In February of 2011, Master George Mattson, President of the International Uechi Ryu Karate Federation, asked the author to keep a record of the curriculum and progress of a Shidoin (apprentice
instructor) course organised and being conducted by the author for the dan level uechika at Master Alton Wharton's Bermuda Arts and Fitness Academy in Bermuda.
This manual, although it has taken longer than expected to complete, is an effort to fulfill that request. It also aims to provide a text that might be used not only by novice instructors to increase their knowledge and skill sets in vital areas of instruction, but by more experienced instructors also, as a basis for developing their own instructor training programs. The manual covers topics such as qualities of a good instructor, avoiding excuses, planning a lesson and maintaining the desire to learn.
Part 1 of the Mokuso Yame series of publications, described by Master Mattson as "interesting and well-organised", this methods of instruction manual written by Shihan Richard D. Gibbons, a respected teacher and practitioner with over 35 years of experience in the field, will assist both the novice and experienced teacher to improve their teaching skills and abilities, regardless of martial style.