An experienced martial arts instructor can still teach, despite being injured.
As a white belt in BJJ, I am dominated on the mat, plain and simple. Although I am learning to use technique more and strength less, I lack the experience of the higher-ranked students. As a beginner, I am much more susceptible to injury. The body is having a hard time adapting, at 52 years of age. Since I started training in BJJ in June, I have had two very sore rotator cuffs, a dislocated little toe, a stiff neck, and severely bruised ribs. This has not kept me from training consistently, but has slowed me down.
Injuries Can Be a Blessing in Disguise
I have used the downtime to look at my BJJ books, play BJJ DVD’s and create lesson plans for our MMA classes. I have been able to workshop many BJJ and MMA techniques with our senior students, despite being injured. When I get back on the mat to roll, I will have a better understanding of the intricacies of the moves.
I have been able to continue my yoga classes and conditioning with our MMA students, so my mat fitness should remain okay, even without rolling. Every martial artist should have a backup plan for exercising in the event of injury. There is always something you can do to stay fit. Many athletes cross-train during the time it takes to recover from an injury. It is actually better for your body than doing the same exercises every day.
Injuries Do Not Stop You From Teaching
Injuries have not prevented me from teaching. You can be bruised and battered, and yes, even old, but your knowledge and the ability to impart it to your students can never be taken from you. I taught classes for a year and a half as I recovered from a knee reconstruction, with the help of my able-bodied assistants. This gave them much-needed experience running the classes, while I was able to give them a critique on their teaching method.
As a martial arts teacher, you are only expected to be able to teach your students the movements and help them to understand. You are not expected to be a physical specimen or jump over tall buildings in a single bound.
Hi Matt,
I was watching Todd teaching with injuries thinking at my current work – I just take a few sick days.
As the head instructor running a school – it is wise to keep involved even if one has to temper some activities.
Funny but just yesterday I was riding my mountain bike and saw what looked like some fun hills and ended up flying over the handle bars and getting road rash. 🙂
I’m adjusting my workouts accordingly.
I agree that you still have a lot to offer students even if tall building are not in the cards for a while. 🙂
Hi John, nice to know I am not the only one. As I always say “the show must go on”. The kids are depending on me to be there, so no real choice in the matter. Have not missed a class in 17 years, knock on wood.
You’re lucky to be getting off with just a road rash after going over the handlebars. Reckon those rolls and breakfalls came in handy.
Great post as always. I’m just an assistant instructor but due to my dodgy hip I have had to learn to adapt my teaching so that students don’t pick up my ‘special’ methods by accident. Although, I as an instructor, I always explain why I can’t do the moves exactly as they should be done, just in case they think I’m lazy or haven’t practiced it enough 😀
Were I 10 years younger without an old neck injury I might give BJJ a serious look. Last year’s foray into kickboxing/BJJ light/kitchen sink martial arts was enough, thank you! At least now I have a ground plan. It’s messy but I have one.
My one regret is that I wish I had seriously studied a martial art when I was 28. I might be an instructor by now. Instead I’m a 44-year-old martial arts vagabond with a neck injury from running.
Everything I do now is predicated on protecting my neck injury. Injuries are both a blessing and curse. A blessing in that they force you to see how you can take a particular set of skills and work around the injury.
Anyhow, take care of yourself and heal! I’ve found that the older I get the longer the recovery time. I can still do a lot of what I could at 28 — just not as long.
Thanks Jamie, glad you enjoyed it. Can definitely relate. My left side is weaker due to sciatica from back problems years ago. I try to have one of my better students demonstrate techniques involving high left kicks. Or I face mirror image to the class and use the right leg, they can follow it better using that method anyway.
Hi Bob, yes, unfortunately BJJ can be hard on the neck, as I am discovering. Everything takes longer to heal, as you say, which is damn frustrating. Went to train on Sunday, and while the other guys were rolling, I was doing drills. Every one of them asked me to roll, and had to turn them down since ribs are still sore and don’t want to be back to square one.
I started seriously at 26, although delving into martial arts since high school. Wished I had started at 13, but it’s all relative, isn’t it? At least we are on the path. Know so many guys my age who have more injuries/soreness/health problems than me and never did martial arts.
Being a vagabond is not so bad, as long as you are happy where you are at.