In this unit, we will examine the responsibilities and standards expected of Mandated Club Instructors, as well as the qualities of an effective instructor. Mandated Club Instructors are responsible for the following:

• Lead the session and the club.
• Have overall responsibility for the safety of everyone in the dojo training area. If juniors are present, this includes adhering strictly to The Jiu Jitsu Foundation Child Protection Policy.
• Provide detailed instructions to Assistant Instructors and Club assistants regarding their roles and responsibilities for each session.
• Supervise and monitor Assistant Instructors, providing regular teaching opportunities to support their progress.
• Provide feedback and evaluation to improve the skills of Club Instructors and Assistant Instructors. This includes assessing and formally approving (signing off) Assistant Instructors and Club Assistants when they meet the required standards.

Instructor Standards What makes a good instructor?  Being a Club Instructor requires maintaining high standards and abiding by the Instructor Code of Practice, which extends beyond the training mat. This includes:

1. Teaching standards.
2. Regulated activity: Requirements for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (or equivalent).
3. Child Protection policy.
4. Procedures for dealing with and reporting first aid incidents.
5. Jiu Jitsu and the law.
6. Working inclusively with everyone on the mat, without prejudice based on their age, gender, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic.
7. Etiquette.
8. Administration, especially licensing, managing entries for national competitions and gradings, and club finances.

Qualities of a Exceptional Instructor

Defining an exceptional Jiu-Jitsu instructor is subjective and will vary slightly based on individual student needs and preferences. However, certain core qualities consistently contribute to an exceptional learning environment and student development. Here’s a breakdown of those qualities and why they are crucial:

Experience:

An exceptional instructor has significant time on the mat, not just as a student but also actively teaching and guiding others. They will have navigated various challenges in their own training and have witnessed a wide range of student progress and difficulties. They understand the nuances of different body types and the long-term journey of Jiu Jitsu.

Experience provides a deep well of knowledge to draw upon. An experienced instructor can offer more nuanced advice, troubleshoot problems effectively, and adapt their teaching to different situations. They have seen what works and what does not work over time and can guide students through plateaus and setbacks with informed strategies.

Ambition / Personal Goals:

An exceptional instructor has a genuine passion for Jiu Jitsu and a continuous drive for personal improvement. This might manifest as ongoing training, seeking knowledge from high-level practitioners, attending courses, or even competing.

An instructor who is still actively learning and striving to improve sets a powerful example for their students. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and their commitment to their own development demonstrates the lifelong journey that Jiu Jitsu represents. This fosters a culture of continuous learning within the club.

Commitment and goals for club and students:

An exceptional instructor is deeply invested in the success of their students and the growth of their club. They dedicate time and energy to planning classes, providing individual feedback, and fostering a positive and supportive training environment. Their goals extend beyond personal achievement to the collective progress and well-being of the club.

Commitment ensures consistency and a structured learning experience. Clear goals for the club and students provide direction and motivation. Students feel valued and supported when they know their instructor is genuinely invested in their progress, leading to higher retention and a stronger club community.

Integrity:

An exceptional instructor acts with honesty, fairness, and respect in all interactions. They are transparent about their knowledge and limitations, avoid favouritism, and handle conflicts with maturity and impartiality. They uphold the principles of Jiu Jitsu both on and off the mat.

Integrity builds trust and respect within the club. Students need to feel safe and treated fairly. An instructor with strong integrity creates a positive ethical foundation for the club, promoting a culture of respect and camaraderie.

Technical skill:

An exceptional instructor possesses a deep and comprehensive understanding of Jiu Jitsu techniques, principles, and strategies. They can execute techniques effectively and explain the underlying mechanics with clarity. 

Strong technical skill is the foundation of effective instruction. Students need to learn correct techniques and understand the underlying reasons for them. A technically proficient instructor can provide accurate demonstrations, identify errors in student execution, and offer effective corrections.

