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

I think this is a great question. “What should a person look for in a martial arts instructor?” The answer I will provide is not exhaustive in the things an individual may want to consider, but it will provide enough of the basic information to make an informed decision.

First, I am going to make an assumption that the person asking this question has already decided on a particular style of martial art. Having said that, it is generally a good idea to know where the style (that the person is going to study) originated from and who the founders of the system are. This will give insight and context when the instructor tells the prospective student where the instructor received his training/rank.

When investigating what styles/instructors you may be interested in, never be afraid to respectfully ask questions. As noted in another question, ”How do I know the person teaching is legit,” this inquiry is important because the individual seeking instruction needs to make sure that the person they are receiving the instruction from knows something about their art form and is qualified to teach that art. This becomes really apparent if the prospective student wants to move up in rank within that system.

Next, as a future student, it is important to know how long the instructor has been teaching. Along those same lines, find out who is going to be teaching the class. Do they (the head instructor) teach the class, or does someone else? If it is someone else, see if they allow people to view the course instruction before signing up. Also, can the instructor(s) do the moves and techniques they want their students to perform, and if not, do they at least have an instructor who can demonstrate the correct way to do the moves being asked of the student?

How many students are in that class? What is the typical student-to-teacher ratio or class size? How many days a week or classes can a person of your rank take part in? Do new students have to sign contracts in order to start training? If so, be mindful that committing may be difficult to withdraw from. A potential student may want to ask these questions to see how much individualized attention they are likely to receive when they start training.

Finally, what do some of the other instructors in the dojo (training hall) say about their instructor’s teaching knowledge, approach, and philosophy behind what they teach? What are other students saying about the dojo environment, teaching practices/principles, i.e., “good sportsmanship, or win at all costs?” Ultimately, as an eventual student, make sure that this style is a good fit and one you can commit to.  

Answer 3

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 4

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

Answer 5

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.