Am I in danger of becoming a hack instructor ???!one!

[Copperpot]

So I'm a BJJ Blue belt, and I train at a legit school, under 3 legit blackbelts. I'm just a student.

Long story short, a local Karate instructor wants me to come to his school and teach an intro grappling class.

I feel uncomfortable, as I don't want to be a crappling enabler, since I'm just a blue belt. On the other hand, I've kind of hit a plateau the past few weeks, and perhaps a bit of a change of pace might tug me out if of it. Plus I love BJJ and think teaching would be a lot of fun. Also, Keep in mind this would not replace my current training.

I mentioned the guy to my instructor, and he said this Karate guy was legit, and he's known him for quite some time.

I encouraged the karate guy to call my instructor and run it by him, as we have other purples and browns who might be available, and I said I would be down to be an assistant if they wanted.

Anyway, this guy wants me to come by on Saturday, and I think I might.

Am I a hack! Tell me what to do, Bullshido !!!

[Jadonblade]

Go for it, there are some blues who are instructers. As its just an into class your jsut gonna be showing them first day basics anyway, same as youve probaly done loads of times to beginners.

[jdinca]

So I'm a BJJ Blue belt, and I train at a legit school, under 3 legit blackbelts. I'm just a student.

Long story short, a local Karate instructor wants me to come to his school and teach an intro grappling class.

I feel uncomfortable, as I don't want to be a crappling enabler, since I'm just a blue belt. On the other hand, I've kind of hit a plateau the past few weeks, and perhaps a bit of a change of pace might tug me out if of it. Plus I love BJJ and think teaching would be a lot of fun. Also, Keep in mind this would not replace my current training.

I mentioned the guy to my instructor, and he said this Karate guy was legit, and he's known him for quite some time.

I encouraged the karate guy to call my instructor and run it by him, as we have other purples and browns who might be available, and I said I would be down to be an assistant if they wanted.

Anyway, this guy wants me to come by on Saturday, and I think I might.

Am I a hack! Tell me what to do, Bullshido !!!

You're doing this the right way. Let your instructor make the call about whether, or not you teach the class. He may say yes just to push you and help you get past the plateau you're on and he may think it's a good step if you want to someday become an instructor.

[M-Tri]

As long as your instructor gave you the okay there's nothing to feel weird about. obviously he has confidence you'll represent his system correctly, and if you do well he may even get some new students out of the deal.

[Copperpot]

I think part of my issue is that the first school I trained at had 2 instructors, a purple belt and a blue belt. Most of the time I was just being taught by a blue, and it always annoyed me, especially since I moved to my current school which has tons more students of varying ranks. But I was going there just for BJJ, I wasn't going for Karate and cross training a bit, which is what these guys would be doing.

[jdinca]

I think part of my issue is that the first school I trained at had 2 instructors, a purple belt and a blue belt. Most of the time I was just being taught by a blue, and it always annoyed me, especially since I moved to my current school which has tons more students of varying ranks. But I was going there just for BJJ, I wasn't going for Karate and cross training a bit, which is what these guys would be doing.

As a brand new student, a lower ranking instructor is perfectly acceptable. The level of instruction needs to match the level of your ability. Were you close to Blue and a Blue is still teaching you, that would be an issue.

[cyrijl]

Can you relay how to do techniques and explain them? I mean, really explain the "what if" questions that arise.

Really that is all that matters.

[Copperpot]

I can definitely explain basic technique and the theory behind it. This is my only real hobby, so I've learned everything I can about it. I hate my job, so this is like the best part of my week.

[KO'd N DOA]

Copperpot;

If it is a one off or even a short series have a great time and blow their minds. You should also pass that plateau you have hit, by the deconstruction of your techniques in order to teach. Even if you decide that are a hack, they wont know. Unless of course you are like one BJJ blue who covered the class where I am... Blue belt technique but He had no clue what he was doing teaching.

Have confidence. Dont start off with "So...uhhhh...wattaya want to Know?" Have a game plan. But dont talk to much.

If this is going to be ongoing for an un determined period of time, make sure you have the depth to make it interesting, as well as the committment.

[slideyfoot]

Am I a hack! Tell me what to do, Bullshido !!!

I'd advise that once you get the go-ahead from your instructor, you make sure people taking the class realise it is just an intro (judging by your initial post, I'd assume that the karate instructor has already made this clear, but worth emphasising).

If this becomes a long-term thing, then it would probably be a good idea to direct people who have achieved a grasp of the basics to a more experienced instructor (i.e., yours, like Mikey Triangles implied).

It should definitely have a positive impact on your own training, as trying to teach somebody else how to perform a particular technique forces you to really focus in on how you'd do it yourself. Ideally, you'd also re-evaluate the techniques you're planning to teach in your own training, perhaps using sparring time to experiment with basic sweeps/passes etc you haven't used in a while.

In a best case scenario, you'd be able to get some pointers from your instructor on what you're planning to teach beforehand, maybe in a private lesson, but that will obviously be constrained by finances and time.

I'm interested to see how it goes for you - best of luck with the class.

[Bustardo]

As the only blue belt that shows up almost every day I always get the pleasure of giving first day students the run down on basics. I like it because it's made them very clear in my head. You can never go over them enough.

Typically what I do on the first day is this:

Explain to them a bit about BJJ. About how the goal of it is to take your opponent down to the ground so you can use leverage and technique to overcome size and strength. Sometimes this doesn't sit too well with complete newbies because I'm a very large guy. I then point to the 145 pound purple belt, and point out that when I first came in, I weighed 320 and that guy repeatedly kicked the crap out of me wrestling, over and over. I almost always get a reply like, "REALLY?!?!"

I then show them the basic hierarchy of positions. I show them the guard, cross body, mount and back with hooks in. If they're interested in MMA I tell them about the advantage of striking from various positions, and if you're just doing grappling you get points from advancing your position.

I then go over bridging, and the upa escape, and have them run through that with me about 10 times.

Then I go over to cross body and show them how to hold it, and then we do the basic escape from cross body about 10 times.

Then I go over 1 guard pass, explain what it is you're doing exactly, and why. Then we drill it about 10 times. Then for the part of class when people are sparring I either have them drill the basics some more or attempt to pass my guard with about 20% resistance.

It seems to work pretty well and gives them enough to survive when they're thrown in to spar with the other people when they feel ready.

[danielson]

Its seems you have gone through all the appropriate channels and you are not pretending to be something you are not. Be confident in your instruction and best of luck.

[GoldenJonas]

Its seems you have gone through all the appropriate channels and you are not pretending to be something you are not. Be confident in your instruction and best of luck.

QFT. As long as your instructor has given the nod then go ahead and do it. Also, if you have a good relationship with your instructor it could not hurt to ask if you could run a lesson plan and some basic techniques by him. If your instructor says that your understanding and explanation of the basics such as base, posture, and simple transitions from one position to the next are good then be confident and go ahead. Good luck.

[UpaLumpa]

Bear in mind that your ultimate goal should be to get them all to quit the karate school and come to your school.

And make sure not to be a pussy while rolling.

[Yohan]

Check with your instructor . . . if he approves, I'd go for it. You could even try to get a brown or a purple to come along and supervise.