TMAA

Does anyone know of a resourse that lists upcoming TKD tournaments in Texas? I'm specifically looking for ITF style tournaments in the Austin or San Antonio area. Thanks in advance. Tae Kwon!

How many of you buy liability/medical insurance to cover your school? Which companies have you found to offer the best insurance for the best rates? I've looked at the companies that advertise in MA Success or MA Professional magazines, but I'd like to hear of your actual experiences with MA insurance companies. Thanks in advance, Tae Kwon!

Asking them how the game relates to training is a good idea. I usually tell them before we play what I want them to focus on (balance, speed, reflexes, etc.) but making them think of it themselves probably reinforces it more. You're right. Many kids who leave MA training either don't want to do the work, or they find they've got other interests. I don't take it personally when kids leave, and in most cases they're always welcome back. Thanks for the input.

I've been spending too much time lately trying to come up with fun drills and cute games to "fool" my (kid) students into learning something that applies to the martial arts. I've had students say stuff like, "Are we going to do something fun today?" and I started to feel like I should be putting on tap shoes and a top hat with my Dobok. Then I got to thinking -- traditional TaeKwon Do was enough to catch and hold my interest all by itself. In other words, people who study martial arts are probably doing it because they LIKE it! My master instructor didn't worry about whether I was being entertained in class. Many classes were patterns and sparrng, or just bag work. But I enjoyed every class just the same. So I'm thinking, "I'm your instructor; I'm not here to entertain you. If you don't like TKD, go join a baseball team or take dance lessons. Find something you DO like, in other words." I felt a great sense of relief when I realized I don't have to be clever and entertaining. I can just teach what I know, teach it well, and that's good enough. I can still use games when it's appropriate, but I don't have to. Has anyone else out there found that teaching in a more traditional style is the best method? I understand that having fun classes may help to get the rent paid. But I've found that retaining the really serious students is much more satisfying... Thoughts? Opinions?

You're right that some TKD students make 1st Dan rather quickly when compared to other styles. The way it was explained to me is: 1st Dan means "novice." You've got the basics down, and now you can really start learning. Now comes the part you're talking about where proficience takes years. To reach 4th Dan, for example, takes a long time, but by that point you would certainly have mastered your technique. There are tons of techniques in TKD, but many masters perfect only the few that serve them best. After all, when push comes to fight, it's not about having a huge repertoire of techniques that you can show off -- it's about delivering devastating power with great speed and accuracy. My two cents worth, anyway...

Does anyone know of a reliable mechanical board holder that can be either mounted to a wall or strapped to a heavy bag? I'm looking for something that can hold more boards than your average person. I've used cinder blocks for palm strikes and other downward techniques, but would like to find something that will hold boards for side kicks and back kicks, etc. Thanks in advance.

What are some of the things you like to do in class? My students (kids class) like to build obstacle courses in between bag work and sparring or grappling. We set up a series of mats to be jumped/rolled over, bags to kick, etc. I give them 5 minutes or so to build the course, and they have to work as a team. It's amazing how they'll split into groups to move the heavy bags and mats around. If they have a good course when their time runs out, they get to run it. If they don't, we do speed drills. So far they've never failed to build a good course! This also helps to calm a group that's really "energetic" because they'll tire themselves a bit running the course. Then, they're more able to focus and learn because some of their surplus energy is spent. Grappling is also popular, as is a game we call "Whack a Mole", were I strike at them with a padded club and they have to execute the proper block (high section block, side block, or low section block). Agility drills and relays are also popular, but I squeeze in plenty of technique, patterns and bag work, too. The other games are just ways to improve balance, reflexes and agility, but hide the repitition that's so necessary -- all while sneaking in a technique or two. What about everyone else??

School owners: what percentage of your students stay around long enough to get their first degree black belt? Out of those, how many become instructors, or stay afterwards to work toward higher degrees? Thanks.

Out of every 100 students who begin to train in your particular style, how many stay with it to their first degree black belt? From there, what percentage would you say goes higher? Thanks.

There's no sense in blocking the kick unless you're against a wall or something. Sidestep the kick if possible, and counter with a diagonal kick to the stomach. My instructors taught me to do this, and repeatedly threw back kicks at me until I could do it (most of the time). You have to start your move almost at the same time he starts his kick, so speed is everything. It goes without saying that your instructor should be able to hit you whenever he wants to, but that isn't all that instructive, it it? It should be that he's allowing openings for you to learn to take advantage of -- at least that how mine does it. Hope this helps.

Hi All, I have been considering opening a school in my small town. I am planning to teach a beginner kids class, an advanced kids class and an adult class. Each group would meet two or three times per week, for about an hour each. I wanted to ask how many of you have similar situations, with a regular job during the day, and MA school in the evening. Having been a student for years, I'm used to the time commitment involved in training regularly, but how much more time will I need to spend when I go from student to owner? Thanks in advance for your advice. Derek TMAA