Testings-

The testings this month will start promptly at 6pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend even if you are not testing. This should be easy since it is on a regular class day.  There is value in watching and supporting your peers!

Tournaments-

This year we have four tournaments that everyone is welcome to attend. The first is the Axe TKD Tournament. With few exceptions, every student is expected to attend in support of fellow students whether they compete or not.  It is a requirement for students that are green belts and higher need to have at least one tournament a year. Since there are no travel expenses with this tournament, it will be the cheapest opportunity for students to test their skills!  Also, it is a great time to get to know your competition for the rest of the tournaments.  The second tournament is hosted by Senior Grand Master Sereff in Broomfield, Colorado on June 22-23 for USTF Nationals. This two-day event is the largest and most exciting tournament of the year!  The first day teams will compete in patterns, breaking and sparring. The second day will be for individuals in patterns, sparring and breaking. Taekwon Do artists from all over the country will be competing in this event!   In September, we will travel to Kirksville, Missouri for the Battle of the Belts.  Finally, we round out the year with Senior Grand Master Sereff’s tournament in Broomfield, Colorado.  We have plenty of opportunity for all this year.  Please plan for the events you will be attending now.  Information is available on the website and Facebook in regards to the details of these events.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Planning for Upcoming Trips, Tournaments and Courses!!!-

In order to attend the events as inexpensive as possible, it is important to inform us as soon as possible.  We have started to get aproximate lists of people attending events so we have ample amount of time to reserve rooms. Please let an instructor know if you are “Attending,” “Might Attend,” or  “Not Able To Attend.”   There are fees for the tournaments and courses along with money for food, room and gas to be considered in your planning.  Our events and forms have been sent out  by email and posted on our webpage  at www.axetkd.com.

Upcoming Events:

February 21 & 26th - Testing

March 2nd - USTF Referee Course - Axe TKD

April 5-8th - USTF Instructors Course - Casper WY

May 18th - Axe TKD Tournament - Axe TKD

May 20th - Registration Deadline for USTF Nationals

May 28 & 30th - Testing

June 22-23th - USTF Nationals - Broomfield, CO

Aug 20 & 22th - Testing

Sept 14th- Battle of the Belts - Kirksville, MO

Oct - Sereff TKD Tournament - Broomfield, CO

Nov 21 & 26 - Testing

Sparring Gear-

While we do have sparring gear in the class to share, it is encouraged that each student have their own set of gear.  Sparring gear is required for the tournaments and for sparring in class. Everyone is required to wear head gear, hand gear, foot gear, and a mouth piece; additionally all male competitors must wear a protective cup.  Soft shin pads are optional but are encouraged.  If you would like to order a set of sparring gear (head gear, gloves, and boots) for your very own, please let Mr. Bushor know as soon as possible.  The cost is $69 for the entire set of sparring gear.  There is an assortment of colors and sizes.  You can purchase a mouth guard and protective cup at any major sporting goods store or at Walmart.

Newsletters-

Every month we put together a newsletter.  Master Todd encourages students of any rank OR parents of any student to submit an article or story to one of the instructors.  There are many new students that may want to hear what they can look forward to in class and at tournaments! All submissions will be reviewed by Master Todd prior to publication in the AXE TKD Newsletter. 

Courses, Testing, Fees- (By Master Todd)

I know it appears there are never ending lists in Taekwon-Do for events that cost money to attend.  I thought growing up in Taekwon-Do was expensive until I started playing ice hockey or I talked to co-workers about golf. Then I realized that Taekwon-Do is not really that expensive.  Unlike golf, hockey, baseball, gymnastic or football, Taekwon-Do is not a sport.  It's an art or better explained as a way of life, it’s a constant struggle to learn and make your body and mind respond instantly. 

We, the USTF, require our black belts and students to be very proficient in the martial art of Taekwon-Do.  You can’t just train and get a new belt.  We have requirements for every color belt level and even more requirements for the black belt levels.  I will briefly discuss a few items:

Testing – typically students test every three months for color belt rank.  We evaluate all students before allowing them to test.  There is a nominal fee charged that covers the belt, certificate and other associated fees.  However; the testing is not a way to generate money.  Some martial art schools do this, and you will see white belts with 4-7 stripes, each one signifies a test the parents typically paid for and they have outlandish titles such as 1st degree white belt, etc.  We stick with the traditional color belt ranks of white through red with a stripe between each belt.  The striped rank is an individual rank with its own set of requirements.  Every belt testing is important and signifies experience gained for the student. 

Black belts have different testing requirements and their time varies depending on the rank.  For example, testing for 2nd degree to 3rd degree is a minimum of 2 years.  Basically whatever rank you are currently is the number of years you have to train prior to being eligible for promotion..  There are many other qualifications and requirements for black belt promotions, but they are all clearly outlined in our black belt training booklets.

Courses – Being a black belt does not make you a qualified referee or instructor.  We have qualifications courses divided into three levels (A, B and C).  Each of these courses is taught by selected experts in Taekwon-Do.  All require many hours of study and passing the written tests with an 80 percent or better.  All of the black belts in the USTF are or will be fully qualified instructors and referees.  No black belts are eligible for promotion until they fulfill their qualification requirements.  Typically, the courses are held throughout the U.S. and we have to travel often, incurring additional costs.  However, we (Axe TKD) are sponsoring the USTF referee course this year.  So, this is the year to attend for initial qualification, upgrade or attend as a refresher.  I can’t stress how important it is for qualified black belts to attend every course so they can to remain fully qualified. 

You can’t just attend a course one time and consider yourself covered.  I have attended the USTF Class C Instructors course which covers the requirements from white belt through 1st degree black belt at least 8 times in my career.  Of course, I could have the attitude I don’t need it, but I find something new every time I attend.  These courses vary in cost also, but I find it’s money well spent every time.

All courses are limited by a variety of factors including your rank and age.  All the courses are designed to be part of your Taekwon-Do education.  You can’t just show up for class and train hard.  We require students to maintain the highest standards of knowledge about our martial art also.  With that being said, we have several events coming up that most should attend especially black stripe and above:

USTF Referee Course –

March 2nd, at the Youth Center.  All blue belts and above should attend for initial, refresher or upgrade.  I expect all black belts to be in attendance.  The cost is $75 for initial or upgrade and $35 for refresher training.  The course will be taught by Sr. Master Steadman the Chief of the USTF Referee program.  We anticipate the course running from 12:15pm to 6:30pm.  The course will end with practical scenarios and a written test.  The course covers information for the Class C, B or A, depending on what level you are trying to attain.  Written tests are only administered for initial and upgrade certification. 

USTF Class C Instructors Course –

April 6th & 7th in Casper, Wyoming.  This course is open for all but you must be a red belt black stripe or above to certify for the Class C Instructor.  No students can test for 1st 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 both days.  We will leave Bellevue on Friday, April 5th and return Monday, April 8th.  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.

Axe TKD Tournament –

May 18th at the Youth Center.  This event is open to all students and we have divisions for all ranks and ages.  Typically you only compete against others of your rank and age. Competition for patterns, sparring and breaking will start at 10am and we should be done by 6pm.  The cost is $30; we also have a team patterns division.  We do require advance registration by May 9th.  Registration at the door is an additional $10.00.  The $30.00 covers entry for all events.  We do not charge for spectators and encourage students to invite family and friends.