How the Cast Trained For “Cobra Kai”‘s Latest Action-Packed Season

13,788 beats of choreography. That’s a mind-boggling number of action-packed moments in the final season of “Cobra Kai”, according to Don L. Lee, 2nd unit director, stunt coordinator, and fight coordinator for the show, which just kicked off the second installment of season 6. Lee calls the choreography of this season, which is being released in three parts, the “most intricate and ambitious . . . the cast and stunt team have ever tackled.”

“Cobra Kai” is the comedy-drama sequel to the original “The Karate Kid” films, appealing to longtime fans while adding a modern twist. The Cobra Kai OG’s reprise their iconic roles: Ralph Macchio as the dedicated Daniel LaRusso and William Zabka as the hilarious Johnny Lawrence, while newcomers like Mary Mouser (playing Samantha LaRusso), Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), Peyton List (Tory Nichols), and Tanner Buchanan (Robby Keene) represent the next generation of martial artists.

If you’ve been following the show, you know that it’s filled with gripping moments, from that epic high school fight scene to the funny-yet-deep philosophical training sequences. There’s been plenty of excitement surrounding the final season, and the installment that was just released ends on a whopping cliffhanger, made even more nail-biting due to the fact that the grand finale date has yet to be announced – although a brand rep confirmed to PS that part three is slated for release in 2025.

The “Cobra Kai” choreography is essential to the show’s storytelling, and part of what makes it so challenging is the variety of fighting styles it incorporates – especially with this season’s focus on the Sekai Tekai tournament, notes Ken Barefield, 2nd unit director and stunt coordinator. “I’d even go as far as to say that this level of variety has never been done before on a TV show,” he says.

“We’ve pushed the limits of what’s possible within this universe, blending high-level sports karate with cinematic storytelling,” Lee adds. “It’s an exciting culmination of everything fans love about the series, while also introducing fresh, dynamic elements that elevate the action to new heights.”

We spoke to the expert team behind the stunts and fight choreography of “Cobra Kai” to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the cast of trained, and they had tons of stories to share – confirming just how much detail and care is put into the show. Here, “Cobra Kai”‘s crew shares their choreography inspiration, training process, and stand-out memories from season 6.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Ken Barefield is a seasoned 2nd unit director and two-time Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator, known for his work on “Cobra Kai” and “FBI International” and extensive experience working all over the world.

Don L. Lee is the 2nd unit director, stunt coordinator and fight coordinator for “Cobra Kai”.

What Inspired the “Cobra Kai” Choreography?

“The fight choreography and stunt work for ‘Cobra Kai’ were heavily inspired by the original Karate Kid films, but we also wanted to modernize the action to appeal to today’s audience. The goal was to honor the legacy of the classic movies while bringing a fresh, dynamic energy to the fights,” Lee tells PS. “We focused on staying true to the characters’ distinct fighting styles.” Daniel LaRusso’s technique remains rooted in traditional Okinawan karate, emphasizing precision and defense, Lee explains, while Johnny Lawrence’s style is more aggressive and power-driven.

Each character has their own fighting identity, “blending elements from various martial arts disciplines to reflect their personalities and growth,” says Lee, but still putting a focus on the action to feel grounded and realistic. “The fights are designed not just to entertain, but to serve the narrative and character development,” says Lee. “Every punch, kick, and block has a purpose, whether it’s showcasing a rivalry, teaching a lesson, or revealing inner conflict.”

“I started martial arts because of ‘The Karate Kid’ – Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso made me believe karate is for everyone,” says Lee, who began studying “Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan and Kobudo (Weapons)” in 1988, and eventually transitioned from open karate competitions to the film industry.

When shifting away from competing, Lee had to “to break many of my karate habits to adapt to the demands of fight choreography,” he says. “In karate, especially during sparring, the goal is to avoid telegraphing your movements to your opponent. However, in film, it’s essential to telegraph movements to make strikes and impacts appear more dynamic and sell them to the audience,” Lee explains. “It took a great deal of hard work and practice to understand the pacing of fight scenes and make them as realistic as possible without appearing overly choreographed.

How the “Cobra Kai” Cast Trained

The cast aimed to train five days a week but snuck in sessions whenever possible, including weekends or between scenes, Barefield says.

Each session started with a structured 20-30 minute warm-up. These included dynamic stretches such as leg swings, arm circle and torso twists; light cardiovascular activity such as jumping jacks, jogging, or shadowboxing; and joint mobility work.

From there, “we trained the cast exactly as we would in a traditional dojo. Each training session involved drills designed to build real technique, discipline, and muscle memory,” Barefield says. Lee, who calls the training “intense,” notes that the basic martial arts drills, which might include light punches, kicks, or footwork patterns, helped the cast get “into the right mindset and muscle memory for their fight choreography.”

