Day 15 and 16

Friday, March 1, 2013

The kids sparred most of the class.  I explained the burnout that is coming up on Saturday, March 2, 2013.  We reviewed all material.

I made it sound easy.....they sparred for almost the full 2.5 hours!  That's pretty tough.  It proves the level of conditioning and mental toughness they have!

We did the 'Magic Carpet Ride'.  That's where we flip a giant gymnastics pad across the gymnastics floor and they have to push it back to the other side...working as a team.  I broke them up into 2 groups.  Whichever team did the drill the fastest earned the 'Magic Carpet Ride'.  That's where the winning team sits on the giant pad and the others push them across the floor and back....this really burns out their legs....but they have a great time doing it.  Just for fun....both teams got to ride the giant pad.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

The final day...we did our final review of everything.  I pointed out how we started and where they are at the end.  The first night of Elite Team we did 100 kicks and 4 kids cried.  Last week, we did 10,000 kicks and no one cried about it.

We had several contest at the beginning of the Elite team....not many could perform the contest.  After a few weeks, we revisted the contest and almost half could perform the contest/drill.  

In the beginning, they couldn't synchronize their jumping jacks....by the end, they could do it almost on the first try.

The improvement was very noticable and I tried to point it out to them.  I reminded them how they were in the beginning and pointed out how they are now.  They are stronger, faster, more flexible and mentally and physically tougher.  They follow directions the first time and pay attention to details better.  They have grown even more in terms of confidence due to the experiences the Elite Team training provides.

Then we started the burn out.  The object is to fatigue, frustrate and agitate the 'IT' person.  One person gets in front of the entire team and must spar every person on the team....sometimes individually...sometimes 4-6 on one.  When their turn is over, the team faces the 'IT' person and we all bow........because their Elite Team experience is complete and they have earned the true respect of the entire team.  

Those kids shared many experiences during the Elite Team.....they dealt with internal conflicts (like hitting and being hit).  Many of them got the breath knocked out of them once or twice...they looked for sympathy and when they didn't find it...they pressed on.  They experienced pain and discomfort and encouraged each other to win and overcome.  When one person struggled with something, they truly encouraged the person tha struggled.  It wasn't 'Lip Service'.....it was from the heart.  They sincerely wanted to help.  They learned a lot about themselves and what they are truly capable of.  These things are the essence of the Elite Team....it is a difficult course.  The kids always have a rough start...but come out the other side....changed.  They have a deeper understanding of respect and courtesy....and integrity in themselves.  They have a deeper understanding of what it means to 'do their best'.....they actually can almost define it....but more importantly they question what their best IS....so that they constantly improve.  

I am amazed every year at the changes that I see.  I beleive the Elite Team course is one of the best programs we offer at IAMA and the best one that has been devised.  There is really nothing else out there like it....especially for kids.

In closing...it is truly an honor to have an opportunity to work with your kids.  I truly love it....and love watching those kids grow up and become leaders in other activities as well as martial arts.  I love to see that growth...that personal growth....that desire to be excellent and study what excellence truly is.

 Until next year.....

Scott Wilkinson