CURRICULUM

CURRICULUM STRUCTURES

Youth Martial Arts can be organized into two structures. The first structure is all-

inclusive. This means that we incorporate the striking arts, grappling arts, and

sticks, all into one program.

When utilizing the all-inclusive structure, we separate the program into a Funda-

mental Youth Martial Arts Class, and an Intermediate/Advanced Youth Martial

Arts Class. Every child starts in the Fundamental Class, where the focus is on the

Striking Arts, Mat Movements & Merit Badges. As they begin to get a good han-

dle on the striking arts, as well as demonstrate the ability be disciplined and be in

control of their bodies and actions, they are invited to start to transition into the

Intermediate/Advanced Class.

Initially, we like to see the student remain in a Fundamentals class once a week,

and then transition the second weekly class to the Intermediate/Advanced Pro-

gram.

The Intermediate/Advanced Class is where we start to incorporate grappling and

sticks. This class has a schedule that rotates monthly. One month we focus on

Striking, the next month we focus on Grappling, and the third month we focus on

Sticks.

The second organizational structure of Youth Martial Arts is to have 3 separate classes. One Youth Striking Class, one Youth Grappling Class, and one Youth Sticks Class. The curriculum is the same for both structures.

CURRICULUM STRUCTURES

All Inclusive - Fundamentals = Basic Striking, Mat Movements Intermediate/Advanced = Int/Adv Striking, Grappling/Jiu-Jitsu & Sticks Separate Programs - Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Youth Striking (Boxing/Muay Thai), Youth Sticks Benefits of All Inclusive: One uniform for everything. This helps because the instructors, if not certified can all wear gray belts. If you do not have a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt teaching you can still hand out rank through the Youth Martial Arts Association in Youth Martial Arts which includes Striking, Grappling & Sticks. Benefits of Separate Programs: This is great if you want to implement Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a separate program from the beginning and have a Black Belt instructor at the school that will hand out BJJ rank to the children. Same thing goes for Youth Muay Thai where they can earn Arm Bands and Puppy Rank for Sticks.

Footwork

• Step and Slide

The step and slide is used to move in equal increments. It is executed by moving first the nearest foot to the chosen direction, and then sliding the farthest foot to return to a proper stance. It is usually executed in half step increments. The step and slide can be used to move forwards and backwards and from left to right.

• Shuffle Step

The shuffle step is used to move forwards and backwards with speed. It is executed by moving

first the foot furthest away from the chosen direction and then replacing the closest foot with it.

The closest foot then moves back to a ready stance position.

• Circle

Circling is used to move to the outside or the inside of your partner in order to get out of range . It is executed by moving first the rear foot a quarter circle behind the body and then turning on the ball of the lead foot. Circling can only be used to move to the left and right.

STRIKING

Stance

• Ready Stance

Feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, right (left) foot forward, rear heel up, elbows in, rear hand

on the head, lead hand up high, chin down, eyes forward, and smiling.

The mission of Youth Martial Arts is to help improve how you teach, not necessarily what you teach. We are

here to teach you strategies and techniques that will better control children, increase student retention, and

ultimately grow your youth program. In the following pages you will see the Youth Martial Arts curriculum.

Use it how you see fit.

“Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.” ~Bruce Lee

STRIKING CURRICULUM

Punches

• Jab

The jab is a punch with the lead hand in either the right lead stance or the left lead stance. The jab

can only be executed off the lead side.

• Cross

The cross is off the rear hand in either the right lead stance or the left lead stance. The cross can be

thrown to target any level, but is usually thrown at either head or chest level. The cross can only be

executed off the rear side.

• Hooks

The hook can be thrown off either the lead or the rear side. It is executed by forming a 90 degree an

gle with the arm and targeted to head or body level. These punches are usually referred to as high or l

ow hooks.

• Uppercuts

The upper cut can be thrown either off the lead or the rear hand. It is executed by forming a 45 de gree angle in the arm and driving straight up. The punch is driven with the knees dipping down and then driving up.

• Straight Punch

The straight punch is performed the same as the jab, but the palm is facing inward towards the body.

