Not sure if this is where to start this topic but what i was wondering was how some of the other instructors make the HDGD curriculum fun as well as exciting for children.

I would like to get this started by sharing a couple that i feel make it fun while still keeping it structured.

First off you will need several dare i say .... pool noodles cut in half one for every student participating. You can make em fancy by adding handles but i dont.

The first one is a blocking drill like sparring drill and works well for all ages. Everyone has a partner similar size/strength.

Line up facing each other everyone on the left is number 2 everyone on the right is 1.

Instructor calls out a number and that line attacks and the second line steps back and blocks (one attack one block).

As they get better at blocking you can speed it up change the attacks/blocks and add more attacks 111. 222 etc the goal is to keep em moving back and forth across the floor.

The second one is like a free for all battle, you can set up teams to make it more challenging most of the time we just do last man standing.

Some Basic rules: Everytime you get hit on the torso you have to do 5-10 pushups. The person doing pushups has 10 seconds after finishing before he/she can get hit again. During the elimination round no pushups you are just eliminated from the game and have to wait till its over (or if the game stalls i just send everyone back in).

The head is not a target unless wearing *modified head gear (getting a noodle in the ears gets em ringing pretty good ) everytime you hit someone on the head by accident or on purpose its 10 pushups and add 10 everytime after.

1 or 2 hands on the SNORD (sword/noodle) at all times, 2 hands is harder.

So sad too bad if you drop your Snord (FREE TARGET) better pick it up quick

legs and arms do not count (just a flesh wound) as the game is over too quickly.

*Modified Head Gear: You can wear a regular TKD head gear with the strap at the back of your head so the face is covered and the wearer has to look through the holes this will protect the face and allow head/face contact but the side of the head is still not a target as the ear holes still line up but makes the game more realistic.

The 3rd version the boys love the most WARNING! This can and most likely will get a little rough:

Everyone VS the Instructor we call it "Bionicle Battle" i get as much equipment on as i can in a few seconds head, chest, shins i put those square blockers on my elbows my goal is to look like a robot of some sort we set up obstacles so i can slow the zerg this becomes a little rougher because you can use the obstacles to take em down (controlled throws, sweeps, trips etc).

The robot gets 2 snords for blocking and striking and because the instructor is the only target head contact is allowed. I pretty much let em beat on me until they or i get tired.

If i drop my snord i just disarm an attacker and keep going.

I try to keep moving to make sure that the smaller kids get to whack on me too, If the ages vary allot you can have em attack by age groups my classes are broken up into ages and belts so its mostly the same.

The game is over when the head gear comes off.

With the older kids (10 -14) i usually remove the gear as i need to get a good grip on them but we really get the takedowns rocking as well as adding additional ammo (Kicking shields and target squares become great projectiles to slow down would be attackers ) My goal is to stay on my feet, Its pretty much a war zone when finished (as long controll is maintained this can be allot of fun and a great challenge for all)

look forward for more suggestions

Travis,

we do something similar in our school. we fabricated some padded swords and have strategic battles, pairing all black belts together vs. all other belts and other configurations. the groups are allowed to build their plan of attack/defense ( 30 seconds to decide ). Slice a limb and the player can't use that limb anymore and has to fight with the disadvantage. Hit twice on a limb - you're mortally wounded. slice/thrust to the body or head (CONTROLED!) is a mortal wound. Based on the outcome we'll talk about how it played out based on skill level, uneven numbers in battle, etc.

Once in a while, we'll even take matts and obsticles and place all around the Dojang to cause difficulty in movement.

One word of caution. this can turn mele really quick. I emphasize that the weapon they're holding is not a claymor and there are no wild swings, sometimes even restricting the cut only to Sang Su. the students do wear head gear but that is it. It is emphasized that a "baseball swing" will get you thrown out of the battle.

Many times after a battle where the strikes can get a little out of control, I will make the students take their head gear off and spar. The point is to out speed your opponent and not to just flail. This ropes them back to the idea of control. there is no hard contact with the cut, just a tap to say "I would have had you". I go one step further and make the black belts use their muk gums.


Another one we do is stack a series of matts in a line (the idea is that it is a small bridge/ narrow passage. the students can challenge each other to a battle. It really interesting when we get pairs doing this considering the matts are only 24" wide. It really makes then have to work as a team to defend and attack and not fall off of the matts.

The students seam to like it. The older students don't seam to be as receptive to these activites. I would be interested to know how anyone keeps their adult students from becoming bored.

Things tend to get out of control sometimes with two many kids with foam swords. I kept it to 4 v 4 or 3v5 and only used short swords. For the goal of building timing, quickness and footwork, the short sword seems to be better suited. It's also better for practice indoors.

You might want to look at some TKD schools for fun ideas.

Thanks for sharing guys, I will try them out to see how it goes.

I feel that it is important to change the activities up every 5-7 minutes for children sometimes less, during our Taekwondo lessons we do allot of various games/drill/activities to disguise repetition, Unfortunately not that many translate well to Gumdo,

I guess my next question is, What techniques are some of the gumdo Instructors doing to disguise repetition.

That is one I struggle with to. Its really difficult when I have some students that are younger (not small children) and need that disguise of repetition and then have adults that don't. What do some of you do for this?

I was thinking about some of the drills we used to do back in the Karate days with Bo Staff that may translate well to the Mokgum or Jukdo (bamboo may take too much of a beating) This is more for older students a i think children will try to pound the staff into the ground.

One person stands with a bo at an angle towards the student (braced with foot sword at the floor) i place a punching target on the floor so the bo does not damage the mats.

The object is to shift forward and just tap (tick sound) the very tip of the bo with the MokGum and retreat back to ready stance (Similar to Kendo Drills but smaller target) once students get the targeting down they should be able to get a nice rhythm going.

Another idea to use with the young 'uns is to buy some of those chord-like neon glow-in-the-dark sticks. The kind you have to snap to activate. Fasten one to each student's mogum "blade," dim or turn off the lights, and have them practice like that.

Kids tend to be fond of paper cutting with mogums, too. And don't forget candle snuffing.

One of the exercises I participated in as a beginning student is called The Motivational Pinata. It can be used with students of all ages and is basically this: the student who demonstrates the least motivation during any given class period is tied up and suspended from the ceiling at the end of class. The rest of the students are then blindfolded and take turns trying to flail the bound slacker until he or she passes out. It really works! You'll see an amazing jump in the students' motivation. I know it did wonders for mine after five times of serving as the pinata. Sure, I walk with a permanent limp, I now have a glass eye, uncontrollable bowel movements, I'm unable to reproduce, and my remaining ear is cauliflowered, but you should see how motivated I am in class now! I work harder than everybody else as I nervously look about with my good eye freakishly wide open and a toothless grin.

lol GREAT IDEA!!!

If you're looking for an alternative to sparring, and would rather not have any contact involved, candle snuffing contests are always good. Have students pair up, and count backwards from 10. The goal is to snuff the candle in lesser strokes than your opponent. This gives children a competitive outlet without needing any physical violence.

Also remember that you don't necessarily need to involve swords into every excercise. "Chicken Fighting" is a great example of a competitive game which is relatively safe, but allows students to "fight".

At my Brazilian Jiujitsu school, we play a really fun game. The object of the game is to remove the other person's socks by out-wrestling them. Kids love it.

I saw a kendo game where students attach a balloon to the head gear the objective is to pop each others balloon it looks like allot of fun too!

LoL!!!

Casey,

I really would like to visit your Dojang sometime. You really have a knack for creativity. Though insurance must be killing you!