Tag: martial arts

Striking Fitness & Conditioning with Kidderminster Harriers Football Club

‘VERVE Martial Arts – Kidderminster Harriers collaboration’

We were asked to deliver a striking, fitness and conditioning session for the men’s first team at Kidderminster Harriers Football Club as they enter the final stages of their pre-season training preparations – from the ‘get go’ you could see their super focus and workrate!
As such we turning it up to another level … from the pad drill start, to the high volume power striking, to the team building aggression tests at the end, it really was a ‘top-draw’ session leaving them all sweating, smiling and learning!

Quality work boys!

All the very best for the season ahead – go smash it!

Check out my facebook for more photos and videos of the session!

VERVE Astros Package 4 to 6yrs martial arts classes – open to all instructors

VERVE Astros Package – open to all instructors!

Still not ordered our ASTROS 4-6yrs kids training programme?

Here is a gentle reminder as to what you get –
 
✅ NEW 4-6yrs kids specific syllabus to provide structure as well as challenge the students
✅ NEW poster designs to help promote classes
✅ NEW VERVE Astros NINJA – 10+ designs for your newsletters and marketing material
✅ NEW animated GIFS for use on your social media stories
✅ NEW 60+ skills & drills doc to help keep classes fresh
✅ NEW ‘word of the day’ images
✅ NEW ‘fun facts & wise words’ images
✅ NEW stickers designs to give away in your classes
 
Remember anyone can order and use our Astros content, would you like to discuss it and how it can benefit your school?
 
Feel free to give Master John Swift a call or email
 
T. 07989980155
E. info@vervemartialarts.co.uk
 
Alternatively, order yours at –
https://www.vervemartialarts.co.uk/collections/club-services/products/verve-astros-martial-arts-for-kids-instructor-package

 

ABC of teaching

The ABC’s of Teaching the Martial Arts
Always be on time and teach that being on time is arriving “ten minutes early.”
Be a model of commitment, honesty, effort and consistency.
Care about your students’ mental, physical, health and well-being.
Do random acts of kindness before, during and after classes.
Every day give each student plenty of positive feedback.
Forget about past offences, look to the future and provide direction & positive reinforcement.
Give students more respect than you expect from them.
Have a happy disposition and a positive attitude when you teach.
Invest time in each class, each student and of course invest in yourself – a fit, passionate instructor is a fresh and buzzing instructor on the mats
Jump with excitement when they achieve small victories.
Keep looking for their positive traits and skills.
Love the journey, be sure to be open, share your passion, knowledge and experiences.
Make appropriate adjustments for the students age and of course be patient.
Never criticise your students in front of other classmates, well almost never 😉
Only enlighten and offer constructive comments.
Put aside the worst aspects of the way you were taught and teach as you have evolved.
Quietly discipline in a private setting.
Recognise each student as special, uniquely different and innately talented.
Spend time listening to your students and their parents.
Teach them to use their martial arts manners outside of the school.
Understand how the student develop mentally and physically and teach appropriately.
Welcome their family and friends into the school.
X-ray to the core of what they really need: confidence, self-respect and courage.
Yell only when happy and enthusiastic – never in anger.
Zoom in on their needs and be sure to be supportive & help them achieve beyond expectation.
I look forward to seeing you on the mats!
Respect as Always
Master Swift

Taking Seminar Bookings for 2020

2020 is set to be another HUGE year and Master Swift has already taken over a dozen bookings for seminars so be sure to get yours confirmed ASAP

Available for –

  • – Sparring
  • – Fitness & conditioning
  • – Focus pad work
  • – ITF Patterns
  • – Self-defence and modern close quarter combat
  • – Weapons training
    … and more

 

Be sure to follow his work on both instagram and facebook, search for masterjohnswift

NEW Sparring Stretching & Conditioning Class in Hagley

5 best investments you can make

As a small business owner and martial artist it is way too easy to neglect yourself, I know as I have been there!

Your focus and time is often more on the growth and development of your students and clients which of course in itself is not a bad thing but when it comes at a long term cost / effects of neglecting yourself, you need to ensure at some point to take a step back, take a look and plan for you!