Blocks

• Pac Sao

The Pac Sao is used to block high jabs, and crosses. As the punch comes in, the partner pats it out of

its original direction and off to the side. The Pac Sao does not go any farther than it has to, so it can

return into a neutral ready position.

• Tan Sao

The Tan Sao is used to block high jabs and crosses. Move your open hand to the opposite side of your

face. Reposition your palm so that it is facing you. In it’s new position pass the hand back to its origi

nating side, deflecting the incoming punch.

• Elbow Deflections

The elbow deflection is used to block against punches or kicks to the mid-section. It is executed by

pushing the punch out of the way with the elbow or redirecting the kick past the side of the body.

STRIKING CURRICULUM

Blocks

• High Shield

The high shield is used to block against high hooks. As the punch comes in, the partner raises his

or her elbow and touches the back of the neck with his or her fist. This allows the punch to make con

tact with the partners arm first, because it is between the punch and the partners head.

• Body Shield

The body shield is used to block against low hooks. As the punch comes in, the partner touches his or

her chin with his of her fist and lowers his or her arm in order to touch the hip with the t ip of the el

bow. This allows the punch to make contact with the partners arm first because it is between the

punch and the partners mid section.

• Rear Hand Catch

The catch is used to block against high straight punches. As the punch comes in, the partner holds out

his or her palm and stops the punch from coming any closer.

• Goang Sao

Open your fist and reposition your hand so your palm is facing you. Keeping your elbow stationary,

cut downward with the blade of your forearm to deflect the incoming foot jab or low punch.

• Shin-up Block

The Shin-up Block creates a wall to block against round kicks and switch kicks. The knee is raised

to meet the elbow after the fist touches the chin, fully covering anywhere the kick could contact.

• Bil Sao

The Bil Sao can be done with the lead or rear hand. It is executed by forming a ninety degree angle

with your arm, with your hand at head height, but six inches away from the head, and the elbow at

shoulder height. It should almost look like you are “saluting.”

• Boang Sao

The Boang Sao is similar to the Bil Sao but the elbow is raised to the same level as the hand and the

wrist is bent. The Fingers face away from the face.

STRIKING CURRICULUM

Kicks

• Round Kick The round kick is done with the rear leg. The kick utilizes anywhere from the upper part of the shin to the top of the foot to kick and is targeted to anywhere from the lower level to the head level of the body.

• Switch Kick The switch kick is done with the lead leg. It is very similar to the round kick except for a small switch of the feet before the kick is executed.

• Foot Jab The foot jab can be thrown with either the lead or the rear leg. It is executed using a pushing thrusting motion and can target anywhere from the lower level to the head level of the body.

• Snap Kick The snap kick can be thrown with either the lead or the rear leg. It is executed using a snapping mo tion.

Blocks (Continued)

• Duck

While in a good ready stance, put both hands on the head and bend the knees.

• Bob and Weave

Start off with the “Duck” and then make a small half circle with the head and body until your body

is upright again.

• Slip

In a good ready stance, the hands stay more or less in the same place and your head goes to the

outside of the hand. For the rear side slip, the head goes to the outside of the rear hand. For the lead

side slip, the head goes on the outside of the lead hand. When executing the lead slip, the lead and

rear hands switch which is in front and which is in back.

STRIKING CURRICULUM

Combinations

Cross Combos

• Jab, Cross

• Cross, Lead High Hook. Cross

• Jab, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

Hooks Combos

• Hooks 3– Lead Low Hook, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Hooks 4– Rear Low Hook, Rear High Hook, Lead High Hook. Cross

• Hooks 5– Lead Low Hook, Lead High Hook, Rear Uppercut, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Hooks 6– Rear Low Hook, Rear High Hook, Lead uppercut, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

Defensive Combos

• Lead Pak Sao, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Rear Pak Sao, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Lead Elbow Deflection, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Rear Elbow Deflection, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Lead High Shield, Rear Uppercut, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Rear High Shield, Lead Uppercut, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Lead Body Shield, Rear Uppercut, lead High Hook, Cross

• Rear Body Shield, Lead Uppercut, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Bob and Weave, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Bob and Weave, Lead High Hook, Cross

