Becoming an instructor in JKD

[EGstudent]

I've been studying JKD for the past 3 years and I am intrerested in possibly teaching later on in life. I'm 19 years old and i have no previous martial arts training.I've been studying Jun Fan, Kali, Silat, Muay thai over the past 3 years but i have no basis in a form based system. Do you think that hinders my possiblity of becoming an instructor or being a good one? I feel that i have a knack for teaching. Any advice would be helpful.

[elitecombatives]

I think a good knack for teaching is more important than anything - including a knowledge of the style itself!!!

If you're really interested and want to know some options for how to go about earning an instructorship under some credible folks without spending a fortune, e-mail me at home. I'll gladly share some avenues with you, and I'll give you some contact numbers for some people who won't steer you wrong. My address is OdysseyResearch@adelphia.net.

Remember, an instructor's greatest responsibility is not to be the best martial artist on the floor. His greatest responsibility is making his students the best they can be. Good instructors should be judged far less by their own talent, and far more by the quality of their students. Few people, after all would make the case that Angelo Dundee could have whipped Muhammad Ali, but Angelo's the guy who taught Ali how to whip everyone else!!

Mike is correct. Being a teacher is a great responsibility. One of those include being knowledgeble in what you are teaching. From what your 3 years of training states, you would be teaching edged weapons to your future students. This is a BIGGGGG deal especially if your telling someone how to survive and or use a blade. It would be a good idea to train directly under some credible folks as Mike mentioned and then have a solid lineage for your students to be proud off (which will not hurt) Just my thoughts. GOOD LUCK with your teaching goal!!

[elitecombatives]

Guro Dan Inosanto once said at an Instructor's Camp that teaching the blade is the single greatest moral test in the martial arts. That statement, along with a lot of what I've seen in Emergency Rooms and in some of the dirtier streets in the world, I agree.

GREAT QUOTE

[EGstudent]

My instructor is a very good instructor. He trained in lots of other systems before teaching jkd,fma,muay thai,silat,csw, and judo. I don't know. In order to be a teacher you have to understand how other martial artists train. This is a very broad subject. I've only been training for 3 years and i've learned more than in any other facet of my life.I'm also a musician. I've been playing drums for 5 years. Martial arts has helped my drumming a great deal. Especially Filipino Martial Arts.

[M.Viking]

Be careful

I say be careful before you devoted time and money to becoming an instructor.

Check out my experience here:

http://www.saifanmartialarts.com/journal.html

Give your training more time. 3 years seems like too little of time to just prepare yourself to teach.

[EGstudent]

I'm still only 3 years into it but i'm just thinking about the future somewhat. Even if i don't become an instructor i would continue doing martial arts for the rest my life.I should becareful though. Teaching the someone how to use a blade and defend against one is a very huge responsibility. I may not become skillfull enough to teach it. But i'll at least try. Thanks for the input guys.