BEGINNER CLASS
Elbow #1
Knees
Palm Heel Strike
Front Kick to a Vertical Target
Drill: Distance recognition: Pad holder gives a verbal cue at either close range for Elbow #1, mid-range for straight punches, or long range for Front Kick to a Vertical Target. Striker throws appropriate combative followed up by 2 knees.
Drill: Find your partner with bear crawl under pad-holder's legs. Instructor calls "DOWN" and Striker must drop to the ground and bear crawl under partner. Partner sprints to a different spot on the mat as soon as bear crawl almost finished. Striker sprints to pad holder and throws non-stop punches until instructor calls "TIME"
Wrist releases–emphasize disengage, make space, and move to a modified fighting stance
360 Defenses
Drill: Non-compliant attacker: Split groups into A’s and B’s. A’s stand with eyes closed. B’s are roaming attackers and can apply a wrist grab and walk away after defense is made OR can escalate after initial wrist grab defense by throwing a 360 attack.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Uppercut Punch–emphasize adjusting the length of the uppercut to distance of the target; a standard close uppercut has palm facing self, if target is further away the pinky rotates out and angle of the arm becomes more obtuse to ensure striker is still making contact with first two knuckles.
Defense v. Low Round Kick (shin block)
Focus mitts and Shin guards
Round 1: Combinations 8 (Rear uppercut/lead hook/cross) and 9 (lead uppercut/cross/lead hook)
Round 2: Combinations 1-10; make the last punch of every combination an uppercut, i.e. 3 = jab/cross/lead uppercut
Round 3: Mitt holder can throw low round kick at any time. Striker makes defense v. low round kick (shin block)
Headlock from the Side
Drill: A's-B's-C's: A's are touching B's shoulders or making low round kick. B defends low round kick with shin block. C's are roaming attackers and can apply Headlock from the Side to any B.
ADVANCED CLASS
Drill: Monkey in the Middle: 1 defender; 3-4 curved kick shield holders. Pad holders circle defender, and can give a verbal cue or tap. Depending on angle and distance, defender can make any of the following combatives: Front kick to a vertical target, side kick (with or without advance), back kick, defensive back kick with a spin, hammerfist side or behind, elbow to any angle, or straight punch. Pad holders should make sure to tap/verbal cue right away so there is virtually no rest between combatives.
Drill 2: After initial combative, defender follows up with non-stop hand combatives until they receive another tap or verbal cue.
Drill 3: At any time, instructor can call "DOWN!" and Defender must lay down, pad holders dog pile on top. On instructor's "UP!" Defender gets out from under pad holders as quickly as possible and returns to drill.
Advanced Gun -- from the front, assailant using off hand
Advanced Gun -- from the front, assailant pushing
Final drill: Drill 2, except any pad holder can drop pad and apply Advanced Gun -- from the front, assailant using off hand or Advanced Gun -- from the front, assailant pushing. As soon as defender makes defense, they should get a verbal cue/tap from new pad holder.
BEGINNER CLASS
Palm Heel Strike
Elbow #1
Front Kick (groin)
Cauldron Drill: 1 tombstone pad holder, 1 striker, 3 rounds. Pad holder calls for either "punches," "elbow," or "kick," Striker delivers appropriate combative from the list above once in round 1, twice in round 2 and three times in round three.
Choke from the Front (2-handed)
A/B Drill: half the class is A other half is B. Group B stands in passive stance with eyes shut, Group A attacks anyone in group B with either choke from the front or by presenting a pad for any of the combatives listed above.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Hook Punch
Focus Mitt Drill "Read & React": Round 1: Focus mitt holders swing big looping hooks at strikers. Strikers bob & weave underneath, then throw the appropriate hook punch. Round 2: Focus mitt holders wind-up and throw a straight punch. Strikers slip the punch, then throw the appropriate hook punch. Round 3: Focus mitt holders may throw hooks or straight punches for strikers to read and react to. As the round goes on, mitt holders should progressively tighten up their punches so there is little to no wind-up by the end. Note: Focus mitt holders should not punch faster unless their striker has good recognition with slow punches & no wind-up.
Front kick with Advance (fighting & neutral stance)
Ground - Kick off from Guard
Drill: 1 striker, 1 tombstone pad holder. Striker throws advancing groin kick. Immediately after the kick, pad holder throws the pad off to the side and takes the striker down (basic takedown/tackle) into full guard. Striker must kick off from guard, stand up, then the drill repeats.
ADVANCED CLASS
Review all Bearhug defenses
Full Nelson - Sweep
Full Nelson - Throw
Full Nelson - Finger Strip
Circle-of-Death Drill: 1 defender standing on a crash pad in passive stance, eyes shut. Rest of class takes turns attacking with any Bearhug or Full Nelson attack. Safety Note: Attacks should happen in quick succession, however, ensure that previous attacker clears the crash mat fully before next attack begins
BEGINNER CLASS
Basic Takedown (Clinch/Framing Position) - have attacker try to move forward and/or change levels; defender should move feet and maintain distance and control
Knees
Drill: work the position as above; give a knee to partner any time you feel balanced and stable enough to deliver a knee safely.
