Grade for Teaching

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   Last weekend I had the pleasure of one of my former students Paul Wiffen teach at my Dojo. Paul has been living and working in Singapore for the last ten years, and studies Aikido with Shin Ju Kai holding the rank of 2nd Dan Aikikai so hombu. 

After the class we were talking about the success of the Shin Ju Kai and how it had grown to be so big with 6000 members.

Paul told me that in Singapore you have to be a 2nd Dan before you can run your own club.
I take the view that in the ideal world 3rd dan should be the level we are looking at to coach Aikido, as by then an Aikidoka should have a depth of knowlegde about his/her art if taught well.

I also take the view that instructors below that rank should practice on a regular basis with a senior grade as to keep a check on technical standards.

I know there are dan grades & dan grades we can all name someone who we think is rubbish. For those naming me, the spelling is Shaun not Sean.

At what level do forum members think we should instruct from.

Shaun Hoddy

Edited by Shaun Hoddy - 28 Jul 2008 at 11:13am

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Shaun Hoddy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shaun Hoddy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Grade for Teaching Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 7:17pm
	Last weekend I had the pleasure of one of my former students Paul Wiffen teach at my Dojo. Paul has been living and working in Singapore for the last ten years, and studies Aikido with Shin Ju Kai holding the rank of 2nd Dan Aikikai so hombu. After the class we were talking about the success of the Shin Ju Kai and how it had grown to be so big with 6000 members. Paul told me that in Singapore you have to be a 2nd Dan before you can run your own club. I take the view that in the ideal world 3rd dan should be the level we are looking at to coach Aikido, as by then an Aikidoka should have a depth of knowlegde about his/her art if taught well. I also take the view that instructors below that rank should practice on a regular basis with a senior grade as to keep a check on technical standards. I know there are dan grades & dan grades we can all name someone who we think is rubbish. For those naming me, the spelling is Shaun not Sean. At what level do forum members think we should instruct from. Shaun Hoddy Edited by Shaun Hoddy - 28 Jul 2008 at 11:13am

SteveBillett Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Status: Offline Points: 6668	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveBillett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 4:33pm
	Hi Sean whoops I mean Shaun From my experience just being a 2nd or 3rd Dan does not mean you will be a good coach. To me a good coach is someone (Like your self) who can impart knowledge in a clear and concise manor, safely, interesting and also most importantly has enough Aikido knowledge too give to other people. Some 1st Kyu's can teach very well, some can't. Some 6th/7th Dans can teach very well some can't. The BAB Coach Level One, In my own opinion (Not the BAB's) is the very basic you need to be able to coach. But it is the responsibility of your own Association and there own Sensei to give them the further experience needed for real world teaching. I also feel that good coaches are born not made by passing exams, But what they teach they need to have learnt form somewhere and it needs to be right. So the answer your question, I am not sure what grade is correct for coaching, as it depends on each individual.
	Steve Billett 6th Dan Tomiki Chairman Aikido Development Society

Shaun Hoddy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shaun Hoddy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 2008 at 11:02am
	Thanks for the vote of confidence about me being a good coach. To be honest if we look at the correct way to coach with lesson plans then I am not. I always used to plan my classes with maybe working through one of the koryu no kata or basics, over the years I have found that when I target a certain groups of students the little devils don't turn up. I am very lucky at my Dojo we have thirteen dan grades who practice most sessions who are able to adapt to the situation of whoever attends. My lesson plans are made when I assess who is in attendance, sometimes I split classes into groups covering the syllabus for various grading requirements.

ChrisMags Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisMags Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Aug 2008 at 11:13pm
	I've been doing aikido for a couple of years now and was fortunate enough to attend the seminar you held in belfast earlier in the year, I reached 3rd kyu only yesterday and from with the experience I've had with being taught is that it comes down to patience for someone to explain why the technique is done the way it is, where the balance is broken, where the power comes from etc