How to Teach Your Child a Front Snap Kick

“I am a Kung Fu master!”

“I’m a Ninja! Ya, ya, ya!”

“I know karate, and I’m gonna take you down!”

How many times have you heard your son or daughter shout phrases like this, just before they throw some sloppy fist or footwork your way in the hope that something will stick? How many times has your little angel gotten into a full contact death match with the neighbor kid because that kid has the same inflated self image?

Upon completing this lesson you will teach you young child the proper, safe and effective execution of a front snap kick, and why it’s best not to use it.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Explain that the road to expert status in the Martial Arts is long and difficult. It takes years of tough training before your child will be capable of self-defense, and longer to be able to teach it effectively. In the meantime, the knowledge gained should never, ever be used to hurt anyone, and the techniques should be practiced only in the presence of a well-trained teacher.
   
   Remind your child that no one ever wins a fight, so staying out of them is best.

2. The first step in doing a front snap kick right is to literally step to it. Have your little dragon face a short stool, bench or step ladder. To step over this object he will need to lift his knee. To avoid tripping over the stool, he will need to keep his toes from pointing straight to the ground, as is natural when the foot is raised into the air.

3. Point. This step is the most difficult and leads to the most frustration while learning this basic technique. After she raises her knee, have your child thrust her foot past the stool or bench, as she points her toes toward her target.

4. If your child is frustrated, have her practice standing on her toes, like a ballerina or like she is trying to reach for something on a high shelf. After doing this for a few minutes, have her try pointing her toes again during the technique.

5. Pulling back your foot is the most important part of this kick, and yet it gets the least amount of attention so it is the least well-practice part of the kick. Explain that the kick is not finished until the kicking leg is back on the ground. Demonstrate by doing this kick yourself, and leaving it extended. Then have your child grab your leg.
   
   Now repeat the kick, but pull your foot back and set it on the ground. Have your child try to catch your leg as you repeat the kick yet again. This demonstration should show the value of pulling the foot back for your safety. It has an added benefit of building power into the kick by creating the snap at the far end of the kick.

6. Having focused on each step separately, have your child put all the pieces together to execute a perfect, slow front snap kick. Make sure he recites “Pick, POINT, pull!” as he does the kick, emphasizing “POINT” to encourage a good, focused snap to the kick. Remember what Vince Lombardi said, “Only perfect practice makes perfect!”

Tips & Warnings

• always praise good technique, and correct poor technique quickly.
• always use safety gear such as a protective cup when providing a focus point for your child. accidents can happen!