Promotion Testing.  On August 20th we completed another successful testing.  We promoted Mr. Jeremy Reep to the rank of 1st Degree, Black Belt.  In addition we promoted over 30 other students to their next rank.  Congratulation to all those who tested and were promoted, and thanks for making your instructors look so good!  Thanks also to the parents and students who assisted in setting up before and cleaning up afterwards.  The next testing is tentatively set for the second weekend in November, so mark your calendars and continue training hard.

 Region 6 Camp.  We took 27 campers to Mexico, Missouri for a weekend full of Taekwon-Do.  Each camper was up at 6am and running before breakfast at 730am.  Each day was full of different classes ranging from patterns to self defense or grappling with lights out by midnight each night.  There were over 85 students attending and we representing a large majority of the camp.  Please ask around and you will find someone in class that attended.  This is a yearly event and we plan on attending again next year.  Please contact Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor for additional information.

Tournaments.  We have been invited to a number of tournaments around the area.  The first is the Team Power Nationals 2005 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center (just north of I-80 on 72nd St).  This tournament is scheduled for Friday & Saturday, September 9th and 10th.  Prices, divisions, times, and sparring rules are available on our web site (www.axetkd.com) or from one of the instructors.  

The second tournament we are looking at is the annual Battle of the Belts in Harrisburg, MO.  It is scheduled for October 1st.  The specifics of the tournament will be sent out in the near future and they will be added to our web site.  Our school (Axe TKD formerly Meek’s TKD) has been participating in this tournament for years and all the students we took last year did very well.

 Courtesy.  As a courtesy to your instructors, please let either Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor know if you will not be able to attend any weekday class or planned events (such as testings, local tournaments, or parties).  Our phone numbers are:  Mr. Todd 293-2610 or Mr. Bushor 291-4013, or email us at: Mr. Todd ustfneb@cox.net or Mr. Bushor kbushor@cox.net.  You can also leave a message for us at the Youth Center at 294-5152.

 The right tool for the right job.

 You wouldn’t use a screwdriver to pound a nail into a board or a saw as a screwdriver, any more than you should use your finger tips to break someone’s leg.  Using the right Taekwon-Do tool against the correct target is important in defeating your opponent.  Even the best woodsman must stop cutting down trees if his axe or saw is broken.  Even a master of Taekwon-Do can be defeated if he or she breaks a hand or foot during combat.

The parts or surfaces through which the shock or power of a technique is transmitted to the opponent’s body are considered the tool, either attacking or blocking.  The tools are divided into hand parts, foot parts, and miscellaneous parts.  Let’s begin by looking at the hand parts.  The FOREFIST is generally used for attacking the philtrum (just below the nose), the ribs, solar plexus, chest, abdomen, jaw, etc.  The part of the fore fist generally used is the first two knuckles (forefinger and middle finger).  The top and front of the fist should form a right angle so the punching surface (first two knuckles) can make direct contact with the target.  The wrist should not be bent when the fist is clinched and the thumb should be placed on the forefinger and middle fingers holding them in place.  The fingers should be pressed firmly into the palm and the fist must be tightly clenched at the moment of impact.  Other targets of the fore fist include the sternum, point of the chin, the floating ribs, epigastrium, mandible, heart, spleen, liver, and lower abdomen.

Some additional points to remember when using your fore fist include punching from the hip to the target at full speed using the shortest distance.  Avoid unnecessary tension of the arms and shoulders (relax, because it increases your speed).  Pull the opposite fist to the hip at the same time as punching (with a few exceptions).  Relax immediately after striking your target.  Twist your fist a full 180 degrees at the moment of impact (except for vertical and side punches).  And finally, when possible keep your rear foot firmly on the ground at the moment of impact.

There are a number of variations of fists that I will describe next.  The BACK FIST is primarily used for attacking the skull, forehead, temple, philtrum, and abdomen, with the floating ribs and epigastrium as secondary targets.  The knuckles of the forefinger and middle finger on the back of the hand are the actual tools used.  The SIDE FIST, which is on the opposite side of your thumb, is used for attacking the skull, elbow joint, ribs, solar plexus, philtrum, and abdomen; and is occasionally used for blocking.  The UNDER FIST is created by rolling your four fingers into the palm and pressing the forefinger slightly with your thumb.  The second knuckles of the forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger are the tool.  It is used to attack the jaw, lips, temple, solar plexus, Adam’s apple, and philtrum.  The LONG FIST is very similar to the Under Fist except that the main knuckles are stiffened and the thumb is bent firmly, leaving some space between the forefinger and the thumb.  It looks like you have only half closed your fist.  It is used to attack the temple or Adam’s apple of your opponent.  The OPEN FIST is made when the wrist is bent upward and all except the main knuckles are bent towards the palm.  The hand is cupped and the wrist is bent.  It is used to attack the nose, jaw, and the point of the chin; and is used for blocking occasionally.

There are three different KNUCKLE FISTs, the Middle, Fore-Knuckle, and Thumb Knuckle Fist.  These tools are more effective to a smaller vital spot at a close range if the snap motion is used correctly.  The MIDDLE KNUCKLE FIST is made by pushing the secondary knuckle of the middle finger out of the fore fist with the side of the thumb.  It is used in striking the temple, philtrum, and the solar plexus (with an uppercut motion).  The FORE-KNUCKLE FIST is formed by pushing the secondary knuckle of the forefinger out of the Under Fist with the thumb.  You use it to attack the Adam’s apple, temple, or philtrum.  The THUMB KNUCKLE FIST is like a Fore-Knuckle Fist but the Fore-Knuckle is not pushed out, but the thumb is the attacking tool.  It can be used to attack the point of the chin, philtrum, temple, or solar plexus.

I will cover other tools in future articles.  Forming and using the tools correctly will allow you to attack opponents or defend against attacks without injuring yourself.  You will be able to complete your required breaks during testing and at tournaments using the proper tools and techniques.  Learn to use your tools correctly the first time and avoid the possibility of injury or defeat.

 The Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, Gen. Choi Hong Hi, 1999