Instructor Training


Pre-Requisite

Before attending our instructor training program, you must have completed at least one ASST based program (R-A-W Power, RMCAT, Impact, Model Mugging, F.A.S.T. Defense, etc.). We feel that this step cannot be missed, as it is the first (and most important) step to take in the process of becoming a certified instructor. Due to the time, energy and expense involved with becoming a certified instructor, we feel it is in everyone's best interest to have those considering instructor training first participate in the class as a student. This will help you understand what your future students will experience and give you the information you need to determine if becoming an ASST instructor is right for you.

Becoming an Instructor

Individuals want to become instructors for different reasons. Some would like to teach the structured program that we offer at R-A-W Power, while others plan to use the protective gear and scenario training for their own martial art applications. Whatever your goal is, becoming a certified instructor in ASST means becoming part of a teaching team comprised of at least one padded assailant (a.k.a. "mugger") and one "coach". We believe that both roles are critical in order to create a successful training experience, as well as to insure the safety of the student and the "mugger". So, if you are considering becoming a certified instructor, it's important to know that you will need a partner and both halves of the teaching team will need to go through instructor training together.

If your goal is to offer women's self defense courses in your community, we strongly suggest that the "coach" half of your team is a woman. Experience has shown us that female students (particularly non-martial artists) learn more thoroughly and effectively when taught by a female instructor. This is no reflection on the skill or ability of a male instructor. Rather, it has more to do with the emotional process women experience when learning Adrenal-Stress Scenario Training and female students have continually reported that can relate better and feel safer when learning these skills from another woman.

We adhere to the "walk before you run" theory and have found that the safest way to learn how to use the protective gear and practice Adrenal-Stress Scenario Training effectively is to start by learning how to teach a "5-Hour Basic Tools Workshop". So, your initial instructor training program will focuses solely on the skills necessary to become certified to teach this program. Once you can successfully teach the "5-Hour Basic Tools Workshop", you can then choose to become certified to teach our advanced courses or customize your scenarios for specific martial art applications.

A Commitment

Becoming a certified instructor means making a substantial commitment of time, energy and money. Here are the steps that are involved to complete this process:

1. All team members must complete at least one ASST based program as a student (R-A-W Power, RMCAT, Impact, Model Mugging).

2. The "mugger" half of the team must order the protective gear. This can take up to eight weeks depending on the manufacturer?s backlog of orders. The cost of the gear is approximately $1,200.

3. Successfully complete the five-day instructor training program.

4. It takes some time to become comfortable, competent and safe in the gear, so in order to insure safety and quality training, at this point you would be "provisionally certified" to teach the "5-Hour Basic Tools Workshop" only. We ask that you do not use the gear for any other course or training that involves students until you attain your official certification (unless specifically discussed and agreed upon by both you and the instructor training staff).

5. Teach at least eight "5-Hour Basic Tools Workshops" over the next 12-month period. Classes are to be video taped and then mailed to the instructor training staff for review and constructive feedback to help improve on-going classes. Depending on your progress, we will also send you videotapes with updates, new techniques and additional class plans as your skill and ability grows.

6. Sponsor your instructor-trainer team to come to your school at least once in the 12-month period to provide "hands-on" supervision and fine-tuning.

7. Once your team is able to safely and confidently teach the "5-Hour Basic Tools Workshop", you will become certified instructors.

As you can see from the above steps, the path to becoming a certified ASST instructor is an "apprentice" program that can take up to 12 months to complete. Some teams will advance faster than others, depending on how well they can demonstrate their mastery of the gear and training process.

If you follow the steps, you will achieve your goal of becoming a certified ASST instructor and we will fulfill our commitment to quality training by certifying only instructors that have completed this rigorous training program.

The Instructor Training Program

We offer comprehensive instructor training here in Los Angeles, CA. or we can come to you. Either way, the training is conducted over five consecutive days and culminates with instructor trainees teaching a "5-Hour Basic Tools Workshop" with real students under the supervision of the training staff. The five-day Instructor Training Program covers the following material:

1. Understanding Adrenal-Stress Scenario Training
2. Gear adjustment and fine-tuning
3. Facilitating the Class Plan and Time Management
4. Leading the class and understanding teaching roles
5. Communication between the mugger and coach
6. Demonstrating techniques/scenarios
7. Supportive coaching & moving with the student (for the coach)
8. Making the attack and creating openings
9. Maintaining proper distance
10. Understanding and using the Verbal Attack
11. Reaction to strikes and movement in the protective gear
12. Static vs. fluid attack
13. Video review
14. Teaching a 5-hour ?Basic Tools Workshop?
15. Marketing/Advertising the program to you school and community
16. Respecting student/teacher boundaries
17. Complete Instructor Training notebook with class outlines
18. Dealing with different learning styles and personalities
19. Giving feedback to fellow team members, staff and students
20. Creating and maintaining class energy

Follow Up Supervision and Training

We have found that the only way to really get comfortable with this method of training is by teaching classes at least once a month after your initial five-day instructor program. As part of your initial training fee, we will monitor and provide helpful feedback to you when you video tape your classes and send us a copy of the tape for the first 12 months after your instructor training.

If you are serious about becoming a certified instructor, please contact us for more specifics, including price breakdown and ideas for how you might defray some of the cost.