Hi, who founded modern Tae Kwon Do shortly after World War 11, with the latest practical teaching methods. Tae Kwon Do has for centuries been an integral part of the culture and heritage of Korean society. It is a martial art and sport, practiced on military training fields and in school gymnasiums, as well as private schools. As a martial art, it attempts to build a strong sense of justice, fortitude, and humility, with its strict discipline, physical conditioning, and mental training. It is the proper mental attitude which separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist content with learning only the fighting techniques of the art.

General Choi describes the relationship between student and instructor as based upon Confucian values, which teach that the child remains implicitly obedient and loyal to his parents throughout his life. From these values, the student learns that he is expected always to obey and respect his instructor. It is the instructor's responsibility to build good character, to teach students to be physically and morally strong, and to help contribute to a more peaceful world.

A dedicated and sincere instructor is an absolute necessity for any martial arts school; and the school can only grow and mature with equally dedicated and sincere students. Both instructor and student have a great responsibility to each other, and their relationship must be based upon mutual respect.

A GUIDE TO INSTRUCTORS

Never tire of teaching. A good instructor can teach anywhere and any time. Remember you cannot abdicate the role of teacher, even outside the gym.
Teach scientifically and theoretically to the best of your knowledge, and continually strive to improve your knowledge. Keep up with the latest techniques and incorporate them into the curriculum.
Be eager for your students to surpass you, it is the ultimate compliment. A student should never be held back. Send students to a higher instructor or different school if they have developed beyond your teaching capabilities for their particular aptitude or ambition.
Encourage students to visit other training halls and tournaments. They may observe techniques suited to them, and they may learn by comparing their own techniques to inferior techniques.
Realize your responsibility for the welfare of your students. Help them develop good contacts outside the gym. Encourage them to get to know each other. There may be professional services or business opportunities which can be beneficial to other students.
The students' development should take precedence over commercialism. Concern with materialism will lose the respect of students.
Maintain a formal relationship with the students, and avoid social or personal familiarity. Personal affairs with students will lose their respect and could create uncontrollable situations and a dishonorable reputation. Never take advantage of students by way of your position of authority and leadership.
Never betray a trust given in confidence.
Always set a good example. Respect must continually be earned, and never be taken for granted.
Always be honest. Never attempt to defraud your students. Integrity is an essential part of leadership. Make decisions based on what is best for the students and the school.

TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES

Line the students up in straight lines and rows, according to rank, highest belt facing front at right. Wait for absolute silence. Bow to the flags (at front) and bow to the instructor at the beginning and end of each class, as a formal ceremony. (Can begin in "seiza" ["murup gula"] to bow to flags.)
Always do the warming up exercises slowly at first, give the large muscles time to stretch to prevent injury. Do cool down exercises at the end of class after strenuous activity, especially stretching the large leg and butt muscles.
Do medically correct exercises only. Do not slavishly copy old fashioned exercises which you learned from other instructors. Investigate the purpose and effect of each exercise before teaching it, and discard any which are useless or potentially harmful. Remember "no pain no gain" is nonsense. Overexertion or injury will slow a student's ability to learn and progress.
Encourage students to do warm up, stretching, and conditioning exercises outside the formal class time, before class or at home, so that more time can be spent teaching actual techniques. Inform them that it is their own responsibility to get in shape, especially for competition.
Make sure everyone moves together during all exercises; to maintain order, prevent collisions, and encourage team spirit.
Explain proper techniques and why they are to be performed in the manner they are taught. Explain the physics behind the movements, and show their component parts. If a student correctly understands the physics, they can practice and consolidate the technique, and can eventually teach it themselves.
Treat all students equally and show no favoritism. Make sure individual attention is distributed evenly among all students during the entire class.
Never strike or abuse a student under any circumstances. Controlled body contact is permitted only during sparring or self defense instructions.
Always maintain a quiet and calm demeanor, never appear to get flustered or frustrated, and never act temperamental, even under duress or in pain.
Encourage the students to ask questions; and always answer questions to the best of your knowledge. If you do not know the answer, tell the student you will try to find out, then make sure you do.
Teach the best techniques you know. Let the students know if you modify or replace older sparring or self defense techniques in the curriculum.
Try to teach every student something new every class; but not more than they can absorb and remember. Allow time to practice new techniques. Pre-arranged step sparring or self defense should form part of every class.
Try to make each class a joyful experience, for yourself as well as the students. Appreciate the emotional thrill a student can experience from accomplishing new things which they had previously thought they were incapable of doing.
Encourage the students to help each other learn. Senior belts can be paired with more junior belts to reinforce proper techniques and behavior.
Always use positive reinforcement, which is the most productive teaching method. Praise good performance by the student when you notice it.
Avoid criticizing. If a student does a technique incorrectly, explain how to improve the physics of the movement or stance.
If a student must be criticized, do it in private. - Explain that undesirable behavior can not be tolerated, because it is discourteous, wastes the other students' time, makes it difficult for others to learn, and may result in injuries to others as well as to themselves.
Never ridicule or embarrass a student under any circumstances, as it can destroy their self confidence.
Try to build self confidence and self esteem in each student. It is essential to producing excellent students. This is best accomplished by repeatedly complimenting students for some attribute, action, or accomplishment, so that they feel good about themselves.
After a grading test, make a point in front of the class of acknowledging and congratulating each student for passing. After a tournament, make a point of complimenting each student for every award, or just acknowledging their courage and initiative for even participating.
Students must always be treated respectfully. It is essential that their dignity be maintained. This will help them, especially children, learn to be respectful of others.
Punishment is never to be used as a teaching tool, because it is degrading and counter productive to learning a responsible attitude. Misbehavior is always the instructor's fault. If a student needs to be punished, it indicates that the instructor has failed to motivate the student to accomplish his best, and has not instilled in him the respect required to be a good student.
If a student exhibits undesirable behavior, it usually indicates insecurity, especially among children. Make an effort to praise something positive they do, even if it is difficult, in order to encourage more positive behavior.
If a student obviously does not want to participate, you may eventually have to ask them to leave. You may have to explain to the parents that they really do not want to be here and should try another activity.

STUDENT RULES

Proper etiquette is an essential part of your training. Please observe the following rules seriously:

Bow to the front upon entering or leaving the gym.
Bow when first meeting an Instructor.
Address the Instructor as "Sir".
Answer clearly with "Yes Sir!" when your name is called or when you are asked to line up.
Keep your uniform clean and complete at all times.
Keep fingernails and toenails neatly trimmed.
No shoes, hats, jewelry, gum, food or drink in the gym.
No loud talking, profanity, horseplay, or running games in the gym or the halls.
Always treat other persons and their property with courtesy and respect, inside or outside the gym.
Sit cross legged or in kneeling position. Avoid sitting with your back to the Instructor, or with legs stretched out. No lying on the floor or leaning on walls.
Keep quiet while the Instructor is speaking or demonstrating techniques.
Remember you are here to learn. A respectful, humble, and receptive attitude toward the art and your instructor's efforts to teach you is advised.
Carry out the instructor's directives promptly, do not keep the rest of the class waiting for you.
If you are having trouble learning a technique, first try to figure it out by watching others, then raise your hand or approach the Instructor for help.
Do not teach any techniques without the instructor's permission to do so.
Set a good example for the other students, especially for lower belts.
Be on time, warm up or practice before class begins. If you arrive late, sit stretching your legs quietly on the floor at the back of the gym until the Instructor grants permission for you to join the class.
Request permission from the Instructor if you have to leave the gym for any reason before class ends.
You are responsible for your guests. During class they may observe quietly on the seats provided in the gym, and leave during breaks or at the end of class.
Notify the Instructor if you are unable to attend for more than one week.
Please pay your membership dues promptly, at the beginning of the term.
Never misuse the techniques which are taught. Seikido techniques are not to be used outside the gym unless your safety or the safety of others with you is in jeopardy. Your conduct reflects upon the art and the Instructor.

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