BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch
Hammerfist Downward
Round Kick
Drill: STACKED!
Round 1: 30 seconds maximum effort Straight Punches, 15 seconds rest
Round 2: 30 seconds Straight Punches, 30 seconds Downward Hammerfists, 15 seconds rest
Round 3: 30 seconds Straight Punches, 30 seconds Downward Hammerfists, 30 seconds 2 round kicks right and 2 round kicks left
Choke from Behind with a Push
Drill: Round Robin; Groups of 3 A/B/C: A holds for punches at one end of the room; at the other end, B stands with eyes closed; C makes Choke from Behind with a Push to B; B defends, then sprints across the room while C stands with eyes closed; B makes 10 straight punches, then takes the pad; A runs across the room and attacks C. So all 3 students are rotating through attacking, being attacked, punching, and holding for punches. They rotate continuously.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Side Kick
Back Kick
Uppercut Back Kick
Drill: Groups of 3; 1 focus mitt holder; 1 curved kick shield holder; 1 striker. Striker throwing basic combinations to focus mitts. Curved KS holder gives a verbal cue from the side or behind and holds for Side Kick, Back Kick, or Uppercut Back Kick. Striker throws appropriate kick and turns and face to follow up with 6 hand combatives, then returns to focus mitts.
Ground – trap and roll
Ground – def. v. choke full mount
Drill: A/B Drill: A's on their backs with eyes closed. B's are roaming attackers and can mount for Trap and Roll, apply Choke from Full Mount, OR grab a curved KS and verbal cue for Front Kick from the Ground from Level 1.
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pads
Round 1: Hands only
Round 2: Hands and feet + sprawls
Round 3: Every kick combo finishes with 2 kicks. Include sprawls and clinch knees
Gun to the Side of the Head
Gun from the Side, Behind the Arm
Drill:
Drill: Half the class has curved kick shields and the other half has training guns. Students randomly scatter the pads and guns across mat. On instructor's call of "GO!" students begin running in random directions anywhere on mat. On instructor's call of "DOWN!" students who touch a curved kick shield first get to throw Ground and Pound strikes and students who didn't get a pad must do burpees until instructor calls "TIME!" at which point students return to running. Instructor will also call "GUN!" Students who get to a gun get to be attackers using Gun to the Side of the Head or Gun from the Side, Behind the Arm, and those who could not grab a gun in time stand in neutral to be attacked.
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch
Hammerfist Downward
Round Kick
Drill: STACKED!
Round 1: 30 seconds maximum effort Straight Punches, 15 seconds rest
Round 2: 30 seconds Straight Punches, 30 seconds Downward Hammerfists, 15 seconds rest
Round 3: 30 seconds Straight Punches, 30 seconds Downward Hammerfists, 30 seconds 2 round kicks right and 2 round kicks left
Choke from Behind with a Push
Drill: Round Robin; Groups of 3 A/B/C: A holds for punches at one end of the room; at the other end, B stands with eyes closed; C makes Choke from Behind with a Push to B; B defends, then sprints across the room while C stands with eyes closed; B makes 10 straight punches, then takes the pad; A runs across the room and attacks C. So all 3 students are rotating through attacking, being attacked, punching, and holding for punches. They rotate continuously.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Side Kick
Back Kick
Uppercut Back Kick
Drill: Groups of 3; 1 focus mitt holder; 1 curved kick shield holder; 1 striker. Striker throwing basic combinations to focus mitts. Curved KS holder gives a verbal cue from the side or behind and holds for Side Kick, Back Kick, or Uppercut Back Kick. Striker throws appropriate kick and turns and face to follow up with 6 hand combatives, then returns to focus mitts.
Ground – trap and roll
Ground – def. v. choke full mount
Drill: A/B Drill: A’s on their backs with eyes closed. B’s are roaming attackers and can mount for Trap and Roll, apply Choke from Full Mount, OR grab a curved KS and verbal cue for Front Kick from the Ground from Level 1.
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pads
Round 1: Hands only
Round 2: Hands and feet + sprawls
Round 3: Every kick combo finishes with 2 kicks. Include sprawls and clinch knees
Gun to the Side of the Head
Gun from the Side, Behind the Arm
Drill: Half the class has curved kick shields and the other half has training guns. Students randomly scatter the pads and guns across mat. On instructor’s call of “GO!” students begin running in random directions anywhere on mat. On instructor’s call of “DOWN!” students who touch a curved kick shield first get to throw Ground and Pound strikes and students who didn’t get a pad must do burpees until instructor calls “TIME!” at which point students return to running. Instructor will also call “GUN!” Students who get to a gun get to be attackers using Gun to the Side of the Head or Gun from the Side, Behind the Arm, and those who could not grab a gun in time stand in neutral to be attacked.
