Category: Affiliate Lesson Plans
BEGINNER (A3)
Warmup Drill:
Groups of 2. Defender, Padholder. Defenders eyes closed. On Padholder’s cue, Defender opens eyes. Padholder, holding pad against chest approaches. Defender brings both arms up to jam forearm blades into pad, halting approach.
Palm Heel Strikes
Knees w/ Clinch
Palm Burst + Clinch/Knee Combo
Drill:
Groups of 3. Striker, 2 Padholders. Striker begins with all out Palm Heels to Pad 1. Second Padholder disrupts by walking into striker from side/rear with pad against chest. Keep walking/pushing until striker turns, clinches and begins sending all out knees. Padholder 2 cues striker to “RESET!”. Striker goes back to Palm Heels on Pad 1.
Wrist Releases
Final Drill:
Groups of 3: Defender, 2 Attackers. Defender neutral, eyes closed. Attacker 1 sets up with Tombstone various distances away from Defender. Attacker 2 cues with any wrist grab. As the defense is being made, Attacker 1 approaches. Defender must either get out of wrist grab and attack pad, or begin attacking pad if not out of the wrist grab by the time Attacker 1 is close.
NOTE: Attacker 2 can also cue with various self defense, based on the Defender’s experience.
INTERMEDIATE (C3)
Warmup Drill: Alternating Strikes from Mount
Groups of 2. One on back, other in Mount with Tombstone. On “GO!” person on bottom sends all out strikes to pad. On “SWITCH!” person on bottom takes pad and person on top begins striking. Rotate for a few passes. Do another round switching positions.
Side Mount Position & Strikes
Side Mount Arm Lock Position
Side Mount to Full Mount
Side Mount Defense (if known)
Trap Buck & Roll
Final Drill:
Groups of 2. One on back, other in Side Mount. On “GO!” person on top can attempt to apply Arm Lock (GENTLY!) or transition to mount. Person on bottom can attempt to defend as possible.
ADVANCED (C3)
Sparring 1:
10-20s rounds, switching partners on cue.
Sweep w/ Forward Kick (Review)
Sparring 2: Sweep Trigger
30s rounds. Defender neutral stance, eyes closed. Attacker cues with Sweep, taking to ground, starting fight. Defender must fight back to standing, if possible.
Simple Takedown
Sloppy Takedown Defense (Review)
Face-to-Face Throw
Final Drill/Sparring 3:
30s rounds. One person is designated the Attacker. During round, Attacker’s goal is to take other person down with Simple Takedown. Defender can use various methods to defend takedown. If Attacker is successful, fight continues on ground.
BEGINNER CLASS (A3)
Front Kick Vertical Target
Choke from Behind
Ground - Back Position
Ground - Front Kick
Ground - Get Up
Drill: defender starts on ground; kicks a pad, then gets up and continues with Front Kick Vertical Target; second attacker makes Choke from Behind and the defender makes the defense
INTERMEDIATE CLASS (C3)
Defensive Front Kick
Back Kick
Defensive Back Kick with a Spin
Bearhug Front, Lifting
Bearhug Behind, Lifting
Drill: eyes closed; front kick, back kick, or bear hugs lifting
ADVANCED CLASS (C3)
Thai Pads Opposite Stance: Combo #1 
Thai Pads Opposite Stance: Combo #2 & #4
Knife - Kick from Distance
Knife - Downward Stab
Drill: attacker starts at distance; defender makes the kick defense; attacker decides whether to react to the kick and back away OR advanced again; defender must kick again or make hand defense
Drill: defender eyes closed; attacker starts at different distances and says "open"; defender opens eyes and must choose between kick defense or hand defense
BEGINNER CLASS (A3)
Stance and Movement
Straight Punches
Elbows 1-3
Groin Kick
Drill: 4 punches moving forward PLUS Elbow #1 PLUS groin kick
Choke from the Front (2 handed)
INTERMEDIATE CLASS (C3)
Thai Pads: 3 rounds of 2 minutes
Defense v. Low Round Kick
Sparring Drill: attacker makes single punches; defender defends; now and then, attacker makes a Low Round Kick instead; defender defends and counterattacks
Headlock from the Side - work both sides for advanced students
Sparring Drill: light sparring, including low round kicks; random attackers can attack anyone with Headlock from the Side
ADVANCED CLASS (C3)
Axe Kick
Axe Kick - angles on ground (like a heel kick, or at the end of an arm bar)
Double Leg Takedown
Headlock from the Side - review
Headlock Side Spinning Inward
Drill: no-stop strikes to kicking shield; attacker makes Headlock from the Side; defend and counterattack, then get up and continue striking.
Beginner (A3)
Punches- Straight
Front Kick (Groin)
Drill: Partner calls out even numbers (mostly 2, 4, 6) and striker makes that many punches, leading with the forward hand. At least twice during the round, the partner calls out a number higher than 10.
