On your way to a black belt in tae kwon do, it's more than likely that you'll be asked to help teach less-experienced students. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about your art, since explaining how the basics work gives you insight into the theory and mechanics of your martial art. Although the specific techniques you teach will vary by class, instructor and student, some basic principles remain the same, regardless of the particulars.
Step 1
Develop a list of basics you want to teach before class begins. This can be a formal lesson plan, or just an idea of what you hope the students will understand by the end of class. In a typical tae kwon do class, you should focus on two basic skills. Examples might include a punch and a kick, a stance and a block or a few bits of one of your poomse or taeguk forms.
Step 2
Incorporate the movements and muscles of the basics you teach during the stretches, warm-ups and calisthenics at the beginning of class. For example, leg lunges can help prepare the body for kick practice and squat thrusts incorporate elements of a horse stance.
Step 3
Apply a perform-practice-present structure to approaching each technique. Begin by performing the technique for your students to demonstrate the basics, then move through several drills to help them practice the move. Finish with the students presenting the technique for you -- or the entire class. This training method engages multiple modes of learning, so your students are more likely to understand and remember.
Step 4
Make personal, meaningful contact with each student at least twice during every class. This can be a heartfelt compliment, specific advice about a technique or any other personal communication. This will help your students stay motivated during -- and between -- their classes.
Step 5
Include work on kick shields, punching bags or focus mitts for every technique. Although practicing in the air can help initially encode a movement, the feedback from striking a target will tell you and your students whether or not they're using proper form. It's also fun, which should be a vital part of any tae kwon do class.
Tips and Warnings
- Stay patient. You're a black belt or black belt candidate in tae kwon do. It's a fair bet that your students will care and practice less with their tae kwon do than you do. It's your job to help them be the best they can, which has little to do with how good you are.
Things You'll Need
- Training space
- Kick shields
- Focus mitts
- Punching bags
References
- "Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was 22"; Stephen Oliver; 2005
- "The Art of Empowering Children"; John Graybeal; 2003
Member Comments