How To Teach FUN Martial Arts Kids Classes (NO Silly Games!)

The best martial arts games for children are based on "gamifying" skill-based exercises that are fun and educational. Jesse Enkamp (The Karate Nerd) explains how to apply 5 steps to create your own martial arts games, along with 2 practical examples for both kids and adults.
Visit www.karatebyjesse.com to learn more!
Music credit:
Ikson - Late ( / late-free-download )
MBB - Clouds ( / clouds )

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks for watching! Visit my website to learn more: www.karatebyjesse.com 😄👍

[@timsnyder5152]

As an owner of a studio I appreciate the kids drills. Keeping them fresh with new ideas is always a challenge. Wouldn't mind seeing you go more in-depth in kids drills in your weekly videos that I am a subscriber

[@ReaperBlade-ns2hs]

I’m a firm believer that burpees were designed as a form of human torture.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Hah! I hear tales of wicked people who actually enjoy them....

[@AljosaPLampe]

@@KARATEbyJesse 😂😂

[@lai_strength_training]

Me! 👋

[@wolflover324x9]

@@KARATEbyJesse I, at time, am one of those people >:) (clap push ups are also fun ^-^)

[@mypfpisthebest6528]

69th like 👌

[@d3v46]

I like how he puts.. no silly games in the title lol

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Trying to keep Ronald McDojo away 😜

[@d3v46]

@@KARATEbyJesseof course man...thanks for the heart and have a great day

[@tucx00]

Had to take a mixed adult beginners & kids class at short notice and unashamedly ripped off a couple of these exercises. I have little experience teaching kids & my adult lessons don't really translate. Pad balancing to practice stance changes proved REALLY popular. Great video & has given me lots of food for thought. Thanks.

[@panchopirata5593]

As a physical trainer myself, I surely know how challenging a children class can be. This is a very nice and smart way to optimize the training time and getting closer to the goals. It's great how you also apply the concept of gamification for adult classes, it also sets another obstacle to surpass, really enjoyable and helpful! Greetings from Chile, Jesse! 🙏🏻🇨🇱

[@Karatefitnesstutorial]

Awesome way..

[@randybowman]

Can you do more videos on teaching. I'm new to teaching and this was pretty helpful.

[@seanomygod]

Thanks for letting me know I’m already on the right track with my teaching method! This exactly what I’ve been using all a long in my instructor career!

[@SuperNeildavies]

Thanks Jesse. We've got some new kids starting at my dojo soon, ages 5-7. It's a scary prospect as we haven't had kid sin class for a long time. Really appreciate your unique take on this.

[@spidgy4649]

Finally, I hate! Playing games at my dojo! I’m going to show my sensei this.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

That makes two of us! 😜 Say hello to your sensei from me! 👌

[@karatemeanslife8721]

😂😂😂Kiddo is Taking Initiative

[@cyder3062]

Same. I mean I can understand with the time class specifically for younger kids...But I was more than a little upset during the session before thanksgiving at the dojo where I was training. I'm here to learn karate, not play dodgeball with little kids in what's supposed to be the later "older" class.

[@robfish001]

I have several new younger students and I was trying to think of good ways to keep them engaged. Finding this video with your ideas and method for coming up with them is awesome. Thank you!

[@Kyle-vb3fz]

As of writing this, April 2024, my sons are 7 and 9, and I am teaching them at their level. And not too long, about 30 minutes per class. We spent about 6-7 classes just working kihon: just stances, punches and blocks. There’s no rush here. I don’t want to tire them out and I want them to enjoy it. We started Heian Shodan last Saturday. 2 months in, and they love every minute of it. Shotokan.

[@camushushuaia]

You are a genius! i'm a pretty new to teaching kung fu, and i'm algo a video game designer and i'm familiarized with the concept of gamification, but i had never tought of gamify a kung fu class! Thanks for this video!

[@sentoryumartialarts4064]

Love this video. Love the idea of the mitt on the head. Will definitely use that in my classes.

[@kazokumartialartscentre9432]

Thank-you for this! It's always nice to get a little reminder on how to spice things up without diluting the ultimate goal (and that's to teach karate!).

[@waynechalloner-keough6845]

Thank you Jesse really appreciate and enjoy your knowledge and understanding of martial arts

[@neiltaylor1765]

I've come away from competitive sport karate to teach with an old instructor, his clubs all are based around participation and kids karate and cant stress the difference and positives being around karate this way, great seeing the next generation growing an interest

[@Shinbikai-Shuto-Society]

Thank you for your excitement and instruction - kids are the greatest and I enjoy watching how others instill knowledge and enjoyment of martial art - well done man!

