American Modern Arnis Associates
Instructor Training and Certification Program
Conducted by: Sifu/Guro Tom Bolden

Instuctor Training Seminars

This program has been specially developed for the purpose of training, ranking and certifying advanced students (minimum 4 years training and instructor references) and Black Belt instructors from other styles as Basic Instructors in the Filipino Martial Art of American Modern Arnis. All Instructor Candidates are required to become members of the American Modern Arnis Associates. The program is presented in bi-monthly 4 hour training seminars which will be conducted the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month for a period of two years.

Seminars will cover all elements required for Technical Ranking and Instructor Certification including:

        history & tradition                     single stick
        movement science                        double stick
        footwork & rhythm                       stick & dagger
        zoning, angling & shifting              disarming & stripping
        blocking & striking                     locking & throwing
        flow development                        weapon to empty-hand translations
        trapping & sensitivity                  training & coordination drills
        checking & off-balancing                environmental training
        kicking & kneeing                       teaching & coaching
	 	
	 	

Teaching Project

In addition to participation in the training seminars, a teaching project will be required. Each candidate will be expected to secure at least two students as a project for practicing American Modern Arnis teaching methods and techniques. This is imperative to the learning and development of both American Modern Arnis techniques and effective teaching skills. Technical ranking and Instructor Certification will be based on attendance, ongoing evaluation of proficiency and skill, periodic achievement examinations and the teaching project. Detailed technical ranking criteria, certification criteria and examination requirements will be provided as training progresses. Technical ranking and Basic Instructor Certification will be granted through the American Modern Arnis Associates to those candidates who meet established criteria.

Class Rules and Regulations

• Attendance cards must be initialed before each class.
• Immediatly upon entering class, all Instructor candidates will begin warm-up exercises.
• Safety glasses/eye protection is an absolute requirement for all classes involving the use of weapons.
• Official Arnis uniforms will be required of all Instructor Candidates.
• Rattan canes only will be allowed to be used (no hardwood sticks).
• Respect is required at all times for The Teacher as well as fellow class members.
• Safety practices are expected to be observed at all times.
• Always render "Courtesy" upon entering or leaving the school or training area.

Policies

• Diligence (attendance) and practice outside of class is expected of all Instructor Candidates.
• Outside behavior which reflects negatively on the hosting school, the AMAA, The Teacher (Sifu/Guro Tom Bolden) or The Filipino Martial Arts will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Tuition & Fees *

      Tuition, 2 seminars per month (one year contract)    $100.00 per month
      Tuition, 2 seminars per month (non contractual)      $ 60.00 per seminar
      Annual Membership                                    $ 35.00
       Includes:
         - Membership Card
         - AMAA patch
         - 25% discount on AMAA seminar tuition (except instructors course)
         - Listing of member school events on the AMAA web site 

All contractual candidates will receive a payment book. All payments should be mailed directly to Sifu/Guro Tom Bolden at AMAA before the first of the month.

Non contractual candidates must pay before each seminar.

Safety & Training Equipment *

Eye protection, rattan canes (hardwood not acceptable), wooden training knives and an official Arnis uniform consisting of an AMAA T-shirt, black pants and black shoes will be required of all Instructor Candidates. These items will be available through the AMAA.

        AMAA T-shirt    $12.00                  Rattan canes     $20.00
        Black pants     $32.00                  AMAA video tape  $39.95
        Black shoes     $30.00                  AMAA patch       $10.00

* Prices subject to change. Equipment sales only to AMAA students and Instructor Candidates at this time.