In this game you need 2 teams, minimum number of players would be 4.
One team will be Protectors, the other team will be Throwers. And then they change roles.
Equipment:
1. A target placed on something that is easily knocked down by throwing something light at it.
2. Have soft foam balls to throw.
3. Mark a circular boundary around the target, maybe with rope or tape or chalk
4. (optional) Gloves or shields for the protectors
Object:
Throwers try to knock the target down by throwing their foam balls at it in a set amount of time (eg 1 minute)
Protectors try to protect the target to not get knocked down in a set amount of time (eg 1 minute)
Rules:
1. Protectors and Throwers cannot cross the boundary.
2. Protectors may never face the target, their back must be to the target at all times.
Scoring:
1. Protectors get a point for never having their target knocked out in their set amount of time.
2. Throwers get a point for knocking the target down within the set amount of time.
After the set amount of time is over, or the Throwers knock down the target, the two team reverse roles.
The game is a lot of fun, and builds a lot of teamwork, hand-eye coordination, and agility.
Here's the youtube video of the game:
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
I have a BUNCH of games coming up
Not that I have (m)any readers yet, BUT, I do have a TON of kids games coming up. I'll try to post a new one every day, starting today (Thursday).
We're almost completely done filming for a while. We have a couple more to do, and then it's posting time. I'm going to try to be disciplined and only do one a day, because that is actually better for developing the blog's traffic.
And honestly, it'll be easier on me, since I do have to do some editing on each one, and I want to give a personalized intro for each one.
Summer camp's been a very interesting experience. Lots of lessons on teaching kids how to not be whiny, cry babies, how to suck up getting hurt without being all drama-queeny about it. Some of these kids had some major entitlement issues that I sort of had to, well, kill. Sometimes I used strategies like, if you say you want something, I'm gonna give you the exact opposite. When you stop making a big deal about it, then you'll probably get it.
And sometimes (regarding the entitlement issue), I'd be as blunt as saying, I really don't care, because it is not a big deal.
This, I believe, was excellent training and preparation for my own son. I have a feeling he's gonna need a lot of these lessons as well!
And that's what has been the most humanizing about all of this - I treat these kids as though they were my own. I want them to succeed. I want them to be stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically so that they will have valuable tools to navigate through this world.
And some of that doesn't come without some tough love. Fortunately, I'm a goofball, so they know I can be silly as well as strict. Everytime a boundary is pushed, I push it back down into their throats so far that I can feel their stomach from the inside. And then I make a joke about pee pee, and all is good.
We're almost completely done filming for a while. We have a couple more to do, and then it's posting time. I'm going to try to be disciplined and only do one a day, because that is actually better for developing the blog's traffic.
And honestly, it'll be easier on me, since I do have to do some editing on each one, and I want to give a personalized intro for each one.
Summer camp's been a very interesting experience. Lots of lessons on teaching kids how to not be whiny, cry babies, how to suck up getting hurt without being all drama-queeny about it. Some of these kids had some major entitlement issues that I sort of had to, well, kill. Sometimes I used strategies like, if you say you want something, I'm gonna give you the exact opposite. When you stop making a big deal about it, then you'll probably get it.
And sometimes (regarding the entitlement issue), I'd be as blunt as saying, I really don't care, because it is not a big deal.
This, I believe, was excellent training and preparation for my own son. I have a feeling he's gonna need a lot of these lessons as well!
And that's what has been the most humanizing about all of this - I treat these kids as though they were my own. I want them to succeed. I want them to be stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically so that they will have valuable tools to navigate through this world.
And some of that doesn't come without some tough love. Fortunately, I'm a goofball, so they know I can be silly as well as strict. Everytime a boundary is pushed, I push it back down into their throats so far that I can feel their stomach from the inside. And then I make a joke about pee pee, and all is good.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Throw All Catch All
This is a game I came up with years ago, and we haven't done it since. It was a lot of fun.
You need 2 or more people in this, and one ball per person.
Have them stand in a circle or square formation (or right across from each other if there's only 2)
When the teacher/leader/coach says "Go", they throw the ball upwards to the person to their left, and catch to their right side.
Everyone will throw and catch at roughly the same time.
It looks really easy, but it takes a little practice to get it coordinated. It is a great exercise in teamwork, and multitasking!
You need 2 or more people in this, and one ball per person.
Have them stand in a circle or square formation (or right across from each other if there's only 2)
When the teacher/leader/coach says "Go", they throw the ball upwards to the person to their left, and catch to their right side.
Everyone will throw and catch at roughly the same time.
It looks really easy, but it takes a little practice to get it coordinated. It is a great exercise in teamwork, and multitasking!
Lots of games, coming up!!
Just shot a bunch of video footage of games we did at summer camp today!
Actually having a camera and telling the students that we're going to video tape gets them more focused, and ready to perform their best.
Haha, and they KNOW I'm going to post it! :)
I have a bunch more games to film tomorrow as well. Today I filmed 7 games/exercises. I'll see how many I'll be able to post on youtube.
A question was asked, "Aren't you afraid that people are going to really capitalize off of the information you're giving away for free?"
My answer is that I *WANT* people to take these ideas. No Charge! Games/exercises are a fun part of teaching a great kids class, but it is only one part of it. There are many variables that go into having a successful kids exercise/martial arts program. While having a diversified set of games adds value, it is not the only aspect.
