Training Drills: Set 2
Playback in slow motion
Line the children up in a row. Let them know this is a slow motion race. The objective is to come in last place. Using Taekwondo techniques, such as a lunge punch, front kick, side kick, etc., the children move down the floor. They can go as slow as they want but are not to stop. This drill gives children a chance to concentrate on the full movement as well as being an excellent test of balance and leg strength.
Circle of friends
Have the children make a big circle, sit down, legs toward center of circle, and move in until their feet touch. Keeping the legs locked straight, all reach forward and try to touch or tickle their neighbors’ toes.
Pass the treasure
Have two teams line up single file with an arms length between them. Hand a ball or other object to the first child in each line and say, "GO!" The children have to turn and pass the ball to the child behind them as quickly as possible without dropping the ball, as the last child gets the ball he/she has to pass it back up the line. You can have the children pass the ball over their heads or between their legs.
Jumping the Lash
Tie two white belts together. Tie knots in the ends, one for a weight and one to hold onto. Instructor stands in the middle of a circle of kids. The belt is swung in a circle just off the ground by the instructor. The kids jump over the rope as it spins around. Wait until belt is up to speed before letting the kids jump in.
Obstacle course
Make an obstacle course on the floor with staff, body shields, target paddles, etc. The course might begin with several sticks placed in a row that children have to run between without touching, followed by a staff held about knee high that is to be jumped over. Next, there might be a bag or focus glove that is to be kicked, followed by a staff held about waist high that is to be crawled under. Directly after that, there might be several body shields piled up that have to be leaped over. Near the end, position two or three children with tennis or nerf balls that are to be thrown (underhand) at each participant. A flying side kick into a hand held body shield works great as an ending. Timing each child is especially helpful in motivating him or her to a total effort. An obstacle course is very helpful in testing speed and suppleness.
Three point tag
Basic rules are the same as tag. One student is “it" and the other students run around the room. Use a foam blocker to tag the students. When you are tagged, you cover your "Tag" with one of your hands. When you are tagged a second time, you cover your second "Tag” with your other hand. The third time you are “Tagged,” you are out. Proper blocks are allowed to keep from being “Tagged.”
Pull your buddy to safety
Divide the children into pairs of similar weight. The first student removes belt and puts it around waist. The other student grabs the two ends of the belt and lies on floor. The first student has to pull the second to the other end of the room.
Answer the sphinx to pass
Children line up across end of room. Instructor asks questions about Taekwondo. Question may require a verbal answer or it may be “show me a technique.” The child to politely raise hand, be acknowledged, and answer correctly answer or perform the technique, gets to run to the other end the room.
Freeze, the dragon is near
Call basic moves for the students to execute and if they move in between the calls, they have to sit down. As you get down to the final few, you may declare the remaining ones winners (do not want anyone to sit still too long) and start another game. To make the game more challenging, walk around, make extra noises (kick a chair, bang a door, etc.). Sometimes the ones sitting down will also make faces and it is always a fun time.
Grab the troll
The ball game is a good way to get younger kids used to grappling on the floor. Get all the kids to pair up with a partner. Get each pair to form a line on opposite sides of the mat, so that each child is directly across the mat from their partner. Number each pair. Roll a good size rubber ball down the mat call a number and that pair must try to get the ball and bring it back to their side of the mat. Children must stay on their knees. It may get a little rough, so the instructor may call a tie to end a round. Other students cheer on the person from their side of the mat.
Crossing the battle line
Line up all kids on one side of room, Have an assistant start it off by standing in the middle of the room with a blocker bat. The kids have to get by the assistant to the other side (safe) without being hit with blocker bat. As kids are tagged, they have to grab a blocker bat and assist in the center. Blockers must stay within a narrow strip down the center of the room. After a short while, you have many blockers and only a few (safe) students, so you may declare the last 2 or 3 the winners and start over again.
Master may I?
Line up the students at one end of the room. Instructor stands facing them at the other end of the room. Call the student by name you wish to perform the technique, such as "Mary, do five front kicks.” The student must reply by asking, "Master, may I?" Instructor replies, "Yes, you may.” The student then performs the technique as best as possible and asks, “Master, may I move forward?” If instructor feels the student has done his or her best, he or she answers “Yes, you may” and that student gets to move forward 3 steps. If the student shows weak stances, does the technique wrong, or answers up incorrectly, the instructor should respond "No, you may not” and the student does not get to move forward. The object is to move the students forward until one of them reaches the "Master."
Bag soccer
Gather several plastic bags similar to those used at grocery store checkouts. Throw the bag up and have the student try to keep the bag in the air by using only Taekwondo techniques (such as kicks, punches, knees, elbows, head butts etc.) The one to keep his or her bag airborne the longest is the winner!
Street confrontation
Upon instructors command, all students will move through the room (no running or hiding) stopping at any one student they wish to confront. The confrontation starts when one student faces another and steps back into a low block and kiaps. The student being challenged should go to a ready stance and kiap. The challenging student then tells the challenged student to perform a specific one-step that is belt appropriate. If the student performs it correctly, he gets to return the favor. If he is unsuccessful, then the reward is pushups and the other student is free to encounter other students. Students shake hands and thank each other after every challenge.
Dragon ball Z fighting
A popular cartoon is Dragon Ball Z. Have your students pick his/her favorite character out of Goku, Gohan, Vegita, Piccolo, or Krillin (they will know who is who). After they pick, they will have to spar using that character’s fighting style. Here is a list of the fighting styles:
- Goku. A strong willed fighter, never giving up, never admitting defeat, and never turning down a fight. This fighter is able to keep fighting for long amounts of time and is seemingly never tired. Has long, continues combinations of hands and feet.
- Gohan. The shy fighter. Always fighting cautiously, and never letting his guard down.
- Vegita. Same as Goku, but instead of using hands and feet, use elbows and knees.
- Piccolo. Fights like a bad guy
- Krillin. Fights like a scaredy cat.
Hop-a-long balance drill
The drill begins when all students pick one foot up and start hopping about. The idea is to not touch anyone else, not touch the other foot to the floor, and not touch the walls. If any of these things happen, the student is to sit down to the side. To make it more exciting, the instructor can try to tag students out by moving into them. Note: This drill should be done at least twice so the students have a chance to develop balance on both legs.
Walk the gauntlet
Line class up in two lines facing the center in guarding stances. One child is selected to "Walk the gauntlet.” The child turns away while the instructor chooses several students to be attackers. The one child then walks slowly between the two lines ready to defend. When the attacker steps forward with a punch, the defender blocks and counters, then continues down the middle, defending whenever necessary, until reaching the other side.
Block, counter, block
One person throws a right punch at his partner, pauses for one to five seconds then throws a left punch, pauses one to five seconds then throws a right punch, etc. The defender blocks the first punch and then continuously throws counters until the next punch is thrown. At which time, he/she blocks again and counters continuously until the next punch is thrown, etc. ”SPRINT,” students punch and kick bag as fast as they can for 30 seconds. On command “POWER,” students punch and kick bag with as much power as they can for 30 seconds. Repeat.