Student of the Month:  The student of the month for April is Mr. Jonathan MacCaffrey.  Mr. MacCaffrey displayed incredible perseverance during a difficult surgery recently and during recovery continued to attend class.  Mr. MacCaffrey is a positive role model for others to emulate. We believe he is an excellent example of the finest qualities in TKD, and displays the tenets of Taekwon-Do (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit). Congratulations!   Please visit the webpage to view his information.

Master and Black Belt Testing:  Congratulations to MASTER Todd on his promotion to VII Dan, and to Ms. Jackie Brumbaugh, and Ms. Nikki Brumbaugh on their promotions to II Dan.  Grand Master Sereff, the President of the United States Taekwon-Do Federation, our governing body; Master De Baca, the Vice President of the USTF; Masters Meek, Cope, and Rees; as well as numerous friends and guests were in attendance for the testing.  The event was outstanding and Grand Master Sereff promoted Master Todd immediately after the testing.  We all celebrated Master Todd’s and the other test candidates’ successes with a banquet and some Famous Dave’s BBQ.  It was an excellent time and if you missed it, that is too bad!  I would like to thanks the entire class and all the parents and family members who helped make this a special event for Master Todd.  Keep an eye on the web site, we will be posting pictures from the testing soon. 

Master Meek Promoted to 8th Degree:  Congratulations to Master Meek who was promoted to VIII Dan during the above testing.  Master Meek was the founder of the Taekwon-Do class at the Offutt Youth Center and Master Todd’s and Mr. Bushor’s first instructor.  He currently resides in North Carolina. 

Black Belt/Gup Testing:  The next testing will be held on Saturday, May 17th in the Small gym at the Offutt AFB Youth Center.  Ms. Fuller will be testing for 2nd degree black belt and Ms. Jordan Brumbaugh, Mr. Brandon Franklin & Mrs. Lynne MacCaffrey will be testing for 1st degree black belt. 

There are 54 students eligible for this testing and we will notify those selected to test this week.  All Axe Taekwon-Do students are expected to attend the testing.  The testing will begin at 9am.  The Youth Center will be open at 8:00 am and all students testing must be dressed, stretched, and ready to start not later than 8:30 am.  Please have your test fee and form turned into Mr. Bushor by May 15th.  If you cannot attend the testing on the day scheduled we will reschedule on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact Mr. Bushor if you have any questions.

Remember the main focus of the testing is for the students.  We invite parents and family members to watch testing, but request assistance in maintaining a disciplined atmosphere that is appropriate for a Taekwon-Do testing.  To show respect for those testing, please keep any young children off the equipment and quiet during the testing. 

Upcoming Events:  (all dates are subject to change)

May 17th – Black Belt / Gup testing – Small Gym
June 7th – CPR class – Small Gym
July 25th-27th – Taekwon-Do Camp – Knob Noster MO
September 20th – Battle of the Belts – Harrisburg  MO
Oct or Nov – Ho Sin Sul Course – Missouri (dates and location TBD)
2008 – USTF Knife & Weapons Defense Course – Ft. Leavenworth KS (date TBD)

Technique:

