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
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
Straight Punch
Straight Punch with Advance
Straight Punch Low
Inside Defenses
Inside Defense v. Straight Punch Low
Drill: Defend Left Punch only, high or low; then right punch only, high or low, then either
If you have time, and with more advanced groups, introduce SLOW fighting, straight punches only
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Hook Punch
Combos #3 & 4
Combos # 6 (right straight/left hook/right straight) and 7 (left hook/right straight/left hook)
Defense v. Hook Punch (extended)
Defense v. Hook Punch (covering)
Inside Defense review
Drill: defend straight or hook (left only, then right only)
Sparring: light sparring, 50% speed, with straights and hooks
ADVANCED CLASS
Focus Mitts: 2 rounds of 2 minutes
Sparring drill (with gloves, etc.) – defend any single attack from the left hand; then any single attack from the right hand
Sparring drill: defend Left Straight/Right Round Kick OR Right Straight/Left Round Kick
Sparring drill: defend Left/Right/Left Round Kick OR Right/Left Hook/Right Round Kick
Sparring: 2 minutes rounds, 60% speed and power
BEGINNER
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.
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INTERMEDIATE
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.
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ADVANCED
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
Beginner
Hammerfist Forward
Hammerfist Downward
Drill: Working in pairs, 1 tombstone holder, 1 striker. During the round striker throws broken hammerfist flurries. Instructor calls either, "standing," "on knees," "on the ground". The pair must transition to those positions as quickly as possible while (preferably) maintaining the ability to strike. Hammerfists standing and from knees will be forward. Hammerfists on the ground will be downward while striker is in mount.
Choke from the Front (1-handed)
Roaming attacker drill: Have 2-3 designated attackers, rest of class working in pairs; 1 striker, 1 tombstone pad holder. Pad holder calls for basic strikes (groin kick, round kick, hammerfists, etc). At any point, attackers may choke any striker from the front. Striker must perform 1-handed technique, finish with combatives and return to pad work.
Intermediate
Side Kick (with & without advance)
Defense vs. Hook punch (covering & extended)
Drill: Roaming attacker. Select 1-3 attackers, rest of class working in pairs; 1 striker, 1 focus mitt holder. Pairs free-work combinations, including hook defenses. At any point attackers may approach a striker from the side with a kick shield. Striker will deliver a side kick, turn & face the attacker, then return to pad work.
Back Fall-break (high)
Ground - Defense vs. Choke from Mount
Advanced
Jumping Spinning Back Kick
Review: Bearhug from Behind (Leverage on finger)
Full Nelson - finger strip
Focus Mitt Rounds (1min each): Round 1 - free work all combinations. Round 2 - 1 burpee before any combination. Round 3 - 30sec burpee burnout followed by 30sec straight punch flurry.
Drill: Roaming attacker. Immediately following the burnout rounds from above, pairs get back to free work on combinations. 1-3 roaming attackers may either bearhug or full nelson any striker at any time. Strikers must defend with leverage on finger or finger stripping technique respectively, finish with combatives, then return to mitt work.
Beginner
Straight punch with advance
Straight punch with retreat
Round kick
Movement drill: using Thai pads or striking shield, striker pushes pad holder across the length of mat. Power jab/rear leg round kick, power cross/lead leg round kick with step.
Choke from the front with a push
Drill: defender starts in neutral position with eyes closed. Attacker either gives choke from the front with push, or hard push to chest with tombstone to create distance. On the push, the defender delivers an advancing straight punch and advancing round kick then resets.
Intermediate
Review straight punches and inside defenses (high and low)
Forward headbutt
Focus mitt combos: add slips and inside defense. After slip, striker delivers a #6 or #7 combo to pads (cross/hook/cross, hook/cross/hook), also add headbutt variable - after last punch, grab the mitt, close range, and headbutt.
Inside defense w/counter vs. left punch
Inside defense w/counter vs. right punch (1 counter)
Inside defense w/counter vs. right punch (2 counters)
Light sparring - Round 1: only straight punches, controlled body contact. Round 2: boxing only, body contact only. Emphasize combos.
Advanced
Warm up - review guard sweeps
Review standing guillotine defense (level 3)
Position drill: defender starts on ground with attacker in guard. The defender must break the attacker's posture and pull them down. Emphasize headlocks, underhooks, and using legs to pull attacker in. Repeat with light shoulder touching
Ground - leg triangle
Ground - guillotine
Ground - defense vs. guillotine
Repeat drill from above, but give the defender the option to get submission via leg triangle or guillotine.
Beginner
Straight punch with advance
Straight punch with retreat
Round kick
Movement drill: using Thai pads or striking shield, striker pushes pad holder across the length of mat. Power jab/rear leg round kick, power cross/lead leg round kick with step.
Choke from the front with a push
Drill: defender starts in neutral position with eyes closed. Attacker either gives choke from the front with push, or hard push to chest with tombstone to create distance. On the push, the defender delivers an advancing straight punch and advancing round kick then resets.
Intermediate
Review straight punches and inside defenses (high and low)
Forward headbutt
Focus mitt combos: add slips and inside defense. After slip, striker delivers a #6 or #7 combo to pads (cross/hook/cross, hook/cross/hook), also add headbutt variable - after last punch, grab the mitt, close range, and headbutt.
Inside defense w/counter vs. left punch
Inside defense w/counter vs. right punch (1 counter)
Inside defense w/counter vs. right punch (2 counters)
Light sparring - Round 1: only straight punches, controlled body contact. Round 2: boxing only, body contact only. Emphasize combos.
Advanced
Warm up - review guard sweeps
Review standing guillotine defense (level 3)
Position drill: defender starts on ground with attacker in guard. The defender must break the attacker's posture and pull them down. Emphasize headlocks, underhooks, and using legs to pull attacker in. Repeat with light shoulder touching
Ground - leg triangle
Ground - guillotine
Ground - defense vs. guillotine
Repeat drill from above, but give the defender the option to get submission via leg triangle or guillotine.
BEGINNER
Punches Straight
Straight Punch Low
Combination: Left/Right combination, Straight Punch Low
Elbow 4-7
Inside Defense v. Straight Punch Low
Choke from the Front with a push
Drill: Eyes closed, defend choke with a push or Inside defense v. Straight Punch Low
INTERMEDIATE
Uppercut Back Kick
Drill: Uppercut Kick, turn, non-stop knees, until pad holder calls time!
Inside Defense with Counter v. Left Punch
Inside Defense with Counter v. Right Punch (2 Counters)
Outside Stabbing defense v. Front Kick
Drill: Movement- defend against either attack- start of slow, then pick up speed.
Ground - Fallbreak back, high
Ground- Backward Roll
Drill: Groups of 2, one large shield- Fallbreak back, high/ Backward Roll/ get up/ fighting stance- Defensive front Kick.
ADVANCED
Thai Pads- Combo #6 & 7, plus Knee- Work both sides
Gun to the side of the Head
Gun from the front, 2 handed technique
Axe defense v. Overhead
Drill: Monkey in the Middle Drill - Everyone's favorite!
Groups of 4-5, one pad; defender non-stop counter attacks on the pad, attackers- any level one, two or 3 attacks, plus attacks from todays lesson. Round one-moderate speed, round 2- fast and aggressive!