New
New
Lesson 1 of 6
  • Year 11

Stances and basic strikes

I can demonstrate the basic principles of martial arts including fighting stance and basic fighting techniques.

Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
  • Year 11

Stances and basic strikes

I can demonstrate the basic principles of martial arts including fighting stance and basic fighting techniques.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: adopting the correct guard stance in martial arts is fundamental to performing attacking and defensive skills.
  2. Think: listening to cues, alongside observing your partner, requires concentration.
  3. Feel: trying to learn and continually practise new skills requires courage and resilience.
  4. Connect: providing positive feedback to one another creates a positive learning environment.

Keywords

  • Stance - the position of the body for balance and readiness to perform

  • Punch - a strike using a closed fist

  • Guard - a defensive position used to protect the head, body and vital areas from strikes.

Common misconception

Pupils will often tuck their thumbs under fingers or stick them out.

Pupils should lock thumbs around the outside of their fist to adopt the correct guard stance.


To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: Stances and basic strikes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Emphasise that we are looking at basic martial arts movements as we do not have the padding and protective clothing necessary to do any contact work. The skills we learn are used across a range of different martial arts.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which part of the body is used to jab in martial arts?

foot
elbow
Correct answer: hand

Q2.
Which of the following attributes is most useful to have in martial arts?

aggression
Correct answer: self-discipline
leadership

Q3.
Why do martial artists bow to each other?

Correct answer: to show respect
to warm up
to scare someone

Q4.
What is the guard position used for in martial arts?

to run faster
to start quickly
Correct answer: to protect yourself

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which punch do you perform with the front hand?

Correct Answer: the jab, jab

Q2.
Which of the following attributes help you to learn and practise new skills?

leadership
Correct answer: resilience
strength

Q3.
Which muscles should you engage to help you generate power and balance when performing a cross punch?

deltoids
biceps and triceps
Correct answer: core muscles

Q4.
Where should your thumb be in relation to your fingers when in the guard stance?

Correct answer: on top
underneath
sticking out