    “The beginning student may ask: “Where does one obtain the power to create the devastating results attributed to Taekwon-Do?”  This power is attributed to the utilization of a person’s full potential through the mathematical application of Taekwon-Do techniques.  The average person uses only 10 to 20 percent of his potential.  Anyone, regardless of size, age, or sex who can condition himself to use 100 percent of his potential can also perform the same destructive techniques.
    Through training will certainly result in a superb level of physical fitness; it will not necessarily result in the acquisition of extraordinary stamina or superhuman strength.  More important, Taekwon-Do training will result in obtaining a high level of reaction force, concentration, equilibrium, breath control, and speed; these are the factors of physical power.
REACTION FORCE - According to Newton’s Law, every force has and equal and opposite force.  When an automobile crashes into a wall with the force of 2,000 pounds, the wall will return a force or 2,000 pounds; or forcing the end of a seesaw down with a ton of weight will provide and upward force of the same weight; if your opponent is rushing towards you at a high speed, by the slightest blow at his head, the force with which you strike his head would be that of his own onslaught plus that of your blow.
    The two forces combined; his, which is large, and yours, which is small are quite impressive.  This, then, is the reaction force from the opponent.  Another reaction force is your own.  A punch with the right fist is aided by pulling the left fist to the hip.
CONCENTRATION - By applying the impact force onto the smallest target area, it will concentrate the force and therefore, increase its effect.  For example, the force of water coming out of a water hose is greater if the office is smaller.  Conversely, the weight of a man spread out on snowshoes makes hardly any impression on the snow. The blows in Taekwon-Do are often concentrated onto the edge of the open palm or to the crook of the fingers.
    It is very important that you should no unleash all your strength at the beginning but gradually, and particularly at the point of contact with your opponent’s body, the force must be so concentrated as to give a knockout blow.  That is to say, the shorter the time for the concentration, the greater will be the power of the blow.  The utmost concentration is required in order to mobilize every muscle of the body onto the smallest target area simultaneously.
    In conclusion, concentration is done in two ways:  one is to concentrate every muscle of the body, particularly the bigger muscles around the hip and abdomen (which theoretically are slower than the smaller muscles of other parts of the body) towards the appropriate tool to be used at the proper time; the second way is to concentrate such mobilized muscles onto the opponent’s vital spot.  This is the reason why the hip and abdomen are jerked slightly before the hands and feet in any action, whether it be attack or defense.  Remember, jerking can be executed in two ways:  laterally and vertically.
EQUILIBRIUM - Balance is of utmost importance in any type of athletics.  In Taekwon-Do, is deserves special consideration.  By keeping the body always in equilibrium, that is, well balanced, a blow is more effective and deadly.  Conversely, the unbalanced one is easily toppled.  The stance should always be stable yet flexible, for both offensive and defensive movements.
    Equilibrium is classified into both dynamic and static stability.  They when the static stability is maintained through dynamic stability.  To maintain good equilibrium, the center of gravity of the stance must fall on a straight-line midway between both legs when the body weight is distributed equally on both legs, or in the center of the foot if it is necessary to concentrate the bulk of body weight on one foot.  The center of gravity can be adjusted according to body weight.  Flexibility and knee spring are also important in maintaining balance for both a quick attack and instant recovery.  One additional point; the heel of the rear foot should never be off the ground at the point of impact.  This is not only necessary for good balance but also to produce maximum power at the point of impact.
BREATH CONTROL - Controlled breathing not only affects one’s stamina and speed but can also condition a body to receive a blow and augment the power of a blow directed against an opponent.  Through practice, breath stopped in the state of exhaling at the critical moment when a blow is landed against a pressure point on the body can prevent a loss of consciousness and stifle pain.  A sharp exhaling of breath at the moment of impact and stopping the breath the execution of a movement tense the abdomen to concentrate maximum effort on the delivery of the motion, while a slow inhaling helps the preparation of the next movement.  An important rule to remember:  never inhale while focusing a block or blow against an opponent.  Not only will this impede movement but it will also result in a loss of power.             Students should also practice disguised breathing to conceal any outward signs of fatigue.  An experienced fighter will certainly press an attack when he realizes his opponent is on the point of exhaustion.  One breath is required for one movement with the exception of a continuous motion.
MASS - Mathematically, the maximum kinetic energy or force is obtained from maximum body weight and speed and it is all important that the body weight be increased during the execution of a blow.  No doubt the maximum body weight is applied with the motion by turning the hip.  The large abdominal muscles are twisted to provide additional body momentum.  Thus the hip rotates in the same direction as that of the attacking or blocking tool.  Another way of increasing body weight is the utilization of a springing action of the knee joint.  This is achieved by slightly raising the hip at the beginning of the motion and lowering the hip at the moment of impact to drop the body weight into the motion.
    In summarizing, it is necessary to point out that the principles of force outlined here hold just as true today in our modern scientific and nuclear age as they did centuries ago.  I am sure that when you go through this art, both in theory and in practice, you will find that the scientific basis of the motions and the real power which comes out a small human body cannot fail to impress you.
SPEED - Speed is the most essential factor of force or power.  Scientifically, force equals mass X acceleration (F=MA) or (P=MV2).  A large stone gently dropped on a double pane of glass from a height of three inches has no effect.  On the other hand a small stone thrown against the glass with great speed breaks the glass.  The flat of the hand passed in a slow motion through the flame of a candle has no results on the flame.  The candle, however, is put out with a controlled punch or kick stopped within an inch of the flame.
    According to the theory of kinetic energy, every object increases its weight as well as speed in a downward movement.  This very principle is applied to this particular art of self-defense.  For this reason, at the moment of impact, the position of the hand normally becomes lower than the shoulder and the foot lower than the hip while the body is in the air.  Reaction force, breath control, equilibrium, concentration, and relaxation of the muscles cannot be ignored.  However, these are the factors that contribute to the speed and all these factors, together with flexible and rhythmic movement, must be well coordinated to produce the maximum power in Taekwon-Do.”

Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, Vol. II, Pages 10-34. Gen. Choi Hong Hi, 1993.