Pizza Ranch Fundraiser: Our fund raiser was semi successful.  We had a great turnout from our class but unfortunately we did not have the financial success we had hoped for on the event.  We will be looking at future fund raisers to assist any students that want to attend the USTF Internationals in Boston, July 25^th & 26^th.

Arvada Tournament: On March 21st we attended the Maestas TKD Tournament in Arvada Colorado. It was the first time that Axe Taekwon-Do attended the event. We would like to congratulate all the competitors for attending.  We hope this will become another competition we can attend regularly to show our support to our fellow Taekwon-Do brothers and sisters.

USTF Referee Course:  On Saturday March 21st we travelled to Kirksville, Missouri for a USTF Referee Course that was graciously hosted by Senior Master Stephenson of Region 6.  The course was taught by Senior Master Todd. It was a good turnout having many people there for refreshers and some who were testing for their certifications. Good luck to those who are testing for the initial certification or upgrading.

USTF Instructors Course:  Axe Taekwon-Do will travel to Broomfield, Colorado for the USTF Class C Instructors Course, April 18th & 19thThis course is open for all students but you must be a red belt black stripe or above to certify for the Class C Instructor.  No students can test for 2nd degree black belt until they successful passed this course.  The course is taught by Grand Master Winegar, the USTF Director of Technique.  The course is 8am-6pm (sometimes later) both days.  We will leave Bellevue on Friday, April 17th and return Monday, April 20th.  The cost is $200 for certification and $75 for refresher.  Again you should attend these courses after initial certification whenever possible to learn as much as you can.  This course covers every aspect of Taekwon-Do from white belt through black belt.  The course is designed to make you a better black belt.  Written tests are only administered for initial certification.

USTF Tournaments:  (By Sr. Master Todd)  There will be plenty of opportunities to sharpen your skills and enjoy friendly competition in 2015. 

May 16 - Axe TKD tournament, Offutt Youth Center. This will be our 8th annual tournament.  Remember all students are required to attend at least one tournament per year.  While I hesitate to make anything mandatory, I would like to see all students of Axe Taekwon-Do attend this tournament.  We will have competitors from Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri who have already inquired about our tournament.  It will feature breaking, patterns and sparring.  The flyer is attached.  We would like all Axe TKD students to pre-register!

July 25/26 - USTF Internationals, Boston, Massachusetts.  This will be the largest USTF tournament in the past 15 years or more.  USTF has invited schools from Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia and South America.  I personally know there will be competitors from the following states:  Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Alaska, NEBRASKA, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.  If you are interested in attending this event, Axe TKD is renting a 15 passenger van and driving whoever would like to attend.  If we get more than 15 people we will rent a second van.  We will plan rooms to keep the prices down.  Please contact Sr. Master Todd for more information, either in class or at ustfneb@cox.net.  We will have a flyer and registration details posted soon.  We are planning fund raisers now to defer some of the cost for Axe competitors.  We will hold an informational meeting soon.

Sept 19- USTF Tournament in Casper, Wyoming.  This date has changed again, so check your calendar for availability.  We will also be compiling a list of anyone wanting to attend so we can plan rooms/rides.  For this tournament we would leave Bellevue on Friday and return Sunday.

Sept 26- USTF Tournament in Kirksville, Missouri.  The exact date is unknown at this time but we will announce the details when we have them.  We will also be compiling a list of anyone wanting to attend so we can plan rooms/rides.  For this tournament we would leave Bellevue early Saturday morning and return Sunday.

Oct 18 - USTF Tournament in Broomfield, Colorado.  The exact date is unknown at this time but we will announce the details when we have them.  We will also be compiling a list of anyone wanting to attend so we can plan rooms/rides.  This tournament is typically held on a Sunday so we would leave Bellevue Saturday morning and return Monday.

I understand that students and families may not be able to attend all events.  The May tournament is easy since we don't travel.  I would suggest you look these events over and decide what you want to do.  All are USTF events and will be run safely.   

Testing:  (By Sr. Master Todd)  Do you know what it takes to be prepared for testing?  We have published many articles on this but as a quick recap.  You must attend 85% of classes.  Typically you could miss 2 classes per month.  This shouldn’t be a problem for anyone since we offer 6 classes per WEEK.  Some students with active schedules that tell me they have swim, soccer, baseball, football, dance, etc.  Be prepared to not be considered for testing if you don’t have your classes in, this includes black belts that may be waiting on age requirements. 

You can’t wait until you are of age and then start training again for black belt promotion.  If you take off more than 3 months you will be considered inactive and will be required to train for 1 year before being considered promotion eligible.  Anyway, class attendance is the first step.  Do you know all your required material?  We cover all required material every week; however some students that only attend one class per night could miss out on something.  Example you attend the second class and we cover patterns and kicking and then you leave.  During the third class we cover step sparring and self-defense.  With my rotational chart of teaching you may be in for a wait to get all your subject matter covered.  ALL students can attend more than the minimum of 2 classes per week.  An easy way for me to say this is, if you put in the minimum attendance it may take you the maximum time to be ready to test.  However if you attend 2-3 classes per night and end up at the end of the month with 20 hours training you still won’t test any faster than the time requirements.  Your goal is and should be to become the best you can, not earn belt ranking fast.  Typically it will take you 3 months per color belt level up until you are a red belt black stripe.  At red belt black stripe the wait is 6 months.  These time frames ensure you learn everything thoroughly, not just learn it so you can pass a test. 

All testing requirements are clearly outlined in the USTF Gup Testing Requirement Book which can be purchased from Mr. Bushor.  Students are tested on hand techniques, kicking to included standing, flying multiple and consecutive, patterns, step sparring, self-defense, breaking and a written or oral test on Taekwon-Do knowledge.

Testing for black belt a rank requires even more stringent standards which are outlined in the USTF Black Belt Testing Requirement Book which can be purchased from Mr. Bushor.  There are numerous requirements for each black belt level and I would suggest this book for all black belts.  We have other books for purchase also:

-USTF Patterns Book, lists all movements of every pattern.  Students can use this book to supplement their training and for research at home.  This book would be a mandatory book for black belts or for any student to become better at their patterns.  Parents can use the book to help younger students remember their patterns moves in the correct sequence.

-USTF Step Sparring Book, lists all formats for step sparring.  This is probably the most one book that isn’t purchased much but should be, especially by the black belts.  It clearly outlines all formats of step sparring within Taekwon-Do.

-USTF Tournament Rules and Regulations Book, a comprehensive guide for tournament rules and regulations.  This book is provided during the initial USTF Referee Course or any upgrade attempt. 

All USTF books are $15.00 each.  They can be purchased at any time.  My recommendation would be to purchase the USTF Gup Testing Requirement Book and USTF Patterns Book as soon as possible during your training.