Drill-X-Ray Paper Combos
Have the students form drill lines. At the front of each drill line have an instructor, assistant, or parent holding x-ray sheets.
1. As the students move to the beginning of the line have them perform their favorite kick combo of their choice to the x-ray sheets.
2. Next, have them perform their most difficult combos. Explain that excellence is a result of doing what is difficult until it is not.
Drills-Fast Defense
In this drill we want the students to understand that a fast and simple defense is always the best.
Begin by having the students spread out around the classroom and face a partner.
Side A is going to throw a jab or cross at Side B. Instruct Side B to use the fastest and simplest defense, which would be a parry. Perform 5 to 8 repetitions and then switch sides.
Next, switch techniques to have Side A throw a low front kick, and Side B to counter with a simple shielding motion. Perform 5 to 8 repetitions and then switch sides. Remember to emphasize how easy, fast, and effective this defense is.
Finally, have Side A throw a high-round kick at Side B’s head. Teach the student a simple, easy-to-apply, and fast-cover motion to block the kick. Perform 5 to 8 repetitions and then switch sides.
Drill–Strike the Stripe!
Equipment needed: Punch pads
Accuracy is the ability to perform correctly. Whether we are punching and kicking during a sparring match, a self defense move, or doing our home work, it is import to be accurate with our performance. It is very important to be accurate in all things you attempt to perform if you want to be successful. Being accurate and paying attention to detail is habit forming, the more we attempt to be as accurate as possible the more we will always apply effort toward accuracy in everything we do.
Have the student’s line up in two lines facing each other down the center of the classroom. Have the students on one side holding a punch pad. On the pads have one red piece of tape on the far left, a green piece in the middle, and a blue piece on the right side.
Each time the instructor calls out blue tell the students to hit the blue piece with a jab, when you call out red, instruct them to hit the red piece with a cross, and when you call out green, the pad holder is to drop the pad low so the attacker can kick the green piece with a front kick.
The last part of the week you can mix it up and increase the difficulty by calling out multiple colors, having the students throw combinations.
Drill-Which Kick?
Equipment needed: Kicking Shields
To truly be accurate at martial arts you should be able to answer the following questions about certain martial arts techniques. You should know HOW to do it, you should know WHEN to use it, you should know WHERE to use it, and finally you should know WHICH, is the best technique to use in a situation.
Let’s take your side kick for example, to be able to use your side kick accurately you should know HOW to execute it properly, WHEN it is most appropriate to use it, WHERE you should throw it, and WHICH is the best type of side kick to use in a certain situation.
Have the students’ line up facing each other in two lines with one side holding kicking shields. Instruct the students on the kicking side to get in their fighting stance and to shut their eyes. The side with the kicking shields is to move at different distances from the kickers and then call their first name.
When the kicker hears their name they are to open their eyes and recognize what distance the shield is at and which side kick is best to throw.
If the pad holder is holding the shield low and is really close, the kicker should throw a low side kick to the knee. If the pad holder is within arm reach, the kicker should throw a number one side kick, or a side kick from the front leg without moving forward.
If the pad holder is not within arm reach the kicker should throw a number three side kick or a stepping side kick. At the end of the week to add excitement, and to change things up a bit, add to this drill when the student’s last name is called, they are to execute a turning side kick.)
Drill-Toss and Punch
The following drill is a great drill to develop the type of speed called reaction time. Reaction time is how fast you decide that you need to act and how accurate you were.
Begin this drill by having the students form two lines down the center of the floor facing a partner. Have one side toss a square punch target at the other students. The other side is to react to the pads being tossed by punching the pad back to other students.
Have the students toss the pad side ways so to decrease the surface area of the pad so the students have to react more accurately.
Drill-Teamwork
Line the students up in small groups around the floor.
Name the groups A, B, C, etc. Tell the students that they are going to inspire themselves and others to be excellent through healthy competition.
Begin with a simple kicking combination like the combination: slide up front kick, back leg front kick, and jumping front kick.
To start the drill, call out the letter for the group when you want them to go.
Rotate through all of the groups. Challenge them in between repetitions to continue to increase their energy and performance.