I have a bit of a creative brain, so I'm always conjuring up ideas. Wait until you see the stuff I film tomorrow! It's gonna be crazy, you guys are gonna freak! lol
Some exercises and games that I know and use are protected information from the consulting company that I use, Shuman Concepts. But I am very careful to not broadcast any of their games/drills. These are things that I made up, or have learned about from friends.
Actually having a camera and telling the students that we're going to video tape gets them more focused, and ready to perform their best.
Haha, and they KNOW I'm going to post it! :)
I have a bunch more games to film tomorrow as well. Today I filmed 7 games/exercises. I'll see how many I'll be able to post on youtube.
A question was asked, "Aren't you afraid that people are going to really capitalize off of the information you're giving away for free?"
My answer is that I *WANT* people to take these ideas. No Charge! Games/exercises are a fun part of teaching a great kids class, but it is only one part of it. There are many variables that go into having a successful kids exercise/martial arts program. While having a diversified set of games adds value, it is not the only aspect.
I have a bit of a creative brain, so I'm always conjuring up ideas. Wait until you see the stuff I film tomorrow! It's gonna be crazy, you guys are gonna freak! lol
Some exercises and games that I know and use are protected information from the consulting company that I use, Shuman Concepts. But I am very careful to not broadcast any of their games/drills. These are things that I made up, or have learned about from friends.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Some games for kids
These are the youtube videos I posted of a few of our fun games that we do as warm ups, diversion, fun break games to blow off a little steam.
The whole point is to make sure they have some fun in the class while developing some productive attributes.
When it comes to youtube videos on kids martial arts drills, most of them are very content specific of actual martial arts techniques that require you to teach these techniques to them first.
These exercises that I am presenting require no real training of any particular techniques. Just fun exercises and games that you can use in many types of classes and contexts.
These are a few we did with swimming noodles:
TOSS -N- KICK
CHOPPING BLADES
GIANT SCISSORS
The whole point is to make sure they have some fun in the class while developing some productive attributes.
When it comes to youtube videos on kids martial arts drills, most of them are very content specific of actual martial arts techniques that require you to teach these techniques to them first.
These exercises that I am presenting require no real training of any particular techniques. Just fun exercises and games that you can use in many types of classes and contexts.
These are a few we did with swimming noodles:
TOSS -N- KICK
CHOPPING BLADES
GIANT SCISSORS
Summer Camp-o-rama
I am about to enter into the fourth and final week of summer camp, here at Austin Kung-Fu Academy. This has been my first time running a summer camp program, and I'll do an informal evaluation of myself after Friday, the last day.
But one thing for sure, it has really gotten me thinking of drills, games, and exercises on how to keep the kids engaged for basically 4 hours every day, that's 20 hours a week, all relating to martial arts.
Some were really cool and innovative, others were things I had picked up from consultants in the biz, and others were things I tried that were complete and total failures! haha
But, as I wrote on a Twitter post, the 5 Stage Process of Success I've set for myself as a philosophy is:
1) Show Up
2) Try
3) Don't Give Up
4) Learn from Mistakes and Success
5) Positive Attitude, Even if it Hurts
So for me, this has all been a learning experience that has made me stronger.
But anyways, so I have some videos on youtube, and while I know how to embed them, I thought there was something that did like, some sort of automatic type thingy...I'll have to figure that one out.
Oh, Web 2.0...you play with my emotions every day! :)
But one thing for sure, it has really gotten me thinking of drills, games, and exercises on how to keep the kids engaged for basically 4 hours every day, that's 20 hours a week, all relating to martial arts.
Some were really cool and innovative, others were things I had picked up from consultants in the biz, and others were things I tried that were complete and total failures! haha
But, as I wrote on a Twitter post, the 5 Stage Process of Success I've set for myself as a philosophy is:
1) Show Up
2) Try
3) Don't Give Up
4) Learn from Mistakes and Success
5) Positive Attitude, Even if it Hurts
So for me, this has all been a learning experience that has made me stronger.
But anyways, so I have some videos on youtube, and while I know how to embed them, I thought there was something that did like, some sort of automatic type thingy...I'll have to figure that one out.
Oh, Web 2.0...you play with my emotions every day! :)
What this is all about
I have grown to love teaching kids martial arts classes. Once upon a time, I feared it and dreaded it. Then came a time where I could do it, but wasn't very into it.
AND THEN...
I had a son.
That changed everything. I now love teaching children. I have a new view of kids, parents, and families.
In this blog, I will never name any of the kids I work with, but I will talk about what I've been learning and gaining from this incredible experience.
Maybe you can use it to inform some ideas with your own kids or students. Or maybe you might just dig on my writing style, and check out what kind of craziness I've been getting myself into!
Whatever the case, I hope you find this entertaining. I will occasionally supplement some youtube videos, to showcase some of the things we've been doing in class, particularly fun games that I conjured up!
AND THEN...
I had a son.
That changed everything. I now love teaching children. I have a new view of kids, parents, and families.
In this blog, I will never name any of the kids I work with, but I will talk about what I've been learning and gaining from this incredible experience.
Maybe you can use it to inform some ideas with your own kids or students. Or maybe you might just dig on my writing style, and check out what kind of craziness I've been getting myself into!
Whatever the case, I hope you find this entertaining. I will occasionally supplement some youtube videos, to showcase some of the things we've been doing in class, particularly fun games that I conjured up!
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