Cast members did one-on-one individual training focusing on specific techniques, as well as partner work and small group sessions that were focused on the timing and coordination of fight scenes and choreography, Lee says. “We’d [also] run competitive drills where cast members would challenge each other,” he adds, remembering one high-stakes challenge that involved kicking a paddle that was 10 feet off the ground – a move very similar to a scene in season 6.

Following the hard work, cast members would do a 10-20 minute cooldown to help with recovery, usually consisting of static stretching, foam rolling, and massage. After high-energy scenes, they’d also focus on breathwork and meditation techniques to help “mentally decompress” and bring their heart rates back down, Lee says.

The team also used music to keep the energy high during training and filming. Season 6, episode 9, features a massive team fight. During the filming of the fight sequence, Lee asked the director, Sherwin Shilati, to play Journey’s “Separate Ways.” “The energy on set was already electric, but . . . the moment the song started, the whole atmosphere shifted – the energy went through the roof! Everyone fed off the music, and it elevated their performance to an entirely new level,” says Lee. “They absolutely crushed it, nailing the routine flawlessly. Afterward, William Zabka came up to me and said, ‘That was one of the best things I’ve ever seen!'”

From a purely physical and technical standpoint, the training was needed to help the cast complete the fight scenes and stunts, which – again – are crucial to “Cobra Kai”‘s plot. But training also helped strengthened relationships between the cast, which translated on-screen. “Training with their screen partners or stunt doubles helped build trust and mutual respect. This dynamic was crucial not only for safety but also for creating the on-screen chemistry and intensity that fans love. The collaborative dojo environment really shone through in every scene,” Lee says. “It wasn’t just about the training or stunts, it was about building a culture where everyone, from veterans to newcomers, felt like part of one dojo.”

Much of the cast has prior martial arts experience. Zabka had trained in Tang Soo Do and kickboxing before joining the show; Macchio had studied Okinawan karate; Jacob Bertrand (who plays Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz) came in with an MMA background including striking and grappling, and Thomas Ian Griffith (the villainous Terry Silver) had extensive training in Taekwondo. New characters Brandon H. Lee (Kwon Jae-Sung) and Rayna Vallandingham (Zara Malik) have seasoned martial arts backgrounds as well, elevating the choreography with precision and finesse. Off-screen, Macchio, Mouser, Buchanan, and Barefield, who train directly with Lee, have even had the honor of testing for their black belts in Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan. “It’s a testament to their hard work and commitment to embodying their characters both on and off the screen,” says Lee. “Their dedication to continuing martial arts practice demonstrates not only their passion for the show but also a genuine respect for the discipline and its traditions.”

But even though much of the cast is experienced, the drills weren’t easy on them. “By the end of each session, they were drenched in sweat but had smiles on their faces,” Barefield says.

Even the stunt coordinators didn’t escape unscathed. While filming a scene in which he tackles Daniel LaRusso through glass, Barefield – who was doubling for Martin Kove, who played Sensei Kreese – remembers looking down to see “a nice shard of glass in my toe, blood everywhere . . . It was one of those moments you just have to laugh about.”

Does “Cobra Kai” Use Real Martial Arts Styles?

“Cobra Kai”‘s choreography and fight scenes are inspired by real-life martial arts forms, each reflecting the unique philosophies of the dojos. Lee helped break down a guide explaining the different martial arts styles shown in “Cobra Kai”:

1. Miyagi-Do Karate: Based on traditional Okinawan karate (Goju-Ryu and Shito-Ryu), it emphasizes balance, patience, and using an opponent’s energy against them, focusing on defense and controlled movements, says Lee, adding that it reflects “Mr. Miyagi’s philosophy of avoiding conflict unless necessary.”
2. Cobra Kai Karate: Inspired by Americanized Tang Soo Do, Kyokushin Karate, and elements of Taekwondo, this style is aggressive, power-driven, and offensive, with a focus on speed, striking first, and dominance.
3. Eagle Fang Karate: A hybrid approach combining Cobra Kai’s aggression with a more balanced, adaptive philosophy. It’s about hard striking with an understanding of when to adjust tactics, reflecting Johnny Lawrence’s evolving leadership.

With the introduction of the Sekai Taikai tournament, the show incorporates even more diverse martial arts styles, showcasing techniques from around the world, making the series more dynamic and expansive than ever before. This variety in fighting styles brings new excitement to the show, modernizing it for today’s audience – “pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in martial arts storytelling,” says Lee.

Jade Esmeralda (she/her), MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.