BEGINNER
WARMUP:
Straights, Elbow 1, Knees
Advancing Straight Punch
COMBO:
Advancing L/R Straight + R Elbow + Clinch Knee
Inside Defenses
DRILL:
Defenders in fighting stance, eyes closed. Attackers roam cueing and sending straight for defense or holding pad for combo above.
Choke Front - 1 Handed
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INTERMEDIATE
WARMUP: Plow the Field
Grps 3. Striker, Padholder, Bungee holder. Striker, Bungee start at one end of gym, padholder at opposite end. Striker must run/crawl to pad while partner gives resistance with bungee. Once to pad, send all out strikes to pad while partner continues to provide resistance. Reset for several rounds.
Inside Defense v. Left/Right (Lean Back and Trap)
Inside Defense v. Left/Right (1 Hand)
Bearhug Behind Arms Caught
Bearhug Behind Arms Caught (Remove Arms)
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 3, Padholder, Defender, Attacker. Defender neutral, eyes closed. Padholder cues by pushing defender back toward attacker with pad. Attacker applies Bearhug. If possible, defender should remove hands and begin sending strikes to pad while attacker pulls giving resistance. If defender cannot remove hands, perform bearhug defense then all out strikes to pad. Regardless padholder cues to RESET!
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ADVANCED
WARMUP:
Grps 2. Sparring Gear On. One person in mount. On “BEGIN!”, person on top begins sending strikes, person on bottom covers/absorbs. On “GO!” person on bottom performs trap, buck and roll. Once in guard, person on top begins sending strikes as person on bottom absorbs. On “GO!” person on bottom kicks off from guard. Reset with each beginning in opposite starting positions.
2 Jumping Front Kicks
Jumping Round Kick
**For both kicks progress to starting from a kneeling position and getting to feet (stand or jump to) before performing the kick(s).
Gun Front Review
Gun Front - From Kneeling Position
BEGINNER CLASS
Movement
Drill: Follow the Leader with footwork
Straight Punches: Left/Right/Right
Round Kick (emphasize forward leg with step or switch feet)
Combination: Left/Right/Right/Left Round Kick
Choke Front Push
Choke Front Push Against Wall
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Defensive Front Kick
Drill: groups of 3; punches and elbows to a pad; when a second pad holder approaches, turn to the new attacker and make Defensive Front Kick, then continue striking that pad
Ground: Side Mount
Ground: Hip Escape from Side Mount
Ground: Arm Lock
ADVANCED CLASS
Combo: Left Front Kick Vertical Target/Right Cross/Left Hook/Right Straight/Left Elbow #1
Hip Throw – hook under arm; if experienced, practice opposite side
Sparring Drill: one attack/one defender; defender try to incorporate Hip Throw into counterattacks
Knife Forward Slash
Knife Back Slash
Note: if experienced, make the slashes very straight, almost like straight stab.
BEGINNER CLASS
Punches- L/Right Combo
Drill: parker calls out punching combo ("Left, Left, Right!", Right, Left, Right!", etc.)
Inside Defense
Choke form the Front with a push- work both sides
Drill: defender- eyes closed, defend choke from the Front with a push with various angles or on attackers verbal signal make Inside Defense.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Review basic strikes- Straight punches, Hammerfist etc.
Drill: 3- 45 second rounds of non-stop AGGRESSIVE strikes, 15 second rest between rounds, movement, light strikes 70% speed/Power.
Defensive Front Kick
Knees- Thai Clinch (quick review)
Combo: Defensive Front Kick, Knees- Thai Clinch
Inside Defense v. Left/Right
Bearhug from behind Arms Free
Drill: defend Bearhug or Inside Defense v. Left/Right, eyes closed
ADVANCED CLASS
Conditioning Drill:
Left/Right/Right Elbow x 10
10 Push Ups
10 Round Kicks (5 each side)
10 Sit up/ Stand up (partner assist)
4 Rounds as fast as possible, then switch with your partner. See which pair can finish first!
Knife- kick from distance
Knife- defense v. downward stab
Knife- defense v. upward stab
Drill: Groups of 4-5, one large shield; defender; non-stop strikes, attackers; non-stop attacks (any level 1&2, include Knife attacks)
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch with Advance
Round Kick
Drill: Partners and curved kick shield. Partners begin at one end of the mat. Striker makes Straight punch with Advance all the way to other end of the mat, then 5 round kicks right and 5 round kicks left. Both partners do two burpees and then sprint back to starting line and switch roles. That is one round. Partner groups with the most rounds in 3 minutes win! Make it a competition. Winners exempt from 10 burpees.
