A back yard Do-Jang is a school that is held in someone's garage, backyard, or even in a small building. There are many great martial artists that came from a back yard do-jangs. When I started off, I was in Tae Kwon Do and I had decided to teach some friends who could not afford a traditional school. 1 had a one-car garage that you couldn't even drive a car into-1 cleaned it up and hung my flags and equipment and begin teaching my friends. I was only a brown belt at the time, 1 told my Instructor that 1 was teaching friends out of the garage and he said, "That was great!" He felt that it would elevate my studies and teaching ability.

     I dedicated my self to 6 hours a week in my traditional school and another 9 hours a week teaching out of my garage. When my instructor took noticed how quick I was learning, spoke out and said you have been practicing, and I told him that I spend around 15 hours a week in studying. I found that teaching was also enforcing my memory. I could learn a technique in a day and be as good as the Instructor by the next day or two. I would focus on each movement and application. I evaluated and sorted out many of my technique. If I felt that the technique was not practical for street use, then I dropped it and moved on.

     My back yard Do-Jang gave me my confidence and what I didn't understand I simply would not show another. I only taught what I knew and understood. My friends who were my students understood that 1 was not a full Instructor, but what they did understand was they were learning martial arts. And they didn't have to pay a lot for the class. My students only paid me $5-00 a week to learn.

     Suddenly, I did run across a small dilemma! My students wanted to be ranked. I ask my Instructor if he could help. He said anyone who can pass his test could be ranked. When ranking time came each one of my students received their colors.

     It's very simple to start your own back yard do-jang. First you need to be a student of martial arts. You need to be trained by another higher rank Instructor. You don't learn by books and tapes. You need that Instructor coaching and correcting you a long the way. It's really best to wait until you have been ranked at a higher belt such as brown or black. A student should spend a year are two studding before attempting this task.

     To be a good Instructor just remembers not to hurry and teach to many things at one time. See to it that all your students learn each application and its movements; A good instructor has to be patient. He or she has to be loyal and ready for answers and questions. And remember to tech them they way you were taught and don't forget about the philosophy of your style.

     The second thing that you need is a place to set up your training. If you have a garage, carport, old building, large tent, or back yard, these will do just fine. If you have some equipment hang them up if you can, I always hung my American flag and the Korean flag up so that the students would see those when they first walk in. I taught them the proper school etiquette of bowing and respect as any other school. If your going to teach them teach them every thing you learned. I hung up my weapons, boxing gear, punching bags and even weight equipment. It's good to personalize your do-jang for a martial arts atmosphere. If it is a back yard keep your flags on poles that can stick into the ground.

     Other equipment that is needed is a mat. Do not attempted throws or serious takedowns without a 2"mate. Mat's can be made of many homemade materials. You can use floor padding for carpets; carpets folded many times, thick leathers, even an old mattress. 1 once used 6- 4x8 board spaced about 3 feet apart and a strong quarter inch ply board with carpet over it. Something like a wrestling ring platform. I had a friend that used old car tires and a ply board covered with canvas to practice his falls.

     The third thing is making sure you have plenty of good lighting. If you use mirrors do not hang cheap thin mirrors. Use a heavier mirror that is not so easy to break. And make sure that you don't allow kicking or throws near it.

     Back yard do-jangs or usually unadvertised and no signs hanging up to advertise your school. When you get into hanging signs and advertising you may run a risk having to deal with your neighbors and zoning laws. You may also be required to get a business license. I would say just keep it simple and quite and enjoy your art. And if anyone asks, just tell him or her you practice with a few friends.

     Making money! You are not yet a qualified Instructor and you don't have a big school to offer. Although there is nothing wrong in charging a few dollars for your time you spend teaching. Just remember they are probably studding under you because they can't afford another school.

     Uniforms; you can purchase uniforms just about anywhere today. Get with your Instructor and ask if he can sale you student To-bogs for your friends.

     Speak to your Instructor and tell him about your back yard school. It your Instructor disagrees, then that would be a decision you have to make. I personally would say, I would not disagree with any one who wants to practice or study and teach others in good faith.

     There is one more important matter of today. Our world has changed and there is a lot of sew happy people out there. And injuries do and can occur anywhere at anytime. There is martial arts insurance in many of the karate magazines that you can pick up at most stores. You can get insurance less than $500, a year.

     There is nothing wrong with teaching others your knowledge at whatever level you are. You will be a teacher for what you know, and a student for what you don't know. Teach your friends and students your school of Honor, Creed, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Philosophy of your Art, Terminology, School Etiquette, Warm up Exercises, and all that is to be expected by your training.

     I believe that teaching from my back yard do-jang that it made me a better Instructor today. My students always speak well of me in front of people by saying that I am a great instructor.

Be a good and successful Back Yard Do-Jang instructor.

CHUCK WAYNE