Martial arts clubs – are old teaching methods outdated for kids?
Nov
I am often approached by parents looking to get their children into martial arts, typically this is met with throw away (pun intended) comments such as “discipline” and “self-confidence”.
Yet how do we develop those qualities – is it through traditional old school methods, expecting kids to follow our orders and if they step out of line tell them off? No.
In modern learning environments, it’s essential to give children creative space to explore and grow. This can be achieved by integrating martial arts with innovative teaching methods that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and self-expression. For example, instead of solely focusing on technique and discipline, instructors can encourage kids to develop their own styles and engage in creative movement drills. To do this we have to think about our training sessions, which requires times.
If we want to work on the above qualities we have to allow CREATIVITY and give them a space a to explore their own PERSONALITIES. This process takes time, and does not happen over night, which is why we see in a lot of teaching environments when children over step the immediate response is to get them back in line, which although works short term – later down the line the cracks shows. In martial arts, these cracks tend to be quitting the sport.
Creating a growth-oriented environment – What does this look like in a Martial Arts Club?
Simple, it involves allowing for mistakes and experimentation, This holistic approach can better prepare kids for the complexities of modern life, fostering resilience, creativity, and adaptability.
The hardest job for a coach is creating flexible sessions which allow this, Instead of saying put a foot there or put an arm there, create task based drills which help children discover why they need to put a foot there or an arm there. Although short term this may not help them do a specific throw, or hold down. Long term it’ll create an free thinking human, who can adapt and react, and most importantly have the self belief that their own mind can come up with solutions without being given all the answers.
It’s also extremely important to note that not being given all the answers is stressful, if your boss told you to complete a task with 0 guidance this would be stressful. So as a coach it’s our job to reduce this stress to create a better learning environment. This could be done by giving them them rough ideas and making sure they are aware that if they do mess up, it won’t be met with negative remarks from a coach, but instead support and someone to discuss the issue they are discovering.
As a coach, I sometimes mess up – use the wrong dialect or wrong coaching cues. But if you think about coaching more and strive to be person led coach I believe long term you will better a children’s life.
Pankration Grappling School, a Portishead martial arts club focuses on creating these environments .for both children and adults in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo Classes.
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