WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH 2013
I had a very interesting class this morning at Combat Athletix. There were just four white belts in the class, so I did not teach to a large audience. The techniques for the day (elbow strike to throw from opponent's double lapel grab and arm triangle from mount-Lesson 23 in Smiley's syllabus) are not too intellectually strenuous. What was interesting was two students that I taught.
Two students are regulars. The other two were first-timers for me; they are a husband and wife team. Ana does not speak English fluently; Robert is BLIND. Yes, that's right.
I found myself breaking the techniques into the smallest constituent parts, carefully explaining each movement as colorfully as I could, both visually and verbally. I then demonstrated the technique on Robert so he can feel how it is supposed to go. Then I carefully reviewed and assisted in hand placement/foot placement on the throw and the choke.
In all honesty, I think I learned more than any of my students did on Wednesday. Rather than simply saying "Watch me do this," I had to make sure that I explained and demonstrated each small step. I think this made my own understanding of the techniques better as a result. Thanks Robert and Ana! I look forward to your continued attendance so I can teach MYSELF how to get better.
Kris
I had a very interesting class this morning at Combat Athletix. There were just four white belts in the class, so I did not teach to a large audience. The techniques for the day (elbow strike to throw from opponent's double lapel grab and arm triangle from mount-Lesson 23 in Smiley's syllabus) are not too intellectually strenuous. What was interesting was two students that I taught.
Two students are regulars. The other two were first-timers for me; they are a husband and wife team. Ana does not speak English fluently; Robert is BLIND. Yes, that's right.
I found myself breaking the techniques into the smallest constituent parts, carefully explaining each movement as colorfully as I could, both visually and verbally. I then demonstrated the technique on Robert so he can feel how it is supposed to go. Then I carefully reviewed and assisted in hand placement/foot placement on the throw and the choke.
In all honesty, I think I learned more than any of my students did on Wednesday. Rather than simply saying "Watch me do this," I had to make sure that I explained and demonstrated each small step. I think this made my own understanding of the techniques better as a result. Thanks Robert and Ana! I look forward to your continued attendance so I can teach MYSELF how to get better.
Kris
No comments:
Post a Comment