Teaching skills: holding pads for juniors

Setup

1. Seniors paired with junior students, spread out on a clear mat with space around each pair. The sabeom supervises every pair; follow your club's safeguarding policy.
2. Before the juniors arrive, the sabeom shows the seniors the hold and has them practise it on each other.
3. Juniors are warmed up and know the kick being practised, such as a front kick or roundhouse.

How it runs

1. The hold: paddle out to the side, away from the holder's face and body, wrist firm, elbow slightly bent so the arm absorbs the kick.
2. Set the height: the senior kneels or crouches so the paddle sits at the junior's own trunk height. No head-height targets for juniors.
3. The senior says 'ready', shows the paddle clearly and only then the junior kicks. After each kick, the senior gives specific praise and, now and then, one simple tip.
4. Decisions: the senior watches the junior and chooses the next step, such as moving the paddle a little, asking for the other leg, or slowing down if the kicks get wild.
5. Short sets of a few kicks each side, then a rest. Pairs bow to each other at the end; the sabeom gives each senior one point of feedback on their holding and teaching.

Coaching points

• Safety first: paddle away from the face, firm wrist, and never move the paddle into a kick.
• Get down to the junior's level; it makes the target right and the junior feel at ease.
• Praise what was done well, in a few words: 'Great chamber!' works better than 'good'.
• One tip at a time, shown as well as said.
• Watch the junior's energy and focus; end the set while it is still fun.

Common mistakes

• Holding the paddle in front of the face or chest.
• A floppy wrist, so the paddle flicks back towards the holder.
• Setting the paddle at the senior's own height, out of the junior's reach.
• Giving a list of corrections and no praise.