Stickfighting warmup game for kids (and adults) (Wim Deputter 15m)
Stickfighting for kids and adults
What? A fun class I play regularly at the kids classes. Variations of stick/sword fighting using pool
noodles.
Why?
- Fun
- Train action/reaction
- Learn to gauge and control distance
- Train footwork
- Something different
- Easy, low entry first contact with martial arts
- Do martial arts with kids / adults who are afraid to make contact at first
- Realistic and safe way to train with ‘weapons’
- No contact class for covid-measures
- Learn a bit about the history of swordstyles and swordfighting
Material needed
One half poolnoodle (=sword) for each kid. I like to have them in two colors to make different teams.
Optional:
Full poolnoodles (=spear)
Boxing pads or kicking pillows
Class
1). Warmup: 1 or 2 taggers with each a poolnoodle, rest are runners.
Tag = hit by tagger with poolnoodle. When tagged >>> assignment.
Assignments:
Touch the walls, pushups, sprawls, squats, jumping jacks, etc…
After assignment = free to play once again.
If runner can tag a tagger without getting hit by poolnoode, runner gets the poolnoodle and
becomes new tagger.
2). Core
1 vs 1: till 5 points (or any other variation)
-Fencing: play in a line, poolnoodle can only by used to ‘stab’ the opponent
-Saber: poolnoodle can only be used to slash
-Lightsaber: poolnoodle can be used to slash or stab
-Broadsword: poolnoodle has to be held with two hands (my personal favorite)
-Sword and shield
-Dual wield: sword in each hand
-Mix: each opponent picks a style
Team vs team:
Team has to push over the tower or conquer the flag of the opposing team and bring it to their
side. If you get ‘killed’, have to run back to your side, touch the wall and play again.
If it gets too rough or want to make the game slower, you can let the kids run on their knees.
You can play free where teams can gang up on one person of the opposing team or you can
play ‘single combat’ where a person can only challenge one person at a time from the opposing
team.
Free for all:
Hit with the poolnoodle is ‘dead’. Be the last person standing.
You can play with lives where you have to be hit multiple times to be ‘killed’.
