The role of Sempai/Yudansha in class settings...

Topic:	The role of Sempai/Yudansha in class settings...
Monty Posts: 3 Posted: 31.Mar 2009 - 21:04	Hya, I was having coffee with Graham today, and we had an interesting discussion about trying to work out what the role of Sempai/Yudansha are in a class setting. We asked this question, because, as Sempai/Yudansha, we are often in a position where we are asked questions by Kohai during class, or observe that the Kohai we are training with at the time may simply need some assistance in performing the technique. Which leads to the nebulous question of what is our role? It does seem to vary from class to class, size of class, level of class etc. Obviously the Sensei's instruction is to be followed as best as possible, but if you are training with a Kohai who has limited, if any experience in a technique, it can be difficult to know where to begin and end in terms of assisting them, without imposing one's own interpretation or limited understanding, which may sometimes not be quite what the Sensei intended...and it may take some time (or techniques) for the Sensei to reach you and your Kohai partner for more detailed instruction and assistance. I find this a difficult position, because I don't want to interfere with Sensei's instructions or Kohai's natural learning, but at times it may simply be very difficult to achieve ANY technique when a Kohai is staring at their hands and feet in a tangled mess, looking at you and asking "what do I do?". So I guess the two extremes would be to leave the Kohai in the deep end so to speak, until the Sensei has time to reach them during each new technique (which may not always happen for each technique in a large class), or over-assist with technical imposition - neither of which are desirable. So perhaps some Sensei/Yudansha/Sempai could assist with a better understanding of what to do in these situations? Obviously our own Sempai have set examples, and some of this stuff may seem really obvious, but it would be great to have some more clarity in the dos and don't of Sempai/Kohai training interactions...particularly with beginners. Cheers, Monty
nigelct online Posts: 9 Posted: 26.Apr 2009 - 13:53	I would suggest that Sempai need to ride the balance between 'guiding' Kohai and acting as a role model. I think it's important not to 'instruct' Kohai, but it is extremely important that Kohai feels he/she can seek assistance and guidance of Kohai. I know Stewart Letford always said to avoid verbal instructions, or at least the use of too many words, as it tends to make Kohai over think the movement rather than feel it. Big Mike is also very keen on this approach. Sempai is also a role model for the Kohai. Showing them the correct attitude and etiquette in class (and outside it). Even things like how to bow onto the matt correctly, to keep feet clean, show others how to take a drink of water while keeping engaged with the class, etc.

Topic:

The role of Sempai/Yudansha in class settings...

Monty

Posts: 3

Posted:
31.Mar 2009 - 21:04

Hya,

I was having coffee with Graham today, and we had an interesting discussion about trying to work out what the role of Sempai/Yudansha are in a class setting. We asked this question, because, as Sempai/Yudansha, we are often in a position where we are asked questions by Kohai during class, or observe that the Kohai we are training with at the time may simply need some assistance in performing the technique. Which leads to the nebulous question of what is our role?

It does seem to vary from class to class, size of class, level of class etc. Obviously the Sensei's instruction is to be followed as best as possible, but if you are training with a Kohai who has limited, if any experience in a technique, it can be difficult to know where to begin and end in terms of assisting them, without imposing one's own interpretation or limited understanding, which may sometimes not be quite what the Sensei intended...and it may take some time (or techniques) for the Sensei to reach you and your Kohai partner for more detailed instruction and assistance.

I find this a difficult position, because I don't want to interfere with Sensei's instructions or Kohai's natural learning, but at times it may simply be very difficult to achieve ANY technique when a Kohai is staring at their hands and feet in a tangled mess, looking at you and asking "what do I do?".

So I guess the two extremes would be to leave the Kohai in the deep end so to speak, until the Sensei has time to reach them during each new technique (which may not always happen for each technique in a large class), or over-assist with technical imposition - neither of which are desirable.

So perhaps some Sensei/Yudansha/Sempai could assist with a better understanding of what to do in these situations?

Obviously our own Sempai have set examples, and some of this stuff may seem really obvious, but it would be great to have some more clarity in the dos and don't of Sempai/Kohai training interactions...particularly with beginners.

Cheers,

Monty

nigelct
online
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Posts: 9

Posted:
26.Apr 2009 - 13:53

I would suggest that Sempai need to ride the balance between 'guiding' Kohai and acting as a role model. I think it's important not to 'instruct' Kohai, but it is extremely important that Kohai feels he/she can seek assistance and guidance of Kohai.

I know Stewart Letford always said to avoid verbal instructions, or at least the use of too many words, as it tends to make Kohai over think the movement rather than feel it. Big Mike is also very keen on this approach.

Sempai is also a role model for the Kohai. Showing them the correct attitude and etiquette in class (and outside it). Even things like how to bow onto the matt correctly, to keep feet clean, show others how to take a drink of water while keeping engaged with the class, etc.