BEGINNER CLASS

Straight Punches bursting from neutral

Clinch knees

Front Kick (groin)

Drill: Padholder pushes Striker, Striker orients sends bursts in with 4 straight punches followed by 4 clinch knees, then resets back to neutral.

Drill: Same as above, but Padholder can cue for Front Kick (groin) or straight punches. Striker always follows up with 4 clinch knees.

Headlock from Behind

Drill: Monkey in the Middle: 2 attackers; 1 defender. Attackers can push Defender with pad, holding for 4 straight punches or Front Kick Groin, followed up by NONSTOP clinch knees OR Headlock from Behind. Remind attackers to be as unpredictable as possible; i.e. sometimes applying Headlock/giving a shove with pad before Defender can even get to clinch knees, varying the time of clinch knees, and to avoid only one person applying Headlock and the other holding the pad every single time.

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

Inside Slap Kick

Outside Slap Kick

Inside Defense (very quick review from Level 1)

Focus mitts

Round 1: Basic combinations. In between combinations, Mitt holder can use palm of focus mitt to mimic a straight punch. Striker defends with Inside Defense.Round 2: Basic combinations with Inside Slap Kick following any odd numbered combination, i.e. 3 = Jab/Cross/Lead Hook/Inside Slap Kick

Round 3: Basic combinations with Outside Slap Kick following any even numbered combination, i.e. 2 = Jab/Cross/Outside Slap Kick

Defense v. Hook (covering)

Defense v. Uppercut

Defense v. High Round Kick (2 and 3 points)

Drill: Isolation 3-Step Hands Only: A can attack B with a Straight Punch, Hook, or Uppercut but only with the lead hand. After A has thrown 3 combatives and B defends, B immediately becomes the attacker and throws any 3 punches with lead hand. Partners should switch roles back and forth, but encourage students to start slow and pick up speed and change timing as the round goes on.

 

ADVANCED CLASS

Partner groups; Thai pads and gloves

Round 1: Free work using combinations 1K-10K

Round 2: Add cross/hook or hook/cross after combination, i.e. 1K = Jab/rear round kick/lead hook/cross, 2K = Jab/cross/lead round kick/cross/hook.

Round 3: Add another opposite leg kick to the combination, i.e. 1K = Jab/rear round kick/lead hook/cross/lead round kick, 2K = Jab/cross/lead round kick/cross/hook/rear round kick.

Gun from the Side, in Front of the Arm

Gun from the Front, Pushing into Stomach

BEGINNER CLASS
Movement from Fighting Stance (Forward, Left, Right, & Back)
Straight Punches w/ Advance & Retreat
Drill: Partners traveling in 1 lane so as not to collide with anyone else. Pad holder has a tomb stone. Starting in punching range, pad holder will either advance one step or retreat one step. Striker will respond as quickly as possible and deliver an advancing straight punch or a retreating straight punch
Choke from the side
Drill: Groups of 4. 1 tombstone pad holder, 1 defender, 1 attacker, and 1 bystander. Defender must throw broken flurries w/ full aggression at the pad. Bystander “interferes” with Defender by body blocking the pad, pulling the defender away, or pushing the defender away. The Bystander must make it difficult, not impossible, for the Defender to get back to the pad to continue with flurries. The Defender may not hit, push, pull, or otherwise “fight” the Bystander. The defender must use footwork to get around the Bystander. At any point, the Attacker may choke the defender from either side, which the Defender will address with choke from the side defense.  

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
Jumping Spinning Back Kick
Thai Pads: 3, 1-minute rounds. Free-work combinations. Mix in as many jumping spinning back kicks as possible.
Ground – Guillotine
Ground – Defense vs. Guillotine
Ground Sparring: 90 second rounds. Both participants try for submissions (maintaining a dominant position is a secondary objective). Light palm strikes are allowed, particularly if any participants attempt to simply hold on and stop trying to improve their position.

BEGINNER CLASS

Palm Strikes

Round Kick

Choke From The Front (1 Handed)

 

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

Back Kick

Drill: groups of 3; 2 people with pads; person in the middle begins by striking one pad; the other pad holder calls out and the defender makes Back Kick, then turns to continue striking the new pad, etc.

Choke From Behind Against A Wall

Drill: defender stands facing a wall; attacker either gives a signal for Back Kick OR makes Chokes Against Wall

 

ADVANCED CLASS

Focus Mitts: 2 rounds of 2 minutes

Review Side Kick

Review Back Kick

Drill: groups of 3; person in the middle works focus mitts; third person with pad calls for Side Kick or Back Kick; person in the middle makes the appropriate kick, delivers one or two additional strikes, then returns to focus mitts

Leg Triangle from Guard

Drill: bad guy in guard makes punches; defender controls from guard, then makes Leg Triangle when possible

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.