Four Lesson Plans for Activities Involving “Combative & Soft War”

LESSON 1

“Chicken Fights”
Intended for grades 3-12
Equipment: Floor mats (if needed)

Objectives: Focus on balance and leg strength (work the quadriceps)

How to Instruct:
Pair-up all participants according to size and height. Have players be in a squatted position. Thighs should not be higher than parallel to the floor. Thus, the bottom needs to be near the floor. Upon whistle, the game begins. The object of the whole game is to push, pull, or twist your opponent to the floor. You win a match when your opponent is “down”. A “down” occurs when a body part touches the floor other than the feet. Play three matches and then have people switch partners.

Rules:
No striking, punching, slapping, kicking, or biting your partner.
You may not dive into your opponent.
You must remain up if your partner goes down to count it as a win
Do not pull on hair or clothes
Take off jewelry prior to starting of activity

Cues:
Thighs never above parallel
Safety and control

LESSON 2

“Cat on Fence”
Intended for grades K-12
Equipment: Can use balance beam and/or mats

Objectives: Focus on balance and body control

How to Instruct:
Pair-up all participants according to size and height. Each player begins by standing heel toe and facing their partner. There should be a 12-18 inch distance from partner. Players then join their same hand in a thumb grip. Upon whistle, each player will try to make the other person move their feet. He/she can do this by unbalancing his/her partner by pushing or pulling with the connected hand. If a player moves one foot or is no longer heel-toe, the play starts over and the opponent gets a point. If a player lets go of the hand, the opponent gets a point also. After a person scores 3 points, he/she switches partners.

Cues: No body contact
Push & Pull using connected hand

LESSON 3

“Crab Fights”
Intended for grades 3-12
Equipment: Mats (if needed)

Objectives: Work on balance and upper body strength (triceps)

How to Instruct:
Pair-up all participants according to size and height. Players assume in crab walk stance. This is when hands and feet are on the ground and the belly button is pushed up toward the ceiling. Upon whistle, players will try to take down their players. They can do this by pushing and pulling with their hands and feet. In order to receive a point, the player must have their opponent “down”. This occurs when any body part other than the palms of hands or feet touch the ground. Once a player scores 3 points, opponents are switched.

Rules:
No striking, slapping, kicking, or biting
No pulling on clothing or hair
Take off all jewelry prior to activity
Use mats if floor surface is too hard

Cues:
Stay in crab position
Push/pull with hands
Balance to stay up

LESSON PLAN 4

“Smashed In The Circle”
Intended for grades 1-6
Equipment: 2 Nerf Balls

Objectives: Dodge thrown items, hit moving target, throwing, accuracy, quickness

How to Instruct: Students are to form a circle about arms length apart. Circle is divided into two teams. Students will each be given a number that corresponds to the numbers on the opposing team. Put the two balls in the center of circle when game starts. When number is called out, each player with that number will go into the center of the circle, and try to hit the opponent with the nerf ball. The first player who does so will earn a point for his/her team. The players on the outside of the circle will attempt to keep the balls in play for the participating players. If there are lots of participants, divided into several small circles in order to maximize participation.

Rules: Players may not leave outside the circle

Cues:
Aim at target
Get the ball
Be quick

References: Ideas and suggestions from Website: www.mrgym.com