DWx

Ours are given to students in their entirety when they start. It follows the following format for each kup (kyu) level: Practical Requirements - Perform pattern for grade (kata) - Understand and demonstrate the following techniques (usually a list of 5 or so techniques) - Exercise requirements (push ups, sit ups etc.) - Breaking requirements (for 7th kup and above) - Step sparring (we don't have set combinations, students have to create their own from 8th kup) Theory Requirements (Written down as question and answer) - Explain the meaning of the pattern learnt - terminology for all new movements learnt - then 10 or so different theory questions on history of the style and technical info. We do have a version for 12 and under students where the questions are the same but the level of detail required for the theory answers is much less. Students can also get asked anything from any of the previous grades. Black belts don't have a set syllabus but are expected to know everything up to their grade. Our style has a pretty extensive 15 volume Encyclopedia written by the founder so at later dan levels you're generally expected to know everything in that.

I suppose this leads nicely into my second perception I'd like to change * Not all TKD is Olympic TKD. If you put myself, bushido_man96 and IcemanSK, in a room together we'd all be doing something different. Taekwondo was the name given to a group of martial arts and depending on which lineage you come from there can be some big differences. But anyway whilst I do agree that the Olympic rules have helped create something that is predominantly leg based, there is much more to TKD than just legs. In the Olympics you are looking at a small part of a subsection. How one tournament circuit is set up isn't really representative of Taekwondo as a whole. ITF TKD, Kukki-TKD (not WTF) or Traditional TKD tend to be much closer to Karate with the way they kick and the idea of "one hit, one kill" is fundamental to them. Not to plug my own stuff or anything but I did write an article briefly looking at this: http://www.karateforums.com/taking-a-closer-look-at-the-hand-techniques-of-taekwon-do-vt46106.html It's not a hard and fast rule but the WTF and the majority of independents tend to go with "Taekwondo" and ITF with either "Taekwon-Do" or "Tae Kwon Do". In my head I think I use Taekwondo to refer to the group of styles and then the ITF spelling to refer to the specific style that I do. I think the Western spelling is officially all one word though you can argue a case for the proper Romanization to actually be "Taegwondo". To quote Shakespeare, "what's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet." Just preference really

On the topic of spear hands, here's Col. Nam Tae Hi (often thought as the mastermind behind ITF TKD) talking about using the spear hand when fighting during the Korean war. The story is he used to strike so hard he actually broke skin.

That is true unfortunately. I don't think Press Studs or Buttons would be appropriate due to the nature of the activity. But definitely extra ties like what you would find normally would be a positive. My fiance who i teach has a ridiculously starchy gi but she also ties the gi extra tight with the ties available and wears her belt tight. so it stays in place quite nicely Quite a few ladies I know use a small press stud with no problem. Or a small square of velcro.

That's a great story. Great for both him and his parents that he has persevered and achieved so much, but great also for the instructor who took the time to make sure Karate was accessible to him with or without his limitations.

In a very simple and direct way you have stated some of what I was saying. I felt that way when my son had his testing that I couldn't see. In my mind, if he failed that leaves me with so many questions as to how or why no understanding of his progression or lack there of Would the instructor not tell you and your son why he did not pass if he failed? Another reason our's are closed are so if someone fails, that's a private thing between them, their instructor and the other candidates. Obviously it can be seen that they don't have the new belt but it is then up to them if they want to share with others how it went. Regardless my instructor always takes time to go through with the student what they need to do to pass next time.

If you have a gi you like, extra ties you've sewn yourself or maybe even a press stud or button would be the easiest way to do it. Whilst women's gi's do exist there isn't exactly a whole lot of choice.

Good topic IcemanSK * that KMA is all (fancy) kicking and contains no hand techniques or things like joint locks, throws etc.

We used to have ours open but switched to closed. Mainly because of the kids. I realize it's nice for parents to watch their kids but the main reason we did it is because those same parents like to criticize others. Parents can be pretty deluded when it comes to their kids and wonder why little their little Jimmy didn't pass when he is clearly better than Bobbie. Classes are always open to watch so they can see their kids there and 1st dan gradings are usually open to all.

We have formal testing at all grades. If everyone passes they get told at the end of testing. If not they'll be told individually at some point in the following week. Belts are just presented at the end of their next class and they'll be called to the front and given their belt. For blackbelts we have external examiners in so they'll usually announce the results after the exam. Belts are then ordered and a few weeks later my instructor will present them in class. For blackbelts he'll tie them round that students waist the first time.

Congrats Bulltahr

Not formally in class but I did try to teach my mother the first TKD form. She'd learnt the 24 form in Tai Chi so thought she come manage it. Needless to say it didn't go well as I don't have the patience and ended up storming out the room!

+1 for Top Ten gear if you're allowed it. I have two sets on the go (red and blue) and get about 5 to 6 years of heavy use out of them. They do cost a little more than dipped foam but you'll get a solid few years out of them. With regards to dipped foam gear, I found the Macho Warrior range to be longer lasting that the standard one.

