Yellow B Lesson 4 – Attacking the Bear

Instructor’s note- Discuss the importance of knowing when it is appropriate to use an offensive technique (Preemptive attack) The following three conditions must be met (We are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice, this is our opinion only)
1.    Opponent in some way implies he is going to try to cause you bodily harm (says it, aggressive body language, etc)
2.    You believe he is telling the truth ( I.e. He’s not walking away saying “I’m gonna get you”)
3.    You believe he has the capacity to do bodily harm

It’s also important to teach proper fighting distance at this point. Teach students to attempt to maintain distance from opponent. Teach them where their comfort zone is.

Warm up – Step Correct

1.    Snap Kick from fighting stance
2.    Teach step correct from fighting stance (forward and back)
3.    Chops with step correct
4.    Step Correct mat drill
5.    Step correct mat drill with partner (opponent gives resistance)
6.    Fighting distance drill. Two partners face each other in a fighting stance. One is the aggressor, one the defender. The aggressor tries to close the fighting distance while the defender tries to maintain it. No weapons are thrown just footwork.

Part One – Side Fist

1.    From fighting stance teach a side fist driving to a hard bow. Emphasize pulling the opposite hand back to generate power.
2.    Work side fist on bags
3.    Partner up. Both partners in a fighting stance facing each other left leg back. Grasp right hands together. One partner gives resistance while the other pulls with right and side fists with left using pull to generate more power for side fist.
4.    Groups of three. Do same as above with the third person holding the bag.

Part Two - Knee Lift

1.    From fighting stance teach knee lift. Emphasize tucking the hip so that the knee rolls under and up. Knee should be driving straight up
2.    Do same from hard bow.
3.    Pair up and do knee lifts on bags. Make sure partners hold bags horizontal so student has to come underneath it and up.
4.    Have students hold onto partners neck and pull themselves up into the knee lift. Emphasize pulling yourself to your opponent. Do not pull the opponent down onto yourself.
5.    Do a knee lift mat drill. Students should be able to stop on center at end of knee lift before driving into horse or hard bow.
6.    Do knee lift mat drill with bags.

Part Three – Beginning Attacking the Bear (Yellow Belt Version)

1.    Teach first part of attacking the bear (Up to knee lift)
2.    Pair up

Part Four – Drive Back to Hard Bow

1.    Teach driving back to hard bow from knee lift position
2.    Using a small bag such as a Muay Thai pad or a soccer ball have students hold bag and slam it down onto knee while driving back to hard bow. Make sure they maintain centerline. Partners keep the bag from flying into mirrors or whatever.

Part Five – Attacking the Bear (Yellow Belt Version)

1.    Teach attacking the bear
2.    Pair up