Skill: PUNCHING
Drill: Aim for the Middle
Equipment needed: 8 Focus Mitts
Instructors needed: Four (You can use students)
Description: In this drill the students will stand surrounded by instructors holding focus mitts in each hand. The student will go from instructor to instructor punching each instructor’s mitts four times while they work on developing gross motor skills in their arms and learning how to control their punches.
Teaching SKILLZ:
TRICKERY – The instructor can trick the students by saying words that sound like “go” in order to enhance the student’s auditory processing.
Brain SKILLZ:
SPEED OF PROCESSING – The student must be able to execute their punches quickly, and move to the next person and repeat until they are finished.
Step 1
Have four instructors make a circle while sitting on their knees and holding focus mitts in each hand as shown in the picture. If you are short on instructors, use the students, but make sure you teach them how to hold the mitts properly.
Step 2 – Setting Up the Drill:
Explain to the students age-specific mechanics of punching the mitts
Step 3 – Explain the Rules:
  • Make a tight fist.
  • Tuck your thumb over your fingers to keep your fist tight.
  • Punch in a straight line.
  • Hit the mitts with your first two knuckles.
  • Have the first student stand in the middle of the circle. When you say “go” the student will go from instructor to instructor and punch each mitt four times, alternating hands.
Step 4 – Takeaways:
  • The goal of this drill is consistency in their punches. As the go from instructor to instructor, they must continue to punch the proper way.
Step 5
  • Continue until each student has a turn.
 
How To Video