Becoming a martial arts instructor is a four-step process. These steps involve becoming an expert martial artist, developing teaching skills, finding a job , and developing business skills related to starting and growing a martial arts school. Becoming an expert in a martial arts discipline takes years of study and hard work.
The standard is a black belt (the higer degree the better), and without one you probably shouldn’t be instructing.You will normally need to be 18 or over to train as an istructor. Each martial arts discipline has a National Governing Body (NGB). ou will normally need to hold a minimum grade approved by your NGB (A minimum of 1st Kyu but 1st Dan Black Belt is preferable), a valid first aid certificate and a recommendation from your association before attending an instructor award course. Some bodies may require that you have held an assistant coach ualification for six months.
Martial arts instructors usually work evenings and weekends, when most people participate in recreation. Sessions can last between one and three hours usually with a break. Some instructors may be present at training sessions and competitions, resulting in long working hours. Travel may be involved.
To be a martial arts instructor you should have:
• in-depth knowledge of, and ability in, your discipline
• good verbal communication skills
• perserverance and patience
• enthusiasm and the ability to inspire confidence and motivate others
• a tactful approach to students
• good organisational skills
• physical stamina.
The achievement of an educational degree isn't required to become an instructor. Still, teaching is a discipline unto itself. Being an expert martial artist doesn’t mean you’re a good teacher. The majority of your teaching skills will be gained from modeling past instructors. Further, martial arts schools tend to ask their higher belts to teach their lower belts; take advantage of this to help bolster your teaching skills. Finally, you can also gain valuable experience in martial arts instruction by way of teaching at community centers and schools with little or no money down.
Even if you want to open up your own martial arts school someday, you’ll find that getting a job as a martial arts instructor somewhere else is almost a prerequisite. After all, when a potential customer comes in to speak with you about enrolling you’ll want to be able to cite places you’ve taught in, and also schools of styles you know and can teach competently.
When you instruct at someone else's school, most of the business tasks will be handled by the owner. But if you want to own your own school, the first step is to have the funds.
Beyond that, speak with a successful instructor—perhaps the one you learned martial arts from— before venturing out on your own. Ask them how they market, who collects their funds, and what the most important aspect of building a school is.
Salary greatly depends on how many students a dojo takes on. There are no set salary rates for martial arts instructors. Many are self-employed and their income varies according to their reputation, environment and the number of students enrolled with them. But the normal is around $12,000 American a year.
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