Teamwork Martial Arts Drills

"Boredom is the biggest enemy of every martial arts teacher," according to author and tae kwon do expert Sang H. Kim. Children in particular often lose interest in repetitive practice of the same techniques. To make classes more fun, include teamwork drills. These drills improve speed, balance, coordination, agility and martial arts techniques. In addition, these drills encourage kids to work together and support each other.

Team Sparring

Team sparring improves students' fighting skills. Separate students into two equal teams. Tell the kids to put on their protective sparring gear before starting this drill. The drill begins with a quick sparring match between two students, one from each team. If a child punches or kicks his opponent's chest protector, he scores a point for his team. When a point is scored, the next two competitors spar each other. The first team to score 10 points wins this drill. Encourage the kids to cheer for each other during the sparring matches.

Balance Race

To practice this balance race, divide the children into teams. Place several small punching pads in a row on the floor in front of each team. The kids must walk across the rows of pads and then turnaround and walk back to their teams. A child can put only one foot on each pad. If a student steps directly onto the floor, she must return to the beginning of the row and try again. A team wins this race when all of its members have completed the course.

Balloon Relay

The balloon relay is a challenging teamwork drill that improves kicking skill and balance. Separate kids into straight lines of about five to 10 students. The kids should stand a few feet away from each other. Give an air-filled balloon to the first student in each line. Each child must kick the balloon to the next student in line. If a student uses his hands or if the balloon hits the floor, the balloon starts again at the front of the line. In addition, after a student passes the balloon to another kid, she cannot kick it again during that attempt. The winning team is the first group to successfully kick the balloon all the way down its line.

Fight Scene

Kids are often fans of kung fu movies. Separate students into small groups and have each group choreograph its own movie fight scene. The students should use self-defense moves to break free from their fellow classmates. Supervise this drill closely so the children don't try any dangerous maneuvers. Encourage the kids to work together and be creative. This drill helps kids understand the application of the techniques they are learning. Ask each group to perform its fight scene for the entire class. These performances can be an entertaining way to end a class.