Instructor Training
Become a Cornerstone JKD Teacher
We welcome all serious students of Jeet Kune Do who are interested in teaching this amazing system to others. The easiest process is to train personally with us or one of our affiliate instructors. If that’s not possible, we have TONS of free material on YouTube, books on Amazon, blogs, and social media that can assist you in absorbing and understanding our core philosophy. After that, the above link to our online Academy (via Teachable) is a tremendous (paid) resource. If you can’t make in-person training then online training is the way to go. We have deep dive courses (such as parries, punches, etc.) as well as a monthly curriculum membership. The single courses are one-time purchases. The on-going monthly courses will take you all the way through the unique Cornerstone JKD approach and equip you to run classes on your own. (If you sign up for monthly classes via Teachable you’ll also gain free access to instructor seminars that cover all the ins-and-outs of teaching philosophy, class-management, testing, and more!)
And here’s the crazy thing: if you’ve purchased any of our affiliate material (such as Sifu Jason’s books, Teachable courses, etc.) you’re welcome to teach that material. Seriously. Just email us at sifujasonkorol@icloud.com to and request permission to be accepted as an affiliate coach. As long as you’re honest with your students as to your experience and training level, honest with us, and professional, we’d love to have you as a recognized coach. We’re looking for motivated individuals who believe in the core concepts of the Cornerstone JKD approach, love training personally, love sharing with students, and have a desire to learn. This is exactly what a good coach is.
Instructor certification requires in-person or virtual testing (via FaceTime, for example). We have four instructor levels:
Instructor Levels
01
Apprentice Instructor
Knowledgeable of the entire Cornerstone Jeet Kune Do curriculum including the primary goals, drills, and tactics. Think of this as an associate degree equivalent.
02
Full Instructor
Has all previous knowledge plus is well versed in the history of Jeet Kune Do, combat theory, and understands how Wing Chun, boxing, and fencing all factor in to JKD. Bachelor’s level equivalent.
03
Senior Instructor
A master of the previous and has studied extensively, not just JKD, but also related corollaries such as modern security, contemporary combat sports, and more. A scholar with applicable outside experience like law enforcement, boxing, MMA, or completed Wing Chun training.
04
Master Instructor
Someone with decades of experience who can present and defend a logical philosophical approach to their Jeet Kune Do teaching. Must pass an oral exam covering self-defense systematics, JKD history, philosophy, training considerations, and general knowledge of Wing Chun theory/history and JKD related boxing and fencing.
Each instructor level is fully certified through Cornerstone JKD after the associated test has been passed. These tests are administered in-person or via FaceTime only.
Training Summary
- Students may train with affiliate instructors or online.
- To become an instructor contact us via email and introduce yourself.
- Online classes are certainly not as good as in-person training but we’re seeking individuals who share our core values and principles – and those can be transmitted through the written word and online courses.
- Character is more important than talent.
Key Principles
- All levels require an in-person or virtual session (FaceTime preferably).
- Instructors are not fighters or performers, but teachers and scholar warriors.
- A teacher loves ideas (truth) and conveying them to people.
- Cornerstone JKD recognizes the logical difference between a teacher and an athlete.
- Think the difference between Cus D’Amato and Mike Tyson.
- A teacher must have relevant experience in JKD and be able to demonstrate the material, of course, but it’s a mistake to think a Sifu can beat everyone in the world. They must be professional and knowledgeable.
- The love of the craft/art is always the key thing.
For specific questions about instructor training: