Here is a karate fighting exercise that I have been teaching in my classes for over 40 years. Sensei Denis and I did it at the last class at Karaté Ste-Rose.
As a karate instructor, I am always looking for fun ways to engage my students and challenge their physical and mental prowess while improving their fighting skills. Forty years ago I devised an exciting exercise, with several versions, which has proved to be one of the most popular exercises among young and old alike! The exercise involves forming two or three groups in a circle (more or less depending on the number of students in your class).
Each person is given a number, between one and ten. The person with the chosen number stands in the middle of the circle while another number is called to fight them for 10-15 seconds, followed by another number to fight for 10-15 seconds before returning to the circle. And so on. Then the person in the center is changed and the process is repeated.
ONE AGAINST MANY
I then add a new version of the exercise. I name two or three people who have to fight with the person in the center. Two or three against one. This exercise invites participants to work in teams of two or three people against a single opponent. This is a great way to build strength and camaraderie within the group.
TWO AGAINST TWO OR THREE
I then place two people in the centre who form a team to fight against two or three people. The teams have to work together. When it comes to combat exercises, it is important to push the boundaries and challenge the participants. Cooperation and teamwork are necessary for the centre's team to develop a strategy and compete with their opponents.
Have you ever thought about how intense the experience would be if several people were fighting against each other?
GROUP COMBAT
Here is another version of this exercise with group fights: a dynamic fight where ten opponents face each other and everyone joins in at the end! Whether it's a group of ten people or a thirty-person brawl, there's something exhilarating about fighting or watching several people fight.
The rules in place ensure that all contact is controlled, making the game safe for all participants, regardless of their experience level. Once each group has fought the other, they all come together in one big messy fight.
ONE GROUP FIGHTS ANOTHER GROUP
I then add a new version. I have one group (10 people) fight against another group of 10 people. And at the end, everybody, all thirty people from our last class, fight together in the most disorderly way.
The rule is that the blows are controlled, to avoid accidents, because several people can attack the same one. The strength of the contact can be varied according to the experience of the fighters. It is up to you.
Fighting against another group of opponents is an exciting activity that offers unique challenges and is an excellent way to develop your understanding of peripheral vision and awareness of the environment.
When you participate in a sparring match with multiple opponents, you have an intense and exhilarating experience that requires quick reflexes and concentration. In addition, this type of combat teaches you how to defend yourself against several attackers at the same time. Participating in group fights and brawls can be an exciting way to improve your martial arts skills, coordination and endurance. In addition, it can also help you sharpen your ability to observe and anticipate an opponent's next move.
Try it in your dojo and let me know how it went. Better yet, take a video of this exercise in your dojo, tag me and send it to me. Don't forget to mention that this is an exercise created by Gaëtan Sauvé.
Gaëtan Sauvé