• Bob and Weave, Cross, Lead High Hook, Cross *With Movement

• Bob and Weave, Lead High Hook, Cross * With Movement

Pad Rounds

• Punching

• Kicking

• Pad Holding

• Sparring (1 of Punching, 1 of

Punching & Kicking )

PARTNER DRILLS AND ROUNDS

Offense/Defense Drills

• Jab Cross / Pac Sao Tan Sao

• Low Jab Cross / Elbow Deflections

• High Hooks / High Shields

• Low Hooks / Low Shields

• Foot Jabs / Goang Saos

• Round & Switch Kick/ Shin-up Blocks

• 5 for 5 Punches

• 5 for 5 Kicks

• 5 for 5 Punches & Kicks

Relay Races

• Punches

• Kicks

• Mat Movements

STICKS CURRICULUM

Kali

1. Strikes 1-12

2. Blocks 1-12

3. Siniwali HHH

4. Siniwali HLH

5. Siniwali LLL

6. 3 Count Sombrada

7. 5 Count Sombrada

Strikes 1-12

Sweeps

• Scissor

• Sit Up

• Knee Push

Passes:

• One Knee Over

• One Knee Over, Other Knee Over

• Double Under

Escapes from Mount

• Shrimp

• Bridge and Roll

• Double Under Escape

Escapes from Side Control

• L-Guard

• Hip Heist

• Spin Out

GRAPPLING CURRICULUM

Submissions from Guard:

• Arm Bar

• Triangle

• Omoplata

Submissions from Mount

• Americana

• S-Mount Armbar

Submissions from Side Control

• Americana

• Arm Bar

• Kimura

MERIT BADGES

Academic means to Learn. In order to become smart, we must learn by

listening, doing, and practicing. What are some things that we learn at

home?

Attitude is a way of thinking or feeling about someone or something. Smil-

ing can be a way to help you have a good attitude. Even challenging things

can be fun if you have a good attitude. What are some things that might

have been a bit challenging for you, but you still kept a good attitude?

Choices are the same as decisions. If you make good choices, good

things can happen to you. If you make a good choice to brush your

teeth every day, you will get fewer cavities. What are some other good

choices that you make?

Confidence means to believe in yourself. When you believe in

yourself, you know that as long as you try your best, and have

fun while doing it, you will eventually reach your goals! What

are some things that you are confident in doing at home?

Commitment means that you are dedicated to something. If you are

committed to getting your black belt, you dedicate lots of time and prac-

tice to Youth Martial Arts. Eventually, you will earn your Black Belt! What

are some other things you are committed to do?

Merit Badges allow our Youth Martial Artists to understand the life skills we all need to succeed.

Whether it is to help them succeed in school, at home, on the soccer field, or in Youth Martial Arts,

each skill will help build well balanced and well centered students! Giving the student an understanding of each life skill will also

allow parents, teachers, and others to communicate better with our students through the ability to reference the specific topics

from each badge.

Each badge is discussed in class, then accompanied by a task sheet that the parent can help the child fill out and sign-off on. The

task sheet requires no more than a few minutes each week to fill out. Once the task sheet is complete , the student brings it in

for the award of the Merit Badge at the end of class. Each badge takes four weeks to complete, and will carry a nominal fee per

badge.

MERIT BADGES

Determination means trying to achieve a goal over and over again, even if it is difficult.

If you are determined to get a good grade on your math test, you will practice doing

your math problems over and over again, even if you make mistakes. What are some

examples of things that we can be determined to do?

Discipline means to always try your best every time you practice something. If you are dis-

ciplined in Youth Martial Arts, you always try your hardest when you are doing techniques

in the mirrors, or when you are punching and kicking the pads. How can you be disciplined

at school?

Fitness is when your body is healthy because it gets enough exercise. There are many

ways to exercise and achieve fitness. In Youth Martial Arts we do mat movements, we

hit pads, and we jog around the room. All of these things help our bodies become fit.

What are some ways that we can be fit outside of Youth Martial Arts?