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch Low
Inside Defense vs. Straight Punch Low
Ground - Back Position
Ground - Front Kick
Drill: Working in pairs, 1 kick shield holder & 1 striker. Strikers start on the ground in back position. Pad holders approach and strikers must deliver a front kick to create enough space to stand up. If striker is able to stand, pad holder immediately ditches the pad and throws a low straight punch. Striker must defend the punch and follow up with counters/combatives.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Uppercut Back Kick
Back Kick
Ground - Headlock from Side (weight forward)
Ground - Headlock from side (weight backward)
Drill: Ride the Bull - 1 attacker, 1 defender starting in headlock from the side position on the ground. When the round starts, attacker must do all they can to maintain the position as long as possible (shifting weight back & forth), while defender tries to escape. If defender escapes, finish with combatives & immediately reset to starting positions & begin again.
ADVANCED CLASS
Long Gun from the Front - Live Side
Long Gun from the Front - Dead Side
Drill: working in pairs, 1 gunman, 1 defender. Defender starts in passive stance with eyes shut. Gunman positions themselves anywhere from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock relative to defender, presents the weapon, and verbally gets defender's attention. Defender must recognize whether to use live side or dead side technique and execute accordingly.
Drill: Roaming attacker. Have partners free work on focus mitts (bare handed). 1-3 students will roam around with long guns and randomly present the weapon threat to any striker (10 o'clock to 2 o'clock). Striker's must defend, finish with combatives., & return to mitt work immediately.
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch with Advance
Inside Defenses
Choke From The Front With A Push
Drill: attacker makes Choke With Push; defender defends; attacker breaks off and then makes a right Straight Punch. Defender defends and continues with counterattacks. For a more advanced version of the drill, use right OR left straight punch.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Focus Mitts: 2 rounds of 3 minutes; emphasize step and pivot to change angle
360 With Counterattacks
Choke From The Front Against A Wall
Drill: attacker makes Choke Against Wall; defender defends and spins away; attacker makes right 360 attacker; defender makes the defense and simultaneous counterattack, then continues with counters. For a more advanced version of the drill, use right OR left 360 attack.
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pads: 2 rounds of 3 minutes, include sprawls
Gun From The Front
Gun From The Front, 2 Handed Technique
Drill: non-stop punching; attacker pushes the striker away from the pad and makes gun threat.
BEGINNER CLASS
Stance and Movement
Left/Right Combination
Drill: Left/Right/pivot right/Right
Choke from Behind with a Push
Headlock from Behind
Drill: attacker makes either Choke from Behind with a Push OR Headlock from Behind
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Hook Punches
Focus Mitts Combo #6 (Right-Left Hook-Right)
Backward Roll
Drill: partner holds focus mitts; defender starts in a crouched position; defender makes a backward roll, then comes up and works Combo #6 until the partner resets
Advancing Front Kick
Advancing Round Kick (like front kick) — emphasize using the ball of the foot
Choke from Behind with a Pull — discuss the possibility of using Round Kick with the Ball of the Foot
ADVANCED CLASS
Focus Mitts with disturbing (pad holder strikes the puncher, then calls a combination)
Axe Defense v. Overhead — like stick defense, but emphasize opening outward with the defending arm so that the axe head moves away from the body. If you want to be very elaborate, you can tape rubber knives perpendicularly to the end of sticks to create an axe head.
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch with Advance
Straight Punch with Retreat
Round Kick
Drill: A’s hold for B’s at one end of the mat. On instructor’s “GO!” B’s make Straight Punch with Advance all the way across room and at the end of mat, make a round kick right or left depending on A’s hold. Then B makes Straight Punch with Retreat all the way back. Once A and B reach beginning point, they switch. Have students attempt to get the most rounds in as a team in 2 minutes. Winning team does not do 5 burpees.
Choke from the Side
Round Kick from the Ground
Drill: Groups of 3; A’s hold pad; B’s are Strikers/Defenders; C’s are attackers. A holds for 4 Straight Punches with Advance, 4 Straight Punches with Retreat, and 2 round kicks right, 2 round kicks left. At any time, C can apply Choke from the Side OR give verbal cue of “DOWN” and B makes Round Kick from the Ground.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Hook Punch
Uppercut Punch
Drill: Focus mitt combinations 8 (Rear Uppercut/Lead Hook/Cross), 9 (Lead Uppercut/Cross/Lead Hook), and 10 (Cross/Lead Uppercut/Cross)
Drill: 30/60/90
30 Seconds: Nonstop Punches
15 Seconds Rest
60 Seconds: Knees in the Thai Clinch
15 Seconds Rest
90 Seconds: Striker starts with straight punches, on instructors call of “SPRAWL”, defender sprawls, gets up and changes to Knee strikes. Switch strikes after every sprawl.