360
Choke from the Front (2-Handed)
Drill: eyes closed, choke, 360 or push with pad and react with straight punches
Intermediate (C3)
Hook Punch
Combination: Jab/Cross/Hook/ Low Round Kick
Spinning Heel Kick
Combination: Jab/Cross/Hook/Spinning Heel Kick
Defense v. Low Round Kick (Absorb)
Defense v. Low Round Kick (Shin Block)
Drill: 1 for 1 Sparring Drill- 2 rounds of 3 minutes: Combo: Jab/Cross/Hook/Low Round Kick- One partner starts the combo off, making light contact, the other partner covers, blocks, slips or catches punches, Absorbs or shin blocks the Low Round Kick and IMMEDIATELY counters with the same combo.
Bearhug Front Arms Caught
Advanced (C3)
Thai Pads- 2-3 minute rounds-Start each round with 10 round kicks on each side. Include, elbows, knees, kicks (low & high) and Sprawls.
Face to Face Throw
Headlock from the side (review)
Headlock from the side, Spinning Inward
Side Control- Elbow escape
Drill: Headlock, Spinning Inward, attacker tries to escape from side control
Beginner (A3)
Palm Heel Strikes
Knees- Regular
Drill: Find your partner drill (using palm heel strikes/Knees)
Elbow 1-3
Choke from Front (2-handed)
Choke from Behind
Drill: Groups of 3, one pad, striker; non stop strikes on the pad, attacker; makes Choke from the front or Choke from behind
Intermediate (C3)
Focus Mitts- Combos 1-3
Defensive Front Kick
Drill: Groups of 3, Focus Mitts, Long Shield; Punching Combos 1-3; Person with the long shield gives a verbal signal and steps towards striker; Striker makes Defensive Front Kick and continues working the Focus Mitts
Defense v. Low Round Kick (shin block)
Outside Defense v. Right Punch
Hair Grab Front
Drill: defender eyes closed; attacker makes a Hair grab or gives a verbal signal, Defense v. Low Round Kick or Outside Defense v. Right Punch
Advanced (C3)
Focus Mitts/Thai Pads from opposite stance
Jumping Front Kick
Cavaliers 1-4
Gun to the Side, in Front of Arm
Gun from Behind (touching)
Headlock from the Side, spinning inward
Drill: striker; non-stop strikes on pad, attacker; attacks with any of the above self defenses.
BEGINNER (A3)
Warmup Drill: Musical Pads
Each group of 2 should get a Tombstone and scatter them around mat. Students perform Shadowboxing around pads. On “GO!” students attempt to grab pad. If successful, they are holding for all out straight punches. If unsuccessful, they are striking.
Elbows 1-3
Drill: Cue & Do
Padholder cues striker for Elbows 1-3. On cue striker sends 2 elbows, turns and finishes with a burst of straight punches until padholder cues “RESET!”
Front Groin Kick
Drill: Kick Pyramid
Striker performs 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Front Groin Kicks. After each level on one side, sprawl, switch stance and do same number on opposite side.
Front Choke (2-handed)
INTERMEDIATE (C3)
Hook Punches
Thai Pad Work:
1. Bas Combinations 1-4, punches only
2. Bas Combinations, adding opposite side Round House Kick.
Defense v. Low Round Kick (absorbing)
Defense v. Low Round Kick (shin block)
Mini-Drill 1:
Groups of 2. Alternating Round House Kick and Defense.
Mini-Drill 2:
Same as #1 but add counter strikes after kick defense.
Hair Grab Front
Hair Grab Side
Hair Grab Behind
Final Drill:
Groups of 3: Focus Mitt Holder, Striker, Attacker. Striker works combinations to focus mitts. Pad holder can attack with round house kicks. Attacker can apply any hair grab.
ADVANCED (C3)
Warmup Drill: Ground & Pound Drag Race
Groups of 2, lying side by side at one end of gym, with a single Kickshield at other end. On “GO!” both must army crawl to the pad. The “winner” mounts the pad into all out strikes while the “loser” distracts.
NOTE: You may encourage the partners to lightly interrupt in-transit, just ensure it does not turn into a grappling match.
Side Fallbreaks (Review)
Forward Rolls (Review)
Hip Throw
Side Headlock (Review)
Side Headlock, Spinning Inward
Final Drill:
Roaming attacker applies Headlock, defense is based on momentum of attack. Additional roaming attacker can cue for any combative or self defense (based on defender’s experience) while the defender is finishing/getting up from defense.
