Qualities to Look for in a Self-Defense Instructor

Who is best… a female or a male instructor? Why it may be better to steer clear of self-proclaimed experts. About their attitude and knowledge, and importantly, how to find out whether they are open to new ideas and training methods.

Who is best for you… a female or a male instructor? The answer to "who makes a better instructor" is simply a matter of who you feel more comfortable with.

If you have a doctor who you always go to, is she a she, or is he a he? If you are female and have a female doctor, it is probably because you feel more comfortable talking to her, as a female doctor. The same goes with males… what do you feel most comfortably with?

If you are female, it is MUCH better to have an instructor who teaches both females and males at the same time… a mixed class. There is a good chance that if you ever need to defend yourself, it will be against a male attacker. So make sure there are males in your class that you can practise beating up (nicely of course).

I strongly believe that it’s the "attitude" of an instructor that counts most! You are expected to have respect for your instructor. You should expect your instructor to have respect for you as a student. Some instructors are less than proficient in this area, so be aware of this and watch out for it. These instructors will use you as a punching bag!

Your instructor should be a knowledgeable one. An instructor’s knowledge of the physical, and at least as importantly, the psychological aspects of self-defense should be high, and forever expanding.

Steer clear of a self-proclaimed "expert" in martial arts. An expert is someone who has learned everything there is to know about a subject. You may find this kind of person to be set-in-their-ways and not open to new ideas.

Their attitude will be something like this: "This is the way it’s done, there is no better way and I am not prepared to listen to any new ideas, especially from a student."

I have a saying that goes like this: If you are green, you will grow. If you are ripe, you will rot. A ripe instructor is an expert.

Ask one of the students in a class if the instructor’s training methods have changed over time. The answer to this question will tell you whether or not the instructor is open to new ideas.

A good instructor should be able to help you build upon your strengths and help you to become aware of, understand, and control your weaknesses.

Anyone, who knows how to fight, will look for weaknesses in a potential attacker. An example of this is whether or not a person smokes. A smoker is weaker in both their mind, and body, for a number of reasons.

On the same wavelength

Have you ever noticed that you just "click" with some people and understand what they are saying, almost before they say it? While others make hardly any sense, no matter how many times they try to explain something to you.

Self-defense classes can move from one technique to the next, quite quickly. If you are having trouble understanding or hearing your instructor, it may be that you are both on another thought processing wavelength. If you find that this happens to you, try another instructor, one who you can communicate with easily.

If you have been told that a certain "style" of self-defense is a good one, but when you try it, you find that it is not what you hoped it would be, try a different instructor. Find an instructor whose training methods suit your wants and needs.

In short: There are three things to look for in a self-defense instructor: Whether or not you will feel comfortable being taught by her or him. Do you understand what, and the way that you are being taught? Do you agree with it and do you believe that the self-defense methods will work for you in a real-life situation?

Instructional Fighting Videos on unconventional fighting methods designed to teach you how to not only level the playing field but to give you a distinct advantage in any violent situation where your safety or the safety of a loved one is on the line. These are amazing videos and fun to watch - 24 to choose from.  More >>

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