Elite SKILLZ – Curriculum Overview for the Spring 2021 rotation:
Category – Self Defense
This is a fun and challenging rotation that will allow the advanced 10 to 14-year-old kids to explore the basics of traditional knife self-defense. The kids will be using rubber training knives as they push their reflexes and speed of processing to the limits. This cycle will also open discussions about what self-defense means, how to maintain good judgment, and how to make good decisions when the stakes are high.
Here is how the Knife Self Defense curriculum works:
Each class, the class will run through a lesson plan that focuses on one of our skills below:
➢ GRACEFULNESS – Perform effortless transitions as if floating through the movements.
➢ RHYTHM – We are looking for the students to quickly get into these positions without pausing to “think”.
➢ ORIENTATION – Choose any proper way of escaping these positions without complications.
➢ FLUIDITY – The goal is to smoothly move from one submission to another as if you are setting up your opponent.
➢ EXECUTION – Perform proper technique and control throwing your partner and then assuming the proper mount or position.
➢ REFLEX – The goal here is to quickly perform the next sweep by recognizing whose turn it is and move quickly.
➢ KNOWLEDGE – We want the students to remember all the little steps that make these moves work.
➢ TIMING – Doing well here means playing the “game” by scoring points and keeping busy looking for/creating openings and performing submissions.
Goals for the self-defense cycle:
1. The first goal of this cycle is to introduce our students to the “application” side of martial arts.
2. Secondly, we want our students to understand that it is ok to make mistakes, but that good decisions are very important to minimize risk.
3. Third, we want them to understand how to rely on their instincts to react instead of freezing.
Elite Skillz is the advanced level of training for kids who graduate from the Extreme Skillz program for kids ages 10-14. Kids in Elite Skillz focus on a single martial arts topic for an entire 12-week cycle in order to become more well-rounded martial artists.