AXE TAEKWON-DO

Promotion Testing: We will conduct the next promotion testing in class on Thursday July 15th, starting at 6pm. Since this is a normal class time I do not expect any students to miss this testing, you have time to adjust your schedules now. We should be able to test everyone in about 2 hours. All test forms have been passed out and need to be returned to Mr. Bushor with payment by Tuesday, July 13th. Also on Tuesday night the written test will be administered, so study your Student Study Guides, and be ready.

TKD Camp: The "Week-End with Region 6 – 2010" is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; July 30th, thru August 1st. It will be at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico Missouri. The cost is $95.00 per student, with a Family Rate of $80.00 each for 2 or more students from the same family. Parents, etc. who wish to attend (not participating in the TKD classes) will only be charged $70.00 per person. The Fees includes training, meals, pool, and a place to sleep.

The registration deadline has passed, but anyone who still wishes to attend can still go, but will need to fill out a registration form and pay a $25.00 registration fee as soon as possible. Registration forms and deposits can be given to Master Todd or Mr. Bushor. Details and directions are available at www.axetkd.com. The remainder of the cost must be paid when we arrive at the camp Friday evening.

Campers will depart from the Youth Center parking lot on Friday, July 30th at noon, and we will return to the Youth Center Sunday evening, August 1st. Master Todd and Mr. Bushor will make sure we have rides for everyone who wants to attend the camp. This is a weekend of training that will teach you more that you would normally learn in a month of regular classes, plus the opportunity to learn from some of the best instructors in the USTF. Don’t miss it!

There will be an additional Knife and Weapons Ho-Sin-Sul course available Sunday. This is a certification class and is required for promotion to 3rd degree. Master Hannon from Kansas will be the instructor. He is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Instructor, and is the primary Ho-Sin-Sul Instructor for the USTF. The price of the course is $75.00 and will include Master Hannon's newly published HSS book. This is in addition to the regular camp price. You can pay once we arrive at camp.

ITEMS TO PACK:

TAEKWON-DO UNIFORM & BELT (with school patch, ITF & USTF patches, flag patch)
Sparring gear, mouthpiece, cup
Towels, wash cloth
Pillow, sleeping bag or sheets & blanket (there are beds but no covers, pillows, etc)
Personal Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair brush, etc
Clothes for Friday night, Saturday & Sunday (it will be hot and you will sweat ALOT, bring extra changes of underwear and shorts are a good idea)
Light jacket, hat
Tennis shoes or martial arts shoes (training outside)
Swimming clothes
Notebook & pen
Money for gas on trip ($10.00)
Money for one meal each way (we will stop at least once each way)
Healthy Snacks (no snacks will be available between meals unless you bring them)
Indoors stuff: Cards, books, etc.
Outdoors stuff: Balls, Frisbee, etc.
Shower shoes (optional)
Bug spray (optional)
Camera (optional)
Sunscreen (optional)
Water bottle (optional but recommended)
Lock (optional)
Small fan (optional)

Class C Instructors Course: The Class C Instructors course is scheduled for March 26th and 27th, 2011 at the Youth Center. If you are, or will be, a black stripe or above you can certify (provided you pass the test!). The USTF Class C course is offered around the country at different times and places, but we are bringing Grand Master Winegar here so you won’t have the additional cost of traveling. You do not need to be a black stripe to attend, all color belts are invited, but you will be dismissed after we have gone over your belt requirements. Mark this on your calendar and start saving you money today. Students that want to make deposit payments can contact Mr. Bushor.

Schedule 2010:
Jul – Promotion Testing – July 15th
Jul 30th – Aug 1st – Region 6 Summer Camp, Mexico, MO
Aug 1st – Weapons HHS Course, Mexico, MO (at camp)
Sep 18th – Battle of the Belts – Missouri
Oct – Black Belt Pre-Test (date TBD)
Oct – Testing (date TBD)
Oct 17th – GM Sereff Tournament – Denver, CO
Schedule 2011:
Mar 26th – 27th – Class C Instructor’s Course, Bellevue, NE

Testing: (By Master Todd)
During testing you are actually testing on more than the physical aspects of Taekwon-Do. The testing actually began the day after your current promotion. I watch how you act around your juniors and seniors. I observe if you are always polite or just when I am around you. Are you polite to your seniors in age and rank? I watch everything. The hours you spend in Taekwon-Do are noticed. I know who trains diligently and who puts in just enough hours to get by the requirement. Nothing fails to get my attention. I really don’t need the attendance book to talk with Mr. Bushor about who is ready and who is not ready to test. We do go through the routine of checking to make sure we don’t forget anyone, but honestly it's not needed. Your attitude really says it all. If you put in the hours your skill will be there.

