| Keeping children interested in their Martial | | | | Danger Alley |
| Arts training requires an element of fun and | | | | |
| games. Traditionalists are usually only | | | | Requirements: 4 people, various Martial Arts |
| concerned with the discipline and structure | | | | Foam Blockers, Body Shields, Target Squares. |
| of their training, but incorporating fun | | | | A diagram is available at |
| games involving proper techniques will add to | | | | |
| the value of training and keep the kids | | | | Danger Alley is a simple and easy obstacle |
| interested. | | | | course in which the child goes from station |
| | | | to station. At each station the child must |
| Here are a few fun games and activities that | | | | perform a "self-defense" or marital arts |
| utilize Martial Arts skills to keep the | | | | technique to stop an "Attack or Danger". |
| enthusiasm high and kids interested in their | | | | |
| training. | | | | A minimum of four stations with various |
| | | | situations is recommended. |
| Sensei Says | | | | |
| | | | Station One (The Escape) |
| Sensei Says is a take off of the old "Simon | | | | |
| Says Game". In this version the instructor | | | | An instructor or parent will subdue the child |
| or parent would call out various martial arts | | | | by grabbing and holding on to the child's |
| techniques for the children to perform. | | | | wrist. The child must then perform an escape |
| | | | maneuver. Once the child escapes they proceed |
| One instructor or parent is designated as | | | | to Station Two. |
| "Sensei" or Leader. Children are instructed | | | | |
| to follow and perform the commands of the | | | | Station Two (The Block) |
| "Sensei" only if the command is initiated by | | | | |
| the words "Sensei Says". The leader will | | | | When the child proceeds to station two, they |
| call out various commands. If the child does | | | | encounter a would be attacker, attempting a |
| not perform the task when initiated by the | | | | punch or strike. An instructor or parent |
| words "Sensei Says" they are out of the game. | | | | using a padded foam blocker will attempt to |
| If the leader commands a task without using | | | | strike the child. The child should attempt |
| the prompt "Sensei Says" and the child | | | | to block the strike using a martial arts |
| performs the task, then the child is out of | | | | technique and then proceed to station three. |
| the game. Last child remaining wins. | | | | |
| | | | Station Three (The Punch) |
| Wild & Crazy Blocker | | | | |
| | | | When the child proceeds to station three, |
| Requirements: 2 padded foam blockers. | | | | they encounter another would be attacker. |
| | | | The child performs a martial arts punch |
| The instructor or parent will attempt to | | | | technique to stop the attack. An instructor |
| strike the child with the padded foam | | | | or parent would hold a padded target square, |
| blocker. The attempted strikes should vary | | | | which the child would punch. The child then |
| from left side to right side, and to various | | | | proceeds to station four. |
| body points, including Head, Chest, Stomach, | | | | |
| and Legs. | | | | Station Four (The Kick) |
| | | | |
| The child will use their martial arts | | | | When the child proceeds to station four, they |
| blocking skills to "block" those strikes. | | | | encounter another would be attacker. The |
| | | | child performs a martial arts kick technique |
| Each time a "strike" connects without the | | | | to stop the attack. An instructor or parent |
| child blocking or shielding they receive a | | | | would hold a padded Body Shield, which the |
| point. Three points or three "strikes" and | | | | child would kick. After completing the four |
| they are out. | | | | stations the child has successfully conquered |
| | | | Danger Alley. |