| As a karate instructor, you no doubt understand | | | | the level of content delivered in each class - |
| the importance of lesson planning. Developing an | | | | beginners, intermediate students, and advanced |
| effective lesson plan is of vital importance, | | | | students. However, lessons, at times, could still |
| especially for new instructors. However, even for | | | | include beginner content for advanced students, |
| a highly experienced instructor it does not hurt to | | | | to remind them about the things they should |
| revisit some basic lesson planning principles. There | | | | already know. Likewise, advanced content can be |
| are several main components that are critical to | | | | given to beginner students. This gives them a |
| the overall lesson content of karate at all levels. | | | | chance to see what they have to look forward |
| These components are: · Element, which | | | | to if they stick with their training. In a club with a |
| includes basic training, forms, and partner work; | | | | large membership, there may be enough black |
| · Type, which includes quality, quantity, fun, | | | | belts to warrant a black belt-only class. If so, |
| and serious; · Level, which is beginner, | | | | there could be a distinction between brown and |
| intermediate, and advanced; · Focus, which | | | | black belts as to their level of class. This is for the |
| includes grading syllabus, analysis and application of | | | | instructor to decide, depending on the |
| forms, self-defense, target training, and general | | | | membership and resources of his or her club. |
| drills. Generally, every lesson will include all four of | | | | Focus This component guides the reason behind |
| these components. The parts of each component | | | | the content. When a grading is coming up in the |
| relate to the actual lesson content. By combining | | | | next couple of weeks, a lesson on the techniques |
| these components and making slight changes, | | | | that will be tested in the grading is a good idea. |
| each lesson will be interesting yet different while | | | | When students have learned and memorized the |
| still sticking with the necessary content required | | | | moves to the kata they are studying, it is time to |
| at each rank level. Let's define each component | | | | focus on the application of the kata. Perhaps one |
| and its parts. Element The element component | | | | of your students is being bullied at school, and you |
| refers to what kind of content the lesson includes. | | | | feel it is time to revisit some self-defense |
| Generally, each lesson will use one or more of the | | | | techniques. Maybe you just want to have a |
| three k's - kihon (basics), kata (forms), and | | | | general lesson that has a bit of something for |
| kumite (partner work or sparring.) Type The type | | | | everyone. With these four essential components, |
| component deals with how the lesson is delivered. | | | | multiple effective lesson plans can be created. If |
| Does the lesson focus on quality (detailed | | | | you would like to see some additional teaching tips |
| explanations of basic techniques, forms, or | | | | and strategies, read my FREE Report, "Instructor |
| partner work), quantity (a hard workout using | | | | Mastery: How to Become a Great Instructor |
| repetition of technique as the main teaching tool), | | | | Right from the very First Lesson". You can |
| or fun (a more relaxed atmosphere than normal, | | | | download it at If you have any suggestions or |
| with activities such as target training, games for | | | | additional tips on effective lesson planning then |
| the kids, light sparring, or something completely | | | | please contact me at |
| different such as kata from another style)? | | | | Paul A. Walker, is a 4th degree black belt karate |
| Alternatively, is it a serious lesson-working on | | | | instructor with over 25 years experience in the |
| etiquette, posture, correct behavior and habits, | | | | martial arts. In 2003 he attained his 4th degree |
| traditional philosophy, and history of karate? Each | | | | black belt, after studying with the legendary |
| lesson can incorporate more than one of the four | | | | Karate Master, Hirokazu Kanazawa in Tokyo for |
| methods of delivery. Level This component refers | | | | three years. |
| to the three main levels of students in class or to | | | | |