Keep the energy high. Remind the students that with hard work, the proper attitude, and confidence in themselves, anything is possible.
Drill-Spinning Back Fist
Begin this drill by teaching or reviewing with the students a spinning back fist. Next line the students up in drill lines.
At the end of the lines have your instructors hold a piece of striking film vertically. On the striking film draw a red dot or circle about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
As the students move through the lines and reach the instructor, they are to execute a spinning back fist to the striking film, focusing on hitting only the red circle.
Explain to the students that by spinning with the back fist we increase the difficulty of hitting their target of the red circle, making them concentrate and focus harder.
Drill-Speed
Start this drill off by explaining to the students that Speed is a very important physical trait. Speed is the momentum that brings all of our techniques together and makes them successful. We can have a nice technique, but if we do not execute the technique with momentum, the technique will not be successful.
There are different types of speed. The type of speed we are working on today is called relative speed. Relative speed is how fast something is between point A and point B. For instance, how fast your punch or kick goes from your chamber to your target.
When we are in our fighting stance our jab hand is the closest hand to our target, is one reason that the jab is the fastest hand technique that we can execute. (Have the students execute 5 to 8 quick jabs.)
(Move on to explain that the fastest kicks in martial arts are front-leg kicks because of their distance from the target. Have the students execute 5 to 8 quick front leg front kicks and 5 to 8 front leg rear kicks.)
Our next type of speed is called reaction time. Reaction time is not like relative speed, how fast something is from point A to point B. Reaction time is how fast you decide that you need to go from point A to point B, and then how fast you do it. So a very important part of reaction time is decision making. Decide what to do and when to react.
Next, as the students are in their class formation, give them a number that will identify the techniques that they have just executed. A #1 is for a jab, #2 is for a front leg front kick, and #3 is for a front leg round kick.
As you give the number commands, the students should then throw the appropriate technique. Call out the numbers in order a couple of times, and then mix the numbers up and finally call the numbers quickly to better test their reaction time.
Drill-Punching Accuracy
Have the students line up facing each other in two lines with both sides in their fighting stance, and one side with protective gear on their fists. Instruct the students on one side to place their front arm in an “ L” shape with their forearm straight and their fists facing up toward the ceiling.
Instruct the students with their protective gear on, that from their fighting stance, when they hear you call ONE, they are to slide step 45 degrees to their right.
On TWO, they are to through a cross with their right hand between their partner's forearm and head (without hitting them).
On THREE, they are to execute their left hook, again between their partner's head and forearm, ending with their arm parallel to the floor with their bicep touching their partner's forearm.
When you give the final command of “Stance”, the students should return back to their original fighting stance position.
Repeat the commands for several rotations and then switch sides. Make sure to play music and use your voice tone and body language to keep the energy high and the class exciting.
Drill-Pick the Kick
Begin the drill by discussing with the students that by focusing our attention and concentration, we are able to make better decisions.
We are more knowledgeable because we can learn more through our ability to better focus. If we know more about a subject we can make better decisions based on that subject.
In the martial arts, the more different kicks we know, the better we can determine which kick is best for a particular target.
Simply use drill lines with parents or instructors holding the square targets at the end. As the students move through the line, they will have to determine which kick is best to strike the target with.
Have the instructors change the angle of the paddle to require a different kick every time the students come through the line. The student must decide which kick is most appropriate and focus on their target.
Drill-Listen and Hit
Equipment needed: X-Ray Sheets
Begin by explaining to the students that to have exceptional focus they need to focus with more than their eyes. To have great focus we must be able to listen to what others are saying.
Begin this drill by having your students in a guard stance. Instruct them to throw a backleg front kick each time they hear you shake a piece of striking film.
After the students have performed several repetitions change the technique to add a jab, cross, then a front kick. (You change the techniques whenever you wish.)
Next, have the students from line drills. As the students approach the end of the line they are to wait and focus on listening for the instructor to shake the striking film.
When they hear the film shake, instruct them to strike the film with a cross or reverse punch. Continue through the class and through the week to change the techniques the students are to respond to.
