[Tactattcahhaw]

it is a great oppurtunity for higher ranked kenshis to practice with the noobs. this will give them time to practice some of their wazas cause beginners have low reflexes and they're a bit slower in some cases.

~taganahan

[FalHaitle]

I think it really depends on the person. I personally never mind teaching beginners because I remember when I was one myself. There are those who do find it a bother because they want to improve their own kendo, but I think that teaching is just a part of bettering your kendo because you have to know how to not only do the moves, but understand how to teach them too. That's just what I think. Try not to let their attitudes sway you from learning because it never hurts to go back to basics anyway

[skiboyx]

Thanks chaps,

I am not saying that these guys hate it, I just sense they might. Know what I mean ?

[MontyP@thon]

Teaching is a responsibility that comes with time and needs to be accepted whether you want to do it or not. People who show open disappointment need to accept this responsibility more freely. I understand that it is disappointing to not work on what you want at that moment, but as you can tell from here so far already, it is disheartening to new people to see that. Kendo is lifelong, so if you can't take a half and hour here and there to help teach beginners, then there will be problems down the road when you are a much higher dan and have to spend even more time teaching that just a brief moment here and there. Learn to make the most of teaching experiences. The only way to get better at teaching kendo is through practicing teaching kendo. It is going to develop other skills besides your own physical technique. These other skills are going to be just as valuable to you, not just your own skill at kendo.

Just remember that new people are not disliked... the more people practicing kendo is a good thing... also remember that not everyone in your dojo is going to be a role model to you, so look to the people who enjoy teaching and who are GOOD at it... those are the people who are going to be really good at helping you along the way... the others will give you some pointers and get what you can from practice with them, but really enjoy learning from the ones who want to teach because there will be some nice connections formed amongst those people especially...

[97dYA9L3]

Try not to let their attitudes sway you from learning because it never hurts to go back to basics anyway

Abso - bloody - lutely! I know its hard when the sempai taking your group doesn't have any enthusiasm its hard, but you should still throw yourself into it!

[mobbemeatiedy]

I see teaching as a reasurrance that you know your stuff. You can do it a million times over and over again but you really wouldn't know it until you can teach someone.

[MadMark]

For me at least, it has to do with the effort that you're required to put forth when teaching. When you're just a regular student, especially a higher ranking one, you can often get by with putting less than 100% into warmups and suburi (thereby saving your energy for the fun part). As a teacher, you are constantly being watched and must be on par at all times. Sometimes I'm just in the mood to skip all the formality and fence.

[beenBinybelia]

OK, here's one I could do with an experienced view of:-

I guess I have been training for a couple of months now. Our Sensei has a long-term injury and so whilst he is always on hand to give advice etc, he only occasionally takes an active part in training sessions.

This means that those ranked Shodan and over are allocated to take the training of newcomers.

These guys clearly attend to practice their kendo. I cannot be totally sure, but it seems to me that you can almost see their shoulders droop when they are singled out to take charge of the noobs tonight. Like 'Oh crap, now I have to spend the evening trying to teach this guy to look more like a Kendoka and less like a stick insect on angel dust'.

So I guess my question is: Are newcomers despised as they stop experienced kendokas from practicing their own skills ? I kind of feel guilty, as if I should be finding some training to do on my own, in some quiet corner......Although I have to say that my conscripted teachers either do not mind a bit, or are very good at hiding what they really feel.

But I have to know......

I personally hate this kind "dissapoinment" at being asked to teach, in teaching you yourself can learn alot. The main reason for this is if you do something wrong then they copy you, so you have to conciously do the best you can in order to provide a good model for the learners to copy from. Therefore if you are constantly in this state, then as long as you can get some additional practise in with the other sempai of the club, there is no reason why the person teaching should not continue to see an improvement, as long as they give their best kendo to the beginners. Its a question of will.

