Here’s a list of things that I feel helps make a good instructor. You’ll see a few with some usernames in (parenthesis), those were added from members over at my site and they are great additions in which I definitely agree with. Do any of you have anything to add or comments in regards to what you think makes a good instructor?

• Patience
• The ability to break down the techniques in very small details
• The ability to analyze any individuals game and add and subtract things as necessary
• The ability to see mistakes that students make as they happen and help correct them
• Someone who doesn’t just focus on single techniques but places a large emphasis on transitions, set-ups, and combinations.
• Someone who focuses on the concepts and doesn’t just show the movements but also explains why they are doing them and what might happen.
• Someone who encourages students to ask questions
• Someone who doesn’t mind a student who asks a lot of questions, because they want to get better.
• Someone who doesn’t just show flashy techniques just for the heck of it. They focus the best they can on higher percentage movements and techniques
• Someone with a strong sense of the fundamentals
• Someone who speaks clearly and in a manner where it is easy for the students to understands.
• Someone who has the ability to show something from and answer questions from all areas. He/she does not have to be an expert in all areas, but they should be aware of the fundamental positions and concepts of most areas.
• The ability to create a relaxed environment where everyone feels comfortable. (dcase)
• The ability to make sure everyone is safe while training and the surroundings are safe (Aesopian)
• The ability to play a leadership role, but at the same time not act like they are above everyone else. It nice to go to a place and train where you can get great guidance and not feel like someone is looking down at you at the same time. (Ideologic)
• Someone who takes the time to plan out a good curriculum to teach. They are prepared before they walk into class and there is a sense of continuity. Classes aren’t ran sporadically with many different things being taught in back to back days. (Ideologic)
• Someone who doesn’t avoid trying to help you learn how to deal with a situation just because they might not know the exact answer. Many instructors just tell their students “Just don’t get put there” as an answer when they can actually be going through the motions and feel what their student is talking about to help them figure out what they can do. This will not only help the student get better and find the answer, but it will also improve the instructors game and possibly teaching at the same time.

Also I feel for someone to be a good instructor they do not have to be a great competitor. In the sport of grappling though in my opinion you can’t really understand the game if you don’t train live, which includes rolling. They do not have to compete though.

I for one myself love to compete and I think it improves every aspect of my grappling including my teaching.

Thanks for reading!
Jason