What is needed by an instructor to say that he instructs MMA?
As it is such a new sport, how long does someone need to train before they would be considered a valid instructor?
Certifications,
Affiliations,
Credentials,
???
Agree, but MMA is just that mixed martial arts.
I am seeing this a lot in Canada and western Canada, guys teaching that have no official background in any form of martial arts (besides street fights or garage training).
It's giving the more reputable schools a bad name to those not informed before checking out a club.
Since they aren't deep in skills, wouldn't it make the more reputable instructors more valuable?
In my opinion..first off look at the facility he has provided you to train in. If the instructor truly loves the sports he should provide a good facility at a reasonable price.Also does he provide quality coaching to support that facility or does he try to cover everything himself?Myself I run a gym but I consider myself more like a general contractor who needs to bring in specialists to get the job done correctly.1 guy can't be that great at everything so he should rely on specialists to provide skills needed to succeed.Examine the skills and accomplishments of the other coaches he brings in as well.Are they up tp the task?
Managing a gym and coaching fighters and managing the career of the fighters in a gym is far too much work for 1 man.
Barry
Just a note, Shawn Tompkins, manages his gym, coaches fighters, and manages fighters careers. It CAN be done. Don't expect a life in there though.
I think if a guy is actively coaching guys who actively fight then he's a trainer.
If you coach guys just to teach, you're a teacher.
If you manage guy's you're a manager.
You have to actively be doing what you say you do. Do you have to be the best? No. If guys want to come to you and train, learn, whatever, that is their choice.
Has fought MMA.
- Has a solid base in a combat sport. I mean he has to be able to totally whoop my ass in something.
- Reliable gym location. If someone is moving gyms every couple months something is wrong.
- Decent gym. If he doesnt even have mats then I dont want to train with him.
- Communication skills. If I feel awkward having to talk to you personally or asking a question, then something is wrong.
Did Cus d'amato box? I am not sure. Could he whip Tyson's ass? No.
Did Angelo Dundee Box? I don't know. Did he whup Ali's ass? Probably not.
Shawn is great no doubt....but did he enlist the help of other coaches and trainers....absolutely.
I would have a hard time being coached by someone who I could beat. This is because I have only trained for about two years with all the breaks. If I had like 10 years of training it would not bother me so much. Or a huge weight advantage, you guys get my drift?
No need for a great MMA instructor/coach to have competed in MMA.
Skill sets are nice but not absolutely necessary.
They should have a degree of knowledge that enables there students to be competitive on the level that they compete/train at. They should have the ability to impart their knowledge on their students.
I don't think that technical ability is absolutely necessary. The thing is that certifications are nice and all but just cause a guy is certified doesn't mean he is smart or can train people.
Countless people will go and get a certification and then just come back and train the same way they were training before they went and did there training. Even when it is costing them thousands to be an affiliate or to be certified.
That is why I think the idea of certification is just elitist crap and a money grab. If you love the sport and have half a brain you will develop and acquire training methods and technical ability that work.
Results will tell the tale usually.
Black Belt in TKD is essential.
Shawn has brought in BJJ guys like Curran and Wrestling like Team Quest to round his guys out.
Anyone can say whatever they want. It's up to the potential students to do some research. Buyer beware...