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Home » Blog » A Karate Class Challenges Itself

A Karate Class Challenges Itself

May 13, 2011 By Sensei Matt Klein

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karate kids rising to the challenge

Set the bar high for your karate students. They will always rise to the occasion.

The power of a challenge

In karate class this week I said “Today we are going to learn how to throw a combination with 16 hand strikes in it, and we are going to do it with speed and power”. I saw the looks of “no way” and “unbelievable” on their faces, and heard the sighs of disbelief as I explained how this drill could greatly improve their hand speed. I asked them “how many of you can do it?” A few hands came up. I told them all to put up their hands, because “you will all be able to do it, I challenge you to do it”.

First, I showed them four different combinations and we drilled them over and over. Many of the students had trouble with it, but with patience and determination, we were able to get the combinations down pat.

We then strung two combinations together for a total of seven strikes. We had difficulty at first, but overcame it with practice. Again, many of the students were unable to do it, but we forged ahead, adding three more strikes for a total of ten. I could hear the sighs growing louder and the groans of exasperation by now, but we were on a mission.

Set your sights high

As we completed the ten-strike combination, I noticed a funny thing. The students who earlier had trouble with the 7-strike combination were doing it easily, now that it was the first part of the 10-strike combination. The “impossibility” of the 10-strike combination made the 7-strike combination seem easy.

By the time I announced to the class that we were now going to attempt a 16-strike combination, I could swear I was starting to get dirty looks from the parents, who were watching from the side, and the class seemed to all but give up, save for a few determined individuals.

The 16-strike combination concluded with a 6-punch boxing combination we had practiced earlier. It was now just a matter of tacking it on to the ten-strike combo. The students struggled and many were not able to get it, but I could see the determination on their faces. We kept practicing. As we progressed, just about everyone had mastered the 10-strike combination, and most had done pretty well on the 16-strike combination. We finished, pumping with energy, and bowed out with a feeling of great accomplishment–a truly special karate class.

Expect greatness from your students

The moral of the story: set high standards for your students, keep raising the bar, and expect them to be able to do it. They will rise to the occasion. Challenge yourself and challenge your students.

How old were the students, you ask? Get ready for this—6 to 10 year olds.

A Karate Class Challenges Itself is an original article by Sensei Matt Klein

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Filed Under: For the Martial Arts Instructor, Teaching Martial Arts to Kids

Comments

  1. SueC says

    May 19, 2011 at 12:32 am

    Sounds like an excellent class Matt – very inspirational. I’m also a believer that kids will rise to the challenge.

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    May 20, 2011 at 7:34 am

    Hi Sue! They never cease to amaze me. That’s one of the fun things about working with kids–surprises aplenty.

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Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
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09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
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Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
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I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

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09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
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I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

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09/01/2014
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Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

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