For the actual testing you are evaluated on hand techniques, kicking, multiple kicks, flying kicks, patterns, step sparring, self defense, breaking and a written test. Of these areas, no single area is more important than the other. If you fail one of these areas it is possible you could still provisionally pass your test. I have witnessed students (not mine) be unable to remember their patterns and they failed the test. In my 27 years I have failed one (maybe two) students. Both of them immediately quit Taekwon-Do. I actually knew they would fail before they went on the floor, their attitude was not positive. You probably think “Why did you let them test?” I wonder that also, and it wouldn’t happen today. If I feel you are unable to pass the test or your mental attitude is not correct, you will not be allowed to test. So which area are you the weakest at currently?

Most students worry the most about the breaking. The students that don’t worry about anything are probably the students that should worry the most. I can guarantee if you are not a little nervous at your testing, you are not taking it serious enough. Some students will tell me they are not nervous, I can always tell they are nervous. Again, it's okay to be a little nervous. Testing is the time students can show all they have learned through many hours of practice. It is not a time to show off or for us to challenge you with new material. I will give you a few pointers on breaking since that bothers the most students.

Be positive. Look in the book as soon as possible and ensure you can do the breaking required for your next promotion.
We allow you to select your breaks from the listing but you could be asked to perform any break.
Don’t immediately look at the age requirements to see how you can reduce the number of boards or tiles required. Be ready to challenge yourself.
Do you look at the requirements and think “only one board”. If you do then break with your opposite hand. Pick breaks that challenge you. Don’t try to impress me; I have seen so much breaking in my career it's impossible. Do something to challenge yourself.
Don’t line up and waste time. Set the boards, get in position and break. Quickly and cleanly.
Breaking will “sting” depending on how much you have practiced. It’s going to “sting” anyway so give it one shot with all you have. If it breaks I guarantee you will barely feel it. If it doesn’t break your “tool” will absorb the damage.
Do not be afraid. You have trained at least 3 months, black belts for years. The day of testing is not the day to be afraid. If you line up correctly, strike hard with good technique honed through hours of training the break will work. There are no breaks listed in that testing requirement book that can’t be accomplished. There are no “impossible breaks” listed.
Mentally prepare yourself. I have obsessed mentally for days even weeks before a test. Take a board or tile home and stare at it. Walk by it daily thinking of breaking it, whatever it takes. I never take a testing for granted or lightly.
I missed many breaks over the years because I was training alone, no seniors around to help me or to be my example. You have the luxury of my failures, of Mr. Bushor and Ms. Bowing’s guidance. Focus on what we are teaching.
Don’t listen to the crowd or anyone else. Cheers of “hit it harder”, “focus through it” “go to the floor”, are all worthless. Line up correctly, proper distance and strike it hard, fast and clean. It's the only real secret.

For the spectators, be quite and respectful. Do not assist anyone testing. It’s their testing. They are ready or we wouldn’t let them test. After they are finished on the floor it's appropriate to clap. Cheering during the self defense is not appropriate or allowed. Enjoy your testing, you only get to go through each belt rank one time so make the best of it.

HO SIN SUL and PHILOSOPHY for STAND UP FIGHTERS is the outline for the BASIC HO SIN SUL (HSS) COURSE. The book has over forty drawings of HSS techniques. It encompasses the Castle Doctrine (the United States Self Defense Law), Fight Philosophy, Vital Points, Break Falls, Ground Fighting Position, Throws, Wrist Locks, Chokes, Strangulations, and Arm Bars.

This handbook is intended for black belts’ to enhance their HO SIN SUL skills. These techniques will flow from your current kicking and punching skill set. Using the knowledge in this book should pave the way for successful self defense.

This book is available at http://ustf-itf.com/cart/ under the Specialty Books tab.

(Written by Master Hannon the “Head HO SIN SUL Instructor for the United States Taekwon-Do Federation”)