Students as teachers

This happens in three ways in our club.

First, we do almost everything on body, meaning we pair up or form technique lines and apply the moves and self-defense techniques/combos on each other. This is a chance for us to help each other. We don't spend a lot of time talking about it, but rather do quick corrections and feedback on effectiveness. (It's a time for "less yak, more smack") :)

Second, I encourage each student to work out with each other outside of class, and point out the most experienced students as resources to learn basic moves and provide the expert eye.

Third, starting at blue belt, I give students the chance to teach a class or two in the semester. At green belt, if they want to, they can teach more regularly (say, teach 1 of the 5 classes each week). In the brown levels, everyone has to spend a minimum amount of time teaching. Nothing clarifies and solidifies my understanding of kenpo quite like teaching kenpo.

Peace,
SGB