Basic Takedown Defense (quick review)
Inside Defense with Counter v. Left Punch
Inside Defense with Counter v. Right Punch (2 counters)
Inside Defense with Counter v. Right Punch (1 counter)
Drill: A can throw a left or right straight punch. B defends with an inside defense with counter from above with follow-up combatives.
Drill: Non-compliant Attacker: During follow-up combatives, A can make the beginning of a takedown by attempting to put shoulder to B’s torso/waist and hands behind their legs. B should intercept with Basic Takedown Defense.
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pads
Round 1: Free work using combinations 1K-10K
Round 2: Free work. Add the following covering defenses and counters: Cover against the left hook and counter with a 7, cover against the right hook and counter with a 6,
Round 3: Free work. Add cover against the left hook to the body and counter with an 8, cover against the right hook to the body and counter with a 9
Full Nelson – finger strip
Full Nelson – throw
Full Nelson – sweep
BEGINNER CLASS
Round Kick
Drill: Around the World - 1 kick shield holder, 1 striker. Pad holder holds for 20 low right round kicks, 20 high right round kicks, 20 high left round kicks, and 20 low left round kicks. Strikers should prioritize power.
Headlock from Behind
Drill: Groups of 3. 1 striker, 1 kick shield holder, 1 attacker. Striker continuously goes Around-the-World for the length of the round. At any point attacker may headlock striker from behind. Striker must defend, finish with combatives, & return to the drill
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Headbutts (Forward, Side, Backward, Upward)
Drill: Closing Distance - 1 striker, 1 kick shield holder. Pad holder holds for 1 round kick, then squares pad up with striker. Striker follows round kick with short combination of straight punches, to knees, to elbows, to headbutts before disengaging and starting over.
Choke from Behind with a Pull
Drill: Circle-of-Death - 1 defender, 4+ attackers. Attackers may either choke defender from behind with a pull or hold a kick shield and verbally get defender's attention (respond with closing the distance drill).
ADVANCED CLASS
Ground - Leg Triangle from Guard
Ground - Defense vs. Leg Triangle
Ground - Guillotine from Guard
Ground - Defense vs. Guillotine
Sparring: 1 minute rounds. Partners start in full guard position. Both attempt to either improve their position or submit their partner. Once someone improves their position or submits the other, stop, reset to original positions, and begin again immediately. Next round, switch starting positions. Once both partners have fought from both positions, find a new partner.
BEGINNER CLASS
Advancing Straight Punch
Hammerfist Forward
COMBO: Advancing Straight + Straight/Hammerfist Mix Burst
DRILL:
Grp 2, Padholder, Striker. Striker sends combo above then step pivots about 90 degrees to either side of padholder. Pad holder reorients to striker to repeat combo.
Headlock Rear
FINAL DRILL:
Grp 3, Padholder, Striker, Attacker. Same combo as drill above, but attacker can apply Headlock Rear.
_________
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Choke Rear w/ Pull
Ground - Fall Break - High
Ground - Trap, Buck and Roll
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 2, Defender, Attacker. Attacker begins neutral, eyes closed. Attacker should apply Choke Rear w/ Pull, but pull back and down attempting to put defender on the ground. If possible, defender can make the defense. If unsuccessful, defender will end up on the ground. Attacker should mount for trap, buck and roll.
NOTE: Be sure to practice the Choke Rear with a “difficult” pull prior to the final drill.
_________
ADVANCED CLASS
REVIEW: 360 + Counter/Finish
REVIEW: Stick Downward Swing All Angles
Axe Defense - Overhead
Note: Ax defense is just stick defense with an emphasis on "opening" the defending arm a little after the initial redirection; this moves the ax head farther from the defender's body.
DRILL: Circle of Death - Stick Edition
Defender surrounded by attackers with sticks. Attackers cue and attack from any angle with stick/axe attacks. NOTE: Attacker should not wait for defender to orient so attack is from front. Cue and GO!
DRILL - FINAL: Circle of Death - Super Deadly Edition
Same as above, but attacker can utilize any attack/weapon.
