Youth Teaching Tips: Forms

Chon-Ji Form Demonstration

During the time I have been in Karate, I have always learned a form. Whenever I went to a school, they always had me learn a kata. It usually was something short, since I didn’t just start at black belt.

When I started to teach, I would teach students who had a better sense of how to do the form then me.

They could really snap well, and their stances were great. When I started to get better, I would teach newer students. They could pick up very fast. The only thing that worried me was their technique. I would sometimes get frustrated and I wouldn’t know what to tell them.

I forgot to keep in mind that, even though their technique might have been terrible, they were still brand new. I later learned that, and I became more patient. I made sure that I taught how to do the form slower. The students were able to do well, just as long as I made sure they practiced!

—Bilana (Gen-Ki Evanston Youth Leader)