Class Week-In-Review June 30, 2014

Black belts supervising our forms

Forms were looking good this week. In general, we all needed some improvement, however. Kudos to Angel for showing a 100% improvement in stances and kihap. We are very proud of everyone's success. Practice your forms with power and deliberate speed (not fast). The more repetitions you do, the easier the form becomes.

Master Jhoon Rhee

Taekwondo Master John Chung created what are probably the best videos of how to perform the katas/forms/hyung as instructed by our late Sensei Zachary Bradley. You can purchase these videos in the "Achieving Taekwondo Excellence" series. They are not cheap in any sense of the word. However, they will lead you toward excellence and that is priceless when it comes to performing these traditional Korean forms.

Master John Chung

The books by Master Jhoon Rhee (Master John Chung's teacher), are also excellent resources.

It is critical that you practice all of your forms at least once daily. They make excellent exercise and the benefits of practice are beyond description. Successful martial artists practice their forms, they exercise often and they take initiative with their studies inside of and outside of the martial arts classroom/dojo/dojang/kwoon. 

Special condolences to Khalin's grandmother, who passed away this weekend after a tough illness.On a lighter note, we were privileged to have a visit from Sensei Alex Pitner. Congratulations to him for his new job in Pennsylvania. Come back to visit again, sir!

Class Week-In-Review June 22, 2014

Sensei Tony supervising Angel and Marlon in point-sparring

For sparring drills and practice week, we began with kicks on Monday. With chest safety gear, we covered lead-leg front kicks, as well as lead-leg and rear-leg turning kicks. The last half was time to put it to practice. Congratulations to Nabila for taking the lead with most points scored with excellent kicks.

On Wednesday, we covered additional footwork skills from the Olympic-style Taekwondo sparring techniques (Called Jitgi in Korean):

1. In-Place Switching
2. One-Step In
3. Slide In

We practiced all of these individually before drilling a combination of all three, plus the pivot turning footwork we started out with a few months ago.

Then we drilled and practiced a counter-attack kicking technique called "Dwibal Pajo Apbal Momtong Dollyo Chagi" or Rear Foot Step Back Front Foot Trunk Roundhouse. This particular drill is used to help the defender retreat from a kick while also setting up a quick counter-attack to the attacker. This drill, along with dozens of other drills, are available in a video called "Complete Sparring 2" by Turtle Press.

Saturday was more review of footwork and then some 1-minute point-sparring rounds. Everyone performed well.

As a reminder to our students: Your success is based on how much you practice and how well organized and prepared you are for class. Come early (especially during sparring week). It is recommended that all students purchase a binder with folders and sheet protectors to store their manual, attendance card and Basic Training Worksheet. For colored belts, this is mandatory. With higher rank, comes greater responsibility.

Next week is Forms and Application. We hope students are practicing and will have something to show so we can sign off on this part of your Attendance Cards.

Star Student Tip #1: Organization for Our Students

How To Be a Star Student Tip #1

Have a 3-ring binder with pockets for the following materials in sheet protectors (you were given a sheet protector with your Attendance Card/Sheet):

1. Manual (will require a few dozen sheet protectors)

2. Attendance Card/Sheet (available from an instructor)

3. Basic Training Homework forms (will require multiple sheets so you can see your progress over time)

4. Calendar (available from an instructor)

5. The pockets in the binder can be used to keep nutrition and fitness handouts.

Where can you download the Manual and Basic Training form? See the Class Forms and Records section in the article.

You can purchase an inexpensive binder and box of sheet protectors at any office supply store such as Office Max, Office Depot, Staples or other independent store. In addition to inner pockets, make sure the binder has a front cover sleeve where you can slip in the monthly calendar so it will be visible when the binder is closed.

Reminder: Losing your Attendance Card/Sheet could mean you will increase the time between promotion tests as you will lose the record of all of your progress. Instructors do not keep record of your progress. If you take charge of your progress and organize, you will be a very successful martial arts student and instructor.

We also recommend that you keep your binder, safety equipment, weapons and any other items for class in a single duffle bag or backpack. That way you will not lose anything and will have quick access to and from class.

If you need an example of how the binder should look, ask Sensei James, Eric or Enriqueta.

Class Week-In-Review June 15, 2014

Sensei Aaron at work with the class for self-defense

We had a shorter week  with one class due to the closing of the community center. So Saturday was jam-packed with self-defense practice, starting with drills for fighting off an attacker who is standing above you if you fall to the ground. Everyone performed well. Practice at home by yourself so you don't forget.

1. Break your fall when you slip or are pushed back.
2. Stay on your side, holding yourself up with one arm and use the other arm for guard.
3. Kick your attackers knees or groin section as they approach. Yell when you strike (Kia/Kihap).
4. Get up quickly, shifting your body back away from  the attacker.
5. Use whatever technique you can while standing if they approach you again—or run away quickly.

Sensei Aaron topped off the class with Hapkido wrist locks against collar grabs. These were very useful techniques to shock your attacker—or even a friend that might be playing too rough. So practice carefully. However, practice nevertheless!

Maryam leading the class with warm-ups

Congratulations to Maryam for leading the class for warm-ups. As mentioned in class, all students with colored belts are need to bring their manuals in binders. You are the leaders and must be organized and prepared to lead class at any time. The manual contains good warm-up exercises you can teach. The binder can also hold your attendance card and other paperwork.

Next week is Sparring Drills and Practice. Bring your safety equipment and be ready to review what you have learned.

Six Ways of Good Citizenship

Practicing martial arts of any style requires self-control and good character. Citizenship—being a subject of a state or nation—consists of six characteristics: Respect, fairness, caring, responsibility, courage and honesty.

Respect others and their beliefs. More importantly, one should respect students and teachers of other martial arts. Never slander them or their style. We never heard Sensei Zachary Bradley put down any other martial art style. In fact, he encouraged his students to study whatever style interested them and bring back what they learn to help our class improve.

Fairness: Take your turn and listen to others regardless of circumstances.

Caring: Think about what your partner, friend or relative needs. What you need and what others need are often very different. Do not assume people know you care about them. Tell them and show them.

Responsibility: You have a duty to honor your parents, teachers and community. Think about what you are supposed to do and do it with enthusiasm. Think before you act.

Courage: Do the right thing, preserve your dignity and defend your life. Never be the aggressor or harm anyone out of spite. If you do something wrong, take responsibility for it and be honest about your failures.

Honesty: Speak the truth regardless of circumstances. Your words lead to actions—both good and bad. People will respect you more if you are honest.

This article refers to terms explained in Scott Foresman Social Studies Regions.

Class Week-In-Review June 8, 2014

Isabella and Ramza working on a basic technique

This week we taught and practiced the basics of step-sparring. This is different from free-sparring or point-sparring. That is for the third week of the month. The difference is there is no contact and the techniques are done in order with attacker and defender. The main benefits of this practice are control of power, posture, form and motion.

Students Ramza and Nabila demonstrate intermediate level step-sparring techniques in this video from the Gen-Ki 2013 martial arts tournament (below).

 

On Wednesday and Saturday we had the fortunate visit of returning black-belt instructor—and busy college student—Ms. Rebecca. She guided us later in the week into the Hapkido techniques and kicking drills.

For students interested in learning more about step-sparring, techniques and how to create your own step-sparring drills, we recommend the book Taekwondo Step-Sparring by Master Sang H. Kim.

Next week is self-defense. Make sure you bring your safety equipment.