The MATA Certification Course
This is designed to provide martial arts instructors with universally recognized teaching methods. These modules were written by leading authorities in various fields such as Child Psychology and Motivation who are also black belts with years of martial arts experience.
| Module 1 | The Principles of an Authoritative Instructor |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Introduction: The Principles of an Authoritative Instructor |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Four Keys to Giving Clear Directions |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Setting And Maintaining a Standard for Conduct |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: No Competition |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: No Rescues |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: False Praise |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Name Question or Question Name? |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Concise Language |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Know and Use Your Tools |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Levels of Intervention |
| Unit 11 | EXAM: The Principles of an Authoritative Instructor |
| Module 2 | How Students Learn-The Science of Teaching |
| Unit 1 | How Students Learn |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: The Three Stages Of Learning |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Skill Explanations and Demonstrations |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Other Factors for Demonstrating |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Perfect Practice |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: What to Teach and When to Teach It |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Class Structure |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Teaching for Transfer |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Feedback |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Instructor Feedback -- Skill Correction |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: Instructor Feedback — Motivating Students |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 11: Feedback: Self-Correct |
| Unit 13 | Lesson 12: How to Vary the Degree of Difficulty |
| Unit 14 | References |
| Unit 15 | EXAM: Module 2–How Students Learn |
| Module 3 | Curriculum Design |
| Unit 1 | How to Structure Your Curriculum: Introduction |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1 - Value Delivery |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2 - Managing Expectations |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3 - The Pyramid of Rank |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4 - Defining What You Want for Your Students |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5 - Less is Best |
| Unit 7 | EXAM: Module 3–How to Structure Curriculum |
| Module 4 | How to Increase Student Retention |
| Unit 1 | How to Increase Student Retention |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: The Dungeon Dojo |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: People Are Busy |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Why Students Get Bored |
| Unit 5 | EXAM: Module 4–How to Increase Retention |
| Module 5 | Principles of a Good Warm-Up |
| Unit 1 | How to Conduct a Proper Warm-Up |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: What Is "Warming Up"? |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Purpose of Warming Up |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Stretching |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Calisthenics |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Customizing Warm-Ups |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Warm-Up Guidelines |
| Unit 8 | EXAM: Module 5–Proper Warmup |
| Module 6 | How to Teach Calisthenics Safely |
| Unit 1 | Proper Execution of Calisthenics |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Warm-Up Phase of Class and Calisthenics |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Specificity and Progressive Overload |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Safety Issues in Calisthenics |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Key Points About Proper Use Of Calisthenics |
| Unit 6 | EXAM: M6–How to Teach Calisthenics |
| Module 7 | Proper Execution of Flexibility Exercises |
| Unit 1 | Proper Execution of Flexibility Exercises |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: What is Flexibility? |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Factors Limiting Flexibility |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Types of Stretching |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Stretching Guidelines |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Flexibility Exercises |
| Unit 7 | Summary and References |
| Unit 8 | EXAM: M7–Flexibility |
| Module 8 | How to Conduct Cool Downs Safely |
| Unit 1 | How to Conduct a Proper Cool-Down |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: What Is a Cool-Down? |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Modifications |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3 Cool-Down Guidelines |
| Unit 5 | EXAM: M8–Cool Downs |
| Module 9 | How to Avoid Over-Training |
| Unit 1 | Introduction: General Adaptation Syndrome |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: The Three Stages Of The General Adaptation Syndrome |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Training Principles |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Training Principles |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Recovery and Detraining Effects: Recovery |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Detraining Effects |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Detraining Effects on Instructors |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Ways to Help Offset Long-Term Detraining Effects |
| Unit 9 | EXAM: M9–Over-Training |
| Module 10 | How to Avoid Injury When Teaching Kicks |
| Unit 1 | How to Teach Kicking Safely |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Kicking Injuries |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Training Methods to Minimize Injury |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3 Advanced Kicking Techniques |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Summary and References |
| Unit 6 | EXAM: M10–Kicking Safely |
| Module 11 | How to Teach Sparring |
| Unit 1 | How to Teach Sparring |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Limited Sparring Drills |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Graduating to Head Contact |
