Teaching Juniors (Children)

[jabonn]

I believe I am a horrible instructor for a childrens class. So I am looking for some advice on Judo games for kids. I try to incorporate as much as possible from the adult class into the kids class but end up with 40 minutes left on the clock.

I am looking for some games or drills that will condition and enforce the princples of Judo. Suggestions?

[Cliff Hargrave]

Look at these vids:

http://www.onedragon.com/videos/PAWDSL.wmv

http://www.onedragon.com/videos/PAW2_clipDSL.wmv

If I had a kids class I would want it to be fun like that.

[starkjudo]

James Wall in Baton Rouge, has been compiling a lot of judo games for kids for USJA. His email is wallmartialarts@cox.net. Tell him I suggested you talk with him. Judoinfo.com has more here (http://www.judoinfo.com/coach1.htm). You can also contact Dr. Dewey, he probably knows some more resources.

[AndrewSimonsen]

He runs Wall to Wall right?

[starkjudo]

He runs Wall to Wall right?

Yup, that's him.

[Abbax8]

I posted several ideas here sometime ago.

Too much work sorting through old threads here are some ideas:

Warmup with groundfighting. Kids love to wrestle on the mat, they get all sweaty and loose and ready for throws. You can kill 15 to 20 minutes easy if you want to, fight them 5 minutes and change partners and fight some more. Stop a pair as appropriate and show where to hold an arm or place their leg and have them keep going. Show Kesa-Gatame, Yoko-Shiho and Kami-Shiho when they are close to it. They learn quick this way.

The Tree is fun, an adult or older teen stands with their legs spread slight bend to the knees, arms held out to the sides, elbows bent fists up. A kid climbs on one side, over one arm, around the back and over the arm without ever touching the floor. They need to learn to use their legs with their arms to do this right.

The Bear - an adult or older teen places hands and feet on mat, legs spread, back arched to ceiling. A kid climbs on the back, crawls under the belly and back to the back without any part of their body touching the floor. Coordinate use of legs and arms. It's hard to do.

Bayonet Races - All lie on their belly, make a fist with both hands and reach out and pull themselves forward. You decide if they can use any other part of their body to move forward or not. Works arms for pulling.

Crab walk races - just like gym class, works the arms and shoulders.

Jumping and Diving over a belt - falling practice.

Big Mamas and Big Daddy's - these are front aerial falls to improve falling skills.

Get a folding mat and put in on your mat floor folded, have the kids do judo rolls off it, and break falls.

Flamingo Fighting - stand on one leg facing your partner. Each hops towards the other and tries to unbalance their opponent. If any part of their body touches the mat besides the bottom of the foot they lose. You decide if they can change feet during a match or not. Trains grips, kuzushi and spatial awareness. I've seen some great throws occur with this.

Sumo Fighting - either standing or on knees. Push opponent past a set line. Strength, stamina and technique of using your body and getting in the right postion.

Other ideas - make up a certificate on a printer for doing 250 ukemi, 500 ukemi , etc. 250 rolls , 500 rolls, etc. 500 throws, 1000 throws of a specific technique. Have the kids keep a log in class.

Peace

Dennis