Fun Games for Children Training in Martial Arts

Keeping children interested in their Martial Arts training requires an element of fun and games. Traditionalists are usually only concerned with the discipline and structure of their training, but incorporating fun games involving proper techniques will add to the value of training and keep the kids interested.

Here are a few fun games and activities that utilize Martial Arts skills to keep the enthusiasm high and kids interested in their training.

Sensei Says

Sensei Says is a take off of the old "Simon Says Game". In this version the instructor or parent would call out various martial arts techniques for the children to perform.

One instructor or parent is designated as "Sensei" or Leader. Children are instructed to follow and perform the commands of the "Sensei" only if the command is initiated by the words "Sensei Says". The leader will call out various commands. If the child does not perform the task when initiated by the words "Sensei Says" they are out of the game. If the leader commands a task without using the prompt "Sensei Says" and the child performs the task, then the child is out of the game. Last child remaining wins.

Wild & Crazy Blocker

Requirements: 2 padded foam blockers.

The instructor or parent will attempt to strike the child with the padded foam blocker. The attempted strikes should vary from left side to right side, and to various body points, including Head, Chest, Stomach, and Legs.

The child will use their martial arts blocking skills to "block" those strikes.

Each time a "strike" connects without the child blocking or shielding they receive a point. Three points or three "strikes" and they are out.

Danger Alley

Requirements: 4 people, various Martial Arts Foam Blockers, Body Shields, Target Squares. A diagram is available at http://www.aimusainc.com/files/PDF/dangera lley.pdf

Danger Alley is a simple and easy obstacle course in which the child goes from station to station. At each station the child must perform a "self-defense" or marital arts technique to stop an "Attack or Danger".

A minimum of four stations with various situations is recommended.

Station One (The Escape)

An instructor or parent will subdue the child by grabbing and holding on to the child's wrist. The child must then perform an escape maneuver. Once the child escapes they proceed to Station Two.

Station Two (The Block)

When the child proceeds to station two, they encounter a would be attacker, attempting a punch or strike. An instructor or parent using a padded foam blocker will attempt to strike the child. The child should attempt to block the strike using a martial arts technique and then proceed to station three.

Station Three (The Punch)

When the child proceeds to station three, they encounter another would be attacker. The child performs a martial arts punch technique to stop the attack. An instructor or parent would hold a padded target square, which the child would punch. The child then proceeds to station four.

Station Four (The Kick)

When the child proceeds to station four, they encounter another would be attacker. The child performs a martial arts kick technique to stop the attack. An instructor or parent would hold a padded Body Shield, which the child would kick. After completing the four stations the child has successfully conquered Danger Alley.

Martial Arts trainings can be fun for children just by incorporating the techniques and skills into activities and games.

Eric Gehler
http://www.blackbeltdomain.com
Eric has been involved in the Martial Arts Business for over 15 years. More information is available on the website!

---

Do You Take Yours Trained or Untrained?

If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything... Read More

Martial Arts

Traditionally, people trained in Martial Arts in order to utilized... Read More

Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with... Read More

Samurai Swords ? Choosing a Sword to Buy

It's undeniable that a well placed and mounted samurai sword... Read More

How To Defend Against A Knife - Dont Use The Stuff Taught In The Dojo!

Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get... Read More

Is it a ?Hurt? or is it an ?Injury?

My father fed me this line every time I felt... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses"... Read More

Catholic Self Defense

Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu... Read More

British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar

For many years The British Aikido Board (BAB) have shown... Read More

Have No Misconceptions

I just received an Email from a woman who has... Read More

Regular or De-escalated

We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

Grown Man Quits After 3 Mat Pulls!

A matt pull is the simple act of lying on... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an... Read More

Safety Awareness & Self Defense: Circle of Safety

Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each... Read More

Applying Law of Gravity to Judo

In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More

Nuts & Bolts of Self Defense

Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be... Read More

The Thumb Jab

I'm sure a lot of you remember the scene in... Read More

The Best Martial Art

It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More

Bogu Training

About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the... Read More

Basic Drills

We all have a good foundation in the basic blows... Read More

Makiwara Training

Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More

Okinawan Karate

So you are thinking of starting to train in okinawan... Read More

Is Aikido a Martial Art ?

Sensei Henry Ellis Co-Author of the new book Positive Aikido.-... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More

Women in the Martial Arts

1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis Ellis Schools... Read More

What To Expect When You Least Expect It

The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More

Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method

Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association... Read More

Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've... Read More

Who Created Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)?

I have read a number of books, articles, and novels,... Read More

Why Every Cop Should Study Judo Part 1

Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art.... Read More