BEGINNER CLASS
Advancing Straight Punch
Hammerfist Forward
COMBO: Advancing Straight + Straight/Hammerfist Mix Burst
DRILL:
Grp 2, Padholder, Striker. Striker sends combo above then step pivots about 90 degrees to either side of padholder. Pad holder reorients to striker to repeat combo.
Headlock Rear
FINAL DRILL:
Grp 3, Padholder, Striker, Attacker. Same combo as drill above, but attacker can apply Headlock Rear.
_________
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Choke Rear w/ Pull
Ground - Fall Break - High
Ground - Trap, Buck and Roll
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 2, Defender, Attacker. Attacker begins neutral, eyes closed. Attacker should apply Choke Rear w/ Pull, but pull back and down attempting to put defender on the ground. If possible, defender can make the defense. If unsuccessful, defender will end up on the ground. Attacker should mount for trap, buck and roll.
NOTE: Be sure to practice the Choke Rear with a “difficult” pull prior to the final drill.
_________
ADVANCED CLASS
REVIEW: 360 + Counter/Finish
REVIEW: Stick Downward Swing All Angles
Axe Defense - Overhead
Note: Ax defense is just stick defense with an emphasis on "opening" the defending arm a little after the initial redirection; this moves the ax head farther from the defender's body.
DRILL: Circle of Death - Stick Edition
Defender surrounded by attackers with sticks. Attackers cue and attack from any angle with stick/axe attacks. NOTE: Attacker should not wait for defender to orient so attack is from front. Cue and GO!
DRILL - FINAL: Circle of Death - Super Deadly Edition
Same as above, but attacker can utilize any attack/weapon.
BEGINNER CLASS
One focus mitt on dominant hand and one curved kick shield, handle held at hip level with one hand for low round kicks. (Ensure students keeping knee bent and pad on top of quad, not at side of knee for safety.)
Round 1: Lead straight punch to rear leg low round kick, Cross to lead low round kick, hook palm to rear leg low round kick
Round 2: Double jab with small bursts left (for righties) to rear leg low round, cross to large step off angle lead leg low round kick
Round 3: No focus mitt. 5 low round kicks right, 1 burpee, 5 low round kicks left—switch. Then, 5 medium round kicks right, 1 burpee, 5 medium round kicks left—switch. Repeat for 3 minutes for max kicks.
Inside Defense v. Straight Punch Low
Drill: On instructor's "GO!" defender does 3 burpees and stands in neutral stance. When the defender completes burpees, the attacker touches shoulders and/or makes a Straight Punch Low attack OR holds a pad for Punches. Defender makes the appropriate defense or attacks the pad until instructor calls “TIME!" Reset!
Choke from Behind
Drill: Same as above, but attacker can move behind them for Choke from Behind after the last burpee.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Headbutt Forward
Side Kick
Defensive Back with a Spin
Focus mitts and belly pad
Round 1: Free work with all the combinations students know; 1-4 or 1-10
Round 2: Begin each combination with Headbutt Forward. Pad holder should call the number, hold at very close range for Headbutt Forward, then take a step back to hold for combination.
Round 3: On combinations 3, 7, and 9, Striker uses hook to disguise step across centerline with lead leg, and makes a side kick with lead leg to belly pad
Forward Roll; Figure 4
Drill: Defender stands in front of pad. Attacker stands behind Defender and gives a shove. Defender makes Forward Roll; Figure 4 over pad. Attacker picks up pad for 6 hand combatives. Switch roles for time.
Forward Roll; Back Fall Break
Drill: Same as above, but pad in center of mat. On Attacker's shove, Defender sprints and makes Forward Roll; Back Fall Break over pad. Defender picks up pad for Front Kick from the Ground.
Ground – trap and roll
Final Drill: Same as previous drill with shove. If Defender can get to standing, 6 hand combatives. If Back Fall Break and Attacker picks up pad, Defender makes Front Kick from the Ground. Attacker can also call "DOWN" while Defender in Ground Position and mount Defender for Ground – trap and roll.
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pad Cauldron
Round 1: Free work with all combinations and variations; include elbows, knees, and kicks.
Round 2: Double the kick
Round 3: Triple the kick and add sprawls
Puke Round! 30 seconds power straight punches, 30 seconds 2 kicks right and 2 kicks left, 30 seconds knees, 30 seconds 2 punches and a push up, and 30 seconds speed punches.
Gun from the Front, 2 handed technique
Ready to build a stronger school with better training, better support, and a better network? Click here to submit your info and learn what it means to join the Krav Maga Alliance.