BEGINNER CLASS (A3)
Straight Punches
360 Defenses - include basic counterattacks
Drill: Straight Punches to pad; third person steps in with 360
Wrist Releases
Drill: Wrist Releases with Escalation -- make wrist release, then sometimes attacker makes 360 attack; defender must defend and make counterattacks
INTERMEDIATE CLASS (C3)
Uppercut Punch
Combo: Left Upper/Right Straight
Combo: Right Upper/Left Hook (or straight)
Defense v. Uppercut Punch
Drill: one attack, one defend - straights or uppercut punches
Headlock from the Side (advanced students work both sides)
Drill: one attack, one defend - straights or uppercut punches; additional attackers move around the room and attack any puncher with headlock from the side
ADVANCED CLASS (C3)
Focus Mitts: Left/Right Combo
Drill: Focus Mitts with Disturbing
Slap Kick
Spinning Outside Slap Kick
Combo: Left/Right/Left/Spinning Outside Slap Kick
Gun Side, Front of Arm
Beginner Class (A2)
Introducing Thai Pads
Punches- Left/Right Combination
Elbow #1
Round Kick
Round Kick- with a switch
Thai Pads: Left/Right/Right Elbow
Thai Pads: Left Punch/Right Round Kick
Thai Pads: Right Punch/Left Round Kick- with a switch
Thai Pads: Right Punch/Left Round Kick (with a switch)/Left Punch/Right Elbow
Choke from Front with a Push
Intermediate Class (C2)
Basic Combatives
Drill: Monkey in the Middle- groups of 3, one person in the middle; strikes on pad until hit with the other pad; turn with appropriate strikes and engage that pad. 60 seconds each person
Inside Defense v. Left/Right
Bearhug Behind Arms Caught
Bearhug Behind Arms Free
Drill: Monkey in the Middle- groups of 3; one person in the middle; strikes on pad until hit with pad or attacked with bearhugs, make the appropriate strike or defense. 90 seconds each person
Advanced Class (C2)
Thai Pads- 3 Rounds of 2 minutes- Non stop combiations, end every combo with a round kick/Knee- 30 second rest
Mouth of Hand
Combo- R-Uppercut, L-Hook, Mouth of Punch/Round Kick/Knee
Gun from Behind Touching
Gun from the Side, Behind the Arm
Beginner Class (A2)
Palm Heel Strike
Drill: Pad holder at one end of the room; striker throwing light Palm Heel strike for technique; at the instructor’s command, striker sprints to the other end of the room, drops and does 5 push ups, then sprints back and makes palm heel strikes at full speed! On instructor’s signal, striker returns to slow work; do about 3 rounds per person.
Elbow Strike 4-7
Choke from Behind with a Push
Headlock from Behind
Intermediate Class (C2)
Warm up with basic strikes on pad (punches, hammerfits, palm heel strike, elbow etc..), after warm up, 40 seconds non-stop strikes with a 15 second break; 3 rounds
Defensive Front Kick
- follow up with combatives
Bearhug from behind, Arms Free
Bearhug from behind, Arms Caught
Drill: eyes closed, either verbal signal or grab; Defensive Front Kick, Punches or the appropriate bearhug
Advanced Class (C2)
Basic Combatives to a kicking shield, include side kicks and back kicks
Drill: eyes closed; hit with pad, deliver initial combative to appropriate angle, and continue with strikes.
2 Front Kicks with a Switch
Gun from the Front 2 Handed technique
Long Gun from the Front- dead side
Knife- off angle downward stab (live & dead side)
Drill: eyes closed, any of these attacks!
BEGINNER (A2)
Warmup Drill:
Padholder calls a number corresponding with the number of Left/Right Combos (“1” equals 2 strikes, “2”=4, etc.) and Front Groin Kicks to be thrown. The striker first sends the straight punches, sprawls, then sends the FGK.
Palm Heel Strikes
Round House Kick
Palm Heel/Round House Kick Combos
Padholder cues by a number corresponding with how many palm heels the striker throws. After palm heels the padholder will step back and cue for a Round House Kick on either side to finish the combo.
Choke from the Front (1-handed)
INTERMEDIATE (C2)
Warmup Drill: Ground & Pound w/ Distraction #1
All out strikes while mounted on Kickshield. Partner disrupts by pulling, grabbing, holding.
Inside Defense vs. Left/Right (Attacker in Mount)
Trap, Buck & Roll
Drill: Ground & Pound w/ Distraction #2
Same as above, but distractor pushes striker, rolling onto back, mounts and sends light strikes. Defender must Trap, Buck & Roll then return to striking pad.
Ground - Foot Grab Strip
Ground - Foot Grab Spinning Inward
Ground - Foot Grab Spinning Outward
Final Drill: Ground & Pound w/ Distraction #3
Group of 3 (1 striker, 2 distractors). Same as #2 above, however a distractor can roll and mount striker, or the distractors can work together, one rolling onto back, the other grabbing and pulling the ankle. Defend accordingly and get back on pad.
ADVANCED (C2)
Warmup Drill:
Striker neutral/eyes closed. Padholder can push with pad from any angle and display pad for a combative. Striker regains balance and bursts in with the appropriate combative.
Gun from the Front 1-Hand Technique
Gun From the Side Behind Arm
Gun From Behind Touching
Final Drill:
Groups of 3. Striker sends all out straight punches to pad. Attacker presents gun from front, side or rear (can include others based on defender's experience). Defend and return to striking.