Case Study: How Sensei Stas Trener is using judo resources to motivate 300 juniors in Kazakhstan
Children have become much more interested in learning!
In this post, I’d like to focus one judo coach that has really taken the Koka Kids resources to the next level: Stas Trener.
Sensei Stas Trener is the director of the Judo Kids School in Temirtau, Kazakhstan, where he teaches 300 judoka. He specialises in training juniors.
Stas has been using the Koka Kids Resources for the past year, and has built a fantastic game to motivate the children using the certificates.
The certificates are on display in the dojo, creating a focal point. Creating a focal point like this drives interest and motivates the whole class.
I asked Stas about how his game works and how it is helping the kids with their judo. Here are his answers. I hope they trigger ideas and inspiration on how you might use the resources at your dojo.
Interview with Sensei Stas Trener,
Judo Kids School, Temirtau, Kazakhstan.
How do you use the resources at Judo Kids School?
There are 300 primary age students in our school. All children strive to get a card. It’s like a rating, whoever has more cards is at the top, and has access to enter various events.
Children have become much more interested in learning!
How do the judoka achieve a card?
I have organised the cards into a system of different levels. For the 1st level, the children can work towards the Best Beginner.
To get the Best Beginner certificate there are a series of tests: belays, kuzushi balance drills, rope climbing, bridges, agility etc. The best judoka win a card.
For the second level there are groundwork cards, for the third level tachiwaza and so on.
Watch this video above to see how the judoka can earn the different cards. Follow Judo Kids School on Instagram.
Would you recommend Koka Kids resources to other coaches?
I recommend this to everyone! But this is our mentality - there is an extra expense for printing the material, but for me it is worth it. This is a super game for children, that I, with the help of you and Koka Kids, brought into reality and pulled them away from their phones.
The children’s knowledge has become much higher and their technical performance has become better. Every class they are asking about technical points.
Thank you Stas! It’s great to see the Koka Kids Resources being used in dojos all over the world. All the best to you, and all the judoka at the Judo Kids School in Kazakhstan.
Do you have a unique way of using the resources at your club? If so, I’d love to interview you. Please get in touch with me, Nik Fairbrother (nicola@kokakids.co.uk)