Primal Legacy Martial Arts Curriculum

 

White Level to Chief Instructor

 

Beginner Level (White, Yellow, and Orange Shirts)

 

White Shirt - Foundational Level (6-9 months)

 

Objective: Introduction to the fundamental movements, footwork, and philosophies of Primal Legacy. Development of rhythm, coordination, and basic martial arts techniques.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Philosophy & Principles:

    •    Understanding the different martial arts within Primal Legacy (Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Silat, Kali, and the Tammerian Institute of Afrikan Martial Arts).

    •    The role of Afrikan dance and rhythm in combat.

    •    Footwork & Stance:

    •    Left lead and right lead positioning.

    •    Step and slide motion with rhythm.

    •    Neutral position transitions.

    •    Basic Techniques:

    •    Strikes: Jab, cross, proper weight distribution.

    •    Blocks: Inside and outside parries, offline movement.

    •    Head Movement: Bob and weave, chin protection.

    •    Drills & Application:

    •    Light flow drills incorporating music for coordination.

    •    Basic defense positioning in sparring.

    •    Introduction to stick and knife defense.

    •    Class Etiquette & Uniform:

    •    Proper bow-in and bow-out procedure.

    •    White shirt, black sweats, tennis shoes.

 

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Yellow Shirt - Coordination & Rhythm Mastery (7-9 months)

 

Objective: Develop fluidity in movement and coordination between strikes, footwork, and blocks using rhythm and Afrikan dance.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Footwork: Improved step and slide transitions, moving in a box pattern.

    •    Technique Advancement:

    •    Punch and footwork combinations in rhythm.

    •    Blocks and head movement flow.

    •    Basic understanding of circular movement in combat.

    •    Teaching & Leadership:

    •    Introduction to Primal Legacy terminology.

    •    Assisting lower-level students in drills.

    •    Application:

    •    More refined light sparring.

    •    Execution of basic flow drills with proper rhythm.

 

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Orange Shirt - Instructor Preparation (9-10 months)

 

Objective: Establish competence in foundational skills, begin leading lower-level classes, and execute all basic techniques with fluidity.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Higher-Level Flow Drills:

    •    Combining footwork, strikes, and blocks into seamless motion.

    •    Introduction to takedowns.

    •    Advanced Teaching:

    •    Leading basic drills for White and Yellow Shirt students.

    •    Understanding Primal Legacy philosophy at a deeper level.

    •    Sparring & Application:

    •    Increased sparring intensity.

    •    Understanding weight distribution for defense.

 

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Intermediate Level (Green & Blue Shirts)

 

Green Shirt - Blending Techniques (10-12 months)

 

Objective: Mastering the integration of strikes, takedowns, and rhythm-based footwork into live practice.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Advanced Flow Drills: Incorporating Afrikan dance with movement.

    •    Striking & Defense: Blending punches, blocks, and head movements with sparring.

    •    Groundwork: Introduction to Jujitsu principles (guard position, hip escape).

    •    Teaching & Leadership: Assisting in intermediate-level instruction.

 

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Blue Shirt - Mastery of Circular Motion & Advanced Blending (12-20 months)

 

Objective: Applying combat strategies through big, medium, and small circles while increasing sparring intensity and weapon training.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Circle Principles: Understanding and using different levels of circular motion in combat.

    •    Advanced Striking & Defense:

    •    Seamlessly blending Afrikan dance and striking.

    •    Refining takedowns and counters.

    •    Sparring: Increased resistance and pressure testing.

    •    Weaponry:

    •    Empty hand vs. weapon defense.

    •    Basic stick and knife drills.

    •    Teaching: Transitioning to instructing upper-level students.

 

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Advanced Level (Purple Shirt & Assistant Instructor)

 

Purple Shirt - Full System Integration (12-20 months)

 

Objective: Mastering the ability to blend multiple martial arts into a cohesive system while advancing in weapons training.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Advanced Weaponry: Knife disarming, karmpit, stick fighting.

    •    Combat Blending: Combining all elements into one system.

    •    Leadership & Instruction: Teaching high-level students.

    •    Higher-Level Sparring: Increased intensity and strategic application.

 

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Assistant Instructor - Expert Level

 

Objective: Becoming proficient in all Primal Legacy techniques while assisting in leading advanced classes.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Advanced Techniques: Counters, locks, advanced takedowns.

    •    Weapons Mastery: Knife fighting, disarms, ground fighting.

    •    Heavy Sparring: Simulated combat application.

    •    Teaching Leadership: Supporting the Chief Instructor.

 

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Mastery Level (Chief Instructor - Black Shirt/Belt)

 

Chief Instructor - System Mastery

 

Objective: Achieve complete mastery of the Primal Legacy system, teach independently, and develop one’s own personal expression within the art.

