Teaching stances

[DWx]

Does anyone have any fun and interesting ways to teach stances? Especially for kids and beginner students?

In particular one reoccurring issue I see all the time in our kids and beginners is not locking the back leg of a front stance / walking stance / zenkutsu dachi. Too often the back leg bends and the heel pops up off the floor when I want it to be locked and down. Especially a problem when moving through forms as the stance never finishes. How to reinforce correct habit in a fun way?

[sensei8]

In time, students begin to understand the mechanics behind every nuance in each stances.

One of the important things that I've done is to constantly correct them immediately, and to explain the pros and cons of each nuance within each stance.

One of the most simple drills, and it's effective, is to "walk the floor"; in this case, Zenkutsu-dachi [forward-leg stance].

Example:

1) Have students assume Zenkutsu-dachi

2) Have students place their hands on their hips

3) Ensure that their posture's are correct at all times

4) Perform, with each step, Oi-Zuki [lunge punch]

Having students perform this basic drill over and over and over and over, will jar their muscle memories...in time, and under your close supervision.

One of the drills I do with the kids is to play "Red Light, Green Light" game. Here's how it goes...

1) Stand at one end of the room; you're the traffic cop

2) Have your students stand at the other end of the room facing you...students will be in Zenkutsu-dachi

3) Turn away from your students; your back to them

4) When you say "green light", students try to run to the finish line, but they must stay in Zenkutsu-dachi while moving.

5) When the traffic cop, you, says "red light", you turn around and students have to stop in their tracks.

6) If the traffic cop catches a student moving, you send them back to the beginning.

7) First student to cross the finish line wins, and becomes the new traffic cop. Kids that win, and they all want to win, get a big kick out of it when they get their turn at being the traffic cop, and YOU have to join the line.

While you're trying to win, you're also observing students to ensure that their stances are solid in every which way possible. As traffic cop, you're still able to ensure their stances are solid in every which way possible, too. Immediate corrections are vital.

Now, as traffic cop, change up the manner of which you say "red light". Say it at your normal speaking speed. Then, say it faster or super faster or slow or v-e-r-y s-l-o-w. Change the pitch in your voice; speak like a mouse or speak in a voice that they can relate with.

Bottom line, make it fun AND educational. After all, any drill and/or game you do is to teach proper mechanics and the like.

One other game, and this is more for the older kids, but the youger ones love it to, is what I call the "Yame" game...Yame means 'stop".

Here's how it goes...[students have to make it to the other side of the room]

1) Students stand at one end of the room, in a line because they're going to go one at a time.

2) You stand at the other end of the room

3) Have students in Zenkutsu-dachi

4) Hands on hips...postures correct

5) Have students advance towards you, one step at a time in an Oi-Zuki manner

6) Shout out..."YAME" at the slightest mistake in their stance at any interval of the stance. At "Yame", that student goes to the back of the line. Remember to address the mistake and use this opportunity to teach proper stance mechanics.

First one to reach you, can PUNCH you in the stomach!! How picky you are will determine how easy it is to reach you. I've had this drill last many months before a student has ever reached me. Make it as hard or easy as you desire just as long as their "aha" lights come on often.

Here, the importance of any drill(s) is to educate your students on proper techniques and mechanics, and not the game itself.

[devil dog]

Sensei 8, I love the idea's. Especially the reward program. What student doesn't want to punch their sensei? I can also see why you are very hard on them. Making them earn it makes them want to do everything right. Love it.

[sensei8]

Sensei 8, I love the idea's. Especially the reward program. What student doesn't want to punch their sensei? I can also see why you are very hard on them. Making them earn it makes them want to do everything right. Love it.

Thank you...I have fun and the students learn many things. Please feel free to use them at any time!!