Karate masters often break large stacks of boards and bricks with their bare hands and feet. Years of practice and conditioning enable them to perform these feats. Kids are not typically ready for this type of hard-core training, but they can work on skills that will prepare them for the day they'll be performing daring feats of their own. Several pieces of equipment can help.
Blocker
A blocker is a plastic bat with a block of foam on one end. It's typically about 17 inches long and, as of 2010, retails for about $25. You can use a blocker to practice blocking techniques with your students. For example, you can strike down at a student's head with the blocker and have him raise his arm to protect himself. Blockers help kids learn blocking techniques without getting hurt. Your students can also have fun battling each other with blockers.
Focus Pad
Focus pads help kids develop accuracy with their striking and kicking techniques. Several styles of focus pads are used in karate classes. Some leather-covered versions cost more than $80, but you can get a nylon-covered pad for kids' classes for about $25. These square pads are generally about 9 inches by 11 inches. You can hold a pad in each hand and have your students practice their punches and kicks on the pads. In addition, you can easily move the targets around to give students more of a challenge.
Body Shield
A body shield is also used to teach your students punches and kicks but is significantly larger than a focus pad--generally at least 14 inches wide and 25 inches long. A shield typically retails for $60 or more. This piece of equipment gives your students the opportunity to kick and punch as hard as they can. Stand behind the body shield when you hold it for your students, and challenge them to try to move you backward while they're kicking. If you stack a few body shields on the floor, they can also be used to develop your students' jumping skills.
Double Kicking Paddle
Double kicking paddles are handheld targets particularly useful for practicing roundhouse kicks. When the pad is kicked correctly, the two sides of the pad smack together to make a clapping noise. Your students can have fun trying to kick the pad harder to make a louder noise. You can increase the challenge by having students move forward or backward while kicking the pad. Double kicking paddles retail for about $30.
Member Comments