When we focus, we are paying attention. Focusing is very important in Youth Martial

Arts. When we focus, we learn more quickly and have more fun, because we pay atten-

tion to our instructors and know exactly what we should be doing. Focusing also allows

us to be safe. If we are not focused in Youth Martial Arts, we could accidently get hurt.

What are some things we need to focus on when we are at home?

Our families are the people in our lives that love us and care for us. Each family is very

different. Some families have a mom and a dad in one house. Some families have a

grandma and grandpa. Some families have a mom, a dad, and siblings, but they live in

two different houses. No matter what our families look like, it is very important that

we help our families when we can. What are things we can do to help our families?

To have control is to be in charge of yourself. When we are in con-

trol, we make sure we are behaving with our bodies, emotions, and

actions. When are some times that it is important to be in control at

school?

MERIT BADGES

A goal is a reason for doing something. For example, you might work really hard

every day in Youth Martial Arts because you have a goal of getting your black

belt. Sometimes it take a lot of hard work to achieve our goals, but in the end, it is

always worth it. What are some other goals you have?

Being honest means to tell the truth. When we are honest, other people are happy

to be around us, because they know that we are trustworthy. Sometimes it feels

scary to tell the truth, especially when you might have made a wrong decision. If

you choose to be honest, even though you are scared, you can feel a lot better

afterwards.

Independence means to do things by yourself. When we are little babies, we don’t

have any independence. Everyone around us has to do everything for us. As we get

older, we learn to do more and more things by ourselves. What are some things

you can do independently now, that you were not able to do by yourself last year?

Having knowledge is to understand something. It is a little bit different from learning.

To have knowledge, you must first learn something, and then practice it over and

over again until you will not forget it. Once you have practiced it so many times that

you won’t forget, then you have knowledge.

A leader is someone that is in charge of a group of people. There are good leaders

and bad leaders. Good leaders are people who are happy, and motivated, and set a

good example. These types of leaders make people feel good and try their best.

What are some examples of good leaders that you have in your life?

Gratitude is being thankful for something. There are many people in our lives that do

kind things for us , and those kind things help us to become happy and healthy peo-

ple. Showing those people that you appreciate the kind things they do, shows that

you have gratitude. What are some things people have done for you that you are

thankful for?

MERIT BADGES

Having good manners means you behave towards people in a polite way. When you

have good manners, people are happy to spend time with you and help you with things

because your good manners make them feel good. Using please and thankyou are two

great ways to use good manners. What are some things you do at school to show that

you have good manners?

Having patience means to wait calmly and quietly for something without getting frustrated.

Sometimes when we are waiting for something really exciting to happen, it is hard to be pa-

tient. We have to remember that even if we are really excited, whining and complaining

about how long it is taking does not make our exciting event come any sooner. What are

some things that you were looking forward to that you had to be patient for?

Respect means to treat other people the way you want to be treated. In Youth Martial

Arts, we are respectful by using good manners, by listening quietly when the teacher is

talking, and by being kind to our friends. What are some way you can be respectful at

home or at school?

Having a responsibility means to have something that you are in charge of doing. At

home, you might have the responsibility of taking the trash out. At school, you may

have the responsibility of handing out supplies to your classmates. What are some

other things you are responsible for?

Teamwork means to work together. When we work together to reach a goal, we

are able to reach the goal sooner, and do a better job of reaching it. For instance, if

you need to bring all of your groceries from the car into your house, you could cer-

tainly to it by yourself. BUT, if you and your mom and your brother use teamwork

and ALL bring in groceries, you will finish the job much faster. What are some exam-

ples of how you use teamwork?

Having a good memory means you are good at remembering things. We use our

memory to store lots of important information. We store information about school

and about Youth Martial Arts. We also use our memory to store memories about

family trips and happy times with our friends. What are some things you have in

your memory?

MAT MOVEMENTS

Individual

• Bear Crawl– On all fours, knees straight, walking like a bear.

• Crab Walk– Sitting down on the mat, using hands and feet to raise hips off of the ground while moving

across the mat.

• Forward, Backward & Egg Rolls– Roll forwards over your head, roll backwards over your head, roll side to

side across your stomach

• Seal Walk– Stomach down, using both arms to move across the mat while dragging legs behind.

