Self-Defense Tip 17 Selecting a Self-Defense Instructor

How to tell competent instructors of self-defense and martial arts from frauds and bullshido masters

Here is what Mac Mierzejewski — author of Power High Kicks with No Warm-Up! — has to say on this:

“Take a good look at the instructor. If the instructor tells you that he was in Special Forces and `his whole life fought full-contact’ but has a big belly and no scars on the face, then something is wrong.

“What I want to say is that may years of hard physical exercise will be evident even in old age. [Athletes tend to stay athletes even as they age.]

“I believe that instructors who exercise together with students are preferable to those who refrain from physical effort and merely command.

“I advise against joining secretive styles, that require advance payment for several months of instruction [typical for schools run by frauds and bullshido masters]. If the instructor and school are good, then the school is usually open and visitors can see several well-trained people exercising there, not just lots of trophies and diplomas.

“If the students are fit, then the school is worth trying. If the students, other than the beginners, are obese or unskilled, then their training methods are ineffective.”

For more info on selecting a self-defense instructor and a gym or a martial arts school, see Self-Defense Tip #21 — Selecting a Gym or a Martial Arts School, Part I and Self-Defense Tip #22 — Selecting a Gym or a Martial Arts School, Part II.

Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.

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