Some Thoughts on Programming (Patreon)

• Table of Contents

Use the warm-ups and the first couple of classes to assess the class. Then use what you've observed to decide programming and what drills to use from the LMA curriculum. If the participants are brand new to training and it's the first couple of classes, it might make sense to only work on conditioning and warm-ups, then give a talk on the importance of cardio. Once you have a feel for the class, decide on which drills to use next time and progress.

Refer to the Treatise on Pedagogy for thoughts on how to break up class time. I prefer breaking up class time into three blocks: independent drilling, instruction, and free play. However, independent drilling and free play may need to come later for brand new participants after they've learned enough units and developed enough self-control for free play. Self-control as in not hurting themselves or their partners. It may make sense to introduce independent drilling first, followed later by free play. By independent drilling, I mean what you drill is determined by you or by you and your partner. It does not necessarily mean training by yourself, though it can mean that.

Your role as a trainer should be interactive and bidirectional. Not always with verbal communication with your participants but also visual and emotional. See and feel what the class needs, then use the curriculum as a guide. Or, if you're training alone or just with one other person, see what your individual needs are. Use the curriculum as a budding cook would with a cooking encyclopedia. 

You can't drill everything on the curriculum during one class time, and you're not supposed to. The point is to use the right drills at the right time while thinking about progression. Don't overload yourself or the participants. You gain proficiency over time, not in one class. Don't do too many drills in a class, and don't keep switching the drills before proficiency is developed. The only consideration shouldn't be about how much the participants can take physically. You have to also think about the brain and nervous system. Taxing the brain and the nervous system is easier than taxing your stamina. Once that happens, it's hard to learn anything. Showing them everything will mean they learn nothing because their mind and nerves will be overloaded with too much information. Be patient. Leave capitalist fast-paced hustle culture at the door.

The LMA curriculum will be broad and extensive, giving you enough breadth to develop your own specific curriculum that can be adapted over time.

– Sam