[@petermerrifield9267]

This is fantastic, just started teacher training and I will be taking these tips forward

[@stampedekarate]

Thanks for sharing your approach and your other videos. Your students look great in their technique.

[@ArcangelZero7]

This video helped me a lot! I've found myself in the position of being a Capoeira teacher, and we start with kids as young as 3. Despite the natural "playfulness" of the art, I struggled to think of ways to keep the class fun while teaching disciplined movements! Sometimes we'd play games for warming up, like red-light/green-light, or tug of war, or some kind of tag with Capoeira movements mixed in, but I like this approach that seems a lot less guilty when parents are watching! Some parents just want their kids busy for an hour, but I want them to leave feeling they can move better than before!! :D

[@mholman888]

The after effects are on point Jesse! Thanks for sharing, I'm going to teach my future kids this way. The learning never stops with your videos, again thank you.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

BAM! Thanks dude, makes me happy to hear! 💪🌟👍

[@chriswallace2298]

Great stuff Sensei Jesse! Reminds me a lot of my own Sensei Juan Cruz at Shotokan Karate-Do Academy, Delray Beach. One of the things that attracted to me to the dojo was the way he trained the kids. He doesn't baby them but TEACHES them. Everything from holding rocks while punching to using hula hoops for moving in kumite. Most of all he often reminds them that they are the FUTURE of traditional karate. Imagine having a 4th dan tell you that as a child! May God increase your tribe Jesse-san. Please give your mom a big Mother's Day kiss for me! Oss!

[@kingdom8029]

This was really helpful.Thanks a lot.Have a great day.😊👍🏻

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Fantastic! Thank you, likewise 😁

[@JoseFernandez-mt1se]

Thank you, Jesse. Those examples and your 5 principles of Gamification are a great way to introduce or practice serious karate fundamentals. Highly appreciated. 🥋

[@justrememberme7437]

Hi Jesse encamp your the best teacher

[@joevenacuin2685]

Thank you Sensei, I'm a taekwondo instructor your video makes me more to imagine with my students on how to apply Gamification.

[@lizb9148]

I love watching these types of videos! I’ve just become the head instructor for my university karate club and it helps me get ideas down for the new students :) keep up the good work !

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks Sensei Liz! Good luck with the club and have a great weekend 🌟

[@geraldaitken478]

Great ideas. Thank you.

[@kejackson]

This is helpful, I've been trying to develop into how to make different activities/lessons fun

[@ChungsMartialArts]

Thank you! I’ve been trying to figure this out for years and this has given me new tools to work with.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Wonderful 👏👏👏

[@yoitsyoboi_mikeyrichardson6177]

Hey Jesse enkamp I love your videos and I think your the best karate videos I hope you enjoy your life, and I when feel sad I watch you to feel better.

[@UGURKAZIM]

You are so cool bro. I have been in martial arts for 33 years and all your videos is so in depth and brilliant.

[@NanitaSkittles]

This is amazing! People really need to be aware that parents expect the kid to actually learn karate. I've always thought that a class full of (silly) games is just a summer camp with uniforms 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Yeah I can’t stand those McDojos. It’s glorified daycare disguised as martial arts 🙈

[@tonybickley4806]

Yep, and it is not just Karate classes, some womens self defense classes are no better than glorified 'feel good' aerobics

[@illwill9738]

Thank you for that video, you are a great teacher! RESPECT

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks for your kind words 🙏

[@sadiazaman10]

Very much helpful. Thnxxx🙏🙏

[@michaelbrant1668]

Thanks, i do the punching on one leg, its good to get feedback that I do some things the way others do.

[@Senseibwoy256.]

Thanks so much i really found this so Useful...💪🏾

[@PH1M0]

I agree games can teach, as long as they are based on the original exercise. Great vid 👊

[@rigoharcos]

Great explanation of gamification, certainly start to think about using them in excercises! I am just working on a long-term gamification system, to make the student connection with karate itself stonger, starting in september, with the new season. A student will have to collect point in order to go to belt exams. The higher the level, the more points you need to collect. Mainly the can collect the by attending to class, but there also will be "missions" or "achievment", n three category: bushi, sempai and zen. A bushi achievment is f.e. going to a competition. Sempai achievment is f.e teaching another student a technique, or a kata. Zen is about getting a deeper understanding, f.e. reading a book from a certain list. All the points and achievments are set to the students level. I'm really looking forward to it, how will it work.

[@wolflover324x9]

Can you please tell me how it's going?