Key Learning Areas:

    •    Breaking Down the System: Understanding principles, philosophies, and applications at the highest level.

    •    Mastery of Weapons & Empty Hand Combat: Advanced application of all techniques.

    •    Teaching & Legacy Building: Leading classes and ensuring the integrity of the system.

 

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Final Thoughts & Implementation

    •    Class Frequency: Minimum of 2 classes per week for muscle memory development.

    •    Testing & Evaluation: Advancement based on skill proficiency, time in training, and instructor assessment.

    •    Core Training Approach: Emphasis on Afrikan dance, rhythm, and combat integration for both physical and mental conditioning.

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PRIMAL LEGACY – WHITE LEVEL (BEGINNER) CURRICULUM  

Duration: 6-9 Months | Uniform: Black Sweats, White Shirt, Tennis Shoes  

 

 CORE OBJECTIVES: 

1. Introduce philosophies of PRIMAL LEGACY and its 5 martial arts.  

2. Develop foundational footwork, rhythm, and coordination using Afrikan dance and music.  

3. Teach basic stances, punches, blocks, and head movement.  

4. Begin light sparring and flow drills for muscle memory.  

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PHASE 1: FOUNDATIONS (Months 1-3) 

Focus: Philosophy, Stance, Footwork, and Rhythm  

 

1. Philosophy & System Introduction 

- History and principles of PRIMAL LEGACY.  

- Philosophies of:  

  - Jujitsu (Ground fighting, guard positions, hip escapes).  

  - Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee’s concepts, male/female energy).  

  - Tammerian Afrikan Martial Arts** (Rhythms, circles, footwork).  

  - Silat (Angles, locks, flow).  

  - Kali (Weapon principles: stick, knife, shield).  

 

 2. Footwork & Dance Integration  

- Stance Training: Left/right lead, neutral position.  

- Step-and-Slide Drills: Forward/backward, offline angles.  

- Afrikan Dance Rhythms: Basic steps synchronized with music.  

- Box Movement: Footwork patterns in a square.  

 

3. Hand Positioning & Basic Strikes  

- Proper fist formation.  

- Jab and cross from stance/footwork.  

- Weight distribution in punches.  

 

 4. Blocks & Head Movement  

- Inside/outside parries (90°–180° angles).  

- Head bobs, weaves, and chin protection.  

- Offline evasion drills.  

 

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 PHASE 2: COMBINATION & FLOW (Months 4-6)  

Focus: Linking Techniques, Flow Drills, and Light Sparring  

 

1. Fluidity Drills

- Punch + footwork combinations (e.g., jab-cross with step-and-slide).  

- Block + counter drills.  

- Music-guided rhythm drills for coordination.  

 

2. Introduction to Groundwork (Jujitsu)  

- Guard/half-guard positions.  

- Basic rolls and sprawling.  

 

 3. Silat & Kali Basics 

- Silat: Angle changes and introductory locks.  

- Kali: Empty-hand translations of stick/knife motions.  

 

 4. Light Sparring & Circle Theory  

- Applying footwork/defense in partner drills.  

- Understanding "big/small circles" in movement.  

 

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PHASE 3: ASSESSMENT & ADVANCEMENT (Months 7-9) 

Focus: Mastery of Fundamentals, Testing for Yellow Shirt  

 

 1. Technical Proficiency 

- Demonstrate all White Level strikes, blocks, and footwork.  

- Perform Afrikan dance rhythms with combat applications.  

 

 2. Flow Drill Execution  

- 60-second continuous flow combining:  

  - Footwork → Punch → Block → Evasion.  

 

 3. Philosophy & Teaching  

- Explain PRIMAL LEGACY’s core principles.  

- Assist peers with basic techniques.  

 

 4. Testing Requirements  

- Physical:  

  - Punch/block combinations with rhythm.  

  - Groundwork (hip escape, basic roll).  

- Oral: Define key terms (e.g., "economy of motion," "male/female energy").  

 

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 CLASS STRUCTURE (Sample 60-Minute Session)  

1. Opening Ritual: PRIMAL LEGACY bow-in (5 mins).  

2. Warm-Up:** Dance-based footwork + music (10 mins).  

3. Technique Drill: e.g., Jab-cross with step-slide (15 mins).  

4. Flow Drill: Partner blocks/parries (15 mins).  

5. Cool-Down: Stretching + philosophy discussion (10 mins).  

6. Closing Ritual: Bow-out (5 mins).

 

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This curriculum provides a structured path for students to grow from beginners to master instructors while maintaining the integrity of Primal Legacy’s unique blend of martial arts and Afrikan movement philosophy.

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