So you’re sick of teaching class the same way, day in, day out…

Let’s face it, you’ve been doing it this way for quite some time now.

With each and every class your students are growing more tired of your teaching method than a narcoleptic consuming sleeping pills.

As you instruct your students to line out their eyeballs roll back in their heads at the thought of more repetitions…. Ugh! Not again, they think to themselves.

Sure repetitions are important, absolutely – probably the most important factor in building skill. But mindless reps, reps and more reps without anything but the physical challenge doesn’t stimulate the brain, and can leave students feeling unchallenged.

Here’s a simple way to add some fun to basic repetitions, and get the cognitive wheels turning in your students’ skulls. Furthermore it INVOLVES your students in the teaching/learning process.

1. Have your students line out as if they were going to do basic repetitions from their forward stance.
2. Now ask a student for a particular technique (eg. reverse punch).
3. Have the class do 10 reps of the chosen technique, using both sides of the body.
4. Now ask a different student for another technique. (eg. front leg roundhouse kick). Add this technique to the first technique to create a combination technique.
5. Have your students do 10 reps of the combination technique, using both sides of the body.
6. Now ask another student for a 3rd technique  (eg. rear leg front kick). Add this to the combination you just created to form a triple technique combo.
7. Have your students do 10 reps of the new combination, using both sides of the body. (In our example this would now become reverse punch, front leg roundhouse kick, rear leg front kick).

Of course depending on the fitness and skill level of your class, you can customize this exercise to suit your needs. You could do less reps (say 5 of each), but add more techniques (make a 5 technique combination).

I do this kind of thing often with my students, and it helps in many ways. It alleviates boredom for both you and them. It raises the enjoyment level of class because your are involving your students in the process. It challenges even the most advanced students (particularly when somebody adds a spinning hook kick to the combo). And it can result in everyone discovering new combinations (often by accident) for use when sparring.

How else can you modify this simple martial arts exercise to challenge your students and build skill?

(Hint: Defense!)

Please share and post your thoughts below…