what in the world did I just do....

[bluewaveschool]

Ever agree to something and then go 'Um, wtf was I just thinking?' My other instructors and myself are holding a demo at the Y this saturday. I'll be happy if 20 people show. We've talked about getting out in front of some small groups, getting experience with the whole demo thing and then trying a big group. I called up the mother of one of my students tonight, she's a Cub Scout den leader, to talk about maybe doing some sort of demo for them. She was in a scout council meeting and put me on speaker phone. Long story short, I've got a demo for 60+ cub scouts in 10 days.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Don't get too worked up over it. Take some kicking pads and let them pound them. Show them some sparring. Break some stuff.

 

[seasoned]

Great advice DD, kids love to get involved, adults, now there's a slight problem.

 

[bluewaveschool]

It's just the size of the group. I've never had more than say, 25 in class at once. It's not the material I'm worried about.

 

[Big Don]

Remember, more people fear public speaking than death.

 

[sfs982000]

Great advice DD, kids love to get involved, adults, now there's a slight problem.

Actually I think the adults would have fun getting involved as well. I think it'll go alot better than you think.

 

[Takai]

Remember, more people fear public speaking than death.

As far as I know public speaking never outright killed anyone. Just relax, use the material you are comfortable with. It sounds like you already have it figured out.

Just don't forget to breathe.

 

[chinto]

treat it the same as you would for say 10 kids, just more pads and perhaps a few upper belts to help... let them kick, and punch, and maybe show a little other stuff in demo with your upper belts.... its covered.

 

[Aiki Lee]

Remember to TALK LOUDLY AND E-NUN-CI-ATE!

 

[bluewaveschool]

Lessons learned today - Hands on self defense = great, kids love it. Watching some self defense they can't take part it = boring. Seeing boards break = great. Watching Zack repeated throw me on the mat (he's studied Hapkido as well as TKD) = BEST THING EVER. Seriously, at the end when I asked if there was anything they wanted to see again, first hand up wanted to see me thrown again. Pics coming soon.

 

[WaterGal]

Lessons learned today - Hands on self defense = great, kids love it. Watching some self defense they can't take part it = boring. Seeing boards break = great. Watching Zack repeated throw me on the mat (he's studied Hapkido as well as TKD) = BEST THING EVER. Seriously, at the end when I asked if there was anything they wanted to see again, first hand up wanted to see me thrown again. Pics coming soon.

Yeah, board breaking really gets people excited. Try doing some board break combos, if you have time to drill them. Do you teach weapons? Forms normally bore an audience, but if somebody's swinging a weapon around that's a little more interesting. Good luck!

 

[bluewaveschool]

Never had the chance to learn weapons.

 

[Zenjael]

As a demo gimick, I've always loved the apple off a sword. Flashy, cool looking, explosive, and kids tend to love it.

Careful not to cut yourself though.

 

[bluewaveschool]

I made a thread with a lot of pics from the event.

 

[Zenjael]

Yes, I unfortunantely saw it after this one, it looked like they had a lot of fun!

 

[bluewaveschool]

I had a couple of girls from the demo show up for last nights class. Success.