Seminar instructor versus coach / mentor

Seminar instructor versus coach / mentor. Two roles I know very well and find myself juggling between them on a regular basis. On the surface these roles may seem to be the same but to truly understand them we need to look at the essence of each role.I recently came across a slogan of a teacher who calls himself a "coach on the road" (in a slightly different version, but because of my respect, I exchanged one of the words slogan).This person has not led a group of students in years overseeing their growth but rather working as an instructor in seminars.

To be a coach or mentor you have to be present in the students life where you need to have a deep understanding of their physical and emotional needs. You also have to make sure to conserve the group's energy even during your own personal trials and tribulations. We should also ensure that the group of students is able to feed and lift itself from the inside during hardships. The journey of the coach is accompany their students through the years where they will experience physical, mental as well as personal changes. As a coach we need to accept and understand when a student is busy and that they may not always be as focused, however a bridge should always be available with a open door making them feel welcome. Due to the coaches relationship with each student he will set a central goals and build sub-goals which will advance the team at the right pace rather than frustrating and stunting their progression.

The above is not reflected through my work as an instructor in seminars.During seminars you need to maintain a high work rate, you must understand that your job is to present a perception through work and hopefully this will be continued through quality training. You must maintain high energy, be very alert that you stop and help individual students but on the other hand do not let that disturb the rest of the seminar .... You need to understand that you are in front of people that only came to learn, experience and examine your professionalism.

In seminars you performing, you presenting your world and your professionalism as an expert instructor, you are not there as a coach / mentor, you are probably not their Sensei.  Even if I've met those students over the years, know their personal lives, been in their homes,  I'm not their Sensei, I'm not their coach. I can serve as a figure of inspiration, I can outline within my organization the basics of how and what is expected behaviour of a coach and a team leader, but you must not think that both roles are the same they don't mix.

OSU.

Ranks and belts in the tactical training and Krav maga world

Shabbat shalom to all... Just some thoughts for the weekend -

Ranks and belts in the tactical training and Krav maga world

Many times I come across a question about the existence of belts or levels in the IKF organization. And many times I have to explain that the world of belts in Krav Maga as I see it is fundamentally wrong. I understand the need for certain clubs or organizations to create a goal structure that will give trainees some kind of ambition during training. But here, in contrast to Jiu Jitsu, Shuai Jiao, Sanshou or any  traditional art , rank has no relevance.

For many years i found many organisations ranking people and eventhough its great to receive recognition from your instructors showing your progression, also feel that rankings can give people a false sense of security because it doesn't translate how you will react to a real life situation. Remember all techniques are in a controlled environment with very few variables. 

The training structure may not be linked to a particular syllabus; threats are something that varies from country to country and from culture to culture. In Israel for example defence against a knife threat, teaching of  environmental awareness and audience behavior , is completely different from the knife threat profile that can be found in Germany or England. The basics and fundamental are of course the same but the perception or nature of the attack varies and is very unique to each culture.

Just as ridiculous to me as a Krav Maga instructor who has never fought or coped with operational stress and changing terrain conditions will come and guide an operational unit, so too will the quest to advance in belts when you are stuck  to an organization's syllabus rather than training and learning  the reality that surrounds you and is relevant to your daily life.

I teach seminars and security units all over the world, and I am honored to teach  a large number of operative units in Israel, for each unit, for each country, a different seminar is built, as I said the same basis, but the reference point for issuing the protocol will be different. It is important to me to see the soldiers, security guards and civilians  understanding their relevant threats, and carrying out the protocols that are right for their role in life.

I don't see any need for belts in the Krav Maga world, and unfortunately I came across quite a few "experts" who showed poor coping ability when I put them into pressure practice.

Tactical training, self-defense is not a class, it is not a hobby, it is a mind set , an understanding that I must acquire for myself skills and tools for survival.  A black belt, a pink belt, a gold belt, or an "expert" rank do not really belong here.

osu!