Ground--Side Position
Ground--Side Kick
Drill: Partners and curved kick shield. Partners can call "ADVANCE" for 4 advancing punches, or hold for round kick. Partners can also call "DOWN" and Striker gets into Side Position from ground, make movement, and walk in for Side Kick from Ground. Striker gets up and returns to calls for standing strikes.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
During warm-up include clinch knees and defensive front kick in shadow fighting to frontload dry work.
Round 1: Target Recognition: have strikers with their backs to the wall and curved kick shield holders in front of them. When instructor yells “SPIN!” striker clinches pad holder in plum position, throws two knees and spins them on centerline to get away from the wall, and throws non-stop knees until instructor calls “TIME!”. Reset. As many phases as you want and then switch.
Round 2: Same as Round 1 except instead of “TIME!” Call “KICK OFF!” Striker throws Defensive Front Kick and tries to sprint to the other wall. Pad holder drops pad and tries to chase them and tag them with two hands. If striker is caught before touching wall, they do 5 burpees. If pad holder doesn’t catch them, 2 burpees.
Round 3 (if there will be enough time): Add G&P on instructor’s call of “DOWN!”
Bearhug from Behind, Arms Caught
Bearhug from Behind, Arms Free
Drill: A/B Drill, defend from either Bearhug from Behind
Drill: A/B Drill, against the wall. Defenders stand facing wall. Attackers apply Bearhug. Emphasize strategy to make space from wall after defense.
ADVANCED CLASS
Spinning Outside Slap Kick
Jumping Side Kick
Drill: Max Outside Slap Kicks in one minute. Most kicks wins!
Drill: Max Jumping Side Kicks in one minute. Most kicks wins!
Knife Defense v. Upward Stab
Knife Defense v. Forward Slash
Knife Defense v. Back Slash
Drill: Non-compliant attacker. Attacker makes any knife attacks from above. Sometimes, Attacker makes Upward Stab and attempts to retain knife after redirect, following up with Forward Slash OR makes Back Slash and attempts to retain knife after redirect, following up with Upward Stab
BEGINNER CLASS (A2)
Palm Strikes
Round Kick – practice with both legs
Combo #1: left punch/right round kick
Combo #2: left/right/left round kick
Choke From the Front (1 hand)
INTERMEDIATE CLASS (A2)
Strikes from mount position
Inside Slap Kicks (both sides)
Drill: A/B Drill- Strikes from the mount position on one end, and Inside Slap Kicks on the other.
Reverse Headlock Standing
Ground- Trap and Roll (quick review)
Drill: Groups of 3; defender; Strikes from the mount, 2nd person safely tackles defender off the pad and mounts them, defender; escapes the mount and gets up, 3rd person, then immediately makes Reverse Headlock. Repeat.
ADVANCED CLASS (A2)
Ground – def. v. full mount, wrists pinned (snow angel)
Knife Downward Stab (v. left and right handed attacker); react from a kneeling position.
Gun Front from a Kneeling Position
Drill: groups of three; defender defends against full mount, wrists pinned; as he is getting up, he must defend against gun or knife
BEGINNER
DRILL - WARMUP: Follow the Leader
Grps 2. A/B. Designate one to be the leader. Both face each other in fighting stance. The follower attempts to maintain the starting distance between the two as the leader moves in various directions.
Straight Punch w/ Retreat
MINI - DRILL: Reaction
Grps 2. Padholder, Striker. Striker in fighting stance in front of pad. Padholder advances randomly. Striker sends Retreating Straight, plus a burst of 4-6 straights upon landing. Repeat.
Headlock - Rear
Headlock - Side
Note: Include as alternative to getting “stuck” mid-Headlock Rear Defense.
