In today’s post, we’re going to take a deep dive into the Junior Yellow Belt grading syllabus. Flo demonstrates the techniques we’ll be covering in the below video, you can also read the below simplified transcript taken directly from the video to deepen you learning and understanding.
🔗 https://youtu.be/R6BAIT3oEkE
1. The Fighting Stance
First up is the Fighting Stance. You can see Flo here demonstrating it perfectly. She’s got a reverse hand tucked into her cheek, while her lead hand is set slightly forward. Her stance is balanced and relaxed. The lead hand should align with the lead eyebrow and be just a touch forward. As for her rear foot, the heel is lifted to allow for smooth pivoting and leaning back when needed. This stance sets up Flo nicely for her next move.
2. The Switch
Now, let’s talk about the Switch. Here, Flo is initially in a Natna fighting stance. When she switches, she smoothly transitions into a southpaw position, which is great for shifting the angle of attack. She switches back and forth from orthodox to southpaw, showcasing how quickly and effectively you can adapt to different fighting stances. This fluid movement is key to being versatile in your approach.
3. The Cover Guard
Next, we have the Cover Guard technique. In a natural fighting stance, Flo anticipates an incoming punch. As I throw the punch, she covers her forehead with her hands, biting down on her teeth and looking through the guard. Her forearms are solid, ensuring that she’s protected while still keeping her focus. The Cover Guard is essential for protecting yourself while staying ready to counterattack.
4. The Block / Catch
Following the Cover Guard, we’ll look at the Block / Catch. In this technique, as I throw a jab, Flo catches it with her lead hand. She then retracts back into her natural fighting stance. When I throw a cross, Flo mirrors the movement with her rear hand, matching her right hand with mine, and then returns to her fighting stance. This combination of blocks and catches helps build your ability to neutralise incoming attacks.
5. Footwork and Movement
Footwork is key in any martial art, and here, Flo demonstrates different movements that are fundamental to controlling distance. First, she slides forward, dragging her feet. Then, she slides backward, leading with the reverse foot. Flo also moves to her right and left, using the appropriate footwork to make sure she’s always in control of her position. Proper footwork ensures that you can attack, defend, and evade effectively.
6. The Jab
Now, onto the Jab. This move is all about precision and speed. Flo twists her shoulders slightly and reaches forward with her hand, keeping the arm parallel to the floor. She strikes with the first two knuckles of her fist, then pulls back. It’s a quick jab, executed with the proper technique to ensure maximum impact. Watch it in action: jab, jab—great work, Flo!
7. The Cross
Next up is the Cross. From her natural stance, Flo reaches across with her reverse hand, hitting with the first two knuckles. As she does this, she tilts her head slightly, ensuring her chin is protected by her shoulder. She keeps her focus by looking through the eyebrows and delivering a solid, controlled cross. This is a powerful punch, so it’s crucial to maintain proper form and technique.
8. The Lead Front Kick
Now, let’s move on to the Lead Front Kick. From Flo’s natural stance, she holds out her jab to create some distance between us, and also for protection in case I try to close the gap. As she lifts her lead knee, she strikes with the ball of her foot. This kick allows for great balance, as it’s quick and effective. You’ll notice Flo’s footwork stays solid, and she pulls the jab back immediately after the kick. This technique is key for creating space between you and your opponent.
9. The Reverse Front Kick
The next technique is the Reverse Front Kick. Flo holds her cross in front of her, ready to protect herself. She lifts her reverse knee and strikes forward with the ball of her foot, just like in the Lead Front Kick. The reverse kick offers an alternate angle for attacking, and being comfortable with both kicks adds versatility to your game. Flo’s execution is smooth and controlled, making this an important technique to master.
10. The Combination
Finally, we come to the combination of techniques. This part of the syllabus tests your ability to string techniques together in a fluid, seamless manner. Flo demonstrates this perfectly as she moves forward with a jab, cross, jab combo, then moves back to reset. The key to mastering the combination is ensuring that the techniques flow naturally into one another, without any hesitation. This combination will come in handy when you need to quickly attack, defend, and create space all in one motion.
That wraps up today’s breakdown of the Junior Yellow Belt grading syllabus! As you can see, each technique builds upon the last, helping you develop solid fundamentals that will carry you through your martial arts journey. A big thanks to Flo for demonstrating all these moves, and remember, practice makes perfect!
Keep training hard, stay focused, and before you know it, you’ll be moving through your belt ranks with confidence!