Objective
Develop visual focus, timing, controlled striking, and accuracy using a moving object.
Kids learn to stay in stance, watch the ball, and hit it cleanly with the correct technique.
Equipment Needed
- Soft foam balls
- Floor dots to mark each child’s position
Setup
Kids stand on their dots in a circle or line.
Everyone in a fighting stance.
Explain:
“When the ball comes to you, you must hit it with a clean straight punch or a defensive push kick. No football kicking.”
Drill Breakdown
1. Stance and Ready Position
Instructor calls:
“Fighting stance.”
Kids settle into stance: hands up, soft knees, eyes forward.
2. Teach the Punch and Kick Briefly
Short reminder:
- Straight punch: hand goes out in a clean line, comes straight back to guard.
- Defensive push kick: lift the knee first, then push the ball away with the bottom of the foot.
Remind them:
“This is not football. Do not swing your leg. Lift your knee and push.”
3. Punching the Ball
Instructor tosses or rolls the ball gently toward each child.
Instruction:
“When the ball reaches you, use one straight punch to send it back.”
Kids must stay balanced, keep their stance, and avoid wild swings.
If they miss, they go back to stance and try again on the next round.
4. Kicking the Ball
Repeat the drill with the defensive push kick.
Instructor rolls or tosses the ball slowly.
Instruction:
“When the ball reaches you, push it away with your defensive kick.”
Key coaching detail:
“Lift your knee, then push. No football kicks.”
5. Punch–Kick Combination
Once clean punches and kicks are established, combine them.
The instructor calls:
“Punch!”
“Kick!”
“Punch then kick!”
“Kick then punch!”
Then throws the ball for them to strike at the right moment.
This builds reaction speed and focus on verbal cues.
6. Moving Ball Challenge (Optional Progression)
Instructor moves sideways or changes distance, tossing the ball from slight angles.
Kids turn with the ball while maintaining stance and focus.
Keep it slow and predictable for younger kids.
Safety Rule
If any child falls or loses balance, everyone stops and helps.
No stepping around or over someone on the floor.
Coaching Points
- Watch for football-style kicks and correct them immediately.
- Praise clean, straight punches.
- Remind them: “Lift your knee, then push.”
- Keep strikes single and controlled — not wild.
- Encourage focus: “Eyes on the ball.”