Martial Arts Instructor - Career Advice - Leisure and Entertainment

Martial Arts Instructors teach students the skills and beliefs of a particular martial art, such as judo or karate. Most martial arts styles have a national association that sets out the skills and qualifications for becoming an instructor and continuing education training. You must first achieve mastery in your chosen style, usually indicated by black belt rank. You can then pursue the national certification for instructors in your style.

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Specialisations: Judo, Karate, Taekwondo

Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become a martial arts instructor, you would need:

a high level of experience and knowledge in your chosen martial art
an understanding of physiology
the ability to communication clearly and concisely
an understanding of the learning process
patience
a thorough understanding of the safety aspects of the art
a passion to inspire others.

Martial Arts Instructor
(Source: ZipRecruiter)

Duties and Tasks

Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Prepare instructional program objectives, outlines, and lesson plans.
Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives.
Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination.
Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Enforce policies and rules governing students.
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
Meet with other instructors to discuss individual students and their progress.
Confer with other teachers and professionals to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and development.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine their priorities for their children.
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy.
Participate in publicity planning and student recruitment.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.
Schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance.
Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
Observe and evaluate the performance of other instructors.
Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects.
Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests, and issue grades in accordance with performance.
Write instructional articles on designated subjects.
Assign and grade class work.

Did You Know?

White, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple and black, the colors of martial arts belts denote student development, skills and experience.

However, contrary to popular belief, using colored belts to denote rank or ability in martial arts is a relatively recent invention in the otherwise ancient arts- one that was only introduced around the turn of the 20th century.
(Source: Today I Found Out)

What Work Activities does a Karate Instructor do?

Coaching and Developing Others
Training and Teaching Others
Getting Information
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Performing General Physical Activities
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Thinking Creatively
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
Documenting/Recording Information
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Assisting and Caring for Others
Scheduling Work and Activities
Performing Administrative Activities
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others

Working conditions

Most martial arts instructors are self-employed. You might work full-time or part-time, but you would usually have to work irregular hours, which you may be able to set yourself. This would include working evenings and weekends.

You would work in martial arts studios, gyms or local halls.

Martial arts impose some risk to those that take part. You would need to ensure your students' safety and make sure they understand the safety skills behind the discipline.

Martial arts instructors typically work in martial arts academies, often called dojos. Some instructors may also work in health and fitness clubs and for self-defense academies. Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club or the YMCA may also employ martial arts instructors. Police and security officer academies may also hire martial arts instructors to conduct training. Martial arts instructors are often entrepreneurs who own their own businesses.

Education and training/entrance requirements

It is possible to work as a sports coach or instructor [Martial Arts Instructor/Karate] without any formal qualifications. However, entry into this occupation may be improved by obtaining a qualification in sport development, sports or exercise science, or a related field. You may improve your employment prospects if you have experience and/or qualifications in a particular sport.

The Certificate IV in Sport Development is offered at TAFE colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a degree majoring in sports science or exercise and sports science.

Your employment prospects may be improved if you have a VET in martial arts or self defense. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. Private training courses are available in all forms of martial arts.

It is recommended that martial arts instructors become accredited. The National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS), coordinated by the Australian Sports Commission, offers education and a nationally recognised qualification to people coaching at all levels.

You may also become an accredited instructor by completing the National Martial Arts Instructors Accreditation Scheme through the Martial Arts Industry Association.

Did You Know?

Karate is a Japanese martial art whose physical aspects seek the development of defensive and counterattacking body movements.

The themes of traditional karate training are fighting and self-defense, though its mental and moral aspects target the overall improvement of the individual. This is facilitated by the discipline and persistent effort required in training.

If karate had to be described in only one sentence, then the most suitable one may arguably be "You never attack first in karate."

This is a a maxim of Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), the Okinawan who brought karate to Japan in 1922, and who is accepted as the father of modern karate.

The word karate is a combination of two kanji (Chinese characters): kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, karate means "empty hand."

Adding the suffix "-dō" (pronounced "daw"), meaning "the way/path," karate-dō, implies karate as a total way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications.

In traditional karate-dō, one is supposed to compete and strive to excel against him/herself.
(Source: Tulane Karate Club )