running is good for fitness, which has every thing to do with the martial arts. also, i teach kids classes and sometimes the younger ones (4-7 years) just will not focus and if they stand still they talk and play no matter what you say to them. understandable for children, but not what they are there for. i get the kids running, to stop them from standing around idly, and then while they run give them commands like "stop and do 10 sit ups" or push ups or what ever. it gets their minds focused on your voice and your orders again. nothing wrong with it.

Hello Mark:

Fitness while desirable for "better health" in general again I offer is totally irrelevent to martial arts.

To be effective in martial arts I must be able to move and breath. The ability to do 100 push ups or jog/run a certain distance has zero to do with the ability to protect myself effectively. Self protection does not last that long, nor should it.

Martial sports however are very different creatures...

We appear to have very different philosophies. For me those kinds of activities are emergency measures, a byproduct at best rather than any function of the class itself. But perhaps I have mispercieved your intention using/describing them?

"Militancy", though understandable in some completely articificial respects (IMHO-fwiw) misses the point entirely of martial practices. Worse it is entirely out of context, in that respect is false.

Self-discipline is not found in "group cadences", or the totally artifical "drill instructor" (stereotypical) demeanor. And though a fine pursuit ~strength~ by fitness activities, they are not martial, they are fitness. Fitness is a byproduct of the training never the purpose

Merely my opinion, as always I could surely be mistaken,
Jeff

When I teach I am calm and assertive and I am quick to correct any unwanted behavor from my students. If I see someone folling around I am quick to let them know I am aware of what they are doing. I give them a short gestured look of dissaporval. If the behavor continues I punish them with push ups and continue with the lesson leaving it up to them to catch up. This usually makes them more observant to what other students are doing because they now feel left behind. Believe it or not they are now encouraged to listen and observe for directions.

If a group of kids are causing a distraction I separate them. I remain calm at all times, never let them see you sweat. When ever possible interact with them, pick out students to demonstrate techniques, give positive comments, reroute that excess energy.

In our school the running comes prior to class as part of the warm up prior to stretching.

You cannot allow a student to disrupt a class. You see the bad behavior happening, and you handle it, don't let them break your stride. Keep things moving.

If it comes to the point where the student is just so far gone that he needs to be removed from class for the day. DO IT, remove them. And discuss it with the parents. Don't let the other students suffer, and you keep face in their eyes. Seeing how you handle things immediately they will not act up themselves.

Of course staying calm takes lots of practice, you cannot how anger or disappointment. You want to remain assertive and authoritative. Oozing calm confidence.