Firstly, this article is for martial arts instructors that are looking for martial arts games for kids and it is not for kids looking for martial arts games like Tekken or Street Fighter.

Ok, if you’re still with me then you should find some answers to your questions about using martial arts games for kids. The most important thing I want to get across right at the start is that the games I suggest you use are designed to reinforce the training of certain martial art skills. Games should never be used as a time filler to pad out your lesson plan. Sadly I know some schools do this, it may be because they don’t know what else to do in a lesson or maybe they just don’t realize there are better games available that will compliment their teaching (I really hope it’s the second one because the first reason is a disgrace).

So, why would you use a game in your martial arts lesson plan?

Martial Arts Games can be used as a warm-up exercise before starting their skills training…

Martial Arts Games can be used to show the application of a skill taught in the lesson…

Or…

Martial Arts Games can be used to practice core skills from this lesson or previous lessons at the end of a session to end it on a high note and leave them wanting more.

How do you know what are good martial arts games for kids ?

There are plenty of games to choose from but you want to make sure they are useful and productive games, not just pointless time fillers or distractions that weaken your teaching. Right now I’m not going to say exactly what games you should use for your classes because I don’t know what style you teach or what skills you focus on, but what I will give you are some guidelines…

When selecting a game ask yourself the following questions:

Does the game utilize the skill taught in this lesson?

or a skill from a previous lesson as revision?

Does it show the application of the skill taught? (it should but in a fun way)

Does it involve the majority of the group at the same time?

Is it something they can play with friends outside of class?

So in more detail, does the game utilize a taught skill? The skill for the nights lesson may be blocking, kicking, backhand strikes, pulling guard, single leg takedowns, flying kicks, etc… whatever the skill is that you are focusing on that night should be a core part of the game you select. This way the game teaches the kids how to apply the skill in a fun way.

Martial arts drills are good but martial arts games for kids are much better. When they get to train their skills in a game against other kids they will learn it a lot quicker than by doing 100x repetitions in the air. The contact and semi-random reactions give them instant feedback to help them improve their use of the new skill for the maximum effect.

It is important that any martial art game selected involves the majority of the group participating at all times. Martial arts training should never be a spectator sport, it’s a lot more fun to be involved than it is to be sitting on the sidelines waiting for your turn. If you select a game that requires one on one competition then keep the turns very short and/or have a couple of smaller groups playing the game in different areas of the dojo if you have enough instructors to do this.
Lastly, the games should be safe enough for the kid to play with their untrained friends outside of your normal lessons and supervision. Try to hold off on teaching martial arts games for kids (the younger ones) that include chokes or armbars or similar moves that could cause serious damage when done too hard or incorrectly. Games that include blocking, footwork, memory, co-ordination and even light striking are best for beginners.

Even if your students are responsible for their age you don’t want them in the school playground at lunchtime showing others how to apply a rear naked choke or having play fights that get out of hand and someone gets their arm broken. You can’t control them all the time but you have a duty of care to keep them out of trouble.

Kids love to share things they find fun and they will play some of these games outside of class. This is a great thing to happen because it means they are continuing to practice their martial art skills in their own time. If you have taught them a fun game or a mini challenge that they can play safely with their friends then tell them and encourage it. Likewise if you have taught them a game that should only be played in the dojo then tell them that too and explain that it is a special game that is only safe to play inside your class with other well trained martial artists.

I hope this helps you plan your lessons to include some martial arts games for kids.

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