What should I look for in a martial arts instructor?

Answer 1

There are many answers to this question. First, you need to determine what style of martial arts you are interested in, whether a soft style (like Tai Chi) or a hard style (karate, taekwondo, etc.), or something in between (like Wing Chun Kung Fu).

Second, you need to make sure that the instructor actually trains real skills. Just like some college professors barely teach (I have heard some horror stories), some martial arts instructors barely teach. Look for certifications and testimonials.

Third, you want to look at personality. Good instructors will be confident but not arrogant. They will be kind yet firm. They will be personally invested in those they teach. That is how I teach and how ANY good teacher of anything will teach. :-)

Answer 2

You should look for a person with compassion, experience, and knowledge of the art form you’re interested in learning. Much like with any other subject, tutoring/teaching in Martial Arts requires the same qualities and intents as teaching/tutoring in any other field of study. So look for a teacher that fits what you need!

Answer 3

Originality, knowledge, focused on the basics and dedicated to the students.

Answer 4

Find an instructor who can help you reach your goals! Talk about your goals with your potential instructor; some coaches specialize in training for competition, while others focus on training for fun or fitness.

Once you've used your goals to narrow down your list of potential instructors, your focus should be finding an instructor whose teaching style best fits your learning style. Ask how they would describe their teaching style. Different coaches bring different levels of energy, detail, and explanation.