IcemanSK

In the 1st school I trained in we had an informal "maintenance" test for BB's. Since we always had an outside instructor come in to test us, our instructor would always have our BB's demonstrate their forms for the visiting instructor. It was partly to see how the BB's were keeping up their training & part to show the visiting instructor that our instructor was producing BB's that kept up with their training. (Kind of a pat on the back to him). But this demo was never called a test, nor was anything giving to the BB's for it.

Yes, they are 2 different systems. However, this American university program claims to offer a KKW 4th Dan after 4 years (with no previous training.) There is lies the problem (as I see it).

The Sweet Science Wrestlemag It may just be my prejudices (in fact it almost certainly is!) but I'm with YoungMan on this. If it was going to happen anywhere it was going to be MMA. Only because it is dominated by such a pro sport "win at all costs" ethos. we've seen it in boxing (I don't know about kickboxing, K1 etc?) and I think MMA was always going to be next. It has happened in kickboxing in the 90's, but it wasn't tested for back then. He was never "caught": but people knew.

According to the Kukkiwon website bellow, one has to have obtained a 3rd Dan by senior year in a Korean university P.E. program before one is elligible to test for 4th Dan. (See article 17.2) One would think a US university would follow suit. http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/english/examination/examination08.jsp?div=01

The university programs in Korea aren't THAT excelerated. (Meaning going from no experience to 4th Dan in 4 years.) If I remember correctly, one has to be at least a 1st Dan when starting a program in TKD at a Korean university that offers a TKD major. This Concordia program seems odd to me. I doubt many folks would want to major in TKD without ANY TKD experience. I also doubt few folks who trained in a different art would switch to TKD just to get a degree in TKD. I don't think this program (as it is now) would last very long.

How would a degree in Football go over here in the US?

Getting a degree in either education or business would better prepare someone for running a dojang, IMO. The experience of a TKD degree, while it's a really cool thing, wouldn't give one a well-rounded enough education.

Sad, but true. Heck, if I went up to 99% of folks in the USA & told them that I teach MA for a living, they'd wonder when I was planning on getting a real job. But if I were a golf pro at a local course, I'd have more respect.

That is incredibly cool!

Wow, what a small world! My instructor is GM Edward Sell. His instructor is GM Park, Hae Man (who co-designed the Tae Gueks). His instructor is GM Uhm, Woon Kyu. Who is your instructor? I think that makes us kin

I will agree with you that it's harder to generate power in a walking stance & balance & stability is an easier lesson with longer stances. However, it just means instructors (& I'm one) need to focus on long stances in basics. I'm in the lineage of GM Park, Hae Man (one of the men who designed the Tae Geuks). I respect him a great deal. But, I like the Pal Gwe forms better, myself.

I wouldn't push it with him. In my experience, that age (11-14) is when boys tend to stop one thing & pick up something else. It tends to be a "take stock" kind of time for a lot of boys to see what they really like. A friend of mine said of his 12 year old son, "I want to make sure he gets all his Eagle Scout requirements done while he stills loves it & before he discovers girls." Maybe find the parts of MA that he likes & encourage that. Or try to get him to help you with your training. That may spark him again. It may work. However, he may feel that it's just not for him at this point in his life.

I'm sorry that they didn't acknowledge the problem. Hopefully, you can find a better substitute. You have my recommendation already.

I'm sorry to say, but this seems like bad wokmanship to me. I've had several black belts (of various prices) & none have had that issue. I don't know about Black Eagle at all, sorry. I'd recommend eosinpanther.com. They are a bit pricey, but they are great belts & stand behind their products.

There is a Korean grappling art that also incorporates kicks & punches. It's called GongKwon. Here's a taste: Wow! Note the flooring: Wood, not mats!

I have my XXL bag outside. It's under an awning all the time. I live in Los Angeles, so freezing isn't an issue.

Black Belt is very "hit & Miss" in my experience. About every 3rd issue it's worth buying. I'm not at all pleased with TKD Times. I discovered that the way they do a cover story on you is if you come up with $10,000! I think for begining MA-ists, BB exposes one to a lot of info. Which I think is good.

Any age is great to start. I was 14 when I started TKD. I'm 39 now & still love it. There's a lady in my organization who is 78. She just tested for her 3rd Dan last yea! She runs her own school! Never too late.

I own an XXL, I think they are great. They "stand up" to more punishment than the old style wavemasters.

EosinPanther.com The owner, Mr. Yi is a great guy. These are the best belts I've seen. Shuriedo & Tokido (sp?) are much more expensive. And (if it matters to you) they're made in the USA.

Eosin Panther sells a "soft belt" that a lot Korean stylists like. It comes in 1 3/4" & 2". I like mine so much that when I tested for 3rd Dan, I sent it back to them to add another stripe. To each his own.

I agree with the above thoughts. To compare one's self to a senior/ or more skilled person to encourage one's self & to emmulate them is a good & positive thing to do. To envy them or put yourself or that person down is not helpful & a waste of time. In my organization there are some teens & young adults who are half my age that do a lot of trick kicks. I couldn't do that stuff when I was their age & certainly can't do it now. However, I can look at them & appreciate their hard work. Maybe in turn, I encourage them as someone who's done this for a long time.

I am. I run a school under the US Chung Do Kwan Assoc. headed by GM Edward Sell. Welcome.

Rolling works well. As does twisting, & folding it. I've found that to be helpful with my new belt, too. The more it gets worn.

agreed.