Parents disturbing martial arts classes

[RogerTaylor]

how many other people who run their own club on here have no segregation between students and guest watchers?

we have very little segregation but I have a problem because for a number of years now on and off some parents have been causing unwanted distractions to the class.

I've got dads shouting 'go for it son', 'that my boy', 'smash him' and other comments I wont even go into! ...even people taking photos, which is actually banned!

I feel I do try to deal with these things but it does not seem to go away for ever. how do other people go about segragation or issues like this?

[wing chun]

I tell parents if they want to stay they have to join in or can come back later when the class is over works everytime lol

[KeithBell]

Yeah tell them to move it or lose it! lol

Martial arts classes are not a place for spectators, people need to concentrate ans can really do without people looking on all the time.

As for comments being shouted out, man... tell them to get out of there!

[ashley]

Well I think it's ok to have spectators, as long as there is some kind of seperation.

Roger, I think what you define on segragation is important. I've trained at schools where the 'segragation' is simply some chairs to the side of the flooring and this worked fine. But saying this, thre was never any problems with people interfering, to me that's just unacceptable.

In todays day and age I think its important that classes are open for parents to see (having heard some of the bad press about criminal instructors recently!). But the moment that someone who is not part of the class interferes, its jsut unacceptable.

In this case I would get the class busy doing drills / practicing or whatever and have a quite word with the person interfering and tell them politely not to do it again.

If it did happen again I would have to excuse them from the class.

You can't let these people ruin your school because you want a good atmosphere for all your students in the class, and as an instructor yourself, you should know not to be soft mentally in these situations.

[Kevin Zhang]

This situation is unbelievable, I couldnt imagine it. Tell them to leave straight away and they will soon shut up.

[Ken Hewson]

Why don't you have a club rule book??

This should set out the rules for both the students AND visitors

Every club should have one of these, then you can ask the perpetrator to read the rule book next time they breach it! Your a martial arts instructor, show your strength and tough position on these things.

If you cant, then how can your students respect you as a teacher?

[SimonB]

Have you taken any steps as regards to this issue Roger? Any success?

Has the parent calmed down yet?

[clouddragon]

I really don't allow guest watchers, the only way to enter the class is to book a beginners course. I also only have a small number of children in the class who come with their parents who also take the class.