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Old 03-24-2009, 05:11 AM   #1
Erik Jögimar
Dojo: Linköping Budo club
Location: Motala
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 42
Sweden
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Ai symbol Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Good day!

I've had the pleasure of being one of this terms assigned assisting instructors, or "Helper" if we're going to translate directly from swedish. At the moment i'm holding yonkyu aikikai, and i'm feeling pretty secure in what is taught in beginners class, going over how i would explain things if i were demonstrating the waza.

What i am having trouble with, that perhaps someone here could share some suggestions or insight on, is how to get even more comfortable in the actual 'teaching' part. I've had opportunity to show tai no henko, mae/ushiro ukemi och sidefalls on my own - with sensei supervising of course. But i feel lost at times, unsure of what to bring up at what stage. To prioritise what needs to be covered first, and then built upon.

Anyone have any thoughts?

//Erik

Just give me your wrist!
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Old 03-24-2009, 06:43 AM   #2
Bob Blackburn
Location: PA
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 71
United_States
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Re: suggestions for assisting instructors?

It will get easier with experience. As long as they have the general idea of the technique, I usually give them one or two things to work on at a time. There are always endless things to work on. But, by focusing on just one or two, that part will improve more quickly. Maybe it is footwork, hip turn, or relaxing. Another class pick something else.

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Old 03-24-2009, 09:57 AM   #3
grondahl
Dojo: Stockholms Aikidoklubb
Location: Stockholm
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 601
Sweden
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Remember that sometimes less is more. Point out the big basic things and let the students train.
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Old 03-24-2009, 10:12 AM   #4
dave9nine
Dojo: Aikido Institute - Oakland
Location: Oakland
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 80
United_States
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

if you use at least some explanation (ie. the class is not completly silent--some dojos train like this), use expressions like "from what i understand of this technique," "as i learn more about this i see that..." "an aspect of this that im workin on now is..." "of course im still learnin this myself, but...." "as Sensei says...." "a point about this that Sensei stresses is...."

-dave
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Old 03-24-2009, 12:59 PM   #5
heathererandolph
Dojo: Kokikai Aikido Boston
Location: Boston
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 121
United_States
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

I was taught to never say anything negative, it's best to avoid "don't do this." That is easier said than done. Restraint in that the learning process is not that fast. It's very tempting to try to improve many aspects of someone's technique at once. Keep the talkng to a bare mimimum and always be upbeat. "Rome was not made in a day" as they say. Look for the one thing which will have the biggest improvement then maybe add something else if they have accomplished that. As an assistant instructor you have to realize that not everyone may be receptive to you right away. I suggest you look for students who are receptive to your teaching and focus on them. Don't waste time on a student who does not seem excited about what you have to say even if they could benefit from that A student is someone who wants to learn from you. Mostly its a matter of practice, you get better the longer you do it.
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Old 03-25-2009, 10:49 AM   #6
odudog
Dojo: Dale City Aikikai
Location: VA
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 394
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more. Teaching the art is just like learning the art. The more practice, the better you get. I'm in the same boat.
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Old 03-25-2009, 12:07 PM   #7
Walter Martindale
Location: Edmonton, AB
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 802
Canada
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Quote:
Mike Braxton wrote: View Post
Practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more. Teaching the art is just like learning the art. The more practice, the better you get. I'm in the same boat.
True, with a caveat.. Practice makes permanent. Practicing errors makes a person really good at making the errors. Practicing good fundamentals cuts down on errors and makes practice more productive.
"Here's what I think sensei does" or "Here's why I think your movement is failing, and if you change it this way (woops) see how much more easily you throw me"
as another has said - try to avoid "don't"
Walter
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Old 03-25-2009, 10:59 PM   #8
tarik
 
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Dojo: Iwae Dojo
Location: Boulder Creek, CA
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 568
United_States
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Quote:
Erik Jögimar wrote: View Post
Anyone have any thoughts?
Ask your teacher.

Regards,

Tarik Ghbeish
Jiyūshin-ryū AikiBudō - Iwae Dojo

MASAKATSU AGATSU -- "The true victory of self-mastery."
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Old 03-27-2009, 06:31 PM   #9
Rob Watson
Location: CA
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 697
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Start with foot work and work your way up to the head (ideals/ideas etc).

Many of us came to the art the other way around with our heads filled with ideals/ideas to the point that we were unable to even get the footwork ...

It sounded nifty in my head anyway.
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Old 03-27-2009, 11:10 PM   #10
Buck
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 950
United_States
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

When assisting, try footwork: Keep your foot out of your mouth, feet on the ground, keep at least one foot in the door and not up someone's....
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Old 05-01-2009, 11:30 AM   #11
ninjaqutie
 
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Dojo: Searching for a new home
Location: Delaware (<3 still in Oregon!)
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Posts: 1,004
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

I remember the first few times I taught, when I was about to show something.... I had somehow stepped into what our dojo liked to call "The Hole". All the sudden, any and all knowledge I had gained mysteriously dissapeared making me feel like a lost beginner all over again. I have found that it gets easier with time. Your sensei wouldn't have you teach something if they didn't think you were capable of teaching it, so take that confidence with you. I have also found that words sometimes are lost and that the movement and demonstrations are actually better absorbed.... especially for the new people as they are still working on the basics and aren't ready to focus on the finer points yet. Best of luck and remember it truly does get easier in time. Pretty soon, you will feel right at home up there!
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Old 05-01-2009, 11:33 AM   #12
ninjaqutie
 
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Dojo: Searching for a new home
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Re: Suggestions for assisting instructors?

Oh... one more thing... praise, praise and praise some more! If you need to correct someone, I prefered the method of praise then correct. For instance: if they are working on tai no henko: You did a great job keeping your body close to theirs, just remember to try to straighten that back leg.
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