Name Change:  For legal purposes our name has changed to Axe Taekwon-Do LLC.  We are not changing our patches or banners.  For any checks you write to Master Todd, please make them payable to our new name.  For Mr. Bushor you can pay Axe TKD or his name directly. 

 USTF Class C Instructor Course:  For those going this year, we will depart the Youth Center at 7am on Friday, April 27th heading to Broomfield, Colorado.  The course will be roughly 12 hours each day on Saturday and Sunday.  For those qualifying the written test will be Sunday night.  We will leave after breakfast on Monday and hopefully be back here around 6pm on the 30th.  If you have any questions please contact Master Todd, and no it's not too late to join us.  

Departure:  Mr. Jacob Souchek, 1st degree has informed us that he will no longer be coming to class.  We wish him the best and he is always welcome to return at any time. 

Leaving/Returning (By Master Todd):  We are aware there are reasons that students leave Taekwon-Do, some return years later like Mr. Bushor, J.  and Mr. Toppi.  If you leave Taekwon-Do, move away and stop training, etc., you are typically welcome back at anytime.  However, you must train for one year prior to being considered for any promotion.  Also, you need to be current on your qualifications (Instructor/Referee).  If you are a black belt it will be highly encouraged that you attend refresher courses.  I can tell you in my time as instructor only a few have left Taekwon-Do and returned.  It is important that you try to stick it out, we all have times we become discouraged.  In those cases, I would suggest you attend class MORE, not less.  Often we need to attend class more to find the spark that once kept us interested in Taekwon-Do, maybe attend the 530 class and see the "spark" in the white belts, where everything is a new experience.  Every time I attend the instructor course I return motivated.  Students should try to attend courses yearly and they will see what I mean.   

Axe TKD Tournament :  The fifth annual Axe TKD tournament will be held in the Youth Center on Saturday, May 19th. We hesitate to make anything mandatory, but students should consider this event strongly. The success of the tournament depends on your participation. All ranks from white belt through 4th degree are eligible to participate. Black belts are required to participate in one tournament per year, and we encourage all students to participate in one each year. It is the only local tournament where students can utilize the techniques they have learned in class. Registration is required before the tournament this year and there will be a late fee ($10) added to the registration on the day of the event. The tournament will start at 10am. The cost is $30 and includes all events. Students can compete in patterns, sparring and breaking. Breaking is for all ages from green stripe and above. We also have team patterns competition. For any students not comfortable with sparring yet, you can compete in patterns only. Black belts will compete in all divisions. Parents are encouraged to attend, watch and cheer our students on to victory. There is no charge for spectators. The registration form is on our web page. http://www.axetkd.com. 

Self-Defense Course:  The USTF Advanced Ground Fighting Tactics Course will be held in Kirksville, Missouri.  The date has moved from July 7th to Saturday June 30th.  This is a required USTF course and we encourage all students capable of attending to travel with us.  For those of you that like to "grapple", this is your course.  We will leave on Friday and return Saturday night.  More details coming soon. 

Upcoming dates - 2012-

April 27th – Axe TKD demonstration, headed by Mr. Bushor

April 28th & 29th – USTF Class C Instructor’s Course in Broomfield, Colorado. Contact Master Todd

Saturday, May 5th - Region 6 Black Belt Test - 10am, conducted by Sr. Master Martin, Kirksville, Missouri, contact Master Todd for information.

Saturday, May 19th – 5th Annual AXE TKD tournament will be held at the Youth Center.

Thursday, May 31st – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.

Saturday, June 30th – USTF Advanced Ground Fighting Tactics Course in Kirksville, Missouri. - Saturday, July 28th, 2nd Annual Axe TKD Bike Ride.  Mr. Bushor will have more details soon.- Saturday, August 18th – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.

Saturday, September 22nd, Battle of the Belts. This annual tournament will be in Kirksville, Missouri. Sunday, October 21st – Senior Grand Master Sereff’s tournament will be held in Broomfield, Colorado.

Thursday, November 15th – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.

Thursday, December 20th – Annual Axe TKD Holiday Party. We are then closed the next week for the holidays.  

Requirements (By Master Todd):  The USTF Testing Requirements books list the testing requirements for every rank.  At Axe TKD we follow those requirements and I have created your practical tests and written tests using these guidelines.   I expect all students to know these guidelines and be ready at their testing.  I have attended many testings where the test board asks a student "what are you breaking" and the student responds "what are my choices".  To me this shows the student was NOT ready to test.  Every belt level that breaks the student has a few options to choose from.  Typically I let students choose their breaks.  If you respond to me with "what are my choices", I would not be happy.   That being said you should have your breaks selected and practiced prior to testing.  I don't think you would come to a testing not knowing which pattern you have to demonstrate, the same applies to your breaking.  That being said the test board can always request that you do something else.  I usually don't do this unless I see your breaks are far too easy for you, or hard for you, however this rarely occurs.  While breaking is only one portion of testing, that and step-sparring are the two areas usually lacking during a test.  All students know what is required of them for testing.   If we are not practicing a particular area in class, such as step-sparring, use the time between classes!   During the first class I sit in the back and stretch. I see many students arrive early for the second class, stretch for about 2 minutes then talk.  Such a waste of your training time!  Then to say you didn't get to practice step sparring?  Use your time wisely.   

I notice who puts in extra time and who does not.  Who attends 4 or 5 classes a week and who attends two.  The "minimum" requirement is 2 classes per week.  I state minimum because you will get out of Taekwon-Do what you put into it.  I can tell in an instant who trains the minimum.  For those students I am less forgiving when they can't perform certain techniques.  However, I am very forgiving for those that train more.  In my experience though, the students that attend more classes don't need the exceptions.  They become the students that can perform all required of them.   

For you older students that began training as adults, I do forget that you are challenged with being stiff and having bodies that can't heal as fast.  However, you have a weapon the younger students do not, maturity.  That will allow you to grasp the mental aspects of Taekwon-Do quicker.  Taekwon-Do is not just for the young athletes, it is for everyone, everyone that tries hard and gives it 100 percent.  I really don't care if you are 40 or 50 and can't perform the 360 back piercing kick.  Can you attempt it?  Are you really trying?  Do you have good foot positions?  Could you teach it?  Those are the questions you need to ask yourself.   

For the younger students, remember to respect your elders.  What they may not be able to do physically, they will have an edge on your mentally.  They will understand the mental aspects of Taekwon-Do.  They will have less on their "social calendars" and be able to devote more time to training.  They will not give up as easily as you.  They can't take off a few years and come back.  Their window for training is shorter and they must train hard now.   

Remember the more you train, the better you will be in Taekwon-Do.  Think about your goals, do you have them in Taekwon-Do?  Are they to make black belt or the next color belt?  Are they to just get through the next class?  Are they to become a master?  My first goal was to become a black belt.  Then a 4th degree, which back when I was a 2nd degree, Grand Master Winegar told me I needed to shoot higher with my goals than 4th degree.  My goal now?  To be a good master instructor.  To continue to spread Taekwon-Do.  To teach you properly and allow you to enjoy Taekwon-Do as much as I have.