| In the animal world play is how a lion cub learns to | | | | are on rather than the standard one. This game is |
| hunt whilst a baby chimp will pick up valuable life | | | | fast, furious and chaotic with plenty of dodging, |
| skills by playing with siblings. For humans this is | | | | feinting and fast footwork required, similar |
| often forgotten, certainly by adults. Children will | | | | movement skills to those needed when |
| play all day long given the chance, assuming | | | | confronted by more than one opponent. |
| computer games are off limits. Introducing a | | | | Another example could replace shouting out |
| sense of play into drills for kids, martial arts | | | | Japanese names for punching combinations. |
| training can be made more enjoyable. A very | | | | Whereby, kids can be encouraged to 'punch round |
| obvious method to enable this is to establish | | | | the clock'; hooks are 9 and 3 o'clock, uppercuts 6 |
| relevant martial arts kids games as part of a | | | | o'clock, straights 11 and 1. By varying the angle of |
| Kung fu, Judo or Karate syllabus. | | | | punches kids can punch round the clock in |
| If a child is having fun he/she will come back. | | | | different orders thereby creating their own |
| However, too much unimaginative repetitious | | | | combinations. |
| training and a child's mind wanders, rendering the | | | | Further, they can be instructed to get into |
| martial arts class in question, BORING. Bored kids | | | | position to punch around the clock by following |
| will not last the distance and more likely than not | | | | someone with pads and entering while covering, |
| will end up dropping out. | | | | dodging/feinting or ducking their way into range |
| Of course, it is essential to ensure that while | | | | for striking the pads. You can always include an |
| everyone is having fun, martial arts relevant | | | | exit as well, which involves getting away from the |
| learning occurs. This balance can be achieved by | | | | pad holder without being BOPPED. This little game |
| tinkering with the class format and using | | | | contains many essential skills presented in a fun |
| imagination, either your own or that of the | | | | format that promotes learning. |
| students themselves. | | | | Performance can be rated/marked to reinforce |
| Kids get a big kick out of being IN CHARGE even | | | | good performances. A clear explanation helps kids |
| if only to choose a game. By vetting kids idea's | | | | understand what needs to be improved. If this is |
| some great games can be invented or adapted to | | | | done in a competitive environment other team |
| include important martial arts skills. | | | | members can encourage their mates to use all |
| One that works very well for improving | | | | the skills specified. |
| movement skills is a two-person version of the | | | | Incorporating relevant martial arts kids games into |
| classic STUCK IN THE MUD. In accordance with | | | | your kung fu, judo or karate syllabus is easily |
| regular rules, when caught a person has to be | | | | achieved with imagination. The benefit is fun filled |
| rescued by a friend/student sliding between their | | | | lessons with engaged kids learning as they play |
| legs, but there are two catchers, i.e. two students | | | | and ready to stick with the martial arts program. |