| Unit 4 | EXAM: M11–How to Teach Sparring |
| Module 12 | Teaching According to Age Groups |
| Unit 1 | Age Specific Teaching |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: How Children Process Information |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Specific Age Groups: Preschoolers (Ages 4-6) |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: School Age (Ages 7-12) |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Adolescent (Ages 13-17) |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Adults (Ages 18+) |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Piaget's Stages Of Cognitive Development |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Kohlberg's Stages Of Moral Development |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Memory |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Tips for Teaching |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: Learning Styles |
| Unit 12 | Summary and References |
| Unit 13 | EXAM: M12–Teaching Age Groups |
| Module 13 | How to Create a Healthy Martial Arts Hierarchy |
| Unit 1 | What is a Healthy Martial Arts Hierarchy? |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Pitfalls and Abuses |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Evaluating the Reasons for Hierarchy |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Why Hierarchy? |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: The Problem with Superficial Responses |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Tradition, Accomplishment and Functionality Revisited |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: A Healthy Hierarchy |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Order and Safety. |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Keeping Cool |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Remaining Open |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: Pushing the Limit |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 11: Tips For the Instructor |
| Unit 13 | Lesson 12: Conclusion |
| Unit 14 | EXAM: M13–Hierarchy |
| Module 14 | The Importance Of Motivation And Charisma |
| Unit 1 | The Power Of Motivation And Charisma |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: The Law of Attraction |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: The Power of Purpose |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: The Power of Self-Confidence |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: The Power of Enthusiasm |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: The Power of Excellence |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: The Power of Preparation |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: The Power of Self-Reliance |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: The Power of Image |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: The Power of Character |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: The Power of Self-Discipline |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 11: The Power of Extraordinary Performance |
| Unit 13 | Summary |
| Unit 14 | EXAM: M14–Charismatic Leadership |
| Module 15 | Considerations in Praise, Discipline, and Class Control |
| Unit 1 | Lesson 1: What Is Discipline? |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 2: What Is the Role of Discipline in the Martial Arts School? |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 3: Key Elements for Encouraging Discipline in a Martial Arts Class |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 4: Using Praise and Reward to Encourage Discipline |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 5: Using Reinforcement Effectively |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 6: The Difference Between Praise and Encouragement |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 7: Encouraging Disciplined Behavior |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 8 What to Do |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 9 Four Keys to Giving Clear Directions |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 10: Helping Students Internalize Discipline |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 11: What Is Punishment? |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 12: How Effective Is Punishment? |
| Unit 13 | Lesson 13: When Is Punishment Useful? |
| Unit 14 | Lesson 14: Acceptable Forms of Punishment |
| Unit 15 | Lesson 15: Unacceptable Forms of Punishment in the Martial Arts Class |
| Unit 16 | Lesson 16: Using Punishment Effectively |
| Unit 17 | Lesson 17: Keys to Effective Punishment and References |
| Unit 18 | EXAM: M15–Praise and Punishment |
| Module 16 | How to Teach Life Skills |
| Unit 1 | Teaching Life Skills |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Be a Role Model |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: The Difference between Showing and Telling |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: The Mistake of Telling the Wrong Stories |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: How to Teach Life Skills |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Formulating Character-Trait Lessons |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Teaching Character Traits to Adults |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Is It Even My Job? |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: The Case for Morality |
| Unit 10 | EXAM: M16–Teaching Life Skills |
| Module 17 | Teaching Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder |
| Unit 1 | Teaching Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: ADHD Definition |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Symptoms of ADHD |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Diagnosis and Treatment |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Prognosis |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Teaching Strategies |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Four Basic Teaching Strategies For ADHD Children |
| Unit 8 | EXAM: M17–Teaching ADHD Students |
| Module 18 | Working with Parents |
| Unit 1 | Working with the Parents Of Students |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Establishing the Relationship |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Responding to Questions and Concerns |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Gathering Relevant Information |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Responding to Expectations Related to Problem Behaviors |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Maintaining the Relationship |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: The Rarely Seen Parents |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: The Highly Involved Parents |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Concerns about Belt-Rank Promotion |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Creating Opportunities for Communication |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: Summary |
