When giving instruction in martial arts, the language you use can significantly impact how well your students understand and follow your guidance. Here’s how to refine your instructional approach to improve clarity and effectiveness:
1. Use Positive Language
- Avoid Negative Commands:
- Example: Instead of saying “Don’t drop your guard,” provide positive instructions like “Keep your guard up.”
- Enhanced Guidance: “When I say ‘guard up,’ think of holding two phones to your ears.” This gives a clear, actionable image for students to follow.
2. Provide Specific Directions
- Clarify Expectations:
- General Command: “Pay attention!” may be too vague.
- Specific Instruction: Teach students that paying attention means “Facing the instructor at parade rest with eyes focused and remaining silent.” This specific instruction is easy to remember, solution-oriented, and clear.
3. Ensure Understandability
- Teach the Action:
- Ensure that students understand what the command entails and how to execute it correctly. For example, instead of just telling them to “pay attention,” demonstrate and explain the expected behavior clearly.
4. Improve Accountability
- Clear Instructions Lead to Clear Compliance:
- When instructions are clear, it’s easier to determine if students are complying with them. This reduces ambiguity and helps prevent situations where students claim they were following instructions without meeting the actual expectations.
5. Avoid Wasted Time
- Minimize Ambiguity:
- Clear instructions reduce the time spent in confusion or misunderstanding, leading to more efficient and effective learning. This ensures that every moment in class is productive and valuable.
By incorporating these techniques, you’ll provide clearer, more actionable guidance that helps students understand exactly what is expected of them, ultimately leading to better performance and learning outcomes in your martial arts classes.