Can't contribute too much on the kids front, although Glen has some cool games for them. One they really enjoy is where sensei and another adult fold a bely stretched out for them, and they have to jump over it or do a flying kick over it or whatever, and he moves it higher and higher. Not sure that it has that much training potential but they do like it! A mat would be good for them to land on of course!
Adult classes though, I can go on a bit about:
Firstly, how long are they? We recently switched from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, and the improvement is vast; not only is the workout better, we seem to have so much more time for everything, and we can also manage to work a bit of sparring in nearly every session, which was getting neglecte before.
Another thing, as instructors don't be afraid to demonstrate. This may not apply to you, but our sensei, although I know he's got the moves, he tends to tell you things in words a hell of a lot more than just doing it for you to watch. Not only is watching more enjoyable, a picture paints a thousand words
There seems to be, in our class at least, a lack of activities that involce watching. We're always working in pairs or groups and everyone is active. This is good, but sometimes it's even better to just watch people. One way this can be done it to have everyone sit around and have 2 people spar in the middle (don't pitch higher belts against lower belts, teaching is for when everyone is sparring at once). If you have higher belts sparring, just let them go at it for 90 secs or 2 mins, and let people watch, you'll be amazed how much people pick up. If there are lower belts, let the higher belts call out a bit of advice as they spot weaknesses so that people can implement the changes right there and then, rather than trying to remember it later on at home and forgetting it by the next session.
If you have a class with a lot of people in, pair higher belts off with lower belts and let them take over some of the teaching duties. However, make sure that there aren't any nuggets teaching people rubbish; there's one guy in our group who I can think of who'se a purple belt and thinks he knows everthing....he actually knows very little. I cringe every time he goes near one of the lower belts and starts getting them into bad habits! Although this is a good thing to do, don't do it too often. Our sensei has got us doing this regularly and although it's good for us to get teaching practise, I really don't learn anything whilst I'm doing it, and the pace is so slow that there's little exercise as well.
Another tip is to warm up with a short exercise bit and then some light sparring rather than a really long warm-up; although they're good for you, to be honest you can do that sort of stuff at home if the fancy takes you, there;s no need to pay an instructor to do it.
Hmm, what else. I know, go to the pub! Training together is one thing, but of you organise a night in a local pub where all the adults can meet up and chat, people get to know each other a lot better and that improves the atmosphere in the dojo. Everyone down out club is really friendly, and it makes it so much better. It also helps with people's commitment.
I may think of other things as well, that's it for now!
ian.