| Unit 12 | EXAM: M18–Working with Parents |
| Module 19 | How to Teach Self-Defense Safely |
| Unit 1 | Lesson 1 - How to Teach Self-Defense Safely |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1 - Considerations for Student Safety |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2 - The Rules of Engagement |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3 - Equipment Safety for Students and Bad Guys |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4 - Dealing with Body Types |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5 - Dealing with Personalities |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 7 - Monitor Class for Safety |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 6 - Rules of Engagement |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8 - Active Adrenaline, Tone, and Intensity |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9 - The Word for Stop! |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10 - Alternate Targets to Reduce Risk of Injury |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 11 - Safety Tips for Firearm Related Drills |
| Unit 13 | EXAM: M19–How To Teach Self-Defense Safely |
| Module 20 | An Overview of Law for a Martial Arts School |
| Unit 1 | Self-Defense and the Law |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: The Five Elements of the Law of Self Defense |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2 - Your Right to Self-Defense |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Defense of Others |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Defense of Property |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Illegal Defense |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Violent Crimes |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Murder and Manslaughter |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Criminal Procedure |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Civil Law: Contract |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: Torts |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 11: Battery |
| Unit 13 | Lesson 12: Assault |
| Unit 14 | Lesson 13: Wrongful Death |
| Unit 15 | Lesson 14: False Imprisonment |
| Unit 16 | Lesson 15: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress |
| Unit 17 | Lesson 16: Defamation |
| Unit 18 | Lesson 17: Misrepresentation |
| Unit 19 | EXAM: M20–An Overview of Law for a Martial Arts School |
| Module 21 | How to Avoid Negligence and Liability |
| Unit 1 | Avoiding Negligence |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: Avoiding Accidents |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Some Common Training-Area Dangers |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Safety of the Training Equipment |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: Safety of the Training Techniques |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: The Best Defense Is a Good Defense |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: What If It Really Is Your Fault? |
| Unit 8 | EXAM: M21–How to Avoid Negligence and Liability Course |
| Module 22 | Considerations When Using Assistant Instructors |
| Unit 1 | Lesson 1: The $25,000 Volunteers |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 2: Defending Against the State |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 3: Use of Black Belts |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 4: Owner Liability for Instructor Conduct |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 5: Leaving Minors in Charge |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 6: Protecting the Students |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 7: A Note to Student Instructors |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 8: Proper Use of Student Instructors |
| Unit 9 | EXAM: M22–The Proper Use of Student Instructors |
| Module 23 | Sexual Harassment Liability |
| Unit 1 | Lesson 1: Introduction |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 2: Problems |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 3: Defining Sexual Harassment |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 4: Sexual Harassment and the Law |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 5: Sexual Battery |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 6: Child Molestation |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 7: Changing-Room Abuses |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 8: Minors |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 9: Disasters Waiting to Happen |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 10: General Guidelines To Avoid Problems |
| Unit 11 | EXAM: M23–How To Avoid Sexual Harassment Liability |
| Module 24 | The Importance of Safety Equipment |
| Unit 1 | Lesson 1: The Use and Maintenance of Safety Equipment |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 2: Use of Training Aids and Safety Equipment |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 3: Safety Measures for Unsafe Lessons |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 4: Maintenance of Safety Equipment |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 5: Sparring |
| Unit 6 | EXAM: M24–The Use And Maintenance of Safety Equipment |
| Module 25 | The Proper Use of Injury Waiver Forms |
| Unit 1 | The Proper Use Of Release Forms |
| Unit 2 | Lesson 1: When to Get a Form Signed |
| Unit 3 | Lesson 2: Who Signs? |
| Unit 4 | Lesson 3: Who Gets Copies? |
| Unit 5 | Lesson 4: What About Loss? |
| Unit 6 | Lesson 5: Content of a Sample Form |
| Unit 7 | Lesson 6: Signatures and Initials |
| Unit 8 | Lesson 7: Authority to Treat |
| Unit 9 | Lesson 8: Advisory of Rights and Responsibilities |
| Unit 10 | Lesson 9: Assumption of Responsibilities and Risk |
| Unit 11 | Lesson 10: Notice of Physical Contact |
| Unit 12 | Lesson 11: Consent to Physical Contact |
| Unit 13 | Lesson 12: Indemnification by Parents |
| Unit 14 | Lesson 13: Arbitration Clause |
| Unit 15 | Lesson 14: Severability |
| Unit 16 | Lesson 15: Durability |
| Unit 17 | Lesson 16: How to Handle the Terror of the Forms |
| Unit 18 | Sample Release Form |
| Unit 19 | EXAM: M25–The Proper Use of Injury Release Forms |