Drill-Line Kicking Stacking
1. Kids do back leg roundhouse kicks across the room hitting a target held by the instructor. The instructor is only looking for full-out participation or performance.
When the kids go back to the end of the line they will do splits while waiting for their next turn. Have each child perform three turns before giving feedback.
2. Set a goal to improve the kick by pivoting the rear leg while kicking. Repeat the same drill being sure to concentrate on the pivot giving constant feedback while they are kicking.
This time after they do the drill they will run back to their lines and do 15 crunches while waiting their turn. Always choose one student to demonstrate before all the kids begin.
3. Change the drill to a slide-up front leg roundhouse kick. Do a couple of sets being sure they practice both sides. Set a goal to make sure the hands are up and covering while kicking. Remind them that they will still need to pivot or point the heel in the direction of the kick. Challenge them to kick high. Remind them to "Focus" on the hand position and pivot.
4. Change the drill to a back leg round kick followed up by a front leg roundhouse kick. They will continue doing both sides as they kick across the room. The goal is now SPEED while remaining FOCUSED on the pivot and hand position.
While waiting for their next turn they will do 8 pushups and 8 crunches. Always choose one student to demonstrate before all the kids begin
5. SPOTLIGHT a few students who either need the recognition or are demonstrating great performance. Raise the bar. Same basic drill but double up on the kicks without putting the foot down. Double back leg roundhouse followed by a double front leg roundhouse.
Tell them now you are looking for INTENSE performance, warrior face, loud kias, strong kicks - just like a BLACK BELT.
Have them do 10 jumping jacks while waiting for their next turn.
6. Ending at the peak of enthusiasm.
This is a high-energy finish to this drill stack. This drill is a back-leg round kick followed by a jump-spinning round kick. Some schools call this a tornado kick. Regardless, the goal is simply to create high energy and enthusiasm and end class at a high peak with the promise of more next class.
Drill-Kicking Intensity
Have the students form two lines down the classroom floor facing each other. Both sides of the students are to hold a sheet of striking film (x-ray sheet). Have the first side of the students perform any kick or kicking combo to the striking film that they wish.
Then the other side repeats the same. The students are to switch back and forth doing a different kick or combo each time. Encourage the kick side to show intensity in their movements, actions, and verbal with their kias.
Encourage the holding side to show intensity in the coaching, cheering, and actions to support their teammate. Emphasize that intensity is a learned quality and needs to be practiced and this is their opportunity to practice to level ten.
Drill-Jump Side Kick
Have the students line up in drill lines at one end of the floor. On the other end of the floor have wave masters or helpers holding kicking shields.
Have the students perform a double punch at the front of the line sprint down the floor and execute a flying sidekick to the pads at the other end of the floor.
Then they are to sprint back to the drill line and give the awaiting student a high five as the signal for their turn.
Drill-Intimidation Match
Have the students pair up with a partner. Have one side wearing boxing gloves and the other side wearing focus mitts.
Instruct the students to circle each other with their hands down as if they were taunting each other in front of each other. Make sure both sides have an intense attitude of confidence, imagine two boxers before a fight.
When the students bring their hands up show the focus mitts, the other side is to throw any punching combination that you instruct them to. Then the students are to continue circling each other with attitude. Mix up the boxing combos throughout the week to keep the drill fun and exciting.
Drill-Intensity
In martial arts, a lot of the training we go through is to help us better defend ourselves. But martial arts is also an art. Performance aspects of martial arts like tournaments where participants compete in competition forms and fighting are specifically for the sport and art of martial arts.
Intensity is important in any art form where the participants perform for others. Intensity is an expression of passion for what one does. If someone is serious or passionate about something then they are intense when they do it!
By being a good teammate you should also show the intensity and cheer the other team members as they perform. This motivates the other team members and shows your support for their performances.
Remember, being intense does not always come naturally. You need to practice your intensity to ensure that you give your best.
(Have the students line up in lines facing each other down the floor of your classroom. Explain to the students that this drill is to help enhance their intensity level and also to help them better support their teammates when others are performing.
Have one side on the line perform any form combination of their choice, maybe 5 to 7 moves long. As they perform, the other sides of students are to loudly and excitingly coach and cheer the other members. Then the other side has their turn.