• Inch Worm– Stand up, reach down and touch your toes, walk your hands forward until you are in push-up

position, now walk your feet forward to touch your hands. Repeat. Either your hands move, or your

feet move. They can’t move at the same time.

• Forward & Backward Shoulder Walks– On your back moving backwards. Push with one leg and reach with

opposite shoulder. Now do the same with the second leg and opposing shoulder. Doing this back and

forth will move you backwards.

• Shrimps– On your back, hands by your neck, feet close to the hips. On the balls of your feet, lift yours

hips, and turn to the side. As you turn, leg press your hips backwards.

Stationary

• Spider Flips

• Backward Rolls against Wall

• Break Falls & Get Ups

Partner

• Shrimps

• Shoulder Walks & Knee Walks

• Flying Partner Drill

GAMES

Games

• Sifu Says

Just like the game Simon Says, but using Martial Arts techniques. There are 2 rules to Sifu Says...no

talking, and don’t do ANYTHING unless Sifu says!

• Memory

Similar to the memory game, Simon. Line the kids up and give them a short combination such as “jab,

cross”. Continue to add additional techniques to the previous combination. When a student messes

up the combo, they sit down. Last student standing wins!

• Crab Soccer

Just like a soccer game, but all participants are in the crab-walk position. An exercise die is the ball.

When a goal is scored, everyone has to do whatever exercise the die lands on!

• Wall Ball

Students line up against a wall and one student stands on the other side of the room and tries to hit

someone with the ball. Last one in gets to be the one who throws the ball. If someone catches the

ball when it is thrown, the person doing the throwing switches places with the person doing the

catching .

TEST DAY FORMAT

Arrival

• Students arrive

• Make sure all students have gone to the restroom and had a drink. Once the test begins, they will not be

able to do these things.

• Check and make sure all parents have left the building so the students will not be distracted once the test

begins.

• Quickly go over test day rules.

-No talking

-Do not do anything until Sifu says go

-If you talk, or if you do not wait until Sifu says go, you will do 10 pushups.

• Bow In.

• Line students up . Make sure they are not facing a mirror.

Begin Technique Portion

• Stance and Footwork

• Punches

• Kicks

• Blocks

Begin Rounds Portion

• Fundamental Students– 2, 4 minute rounds

Rounds 1 and 2:

1st and 3rd minutes– All Punches

2nd and 4th minutes– All Kicks

TEST DAY FORMAT (CONTINUED)

Rounds Portion Continued

• Intermediate/Advanced– 2,4 minute rounds

Round 1:

1st minute– All Combos

2nd minute– Jab Cross as many times as they can

3rd minute– All Combos

4th minute– Lead High Hook, Rear High Hook, as many times as they can

Round 2:

1st minute– Pad holder’s Choice for Kicks

2nd minute– Touch and Go Round Kicks

3rd minute– Pad holder’s Choice for Kicks

4th minute– Touch and Go Switch Kicks

Begin Cardio Conditioning Portion

• Star Jumpers (1 minute)

• Punch and Crunch (1 minute)

• Push-ups (1 minute)

• Leg Lifts (1 minute)

End Test

• Allow the students to get a drink of water.

• Line them up.

• Discuss the format of the Belt Demonstration.

• Bow out of Class.

TESTS

Name_______________________________________ Belt ___________Stripe___

YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

A. Footwork

B. Punches

C. Kicks

D. Blocks

E. Rounds

F. Conditioning

G. Attributes

1. Form

2. Technique

3. Speed

4. Power

5. Timing

6. Balance

7. Focus

8. Respect

Testing Instructor Signature ________________________________

PASS / FAIL

TESTS

Name_______________________________________ Belt ___________Stripe___

YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

________

A. Footwork

B. Punches

C. Kicks

D. Blocks

E. Combinations

F. Offense / Defense

G. Grappling

H. Sticks

I. Rounds

J. Conditioning

K. Attributes

1. Form

2. Technique

3. Speed

4. Power

Testing Instructor Signature ________________________________

PASS / FAIL