Fun Games for Children Training in Martial Arts

Keeping children interested in their Martial Arts trainingRequirements: 4 people, various Martial Arts Foam
requires an element of fun and games. TraditionalistsBlockers, Body Shields, Target Squares. A diagram is
are usually only concerned with the discipline andavailable at
structure of their training, but incorporating fun gamesDanger Alley is a simple and easy obstacle course in
involving proper techniques will add to the value ofwhich the child goes from station to station. At each
training and keep the kids interested.station the child must perform a "self-defense" or
Here are a few fun games and activities that utilizemarital arts technique to stop an "Attack or Danger".
Martial Arts skills to keep the enthusiasm high and kidsA minimum of four stations with various situations is
interested in their training.recommended.
Sensei SaysStation One (The Escape)
Sensei Says is a take off of the old "Simon SaysAn instructor or parent will subdue the child by grabbing
Game". In this version the instructor or parent wouldand holding on to the child's wrist. The child must then
call out various martial arts techniques for the childrenperform an escape maneuver. Once the child escapes
to perform.they proceed to Station Two.
One instructor or parent is designated as "Sensei" orStation Two (The Block)
Leader. Children are instructed to follow and performWhen the child proceeds to station two, they
the commands of the "Sensei" only if the command isencounter a would be attacker, attempting a punch or
initiated by the words "Sensei Says". The leader willstrike. An instructor or parent using a padded foam
call out various commands. If the child does notblocker will attempt to strike the child. The child should
perform the task when initiated by the words "Senseiattempt to block the strike using a martial arts
Says" they are out of the game. If the leadertechnique and then proceed to station three.
commands a task without using the prompt "SenseiStation Three (The Punch)
Says" and the child performs the task, then the child isWhen the child proceeds to station three, they
out of the game. Last child remaining wins.encounter another would be attacker. The child
Wild & Crazy Blockerperforms a martial arts punch technique to stop the
Requirements: 2 padded foam blockers.attack. An instructor or parent would hold a padded
The instructor or parent will attempt to strike the childtarget square, which the child would punch. The child
with the padded foam blocker. The attempted strikesthen proceeds to station four.
should vary from left side to right side, and to variousStation Four (The Kick)
body points, including Head, Chest, Stomach, and Legs.When the child proceeds to station four, they
The child will use their martial arts blocking skills toencounter another would be attacker. The child
"block" those strikes.performs a martial arts kick technique to stop the
Each time a "strike" connects without the child blockingattack. An instructor or parent would hold a padded
or shielding they receive a point. Three points or threeBody Shield, which the child would kick. After
"strikes" and they are out.completing the four stations the child has successfully
Danger Alleyconquered Danger Alley.