Under 5s Martial Arts Training Elements
This page outlines all the key elements taught across the 12-week under-5s Martial Education programme. Grouped by category, each element includes when to introduce it, what to look for, and why it supports development. This reference can be used by instructors when building custom sessions or tracking student progress.
| Category | Element | Description | Intro Week | Why It Matters | What to Look For | Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striking | Palm Strike (“Tiger Paw”) | Open-hand strike using base of palm toward soft target | Week 1 | Foundational strike for safety and accuracy | Shoulder aligned, palm flat, elbow soft | Avoid slapping or closed fists |
| Striking | Palm-Knee Combo | Strike with palm, lift knee, reset to stance | Week 4 | Introduces combinations in safe sequence | Balance during knee, control of transitions | Control speed to avoid falling on knee |
| Striking | Speed Strike Drill | Strike multiple pads or targets in a row quickly | Week 9 | Adds intensity, builds control under pressure | Accuracy on each pad, return to stance | Ensure space, avoid wild swinging |
| Defensive | Guard / Cover (“Shields Up!”) | Hands to cheeks or ears for head protection | Week 2 | First defence posture, builds protective instinct | Hands up, elbows in, eyes forward | Reinforce hand placement to avoid face-touching |
| Defensive | Parry / Redirection (“Scoop the Wind”) | Redirect object or hand with open palm outward | Week 7 | Teaches redirection, timing, and visual focus | Soft hand contact, clear redirection motion | No contact with other children during parry |
| Balance | Flamingo Pose | Stand on one leg and hold position with control | Week 1 | Develops one-leg stability and focus | Controlled hold, eyes focused | Spot for imbalance or hopping |
| Movement | Animal Movement (Bear, Crab, Frog) | Crawl, squat, or reverse using animal movements | Week 1 | Improves whole-body coordination | Low posture, controlled crawling | Guide transitions to avoid rush |
| Cognitive/Control | Freeze Reaction (“Statue”) | Stop all motion immediately on cue | Week 1 | Builds discipline and reaction timing | Total freeze, stable base, focus | Reinforce freeze without falling |
| Cognitive/Control | Strike or Block Choice Drill | Child responds with correct technique to command | Week 9 | Introduces decision-making under pressure | Correct move picked fast with clarity | Cue slowly at first to prevent confusion |
| Cognitive/Control | Graduation Ceremony | Finish programme with bow and breath ritual | Week 12 | Reinforces achievement and respect | Proud posture, respectful bow, group sync | Keep short and positive |