Drills for Skills - Blocking
Drill 1: #1 & #2 Blocks Lvl 1
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing this circular outward block movement enhances coordination and spatial awareness, allowing individuals to gain greater control over arm positioning and movement patterns. The isolated clockwise and counterclockwise motions on each side of the body support bilateral integration and reinforce the brain-body connection. This movement also promotes fine motor control and arm stability, which contribute to an improved sense of body awareness and overall motor confidence.
Drill 2: #3 & #4 Blocks Lvl 1
Inward Blocks (#3 & #4 Blocks)
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
This movement integrates upper and lower body coordination, as the hand moves across the body in sync with a hip turn. By maintaining the hand below eye level without direct visual focus, it strengthens proprioception, enhancing awareness of hand positioning. This block also fosters hemispheric coordination, supporting body balance and spatial orientation through the combined movement of arms and core.
Drill 3: #5 & #6 Blocks Lvl 1
Upward Blocks (#5 & #6 Blocks)
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing this upward block enhances coordination, strength, and spatial awareness by guiding the arm in a smooth, controlled motion from across the body to an overhead position. This movement pattern helps develop cross-body coordination, improving bilateral integration and reinforcing brain-body connection. The upward lift strengthens shoulder stability and increases range of motion, supporting body awareness, arm control, and confidence in movements that involve overhead reach and protection.
Drill 4: #7 & #8 Blocks Lvl 1
Downward Blocks (#7 & #8 Blocks)
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing this downward block promotes cross-body coordination and body awareness by guiding the arm in a focused, grounding motion from the opposite ear toward the same-side knee. This movement pattern strengthens core stability as students learn to connect upper and lower body actions, reinforcing balance and enhancing motor control. The controlled, downward sweep builds shoulder strength, encourages wrist stability, and fosters confidence in protective movements that support a sense of groundedness and spatial orientation.
Drills for Skills - Stances / Movement
Drill 1: Front Position / Horse Stance
Moving back and forth from Front Position to Horse Stance
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The front position/horse stance combination enhances lower body strength, balance, and coordination through fluid transitions. It promotes body awareness, proprioception, and spatial awareness, fostering confidence and motor control through synchronized upper and lower body engagement.
Drill 2: Horse Stance - Hinge Step
Sliding our feet to move from a Horse Stance to a Sideways Horse Stance and back
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing the horse stance with a hinge builds lower body stability, hip mobility, and balance. This movement promotes body awareness and proprioception, improving weight shifts and spatial control without relying on visual cues.
Drill 3: Horse Stance - Jump
Jumping to move from a Horse Stance to a Sideways Horse Stance and back
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The horse stance with a 90° jump turn builds lower body power, coordination, and spatial awareness. Jumping and landing in a controlled manner strengthens leg muscles and dynamic balance, while alternating directions enhances proprioception and confidence in quick, precise transitions.
Drill 4: Half-Moon Stance - Step
Using small steps to move from one Half-Moon Stance to another
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing the half-moon stance enhances balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through controlled, rhythmic foot placement. Alternating the stance strengthens the lower body, improves proprioception, and builds confidence in accurate foot positioning, supporting a stable foundation.
Drill 5: Half-Moon Stance - Jump
Using jumps to move from one Half-Moon Stance to another
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The half-moon stance with a jump switch improves coordination, balance, and leg strength through quick, controlled transitions. The jump reinforces spatial awareness and precise foot placement, enhancing agility and confidence.
Drill 6: Flamingo to Cross
Picking up leg (into Flamingo Stance) and stepping into cross (twist) stance
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The flamingo to cross movement enhances balance, coordination, and lower body control. Practicing this drill helps build confidence in complex movements, strengthening flexibility and body control on both sides.
Drill 7: Half-Moon Movement
Introduction to Half-Moon (movement) – Forward and Backward
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The half-moon movement enhances coordination, balance, and spatial awareness through smooth, arcing steps. This fluid motion builds confidence in directional changes and precise foot placement, reinforcing balance and coordination without relying on visual cues.
Drill 8: Rotating Guard
Moving arms into Guard Position and shifting from side to side
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The rotating guard drill promotes coordination, spatial awareness, and upper body control through dynamic hand positioning and rotation. The exercise strengthens fine motor control, focus, and balance while maintaining an engaged stance, fostering awareness and precision in movement.
Drill 9: Flamingo to Angled Cross
Picking up leg (into Flamingo Stance) and stepping into angled cross (twist) stance
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The flamingo to angled cross movement enhances balance, coordination, and spatial awareness by focusing on precise, multidirectional foot placement. Repeating on each side strengthens proprioception, building confidence in making directional changes.
Drills for Skills - Striking
Drill 1: Front Two-Knuckle Punch - Lvl 1
Introduction to Front Two-Knuckle Punches
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing the front two-knuckle punch develops coordination, wrist stability, and upper body strength. The exercise boosts body awareness, refining hand positioning and instilling confidence in executing precise and safe strikes.
Drill 2: Back Two-Knuckle Punch - Lvl 1
Introduction to Back Two-Knuckle Punches
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
Practicing the back two-knuckle punch improves coordination, wrist stability, and fine motor control by focusing on a direct, non-rotating strike. This movement also cultivates body awareness and precision, teaching practitioners to keep the elbow in and execute compact strikes with minimal motion, improving overall efficiency.
Drill 3: Palm-Heel Strike - Lvl 1
Introduction to Palm-Heel Strikes
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The palm heel strike enhances coordination and builds fine motor skills, reinforcing precise hand positioning and alignment. The strike strengthens wrist stability and reduces injury risk by using the palm heel, a safer area for impact.
Drill 4: Hammer Fist - Lvl 1
Introduction to Hammer Fist Strikes
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The hammer strike builds upper body strength, coordination, and control through a sweeping arc and downward punch. It enhances bilateral coordination and body awareness while stabilizing the wrist, improving strength and spatial control.
Drills for Skills - Kicking
Drill 1: Rising Knee
A Rising Knee is both a type of Kick and good training for different types of Front Kicks
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The rising knee movement boosts balance, stability, and lower-body strength, enhancing hip flexibility and core engagement. It fosters coordination between upper and lower body, improving posture, spatial awareness, and confidence in lower-body control.
Drill 2: Front Instep Kick
A Front Instep Kick has toes pointed down to hit with the top of the foot
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The front instep kick builds leg strength, flexibility, and coordination by engaging the hip flexors and improving foot and ankle alignment. The controlled chamber and snap increase power and precision, enhancing balance, body awareness, and core stability.
Drill 3: Front Ball Kick
A Front Ball Kick has toes pointed up and curled back to hit with the bottom (ball) of the foot
THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT
The front ball kick boosts hip flexibility, leg strength, and balance by driving the foot forward with force. This technique strengthens the core, enhancing body control and stability in kicks.