 

Here are just 5 things I would consider to be essential for your long-term success.

1 . Invest in your knowledge – educate yourself

  •  – Read, develop depth of understanding and knowledge, become an authority in your field
  •  – Struggling for time? Listen to podcasts whilst travelling or working out at the gym, it is very easy these days to gain further knowledge from literally the most senior established people in the world
  •  – Youtube videos offer similar learning opportunities though obviously you have to sit down and watch rather than listen
  •  – Get a mentor, this is why I insist you all have an instructor for guidance in the martial arts but also in business and life

 

‘Educate and Act’

Make sure you take action on the knowledge gained

 

2. Invest in your health … ‘3 legged stool concept’ – miss one of the 3 legs and the balance has lost

  •  – EXERCISE – Regularity of your own exercise, gauging intensity and focus depending on the performance required or end result
  •  – NUTRITION – Balanced diet and nutritional plan will not only refuel but help rebuild the body
  •  – RECOVERY – Rest and recovery so that your body and mind has the opportunity to rebuild and avoid injury

 

‘Learn and Do’

Learn how to listen to your body, know when to rest, know when to work

 

3. Invest in your team

You can’t do it all by yourself and to scale you need the best people – ‘your net worth is your network’ … and I am not just talking financially so –

  •  – Build strong relationships
  •  – Promote cohesion within your group of people, remove people who are unwilling to work and adapt – you will be thankful over time!
  •  – Delegate roles and help them grow
  •  – Continually develop their skill, knowledge & experience as well as opportunities to progress

 

‘Leadership is a lonely place, be sure to take people with you’

 

4. Invest in a decent task management system & commit to taking action

  •  – In my opinion there is no such thing as time management, it is task management, we all have the same number of minutes and hours in a day, you simply need to prioritise tasks and make appropriate steps towards achieving the things that are of most value to you
  •  – ‘to do’ lists work but I started doing a ‘want to’ do list first, I get some of my favourite things done and I carried the momentum into the essential ‘to do’ list and have a far more productive day
  •  – Are you a little bit more techy? Ever used Monday.com? There are many online task management systems, certainly if you have a large team and tasks to complete, Monday.com is a great one!

 

5. Invest money in positive cash-flowing assets, preferably passive ie PROPERTY

  •  – Create multiple income streams and ensure future wealth creation
  •  – Safe guard against loss of income eg injuries, sickness as well as of course planning for your older age
  •  – There are other asset classes, I have multiple businesses as well as stocks and shares but due to ‘gearing’ the property is significantly out performing the stocks and requires far less work than the businesses!
  •  – Remember an investment can go down as well as up but if you maintain a ‘buy and hold’ strategy with property you will win over time, note do your due diligence prior to purchasing. The main benefits of property is that it is almost passive income certainly if you have it managed plus you potentially get 2 income streams rental return and capital appreciation

 

I advise you to speak to you accountant and qualified property tax advisor

 

Yes the last 2 we a little heavy but I am sure you can understand their value and inclusion!

 

On a serious note and in closure, over time your physical techniques, skills and the wonderful benefits of youth will disappear, but you will gain so much more in the way of experience, wisdom and knowledge, well most of us … be sure to embrace the changes, take action and don’t be afraid to invest in you!

 

 

Respect as always

 

Master John Swift

‘train smart, train hard’

Testimonial – Dan McMichan

Martial Arts has been an active part of my life since a young age and for the majority of my practice I have centred my focus around the sporting and competitive aspects.
Since meeting and working with Master John Swift I have had my horizons expanded to a greater level and developed a much broader knowledge of traditions and applications of Martial arts which is fascinating.
After sustaining a significant injury to my knee in my late teens all of my practice had to go back to the drawing board and rethink the way I trained. With Master John Swift’s help and guidance I have rehabilitated and added multiple new strings to my bow in the process
I couldn’t recommend Master Swift and the Verve ethos enough to anyone who is considering learning a new skill and becoming part of an amazing community.