Master St’James Black Belt Academy Certified Instructor Training – On-Going Education

KIDS MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAMME

How to Structure Your Kids Classes When creating the structure of your classes it is important that you keep the time at the forefront. You want to be sure that each class allows you to implement techniques, drills/games, and mat chats. The most productive classes cover one to two techniques at best and allow for drilling and repetition. Remember that when working with kids you never want to overwhelm them with too much but be sure that they don’t get bored with doing the same thing over and over. A basic structure should always include:

Warm up

Review

Move of the Day

Drill/Game

Mat Chat

Pre-Frame

The Warm Up (5-10 minutes) Allows students to get out additional energy & excitement before starting technical work. A warm up should consist of exercises that get kids moving and can even include drills to help them prepare for the technique for the day. Sample Warm Up:

Jumping Jacks/Star Jumps

Squats

Push ups

Sit ups

Sprints

Frog hops Warm up Tips: Each class designates different students to count out the number when doing exercise (spotlight). This keeps students focused and starts to build leadership qualities early on.

Be sure to have students yell “I am a champion” or “1 sir, 2 sir, 3 sir etc.” to make sure students work as a team. Focus on exercises, and warm up their lungs up for class. This method also prevents additional chattiness that is normal while beginning the class. The Review (5 – 7 minutes) Reviewing at the beginning of each class gives students an opportunity to continue improving previous techniques and is a great way to get students excited and ready about the techniques they will be focusing on in class. Instructors should explain the technique to be reviewed but shouldn’t spend a large amount of time going into details, only the keys to remind students of what to focus on. Move of the Day M.O.D. (10 – 15 minutes) Each class should have a specific technique for students to focus on. We recommend that no more than 2 new techniques are covered each class to ensure students have enough time to grasp techniques and to get as many physical reps in as possible. The PEMDI method should always be used when explaining a new technique. PEMDI Method: 1. Preview – shows the technique at a fast pace to capture the attention of everyone. For example, if it is teaching students how to fall correctly do a small skit where someone shoves the instructor and executes a loud break fall. The students will get excited and immediately see the value of learning the technique. 2. Explain – slowly explain all the key points in the technique. Be sure to cover each of the teaching concepts:

Visual

Audible

Physical

Emotional

Logical Always use different students when showing the demonstration. This gets everyone involved and allows students to feel the motion of the technique. 3. Mistakes – Show common mistakes students make when first learning the technique. This will make students conscious about things to avoid before they even try the technique. 4. Demonstrate – show the technique slowly, medium speed, and at a fast pace. 5. Involvement – ask students questions about what techniques to do next and purposely do things incorrectly to make sure students can identify the mistake and be sure not to do the same. Drills and Games (5 – 10 minutes) This is the perfect opportunity to use disguised repetition. Drills and Games should always reinforce the lessons and techniques taught in class. For example, if the rear leg snap kick is

the MOD, incorporate a balance game where students have to repeatedly do as many rear leg snap kicks within 20 seconds without letting their foot touch the ground. This is a fun challenge for students as they improve their balance and coordination, but also is a great way to get additional repetitions. Be sure that the rules and safety protocols for drills and games are always covered to ensure student safety. Mat Chat (3 – 5 minutes) During this time instructors should cover topics ranging from respect for self and others, dealing with peer pressure and bullying, along with the importance of eating healthy and exercising regularly. Parents really appreciate this time and will often confide in instructors about issues and topics their child is dealing with at school and home. This is what sets martial; arts apart from other traditional sports. It builds character internally and strong bodies externally. This combination is a mixture for total success! Use the monthly BCK topic as a subject and remind students about the video’s posted in the members section of the web site. Pre-framing (2 – 3 minutes) DO NOT OVERLOOK this detail. This can be the difference between students attending next class excited to learn or deciding to stay home and watch TV or play video games. At the end of each class huddle students together and either show or explain how awesome the next class is going to be. Emphasise that students don’t want to miss out on how great the next class will be, encourage them to be on time and ready to learn the coolest techniques ever!

DO NOT FORGET to give out class notices about up-coming events/activities etc.

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