Coaching 101: The 'I-paradigm'
Submitted by David Webb, 5th May 2007

The following synopsis forms the basis of all coaching and ideology within the accelerated learning programmes at the Tokon Academy. Instructors within the academy feel it imperative that students understand the importance of 'self-learning' and 'self-realisation' of personal ability.

If an individual is to truly grasp the open or closed skill being drilled, the technique as it exists within its own range and how it complements to their ability and overall 'game' they must first understand the 'I-Paradigm' and how this benefits their progression.

There are many reasons why people start karate, they may want to keep fit, they may be looking for a hobby, self defense, socialising, or they have simply been fascinated by the whole history and mysticism surrounding karate and the martial arts.

Most people, in my experience, are not very fit when they start karate, fitness seems to be one of the main attractions, for a lot of people.

When a karate-ka (a karate practitioner) has been training for a certain amount of time, they will sometimes, naturally, supplement their karate practice, it may be running, swimming, cycling, weight training, etc, etc. Of course, there will be senior karate-ka who only practice karate and nothing else. But these karate-ka are normally very serious and are practicing five and more classes each week. But what of the person who only trains once or twice each week?

All of us have our own preferred learning style passed down to us through our genes, it is a vital part of who we are.

If you are a student learning karate, understanding your own learning style will help you learn new techniques and skills faster and better.

If you are a Sensei, teaching karate you can structure your lessons around the Natural Learning Styles of your students to motivate and improve.

Senpai and kohai are a major part of Japanese society.

Senpai normally means the person who has been training the longest and therefore has the most experience. Kohai is the person who has been training the shortest amount of time. In the west, senpai/kohai does exist in some dojo, but as a general rule, if a western kohai karate-ka sees a weak senpai, in most cases, they will do all in their power to beat and show the dojo that they are better than the senpai, sometimes even embarrassing and humiliating them.

In Japan the senpai is always treated with respect, irrespective of physical skills, such as speed, strength, agility, etc. Once the senpai/kohai relationship is established, its for good!

Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) was the founder of Shotokan karate, but one of the main people to regulate shotokan karate into a system, was Master Masatoshi Nakayama (1913–1987).

Master Nakayama was a senior student of Master Funakoshi and in 1949 they formed the Japan karate Association (JKA).

Master Nakayama helped form the JKA instructor training program (kenshusei), which I believe, was one of the reasons karate spread across the world at such an incredible rate.

The senior sensei that graduated from the JKA instructor training program are now legends in the world of shotokan karate. Phenomenal Sensei, like Hirokazu Kanazawa, Keinosuke Enoeda, Yoshiharu Osaka, Tetsohiko Asai, Hiroshi Shirai, Masahiko Tanaka, Mikio Yahara, Masao Kawazoe, Takauki Mikami, Yutaka Yaguchi, Shiro Asano, Hideo Ochi, Shigeru Takashina, Fujikiyo Omura and many more!