Choke from the Side
Drill: attacker makes Choke from the Side; sometimes, after the initial counterattacks, the attacker continues to press forward; defender should use the framing position to maintain control and continue with counters when stable enough.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Thai Pads: Combos 3 & 4, using round kicks and knees to finish
Bearhug from the Front, Arms Caught -- emphasize stabilization and balance after the initial reaction and before giving knees. The attacker should sometimes continue driving forward, forcing the defender to maintain balance and assess before delivering knees.
Headlock from the Side, Leaning Backward
Drill: attacker makes bearhug; defender makes the defense; sometimes the attacker says "down" and defender must drop down; attacker makes Headlock from the Side, Leaning Backward; defender defends and gets up.
ADVANCED CLASS
Focus Mitts: Right/Left Hook/slip right straight punch, then step and pivot to the left/Right/Left Low Kick
Focus Mitts: Left Hook/Right/slip left straight punch, then step and pivot to the right/Left Hook/Right Low Kick
Review Clinch/Framing position (inside forearm against attacker's neck, etc.). If the attacker tries to go low, transition inside arm so that the hand is grabbing the neck and pushing down and away. From here, give knees, or drive the attacker's head to the ground, or disengage.
BEGINNER
ADVANCED
Spinning Heel Kick
Focus Mitt Drill: 3 Rounds. Free work combinations mixing in spinning heel kicks
Machine Gun Takedown (lifting & leverage on neck variations)
Advanced Gun - from the front, assailant using off hand (dead side only)
Circle-of-Death: All self defenses Levels 1-3. Advanced Gun technique should be mixed in every 3rd or 4th attack.
BEGINNER CLASS
Left/Right Combo
Front Kick (groin)
Front Kick (vertical target)
Drill: A/B drill running across room
Combo: Left/Right/Front Kick Vertical Target
Choke from the Front
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Uppercut Punch
Combo: Left/Right/Left Uppercut
Combo: Left/Right Uppercut
Headbutt
Combo: Left/Right/Left Uppercut/Headbutt
Headlock from the Side -- work both sides
Variation: headlock from the side, rolling inward (if you know it)
Drill: all headlock variations
ADVANCED CLASS
Thai Pads - 3 rounds of 2 minutes, 30 seconds rest
Forward Slash
Back Slash
Slash variation - like general defense
Using common objects as shields
Drill: recognize attack, decide whether or not you have time to access common objects, defend
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punches
Double Jab
360
360 using only one hand against either attacking arm (as though the other hand is occupied or injured)
360 with a kick as a counterattack (as though other hand is occupied or injured)
Choke from the Front with a Push – no trapping, counterattacking with only hand hand
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Side Kick (with and without advance)
Defensive Back Kick with a Spin
Drill: Side kick followed by a Defensive Back Kick with a Spin
Outside Defense 1-5
Choke from Front Against Wall
Hair Grab from Front
Drill: 2 ppl
Defender; Stand against the wall, eyes closed. Attacker; Choke from Front Against the wall/ Hair Grab From Front.
Ground- Strike from Full Mount
Ground- Dismount from Full Mount
ADVANCED CLASS
Focus Mitts – Left/Left Hook
Focus mitts – Right/Right Hook
Sparring – one person can use only one hand; the other arm must be tied down to their side; light training!
Knife – downward stab – must defend and control with left arm; right arm is unavailable! Counter with knees, headbutts, biting, etc.
Knife – upward stab – as above
BEGINNER CLASS
Movement- Fighting stance Moving forward, Left, Right, Back
Straight Punch Low
Front Kick Vertical Target
Combo: Front kick vertical target follow by L&R Combination, Drop levels-Straight Punch Low.
Inside Defense
Inside Defense v. Low punch
Choke from Front (1 handed)
Drill: Defender; Eyes closed Attacker; makes a Choke from front or gives a verbal signal and makes a Straight Punch Low
Ground- Side Kick
Ground- Getting up
Drill: 2ppl/Large shield
Striker; non stop strikes on the pad. instructors signal, drop to the ground, Side position, position, Side kick from the ground, quickly get up and continue working the pads. Repeat!
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Focus Mitts- Left Jab, Right Uppercut, Left Hook, Right Cross
Defensive Back kick
Drill: Groups of 3, Focus Mitts, Large Kicking Shield; Striker; works todays combination on focus mitts, 2nd pad holder walks towards striker from behind and gives verbal signal, striker; makes a back kick and continues working the mitts.