Welcome to the forum Mike

Isn't that just a lack of awareness on the part of the Sandan?

Whether you can enter a competition depends on the individual tournament and the organizers. The ITF tournaments I've been to all allow non-ITFers to compete but of course it is under ITF rules. There is definitely no point competing in forms as you would have to do the ITF ones and in the ITF way to win but as long as you understand their sparring rules there should be no problem.

Welcome to the forum JohnR

My goals this year are simply to build on my fitness and flexibility: 1. Dedicate 1 extra evening a week to cardio, in particular work back up to 5K and 10K runs 2. Dedicate half and hour each day to stretching I dislocated my elbow the week before Christmas so much of the first few months will be dedicated to rehab and recovery and trying to maintain some level of fitness and strength. Hopefully I can they get back to the dojang.

Our club is probably more along the lines of this. We all know each other well so a small amount of horseplay and friendly banter is accepted. I wouldn't say we are without discipline though. Our style of TKD was developed by the (North) Korean military(!) and when we need to switch on we do.

Thanks for the well wishes guys I agree with Brain here all the way. My daughter, Michelle, when she was 8 years old fell off the monkey bars at school and fell on her right elbow, but, unlike you, Danielle, she chipped her elbow and she was in a cast for 6 weeks. Her rehab was excruciating beyond all beliefs. Having been in a cast so long, she had no range of movement in her elbow. The goal was to return mobility to her elbow, in that, she can straighten her right arm fully. So, the doctors would soak her elbow in some purple liquid for 30 minutes, and then help her straighten that arm...being 8 years old, she cried quite loud due to the pain. In about 2 weeks, she was able to fully straighten out her right arm...but the pain she endured was quite intense. I'd not wish that on my worse enemy!! Hang in there, Danielle!! That's my biggest worry at the moment, the straightening. At this point it is hanging with maybe a 15 degree behind. I can't physically straighten it even with assistance from my other hand. Am only on Day 5 though and there still is a lot of swelling.

Thanks for detailed advice JR137. At this point I think it was a subluxation as I definitely felt it move out of place. I landed on an outstretched hand and it was as my hand hit the ground I felt the elbow shift. But I've only had X-Rays so far which determined no break and that it was back in place. At the hospital all the consultant could say was based on my complaints and range of movement possibly damage to the ligaments but the physio will need to advise further and I'm currently awaiting an appointment. (I actually went to A&E twice: on the Friday I did it, X-ray determined there was no break I was sent home with a "muscle spasm" nevermind the fact I was rolling around in agony and know what a muscle cramp feels like. I went to a different hospital on Saturday on the advice of my neighbour and they re-did the X-Rays, confirmed no break and referred me to physio.) What do you advise for immediate care normally? I had it in a sling day 1-3 but tried to ditch that as soon as possible. On anti-inflammatories and pain killers have been trying to keep moving it. For the lack of a better description, have been doing bicep curls (unweighted) and trying to keep my hand moving around. Think I overdid it yesterday though as very sore today!

Not a bad year for me. 1. Accomplished, learnt and competed with these. Would like to keep refining them though. 2. I think I did this. Pleased with my performance at nationals and came away with 2 international medals. 3. Didn't happen but have been pretty busy with both my own training and work anyway

The style you choose will in part be dictated by what's available to you. So what's in your local area? Also Brian is right when he says not all schools are the same. Whether a school will be sporty or not will depend on the instructor and individual school ethos. In general though, for tournaments, I'd stick with the larger organisations: ITF, WTF, ATA... The major difference between ITF and WTF is in the sparring rules. They're about as different as Shotokan is from Kyokushin. In ITF punching is more prevalent and head punches are scored, I'm WTF kicking plays a greater role. YouTube is a great resource for seeing the major differences and gaining a brief overview but you'll gain more by going to watch a few classes of each. WTF: ITF: ATA:

Looks like I'll be kicking off 2016 with limited training but lots of rehab. Friday night training I attempted a dive roll but royally screwed up and popped my elbow out instead have never been in so much pain before where nothing you do helps or eases the pain. Even morphine didn't seem to take the edge off. Luckily my neighbour is an orthopaedic surgeon and called in a favour to get me seen by a specialist pretty quick. Xrays confirmed no break but limited range of movement and have been referred to a physio. Has anyone ever had a similar injury? What were your experiences with rehab. Pretty disappointed I'm out of action for a couple of months.

As we reach the final few training sessions of the Year, our classes tend to drop the formal training session format and instead we swap over to fun (Taekwondo and Fitness related activities). Do any other schools do this? If so, what kind of activities do you do? In class we'll host obstacle races with agility ladders, hurdles, nets etc. Or sometimes do mini team spars or team forms, or competitions such as who can do the most push ups, sit ups etc.