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.