Choke from Behind against the Wall
Choke from Behind with a pull
Drill: defender; eyes closed, defend against-Choke from Behind against the Wall,
Choke from Behind with a pull
Ground- arm lock from the side
ADVANCED CLASS
3 Round Drill
Thai Pads- 3-2 min. rounds- opposite stance
Spinning Outside Slap Kick
Sliding Defense v. Spinning Heel Kick
Plucking/Rowing defense v. A Side Kick
Drill: defender; eyes closed, attacker; gives a verbal signal and makes either a Spinning Heel Kick or a Side Kick
Face-to-Face throw
Stick-Overhead Defense
Stick-Baseball bat swing
Drill: 2ppl/1 large shield; defender- Muay Thai Clinch- Non stop knee strikes
attacker- Gives a verbal signal and makes a stick- Overhead or baseball bat swing, defender; makes the appropriate defense and continues with knees!!
BEGINNER CLASS
Palm Heel Strikes
Palm Heel Strikes form mount
Knees
Drill: Groups of 2, large kicking shield; striker; non-stop palm heel strikes from mount, on instructors signal “Up”, stand up and deliver non-stop knees, on signal “Down” mount pad and continue with non-stop palm heel strikes.
Wrist Releases
Choke from the Side
Drill: Groups of 3, large kicking shield; striker; non-stop palm heel strikes from mount, on instructors signal “Up”, stand up and deliver non-stop knees, attacker; makes Choke from the Side; defender; makes an aggressive defense, mounts pad and continues with Palm strikes.
INTERMEDIATE
Defensive Front Kick
Back Kick
Choke from Behind with a Push
Choke Behind Against Wall
Drill: stand near wall; attacker can either give a verbal signal and the defender makes a back kick OR the attacker can choke and push the defender against the wall
ADVANCED
Focus Mitts: inside combo – right uppercut/left hook
Focus Mitts: inside combo – left uppercut/right hook OR left uppercut/right elbow
Drill: striking from Muay Thai Clinch — hold in clinch, use knees, release hold for short elbows and hooks, give head butts as appropriate; the attacker should make very light contact or NO contact to the partner
Long Gun Live Side
Long Gun Dead Side
BEGINNER CLASS
Round Kick
Drill: Around the world. 1 tombstone pad holder, 1 striker. Pad holder holds for groin kicks and slowly moves pad in a U-shape pattern to eventually hold for round kicks on both sides. Striker should be throwing kicks as a flurry, striking through the slowly changing transition from groin kicks to round kicks.
Choke from the Front (1-handed)
Wrist releases
Shark Tank Drill: 3-4 attackers, 1 defender. Attackers may either choke from the front, grab defender's wrist, or hold a tombstone for groin kicks/round kicks. Attacks should occur in rapid succession (no waiting in-between).
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Side Kick (with and without advance)
Heel Kick
Roaming Attacker Drill: Partners free work on Thai pads or focus mitts. 2-4 roaming attackers get strikers to throw side kicks (kick shield) or heel kicks (focus mitt or tombstone).
Ground - arm lock from the side
Ground - side mount knee to belly (disengage)
ADVANCED CLASS
Warm-up free work on Thai pads: 3, 2-minute rounds. Rounds 2 and 3 in opposite stance.
Defense vs. Bayonet Stab, live and dead side
Defense vs. Bayonet Stab, dead side (clothesline)
Shark Tank Drill: 3-4 attackers, 1 defender. Bayonet Stabs and any self-defenses Levels 1-3.
BEGINNER CLASS
Straight Punch Review
Knees (straight knees and round knees)
Combo: Left/Right/Left/Knee/Round Knee (pad holder adjust pad for round knee)
Combo: Left/Right/Left Knee/Left Round Knee (pad holder adjust pad)
Choke from Behind with a Push
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Focus Mitt: 3 rounds of 2 minutes, emphasize movement after combo
Basic Takedown Defense, Spinning on Centerline
Bearhug from Behind, Arms Free
Bearhug from Behind, Leverage on Finger
Drill: attacker rushes forward; defender uses Basic Takedown Defense; attacker slips under the defender's elbow and takes the defender's back; defender does either Bearhug from Behind OR the finger leverage technique
ADVANCED CLASS
Focus Mitts with shin guards: 3 rounds of 3 minutes with 30 second break; pad holder throws a jab, cross, or low round kick now and then to make sure striker is also reader to defend
Hip Throw
Pummel Drill to Hip Throw: partners work the pummel drill, but one is assigned to the throw; maneuver weight and position until you make make the hip throw; partner shoulder some resistance so that practitioner must decide when the throw is available.
Focus Mitts Plus Hip Throw: 2 rounds of 2 minutes; pad holder makes basic combination OR advances and forces a clinch; defender establishes under hook and makes hip throw
Stick Overhead
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