[jelena-nanana]

"this will give them time to practice some of their wazas"

I agree, spreading your knowledge around is not only "teaching" the things you have learned so far. While doing the waza or showing the exercise to somebody, you have the time to reflect to yourself, when you see that the waza or whatever it is you're doing, is being done correctly it, gives a good feeling. Kendo is more than just doing, it's always working on yourself
However I don't think shodan are the best people to teach a whole class (don't get me wrong people... ) are there any higher grades in your dojo except your sensei?
grtz

"Oh dear it seems you've chopped his arm of... Shall I get you another?"

[12Dvop4I]

OK, here's one I could do with an experienced view of:-

I guess I have been training for a couple of months now. Our Sensei has a long-term injury and so whilst he is always on hand to give advice etc, he only occasionally takes an active part in training sessions.

This means that those ranked Shodan and over are allocated to take the training of newcomers.

These guys clearly attend to practice their kendo. I cannot be totally sure, but it seems to me that you can almost see their shoulders droop when they are singled out to take charge of the noobs tonight. Like 'Oh crap, now I have to spend the evening trying to teach this guy to look more like a Kendoka and less like a stick insect on angel dust'.

So I guess my question is: Are newcomers despised as they stop experienced kendokas from practicing their own skills ? I kind of feel guilty, as if I should be finding some training to do on my own, in some quiet corner......Although I have to say that my conscripted teachers either do not mind a bit, or are very good at hiding what they really feel.

But I have to know......

[LottiFurmann]

When I first read your post I was really upset. At my dojo we really focus on the sempai/ kohai relationship all the way down the line, not just with ranked students. If you've been to class twice, you're expected to help the guy who's brand new today. Even if its only in the simplist things, like where to line up, or what way to bow. As far as teaching vs practice, we need to always keep in mind that if we don't teach, we won't have people to practice with. I'm honored to help students out, and if they don't know what they are doing it reflects poorly on me so I take it very seriously. Not to mention I really enjoy seeing that moment "when something makes sense" to them.
We always save time at the end of class for practice too. It's good for the new students too watch every thing applied to practice. So don't feel bad about them having to teach you, just remeber to be a better instructor when you are asked to teach.

[gymnAnemoe]

Sometimes you come to the dojo and have a mindset to practice things you want to specifically work on. When you have this mindset and are asked to lead the begginers class, it can sometimes feel like a burden, its human nature. However, that is part of the learning process as ultimately, a sensei teaches.

Just know that even if you see the senior students look somewhat dismayed, do not necessarliy interperet it as they loathe teaching you, they just had other plans for the day.

[xsVfF9Em]

OK, here's one I could do with an experienced view of:-

I guess I have been training for a couple of months now. Our Sensei has a long-term injury and so whilst he is always on hand to give advice etc, he only occasionally takes an active part in training sessions.

This means that those ranked Shodan and over are allocated to take the training of newcomers.

These guys clearly attend to practice their kendo. I cannot be totally sure, but it seems to me that you can almost see their shoulders droop when they are singled out to take charge of the noobs tonight. Like 'Oh crap, now I have to spend the evening trying to teach this guy to look more like a Kendoka and less like a stick insect on angel dust'.

So I guess my question is: Are newcomers despised as they stop experienced kendokas from practicing their own skills ? I kind of feel guilty, as if I should be finding some training to do on my own, in some quiet corner......Although I have to say that my conscripted teachers either do not mind a bit, or are very good at hiding what they really feel.

But I have to know......

Im not shodan, so my observation is mroe on life than it is on kendo in specific. Ill use fishing as an example. When i first started to bring friends fishing with me, I "knew" how to cast, but had to teach them. if youve never thrown a large baitcaster(talking penn 209 and up), they are a VERY difficult thing to tame, requiring tuning and break in to work properly. just t cap it off, long range casting is something you develop(in fact, kendo is good training for casting and vice vers....the movement is identical). As i started to teach them, i found ways to improve my own technique, and became a beter caster for it.

That applies to anything requiring physical training and conditioning to perfect. If you go back and work on the basics WITH the person your trying to teach, instead of just trying to teach them, not only will you improv them, but you improve yourself in the process(wich i find with most things ive done makes the experience all the more gratifying). I would be honored to be given the chance to assist younger members.......

[Doncarlito]

well said.