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| Working with the instructor | ||
| Written by Rachel | ||
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Dynamic Balancing Boxing
In a martial arts class it is uncommon for a lower
grade student to ever
work with the instructor. How come?
The higher the skill level, the more realistic the attack and therefore the
better the demonstration.
It is very rare for a instructor to partner with anyone except the best
student in the class.
Sifu Waller offers all his students the opportunity to work with him; so
don't waste the chance to feel how soft, unified and smooth an
application
can be.
What is a 'sifu'?
Sifu is a kung fu instructor. The role of sifu is to
teach you how to fight. This means addressing your physical, mental and
emotional ability.
It is important to remember that a sifu is not a personal training or
life coach. His role is to cajole, prod, antagonise
and push you towards improvement.
You may not even like your kung fu instructor.
So what? Who cares? The instructor seeks neither
popularity nor approval. Their job is not to
please you. It is to teach you. By
hook or by crook.
The instructor is single-minded in their determination to convey their art. You
will probably not understand their teachings, manner or attitude at times. They
may even seem stern or antagonistic. Ask yourself
why...?
Being shown material
One advantage of being used as a demonstration partner is that you get to
feel first hand how something works.
Although a number of students may be capable of performing a given action,
none possess the subtlety of the
instructor's practice.
By working with the instructor you are exposed to the best
possible example
of the art.
You can learn a lot.
Providing you pay attention and feel.
Anticipation
Some students anticipate to such an extent that it is
impossible to
demonstrate with them.
Instead of showing an insight or application, the time is spent asking the
student to stop doing whatever it is they are doing.
Examples of anticipation:
Moving your arm by yourself rather than letting the instructor do it
Holding back from commitment
Being too floppy
Being in any way tense
Being deliberately awkward
Twitching/jumping
Stepping back or pulling your body back
Thinking rather than following instructions
Adopting
a confrontational/challenging demeanour
Clumsy
Sometimes a student can be extremely clumsy when
Sifu
Waller partners up with them for a demonstration.
Clumsiness is inexcusable.
It is reckless and dangerous.
There is simply no need for it.
Trying it on
Sometimes new students try it on with their instructor. What do they
really think is going to happen? The best case scenario is that the
teacher simply ignores it. Worst case is that they
reciprocate.
Trying it on when an instructor is teaching is akin to assaulting the
instructor whilst they are working. Not a smart move in a martial arts
class.
When the
teacher chooses a student with whom to demonstrate a certain concept, it is
not appropriate to try to test the teacher under these conditions, unless
specifically requested to do so. This is because the teacher is
concentrating on teaching rather than on defending against an unexpected
attack. In fact, an unexpected attack might provoke a sudden reflex action
on the part of the teacher, resulting in
injury to the student. More likely, because the
teacher has the student's safety uppermost in mind, the teacher will protect
the student by not reacting, thereby causing the mistaken impression that
the teacher was ineffectual. The best interests of all are served when the
demonstrating student cooperates to illustrate what the teacher is showing.
(Robert Chuckrow)
Holding on...
If you have been struck in the groin,
seized, stamped or headbutted... you
are unlikely to still be hanging on to the instructor.
Be smart and let go.
Holding on unrealistically can lead to an accident.
Sifu Waller is performing an application slowly and carefully, as a
demonstration.
He is sparing you from the effect of full-power combat.
Being awkward is not reciprocal. Let go and fall.
It may hurt a bit, but dragging Sifu Waller down on top of you will hurt a
lot more.
Realism
Is a demonstration meant to be realistic? No.
It serves to break material down in order to show you how to use it.
If you want realism, please consider that the instructor can use and apply
100% of the syllabus whereas you are only being exposed to perhaps 5%.
You may be curious about what the instructor might do if assaulted. Accept
that it will be unpleasant and leave it at that.
The syllabus will eventually take your applications close enough to realism
for you to lose any interest in 'full-contact'.
Be patient. Soon you will know.
Cooperation
The instructor will tell you how cooperative to be.
The main requirement is commitment.
Throw a punch or step-in to grapple - in a meaningful way.
Look like you are
attacking.
Do not hold back. This is not an invitation to lose control or use full power. Be
sensible.
But you do need to commit.
Holding back from commitment is usually a consequence of fear.
Be brave.
Non-cooperative
Non-cooperative practice is important and the instructor will tell you when
he wants you to fight back.
Personal safety
Your safest choice is to commit and be soft.
If struck, do not tense-up. Tensing-up will only intensify the pain and
cause injury.
Keep relaxed.
Reciprocity
Having received an application courtesy of the instructor, it is common for
inexperienced students to want to now do something to their
teacher.
This is naive and foolish.
An attitude of one-upmanship will result in you being hurt.
He gives. You take.
The instructor gives. The student receives. It is a one-sided situation.
A student doesn't get to do anything on their instructor.
Have some perspective
Expecting to perform applications on your instructor is
disrespectful and
unrealistic.
Ask yourself: Could you defeat them in actual combat?
Is there any way in real life that you could apply the
application on your
instructor unless they allow you to?
If you think that you can defeat them, then you should
find a better
teacher for yourself.
Or ask Sifu Waller to fight you.
The journey is the same for everyone
The journey from novice to
instructor means being thrown, punched and kicked
for years by your seniors.
Every student must endure this.
Including your instructor; he went through it too.
He learned his tai chi at the hands of his instructor. If you want to learn,
then you must do the same.
The movements are difficult and often performed in opposition to a fellow
trainee. Because of this, students quickly become disciplined and aware of
the need not to be hurt or to hurt others. The aggressive urges that brought
the student to the training hall are soon controlled, and guided into
constructive activity by the instructor. Under this guidance, the student's
confidence grows and fear recedes. At the same time an awareness of physical
being, of the body's shape, size and potential ability, is born.
(Howard Reid)
Page created 2 March 1995
Last updated
16 June 2023
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