[@Kadryal]

Nice one! I've just begun to teach karate at school (1st-4th grade) and this is gold. Helps with planning coming sessions. Thanks, Jesse-san!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Sweet! Enjoy and let me know how it goes 😁👍

[@KendoSwordsman]

Excellent video Jesse. We do this approach as well with our Juniors. It's very effective. I find that if you play games outright kids leave because they're not getting an authentic experience and know they're being pandered to. Gamification on the other hand just sets a more fun and immediate goal oriented approach to the authentic content that you already deliver. It's all about the delivery.

[@L9999]

Im suppose to be working on a thesis on pedagogycal techniques.... this is the best example i have found on gammification.

[@criky5444]

Super fan i dont lose all your vídeos #karatenerd 🥋🥋💪

[@renanpong]

Here in Brazil we study in the university this kind of game in sports learning. I work with judo and I'm starting to give karate lessons to the less graduated using games. My students of judo are 3 years old to 8 years old (in 3 different groups). In this school I wold be very unhappy without the games in this first year of work. My difficult now is to create games to the karate but I am working on it. , glad to see your work

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Wonderful to hear! Makes me happy, keep teaching and learning the right way. Obrigado! 👍

[@fernandososa6507]

Hey Jesse! Could you maybe do a video of how to focus on individual students in big classes (opossed to smaller ones).

[@ayeshanusrataim]

Involve every students by giving them specific tasks. Listen to them.

[@markjesruplaza5685]

Thank you very much for this video.

[@sandywijesinghe7]

Thank you sensei...❤

[@saeedahmed5980]

Wow.. amazing... Gamification.. beautifully explained.. thanks for sharing .. Sensei

[@judelord2478]

Man Jesse I needed this thanks bro

[@edgardocarrasquillo9]

Great. Thank you.

[@christianolivares4610]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@keyanodriscoll9995]

Thank you Jesse for this video it’s given me some ideas 💡 for running my karate classes, loving all of your videos bro 🙂👍🏻🥋

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Fantastic! Keep it up 👍

[@Tondor50]

Take it from a crusty old professor with 45 years in the classroom. Gamification is for all ages. This is a solid pedagogy. BTW you did have a reward for you exercise. That high five meant more than you know to that blue belt. One should never underestimate the power of an "Attaboy!" as positive reinforcement!

[@endima6204]

excellent advice Jesse I liked it!

[@juanlaurentin1]

Thankyou very much Sensey! These are very interesting concepts in order to achieve a very fun and didactical classes for our students. I was thinking about how to teach Karate and not just play with my special disabled pupils (Asperger sindrome) and I feel that your ideas will be useful for us. Thanks again!

[@bigjon1515]

Great Video. Keep them coming💪🏼

[@valentinor8428]

I Ppreciate your advice. Thank you.

[@Anshu-Kajika]

Very Useful. thank you brother for the Video.

[@rhythmicflowacademy3795]

Thank You! This is a wonderful video :)

[@leighseabright]

Great I’ll implement these ideas tonight at lessons 👊😎

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Awesome!!

[@womatt1]

Great I was just worried about my online class interesting. I can do some of this with them. Thank you!

[@adambraun1990]

I’d love to open a dojo one day myself. I’m watching these for tips on how to actually teach, because while I practice my techniques and train, I could use help teaching it to others lol.

[@johndarby6407]

My younger students are quick to start talking and become lazy, Consequence based training might help maintain focus. I love the one leg punching idea... that's definitely getting used tonight. Might even add a Mae Geri to the mix for the higher grades if it works. And the focus mitt on the head will be a great reward game at the end.

[@kdog3311]

That is awesome!

[@amandarinaldi385]

Love this! Please post more fun exercise ideas! We can get inspired by others! From a fellow martial arts teacher ☺️🙏

[@KEEPFITINDIA]

Thank you Sensei 🥋. I always learn something new From you ❤️ 🇮🇳🥋

[@ravenironside3274]

Thanks bro, I was just wondering how can I keep students interested and engaged while not scaring them with excessive aggressive training and I knew you were going to be a reliable source for assistance with this.

[@adambraun1990]

My sensei didn’t do anything like this when I was a kid. He was very strict (even actually made us learn the Japanese language to a proficient level by the time we reached black belt, or else he wouldn’t let us test). He was very strict, but I do thank him for that. However when I teach I may use these tips to make it more fun for my (hopefully future) students. Though I do want to implement Sensei’s rule about studying the language as well, because it really made me feel like I was in total harmony training physically, spiritually, and mentally.

