Martial Arts Instructors Desk Reference [Paperback]

Sang H. Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The Martial Arts Instructor's Desk Reference is a complete guide to advanced teaching concepts and martial arts school administration. Author and veteran martial arts instructor Sang H. Kim covers a wide range of essential topics for the professional martial arts instructor including:

*teaching children with ADD, behavioral problems and learning disabilities
*creating lesson plans and teaching specific curriculum elements
*combating boredom through hundreds of drills and training ideas
*marketing, advertising, publicity, staffing and customer service
*instructor training and evaluation
*tournament management

Based on our popular special report series, this book brings together a wide range of essential topics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sang H. Kim is an internationally respected author of 8 martial arts books, including the best sellers Ultimate Fitness through Martial Arts and Teaching: the Way of the Master, and star of over 50 martial arts instructional videos. He won the 1976 Korean National Champion and was named Instructor of the Year in Korea in 1983. He holds an M.S. degree in physical education and Ph.D. in media studies. He currently devotes his time to teaching, writing and presenting martial arts seminars for students and instructors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Turtle Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880336715
• ISBN-13: 978-1880336717
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #712,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sang H. Kim is an internationally respected author of 14 martial arts books, including the widely acclaimed Vital Point Strikes and the classics Ultimate Flexibility, Ultimate Fitness through Martial Arts, Combat Strategy and Teaching Martial Arts. He has also created over 100 martial arts instructional DVDs and video programs including Self-defense Encyclopedia, Knife-defense, Power Breathing, Junsado Training Series, and Complete Taekwondo Series.

He has over 40 years experience in the martial arts. Has has taught tens of thousands of students in his own schools and at seminars in Europe, Asia and North America and reached millions more through his books, videos and DVDs.

He won the 1976 Korean National Championship and was named Instructor of the Year by the Korean government in 1983. As a special agent during his military service, he developed tactical combat methods for hand-to-hand and hand-to-weapon combat for covert operatives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful but not complete, November 22, 2004

By 

L. A. Kane (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martial Arts Instructors Desk Reference (Paperback)

The first part of this book is pretty much a rehash of materials covered in the author's other works, most of which are found in "Teaching Martial Arts: The Way of the Master" which is a pretty good text in and of itself. The drills, teaching tips, and classroom management techniques are useful. If you have already read "Teaching Martial Arts," the best part of the first section provides forty ways to disguise repetition. Those tips are creative and useful. There is a little more new material such as weapons training tips, safety concerns, (e.g., avoiding injuries, summer training and dehydration), and dealing with ADD issues with children.

The second half is probably what most folks thinking about this title are actually looking for. It covers public relations, marketing, student retention, instructor survival, hosting tournaments, and leadership. It is pretty well done though I was expecting more on developing business plans, financing, and other administrivia associated with actually operating a dojo rather than just teaching in one. If you run, or are thinking of running a commercial school this is a pretty good resource. If you are struggling with deeper issues such as how to make money from a traditional school without feeling like you are losing your soul then it falls a little short.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Use it daily, July 13, 2005

By 

Cal Whitman (White Plains, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martial Arts Instructors Desk Reference (Paperback)

I've had this book for only a few weeks and I find myself using it daily, especially the sections on class drills and marketing ideas. I love the way its set-up - no heavy reading, no long theories to wade through, lots of bulleted lists and short articles that I can read while I'm stuck on hold with the phone company or waiting for an appointment. Not to say there isn't in depth information - the articles teaching ADHD kids and kids in general are excellent, as are the class management articles. Overall, this is an invaluable reference for instructors who have their own school and even for those teaching at school owned by someone else. Another excellent reference by Sang H. Kim.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A really good reference tool for school owners/operators, September 23, 2009

By 

A. Duke "Pyong Shin Do" (Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Martial Arts Instructors Desk Reference (Paperback)

This book is a very nice collection of FAQ's with answers from one of the best martial arts educators out there.

If you are thinking of opening a school or just starting a martial arts program of any kind, I would suggest you read this book FIRST! Then keep it handy!

Glad I purchased it! One of the books I refer back to most!

Aaron