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 3. Padholder, Striker/Defender, Attacker. Padholder and Striker perform same drill as before. Attacker applies Rear Headlock and should attempt to get defender “stuck”. Defender reacts as necessary, performing the full defense if possible or transitioning to Side Headlock defense.
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INTERMEDIATE
Ground - Foot Grab Spin Inward
Ground - Foot Grab Spin Outward
Ground - Side Mount (position and strikes)
DRILL:
Grp 2, A/B. Designate one group attackers, other strikers. Each striker has a TS/KS in Side Mount. On instructors “BEGIN!” strikers send all out strikes to pad. Attackers roam around grabbing a striker’s ankle and pulling off pad. Striker must release ankle and get back to pad.
Ground - Side Mount to Full Mount
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 3. One person designated as roaming attacker, other two one is on back, other in side mount. Person in Side Mount attempts to gain Full Mount, other person can defend. If mount is gained, switch roles and start again. Roaming attacker can grab ankle of person attempting to mount at any time.
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ADVANCED
DRILL - WARMUP: Kicks Across Room
Defensive Front Kick + Side Kick + Back Kick + Opp Back Kick + Opp Side Kick + Opp DFK, repeat across room.
Chops (Inside and Outside)
Plucking/Rowing Defense vs. Side Kick
DRILL:
Grps 3, Padholder, Striker, Attacker
Striker sends Chops to pad. Attacker cues and sends Side Kick. Defend, finish, back on pad.
Knife - Defense vs. Back Slash
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 3. Same as above. However attacker can now send Side Kick OR cue for Back Slash. Note Slash will be slightly off-angle, but ultimately the same.
BEGINNER CLASS
Left/Right combination
Elbows 1-3
Combination: Left/Right/Left Elbow #1 and Left/Right/Left/Right Elbow #1
Groin Kick
Combinations as above, but finish with a Groin Kick
Choke From the Front (2 hands)
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Focus Mitts (short rounds for review)
Defense v. Med/High Round Kick (include counter with Cross/Hook or Hook/Cross)
Focus Mitts: 2 rounds of 3 minutes - pad holder also makes med/high round kicks; striker defends and counters
Ground - Side Control
Ground - Arm Lock from Side Control (Americana)
Ground - Hip Escape from Side Control
ADVANCED CLASS
Focus Mitts (short review)
Side Kick (review, include high side kick)
Defense v. Medium Side Kick (pluck or row)
Defense v. High Side Kick
Drill: 2 rounds of 3 minutes, pad holder sometimes make Side Kick and striker must defend
Ground - review Trap & Roll and Elbow Escape
Ground - Wrists Pinned (snow angel technique)
Ground - Wrists Pinned Above head
Drill: defender starts with wrists pinned; defender makes the technique, but sometimes the attacker fights back and the defender must use Trap & Roll or Elbow Escape after freeing their wrists
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punches
Straight Punch Low
Round Kick
Round 1: Straight punches only. Pad holder calls a number between 1 and 4. Striker makes that number of straight punches, always beginning with the lead hand.
Round 2: Work changing levels on straight punches with straight punch to the body. Pad holder calls a number with “Low” at the end, i.e. 2 Low, 3 Low and the last punch will be a straight punch to the body. Have pad holder orient the pad vertically for these combinations to allow for a smoother level transition.
Round 3: Pad holder calls 1K-4K. Add a round kick to the end of the combination.
Drill: Dive for the Pads. Have partners line up facing each other at the center of the mat with the curved KS between them. Partners should be equidistant from the pad, with elbows on knees. On instructor’s call of “GO!” students attempt to grab the pad. Whoever touches pad first gets to hold for nonstop straight punches until instructor calls “TIME.” Play with variations of distance (3 steps away, at opposite ends of the mat), combatives (do a few rounds with round kick as the combative instead of straight punches), and how they must get there (begin on stomach facing away from pad, bear crawl, army crawl, etc.). Rotate one line at regular intervals to allow for different match-ups.
