Teaching Seikido : Techniques

1. 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.)
2. Always do the warming up exercises slowly at first, to 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 buttock muscles.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Make sure everyone moves together during all exercises; to maintain order, prevent collisions, and encourage team spirit.
6. 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.
7. Treat all students equally and show no favouritism. Make sure individual attention is distributed evenly among all students during the entire class.
8. Never strike or abuse a student under any circumstances. Controlled body contact is permitted only during sparring or self defense instructions.
9. Always maintain a quiet and calm demeanor--never appear to get flustered or frustrated, and never act temperamental, even under duress or in pain.
10. 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.
11. Teach the best techniques you know. Let the students know if you modify or replace older sparring or self defense techniques in the curriculum.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Encourage the students to help each other learn. Senior belts can be paired with more junior belts to reinforce proper techniques and behavior.
15. Always use positive reinforcement, which is the most productive teaching method. Praise good performance by the student when you notice it.
16. Avoid criticizing. If a student does a technique incorrectly, explain how to improve the physics of the movement or stance.
17. 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.
18. Never ridicule or embarrass a student under any circumstances, as it can destroy their self confidence.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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/her best, and has not instilled in him/her the respect required to be a good student.
23. 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.
24. 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.