Communication skills:

An exceptional instructor can articulate complex Jiu Jitsu concepts in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. They adapt their language to different levels of understanding, use analogies effectively, and provide constructive feedback that is both specific and encouraging. They are also active listeners, understanding student questions and concerns.

Effective communication ensures that students can understand the material being taught. Clear explanations, demonstrations, and feedback are crucial for learning and improvement. An approachable communicator also encourages students to ask questions and seek clarification, fostering a more interactive and effective learning environment.

Approachability:

An exceptional instructor is welcoming, friendly, and accessible to all students, regardless of their skill level or background. They create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, seeking help, and sharing their struggles without fear of judgment.

Approachability fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Students are more likely to engage actively in their learning if they feel comfortable interacting with their instructor. This openness builds stronger relationships and a more supportive community within the academy.

Professionalism:

An exceptional instructor conducts themselves in a professional manner both on and off the mat. This includes punctuality, preparedness for classes, maintaining a clean and safe training environment, dressing appropriately, and communicating respectfully. They treat their role as an instructor with seriousness and dedication.

Professionalism sets a positive tone for the club and demonstrates respect for the students’ time and investment. It creates a structured and organized learning environment, contributing to a more effective and enjoyable training experience.

The standards they enforce:

A great instructor consistently enforces high standards for safety, respect, discipline, and technical execution within the club. This includes rules regarding hygiene, etiquette, training intensity, and the proper execution of techniques. They address deviations from these standards fairly and consistently.

Enforcing standards ensures a safe and productive learning environment for everyone. It promotes a culture of respect and discipline, which are integral to the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Consistent standards also contribute to the overall quality of the training and the development of technically sound practitioners.

A good instructor will :

S1: Set high expectations for their students to motivate and inspire them.

• Establish a safe, equitable and stimulating environment for their students.
• Set high expectations for all students that they teach regardless of backgrounds & ability.
• Always demonstrate the values and positive attitudes of all Jiu Jitsu Foundation instructors. (The instructor code of practice will explain this further later in the course).

S2: Help students make good progress and achieve positive results.

• Regularly observe students’ performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Understand their students’ capabilities and prior experiences, including their physical activity readiness as noted on their licence.
• Understand how their students learn and how this affects their teaching.
• Help their students reflect on their own learning.

S3: Know the syllabus well.

• Have a thorough understanding of the syllabus they need to teach.
• Know how to safely prepare students for Jiu Jitsu practice, including warm-ups, cool-downs, and conditioning.

S4: Plan and teach well-structured sessions.

• Teach the syllabus to their students, using time effectively.
• Encourage students to want to learn Jiu Jitsu.
• Reflect on the sessions they teach and how effectively they taught the material.

S5: Adjust their teaching to suit student needs.

• Know how and when to adjust their teaching to meet students’ needs.
• Understand the barriers their students may face in learning, and the relevance of the licence form in this regard.
• Be aware of their students’ physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

S6: Assess their students’ Progress

• Know how to assess how well their students have understood your teaching.
• Give students regular feedback to help them understand techniques better.

S7: Manage the mat effectively to ensure a safe learning environment.

• Expect a high level of respect between students and instructors, which includes prioritising safety.
• Build rapport with students and create an effective learning environment on the mat.

S8: Manage off-mat activities to ensure a well-organised club.

• Ensure the club is organised regarding licensing, national competitions, gradings, and club finances.
• Attends regularly and on time.
• Welcome newcomers into the club and is approachable on and off the mat
• Attends regional, area, and national events, and encourages students to attend as well.
• Clearly understands the club’s role and direction.
• Have an up-to-date instructor licence.

This is the end of this module.

You now need to complete some questions before you move to the next unit.

Responsibilities and Instructor Standards Questions

You’ll need to answer correctly at least 6 out of the 7 questions below (at least 75%) to progress to the next unit. Note that unless indicated choose one answer only.