Inside Defense v. Straight Punch Low
Choke from the Front with a Push
Drill: Same as above, but the first person to touch the pad can now hold for 20 straight punches OR attack with Straight Punch Low OR attack with Choke from the Front with a Push.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Thai Pads
Round 1: Hands only
Round 2: Hands and feet
Round 3: Sprawl to 2 frame-hold knees on Padholder’s call
Ground – Foot Grab Strip
Ground – Foot Grab Spin Inward
Ground – Foot Grab Spin Outward
Ground – side mount position and strikes
Drill: A begins on ground in Basic Ground Position. B is standing and moving, forcing A to make movement on ground. B grabs A’s foot at any time and attempts to get Side Mount. A makes appropriate Foot Grab defense.
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pad Cauldron
Round 1: Free work with pad holder calling all combinations including kicks + cover against the cross, counter with a #6
Round 2: For every call with a kick, Striker makes 2 round kicks + cover against the lead hook, counter with a #7
Round 3: opposite stance! Parry the (in theory, opposite stanced opponent’s) cross, and counter with a lead hook and cross. For every call with a kick, Striker makes 3 round kicks. Add sprawls on Instructor’s call.
Advanced Gun – from kneeling position
Drill: Roaming attackers. Defender/Striker begins mounted on pad sending all out strikes. Attackers “throw” strikers to ground and pick up pad. Striker gets into Ground – Back position, tracking padholder and sending kicks when approached. After several kicks, padholder should throw pad down, for mount/strikes, OR attackers can make a verbal cue and apply Advanced Gun – from kneeling position. Defender must make defense starting from mounted position on pad.
BEGINNER
Straight Punch Low
Inside Defense vs Straight Punch Low
DRILL:
Grps 2, A, B. Both begin facing each other in fighting stance. One sends Low Straight, other defends. Striker moves to either side of defender after strike/defense, pivoting roughly 90 degrees. Defender responds to square up to striker. Switch roles after each attack/defense.
Elbows 4-7
Rear Choke w/ Push
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 3. Attacker 1, 2, Striker/Defender. Attacker one sends Low Straights to Defender. Second attacker applies Rear Choke w/ Push.
INTERMEDIATE
Defensive Front Kick (DFK)
Defense vs. High Front Kick (Redirect)
DRILL:
Grps 2, A, B. Designate one leader, other follower. Follower stands neutral, eyes closed. Leader cues to open eyes and can show pad for DFK, or sends High Front Kick for follower to defend. Reset after each cue.
Headlock - Reverse Standing (Guillotine)
DRILL - FINAL:
Grps 3, Padholder, Striker, Attacker. Striker sends a DFK to pad then sends all out straights/hammers/elbows to pad. Attacker applies Guillotine. After defense, defender sends DFK then into all out strikes.
ADVANCED
Scissor Round Kick
Jumping Round Kick
DRILL:
Grps 2, Padholder, Striker. Padholder cues for “SCISSOR” or “JUMP” kick. After kick, Striker sends all out strikes to pad until padholder cues to “RESET”
Advanced Gun - Front, assailant using off hand.
DRILL - FINAL: Grps 2, Attacker, Defender. Defender neutral, eyes closed. Attacker cues with off hand in various positions. Defender reacts accordingly and resets.
BEGINNER CLASS
Shadowboxing - emphasize footwork, 4 rounds of :30 seconds
Left/Right Combo
Groin Kick
Combo: Left/Right/Groin Kick, then move out of range
Basic Clinch Defense (position for knees)
Combo: Left/Right/Groin Kick/Basic Clinch Defense/Knee
Ground - Back Position
Ground - Kick
Ground - Get Up
Drill -- as above, but attacker sometimes says "Down" during clinch; defender sits down into Back Position, kicks, then gets up
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Hook Punch
Defense v. Front Kick (redirect)
Defense v. Front Kick (stopping)
Focus Mitts (both people wear shin guards): 3 rounds of 2 minutes; do combinations 1-4, but pad holder can also make a groin kick at any time
Review Choke 1 Hand from Level 1
Ground - Choke from the Side on the Ground
ADVANCED CLASS
Gun Review! All Basic Gun Defenses reviewed slowly (Gun Front, Gun Side Behind Arm, Gun Side Front of Arm, Gun Behind Touching, Gun Side of Head)
Drill: one attacker, one defender; defenders eyes closed; defender opens eyes and makes defense at 75% speed
Drill: two attackers, one defender; non stop threats!
Drill: three attackers, one defender; as above, but include a pad holder who makes the defender punch at intervals
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