Fun Games For Children Training In Martial Arts

By Eric Gehler

Keeping children interested in their Martial Arts trainingrequires an element of fun and games. Traditionalists areusually only concerned with the discipline and structure oftheir training, but incorporating fun games involving propertechniques will add to the value of training and keep the kidsinterested.

Here are a few fun games and activities that utilize MartialArts skills to keep the enthusiasm high and kids interested intheir training.

Sensei Says

Sensei Says is a take off of the old “Simon Says Game”. In thisversion the instructor or parent would call out various martialarts 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 ofthe “Sensei” only if the command is initiated by the words“Sensei Says”. The leader will call out various commands. If thechild does not perform the task when initiated by the words“Sensei Says” they are out of the game. If the leader commands atask without using the prompt “Sensei Says” and the childperforms the task, then the child is out of the game. Last childremaining wins.

Wild & Crazy Blocker

Requirements: 2 padded foam blockers.

The instructor or parent will attempt to strike the child withthe padded foam blocker. The attempted strikes should vary fromleft side to right side, and to various body points, includingHead, 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 orshielding they receive a point. Three points or three “strikes”and they are out.

Danger Alley

Requirements: 4 people, various Martial Arts Foam Blockers, BodyShields, Target Squares. A diagram is available at www.aimusainc.com/files/PDF/dangeralley.pdf

Danger Alley is a simple and easy obstacle course in which thechild goes from station to station. At each station the childmust perform a “self-defense” or marital arts technique to stopan “Attack or Danger”.

A minimum of four stations with various situations isrecommended.

Station One (The Escape) An instructor or parent will subdue thechild by grabbing and holding on to the child’s wrist. The childmust then perform an escape maneuver. Once the child escapesthey proceed to Station Two.

Station Two (The Block)

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

Station Three (The Punch)

When the child proceeds to station three, they encounter anotherwould be attacker. The child performs a martial arts punchtechnique to stop the attack. An instructor or parent would holda padded target square, which the child would punch. The childthen proceeds to station four.

Station Four (The Kick)

When the child proceeds to station four, they encounter anotherwould be attacker. The child performs a martial arts kicktechnique to stop the attack. An instructor or parent would holda padded Body Shield, which the child would kick. Aftercompleting the four stations the child has successfullyconquered Danger Alley.

Martial Arts trainings can be fun for children just byincorporating the techniques and skills into activities andgames.

About the author:Eric Gehler AIM USA Self Defense Programs www.aimusainc.com

Are Youa Black Belt? www.BlackBeltDomain.com

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