games

[mmmariap]

I teach/help with some of the (tae kwon do) classes at my club. And well there is a lot of children/lower belts, well most of the lower belts are children. Does anybody have some fun games that would be suitable for martial arts.

[John]

Im not sure martial arts is a sport that really means games.
Its about discipline, and its more of a serious sport than a sport where kids should be running around playing games.

Thats just my opinion anyway.

[mmmariap]

Yes I know what you mean, but you can't be all business you need to have maybe one day per month or less where you guys just have fun, play flag tag, or play tae kwon do tag as a warm-up. Still physical activities, and still somewhat martial arts related.

[Tonic]

Warm up games are good, just to get the blood circulating.

Why not have a small punching bag that kids can use to warm up with?
Or some skipping games - they are great for muscles.

[mmmariap]

Thanks, I'll try that. Well I'll have to run it by the head instructor. I'm just one of the junior black belts, but he let's us teach class from time to time.

[KarateKid]

So the instructor lets the students run the classes sometimes?
Thats an interesting concept.

What do you do when you run the class?

[mmmariap]

Well he's there of course. But we have a calendar that says what we're gonna do each day. And when it's your day you look at the calendar and that's what you do. i.e. it may say "gear up, counter, conditioning, sparring", or it may say "stances, punches, patterns". So If it were my day to teach, I would run the class through a warm-up of my choice, choose someone to lead the stretch, and do whatever the calendar says. The thing is I would also get to choose HOW we do what the calendar says. Like if we do it with partners, in lines up and down the dojang, or just lign-up like at the begging and do it on the spot....

I think running a class or at least part of the class is an excellent chance to display and develop leadership skills.

By having people listening to you and issuing instructions, your confidence and leadship skills increase dramatically.