| If you've been a karate instructor for any length of | | | | one definition of madness is doing the same thing over |
| time you will no doubt know that your success in | | | | and over again with the expectation of different |
| retaining your students comes down to one key factor | | | | results. As a karate instructor your job is to make sure |
| - keeping your students highly motivated to continue | | | | that your students' skill level is constantly improving |
| training. How do you do this while still maintaining your | | | | through repetition while making it seem to them as if |
| focus on delivering a high quality program? | | | | they are constantly learning something new each |
| The majority of karate clubs have a wide range of | | | | lesson. This is achieved by developing multiple drills and |
| students usually starting at around age 4 and going all | | | | teaching techniques that focus on the same core |
| the way up to 74 or older. Often within this student | | | | competencies that are needed to grow as a martial |
| base there are the highly-motivated and gung-ho | | | | artist. By doing this your students will always look |
| students who would practice running up a wall | | | | forward to coming to class because they will be |
| backwards if you told them it would help give them the | | | | excited to see what they will be studying that day. |
| edge over their fellow club members. Then there are | | | | Repeating the same lesson in the same way over and |
| hobbyists who approach their training from a slightly | | | | over is a sure recipe for low student retention. |
| more balanced perspective. Generally this group of | | | | 3. Implement an effective ranking system |
| students practice pretty hard and come to class | | | | The path to black belt is a long and arduous journey |
| regularly but karate is not the number one item on their | | | | and the majority of students won't make it. Therefore |
| daily to-do list. The final group of students is made up | | | | it is necessary to recognize the importance of an |
| of those who say they want to get their black belt but | | | | effective ranking system so that your students have |
| are strangers to the concept of doing the hard work | | | | regular "success stepping stones". These "success |
| to get there. | | | | stepping stones" are your different colored belts. Make |
| So how do you motivate this diverse set of | | | | sure that you have a clear belt system that students |
| individuals? Here are three simple tips to get you | | | | can strive for with regular testing - usually every three |
| started: | | | | months. However be careful not to overwhelm your |
| 1. Set your students up for success | | | | students with multiple stripes and sub-ranks that only |
| As human beings we all need to feel like we are being | | | | serve to confuse them even more. Keep it simple and |
| successful. We like our efforts to be recognized and | | | | clear so that students know exactly what is expected |
| we seek approval from those whom we respect. | | | | of them. |
| Your karate students are no different. Positive praise | | | | With these three simple tips you can go a long way to |
| produces positive progress. There is nothing more | | | | effectively motivate your students. For additional |
| powerful than a genuine comment from you that | | | | relevant ideas on effective teaching methods please |
| praises something about your student's effort in class | | | | read my FREE Report on "Instructor Mastery: How to |
| or their recent improvement. We've all heard the | | | | Become a Great Instructor Right from the very First |
| phrase "people don't care how much you know until | | | | Lesson." Download it at [ |
| they know how much you care." Show your students | | | | Good luck and best wishes to you on your honorable |
| that you genuinely care about them and that you truly | | | | and noble role in teaching. Feel free to write to me at |
| want the best for them in their training. | | | | with any questions you have on your practice or your |
| 2. Disguise repetition | | | | teaching. |
| Repetition is the mother of skill but at the same time | | | | |