[@fruitsalad954]

Just started training to become a karate instructor, I currently assist my master. My assisting usually consists of trying to help kids learn kata. They would rarely listen to me but after trying out the stuff from this video, they listen to every word I say. Thanks

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Great to hear! Keep it up 😄

[@pedro.claudino]

Awesome! Thanks again. This will help me to much with my 7 years son.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Excellent! Good luck and have fun 😄

[@Billski86itsallalie]

I like your rewards your a great teacher, I feel like I have learnt alot about being a better person from your videos they remind me of my teachings when I was younger.. Osu

[@SenseiDavid]

Great Video...We apply this method in our daily class....not saying we dont also play a hard core game of dodgeball but, we are always creating new karate skill games.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Haha 🙈 Keep up the good stuff! 👍

[@quaxifaddl8928]

Great concept! Unfortunately, many "coaches" lack this.

[@emergetrainingcenter8119]

i love it

[@Alice0075]

I love your videos!!!

[@SifuChido]

NICE! Thanks for share!

[@romanmuratov7145]

Thank you nice👍

[@crystalkitty75]

that was great do you have more of those?

[@ronaldson57]

Can you post a new video om shadowboxing and switching stance while punching

[@yanillgner5456]

I already did this without knowing!!! But even so I learned to much with this video! Thank very much Jesse

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Great to hear! Sometimes it’s useful to spell it out. Now you’re more aware of what you’re doing. Keep it up! 😄👍

[@yanillgner5456]

@@KARATEbyJesse My dream is to train with you at least one day in your dojo!

[@ManUnitedLover]

Thank you so much Jesse-san, i have been waiting for this kind of video for a very long time OSU

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Fantastic! Great to hear you finally got it 😄💪

[@samiratilainen7390]

Very good tips Jesse👍 Its always fun to develop new training methods that are fun and useful to both kids and adults

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Most definitely! Thank you for chiming in 😄👏

[@TieXiongJi]

Simple and effective. I will try it tomorrow!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Great! Let me know how it goes 😄

[@kobe51]

Great ideas, Jesse!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks a lot

[@soyboygsd9117]

Thank you i needed this

[@KARATEbyJesse]

🙏🙏🙏 You’re welcome!

[@josecarvalho7816]

Totally agree with your poin of view "A Dojo is not a kindergarden". Thanx 4 the sharing !

[@setori8889]

Hey there, nice ideas! i also use these principle but would be interested in if you more to learn specific kicks like mae geri, yoko geri or some other basics.

[@festusiyare9119]

lovely and very helpful, could u give more examples especially for children under 5yrs of age

[@greydragon6215]

Thank you for lesson. I always try to make Friday fun in my dojo.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Make every day Friday! We learn faster if it’s fun 😁👍

[@lewispaulgannon]

Absolute genius instructor, i cant believe i never figured out something so simple as punching on one leg. I would pay all the money for a karate instructional from the karate nerd.

[@lewispaulgannon]

I already have the social media marketing and i highly recommend it

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thank you! 🙏

[@RealNews445]

Wonderful concept. I learned something really useful. More videos please...

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Fantastic! What would you like to learn more about? 😄

[@RealNews445]

@@KARATEbyJesse Hi Now that you mentioned it. I was pondering on your question and here it is... Life is sometimes more difficult and cruel than we expect it to be. The tides of daily struggle snatch away the time which many would want to use to practice Karate. Many times it takes a decade or two to find free time. How do such people re-enter Karate?? The time in between looks like a monster. Added age, body stiffness, lost energy.

[@ABKSupreme]

It's really very hard to teach but with this it will be easy I think

[@AmanFit]

Man that's awesome tip 😁

[@dogguyful]

Beautiful karate channel on KZbin. Very attractive and colourful. I don't know the trick Jesse uses to create this subconscious effect.

[@HakusW140]

Loving this series. Although coming from another martial art, four of my children, my wife and I started Karate from scratch a few moths ago. Great family strengthening stuff! I'm cataloging it all and hoping to dedicate a channel to the journey. Any tips on editing the endless hours of 'in the Dojo' footage to be meaningful to an audience?

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Awesome to hear! Documenting your journey to black belt as a story of self-development sounds good to me. Voice-over is your friend. Enjoy the process! 😄👏👍

[@HakusW140]

@@KARATEbyJesse VO! Of course! Looking forward to future content 😀

[@mr.karate4018]

Man at first I thought You were Main Man Swe!! Lol great video!

[@ukrainianmartialarts3259]

interesting mathod, thanks

[@LandoGamez8]

It is a requirement for me to earn my blackbelt. I have been instructing since I was a green belt. Our school is smaller so when our head instructor is away for work, I get an opportunity to be an instructor for classes. We have about close to 20 students, and we have been getting new students in high quantity. Its challenging to do but rewarding for sure. I think this is a great video. I will use these strategies in my lesson plans.