Age of Instructor

[drunken mistress]

Does anyone have any thoughts on what age of instructor they prefer? I started Shukokai Karate with a 54-year-old woman teacher. She could kick really high and I found that very encouraging as did many of the older students in her class. I started at 48 so it was particularly good for me seeing someone older kicking that high. She left the country and we now have a young guy (early twenties). He does Freestyle and is much more into jumping kicks and sparring. I still like it and the young kids seem to enjoy it a little bit more.

 

[Thesemindz]

As a student I've never given it any thought. I have an excellent instructor. As an instructor though, I was a little worried that adults might have a problem taking instruction from someone in their early twenties, but I've never had any problems. I treat every student the same regardless of age, sex, race, religion, creed, shoe size, political affiliation, pancakes or waffles, regular or diet Dr. Pepper, and I've only ever recieved respect in return. I think if the instructor has something to teach, and the student is willing to learn, age won't be a barrier. I learn from the students in the kids class all the time, and they're less than half my age and alot less than a third my size.

-Rob

 

[bart]

The age of the instructor never bothers me as long as they have time in the system (a couple years behind them). My opinion depends more on their knowledge and capability.

As an instructor there is always a little bit of difficulty in teaching when you are young or look young. The young people find it a little hard to accept you as anything other than their peer. The older people find it hard to accept advice and instruction from someone so much their junior. If you are skillfull, respectful, and honest then you will overcome those obstacles and be an effective teacher to those that are open minded enough to overcome their initial quams.

 

[Shinzu]

my instructor is a 5th degree and is 23. he started when he was 5. at first i was a skeptic because he looked so young, but when he performs it is amazing.

he is the real deal.

 

[karatekid1975]

My first instructor was 36 when I started. He was a 4th dan at the time.

My second instructor is 8th dan and is 48, I think.

My instructor now is 37 and a 5th dan, testing for his 6th in August.

My opinion matches Barts. Age really doesn't matter as long as they put their time in the art and have a great knowledge about it. They must have good teaching skills as well.

 

[markulous]

Like Thesemindz said, you can learn from anyone. To me, age isn't an issue as long as the instructor has wisdom and experience.

 

[Shodan]

I agree with Bart as well- as long as the person doing the instructing is respectful and knows their material, I don't mind the age. My very first instructor was in his 30's (I was 13), my second instructor when I was still in my teens was in his 40's, my third and fourth instructors when I was in my early 20's were in their 30's and my current instructor is just 2 years older than I am (I am now 31). I have run into some higher-ranking younger practicioners with little or no respect that I had a lot of trouble learning from and I have also run into some students that are much older than I am that have trouble learning from me........don't know if that was age or gender-related though- older males learning from a much younger female.

:asian: :karate:

 

[loki09789]

I don't know if 'age' is so much my concern with instructors as much as maturity and skill as a teacher as well as a practitioner.

When I was in TKD, I was a 20 year old Marine and one of the junior instructors was a 14 year old black belt. He was very mature and confident. Mainly he was given technique and kata to teach to us, with some sparring tactic training - but even sparring tactics in TKD are things like one step and three step sparring. He was an excellent sparring fighter and took it to me on many occasions.

One thing that can happen with younger instructors or less mature ones of any age (I have had a few) that he didn't try and do was to act like he was 'as good as a Marine' because he was a black belt. He was fast as he** and strong for his age. He was extremely knowledgeable about athletic training in general as well. His confidence was based on good character and up bringing and a realistic view of the scope of his training.

I wouldn't call it humility because, in his arena of TKD, he was the senior, but his ego was intact and not inflated because of his training. Conversely, he wasn't harboring an insecurity that pushed him to 'prove' that he was as good as servicemen, adults, or anyone that he may have percieved as 'superior.' He had really good 'sense of himself' for lack of a better term. I have seen this self esteem/lack of maturity kind of thing in martial arts with adult instructors both men and women, as well as some 'junior black belt' instructors.

I guess it comes down to maturity and character. Even so, I would have a hard time taking a 14/15 year old 'combatives art' instructor teaching sentry take outs and knife fighting tactics in the US at least.

Paul Martin

Paul M.

 

[Bod]

My teacher is 84 today. Happy Birthday Percy Sekine!

 

[tshadowchaser]

I may have posted this befor but it needs reaying.
When I startd in Sikaran I already had a Blak Belt in another system. My Instructor in Sikaran gave me over to a 10 year old for the first month or so. I learned the basic blocks and Kicks ( some of which where different from what i did) and much more from that young man. He had been studying for about 3 years and Knew what he showed me verry well.
Therefor the age of the person makes no difference to me, if that person has the knowledge and ability to pass it on
Just my thoughts :asian:

 

[satans.barber]

We have four instructors, of ages 22 (me), ~34, 36 and 54, I think the spread gives the students a nice variety.

I don't see that age matters though, it's competancy that's important, although I think people under 18 or so may not have the confidence to address large groups and as such may struggle a bit.

Ian.

 

[7starmantis]

The only time I think age matters is when experience comes into play. At a young age, its hard to have alot of experience practicing your system. Even if you did it as a child, it is different as an adult.

7sm

 

[Seig]

This question plagued me for years. I have wanted to be a teacher and run a school since I was 17. I came to the conclusion that as a rule, the public does not really consider someone an adult until they are 30. I waited until I was 30 to start a school. I think this opinion of mine has proven true.

 

[Rich Parsons]

This question plagued me for years. I have wanted to be a teacher and run a school since I was 17. I came to the conclusion that as a rule, the public does not really consider someone an adult until they are 30. I waited until I was 30 to start a school. I think this opinion of mine has proven true.

I have found this to be true even in the colleges. If you are younger than 30 and on your own then it will be harder. If you are a junior (* Still over 18 *) and not the owner then it you can teach, and everyone expects the older person to watch over you.

:asian:

 

[Cthulhu]

The person I consider my first serious instructor was only about a half-year older than me. However, he had been training in the system since he was eight. His skill in the system and his ability to teach it were more important to me than age.

Cthulhu

 

[gojukylie]

In my experience I have found that it is not so much the age of the instructor but the history of their martial arts training. I have quite a few instructors from all over Brisbane, Australia. I attend 4 dojo’s and have 7 instructors available to me. I get something from every instructor. One of them specializes in Chi Kung and creating power in techniques and is in his late 40’s. Another is specialist in Kata and is also in his 40’s. Our Shihan is in his 50’s and has excellent knowledge. I also have 2 other senseis who are in their 20’s and they are good all round practitioners. I think that the fact that they have trained together with good quality instruction means that they are able to pass their knowledge on likewise. I guess the instructors attitude is the most important thing, if they have good instructional history and they are genuine teachers then age should be of no concern. I don’t like to say it but there are a few instructors that are not up to scratch that are older. Failing to study their art outside the Dojo has led to their techniques and explanations being substandard.

 

[Shinzu]

i agree age comes into play. people feel weird being taught by someone that is a lot less older than they are. this is not necessarily the truth but it is a fact.