Repeat this back and forth several times. You, the instructor should also be coaching both sides to give their best.
Drill-Hand Signals
Begin by reminding the students that focus is simply “paying attention”. To be successful you must be able to concentrate your mind and energy on any task worth attempting. Begin this drill by teaching the students a few hand signals. Each hand signal will instruct the student to perform a certain task or in a certain manner. For example:
Putting your hand up by your ear = the students should be louder.
Putting your hand up high = means to kick higher.
Making a bicep muscle = Do your technique stronger.
Putting your elbow on the back of your hand with your arm straight creates an Intensity meter = the higher your hand from your arm, the more intense the students should get.
When you clap your hands = means for them to perform a repetition of a technique.
With your hand in a fist with the little finger and thumb out as you twist your wrist = is for the students to switch stances and perform techniques on the other side.
When you go to your set stance = they snap to attention with a loud, Sir!
After you have taught the students the hand signals, tell them that you are going to lead them through some basic techniques without saying a word, all the students have to do is watch you and focus on the hand signals.
They will know exactly what to do and how to do it by watching, focusing, and paying attention to you.
Drill-Focus Gauntlet
Have your students line up in straight lines of six to eight with the students standing shoulder to shoulder. Each person standing in line is to have a square target. A few people should have black targets and a few should have red targets or a different kind of target like a pork chop pad.
Have one student at the end of the line facing the first person. Instruct the students in the line to attack the student when they step in front of them by swinging the back or punching the pad at the student.
The student that is in front is to block the attack and step in front of the next person. If the attacker has the red pad the student not only blocks the attack, but they are also to counterattack with a straight punch.
When the defending student reaches the end of the line they are to take the place of any student in the line and that student is to run to the end of the line and begin down the focus gauntlet.
Drill-Focus
This drill is designed to increase a student's understanding that the more we apply our focus and concentration the easier a task becomes, when we keep our focus on our teacher when she is speaking, the more we understand her lessons.
The greater focus we have when doing our homework the more correct answer we will have. Sparring is no different, the more we focus on our opponent the better we will be able to defend ourselves.
Have the students pair with a partner and spread out around the classroom. Instruct the students that one side is to throw one single attack, either a jab, cross or a hooking slap motion to the side of the head. Have the other student defend with either a parry or cover motion.
Emphasize to the defending students that the more they focus on their partner's movements, the easier defending their attack will be. Then switch to conduct the drill for the other side.
Drill-Excellence Circle
Begin this drill by having the students from a large Excellence Circle.
Instruct all of the students to perform a combination like an up block to a reverse punch while stepping out into a forward stance in the center of the circle.
Have the students look at the person in front of them and try to out-perform that person and also try to be the best performer in class.
Next change the drill to have a little fun. Have only the two students facing each other in the circle step out to do the combo. Then each person to their right will execute the combo, and so on as they make a dual circle around the room.
This will help make the drill exciting. Paint the picture that they are on a demonstration team and this is part of a big performance.
Drill-Cross Power
Have the students line up in lines facing a partner. One side has a set of focus mitts.
Have the students throw the following combination, 1-2-2 (Jab, Cross, Cross).
This will help the students understand the importance of rotation by using rotation when throwing the first cross, then resetting, and having to use rotation again in the same technique.
Also, remember to emphasize teamwork by ensuring that the side holding the mitts is cheering on their teammates and paying attention to their techniques.
Drill-Combo Decisions
Equipment needed: X-Ray Sheets
One of the most important elements of Power is speed. Our techniques can not be powerful without the momentum needed to execute them.
This week’s drill develops not only relative speed, or fast something is between two objects, but it also develops quick decision-making.
Have the students line up in two lines facing a partner with one side holding a sheet of X-ray paper. The students on the other side should go to their fighting stance. They should listen to the instructors’ commands of jab or cross and deliver the appropriate technique with speed and power.
Instruct the students to execute the proper punch with as much relative speed as possible.
Also explain to the students that by listening to the commands of jab or cross and executing the techniques as fast as they can, they are developing their ability of quick decision-making.