Exercise using a foam sword to increase bravery and respond without fear.
How is it done?
- Step one: Students are placed in a line or circle with one foot forward, relaxing their minds. Next, the teacher uses a foam sword for an overhead swing and stops just before hitting the student’s forehead. The goal is for the students to control their automatic reaction and not flinch or turn away.
- Step two: After the students are able to control their first reaction, they can repeat step one and add a tenkan movement (180 degree pivot to one's rear, on the lead foot) at the last second. The aim is to make the tenkan as late as possible and in a controlled and upright position.
- Step three: Repeat step two, but with students making a ushiro ukemi (backward roll) when the sword is coming down.
- Step four: Two pawns are placed in a line and the students have to walk up to the line. The teacher stands behind one of the pawns and holds the foam sword. As soon as the student reaches the pawns, the teacher makes a turn holding the foam sword horizontally. To avoid being hit, the student must perform a forward roll (mae Ukemi).
- Step five: Two pawns are placed in a line and the students have to walk up to the line. The teacher stands behind one of the pawns and holds the foam sword upwards. As the student approaches the pawns, the teacher starts turning, either left or right. The teacher turns the sword down in a horizontal position and tries to reach the student either from the back or from the front. The student must roll to avoid the sword; this can be forward or backwards depending on which direction the teachers turn.
What is it good for?
This exercise teaches students to cope with fear, stressful situations, keep a relaxed mind and respond in a proper way, rather than reacting ruled by emotions (fight, flight, or freeze) using the SOFA tool. This will help students with their resilience against bullying, build self-esteem, and make them feel secure in conflict situations.