Promotion Testing.  On November 19th we completed another successful testing.  We promoted Ms. Jasmine Reep to the rank of 1st Degree, Black Belt.  In addition we promoted over 30 other students to their next rank.  Congratulations 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 February and we will let you know the exact date as soon as it is set.  We started testing at an earlier time and were completed by noon and we have received many positive comments. 

Pizza Party.  Instead of having a regular class Thursday, December 22nd we will have a pizza night instead.  DO NOT wear your Dobok (uniform) to class since we will not have a formal class, and your mom won’t like trying to get the pizza sauce out of it.  The pizzas will be served at 6 pm so come before then.  We need a head count of the students who will be attending so we can order enough pizzas.  This will not cost the students anything, but we would like the students to either bring your favorite desert or some soda.  Please let either of your instructors know if you are planning on attending (students only this time, sorry!) by Tuesday, December 20th.  We will need help setting up tables and chairs as well as cleaning up afterwards.  Since this is scheduled for a regular class night we expect to see everyone there.

USTF Membership & Maintenance Fee.  The United States Taekwon-Do Federation (USTF) (www.ustf-itf.com) is our national governing body, and requires all students to join the Federation before they can test for 6th Gup / Green Belt.  Students may join the USTF at any time; however, all students must have their application filled out and sent in “prior” to testing for 6th Gup.  The Membership Fee is $25 for which you will receive the USTF Membership Card and both a USTF and ITF patch for your Dobok.   See Mr. Bushor for a membership form.  Turn in the filled out form with cash or check to either Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor.

Weather.  This time of year in Nebraska the weather can shut down everything on a moments notice.  If the weather causes the base and Youth Center to close, then there will not be a class.  If the base closes there will be announcements on the local TV channels.  If the base closes on short notice, we will attempt to notify everyone by phone and email.  So, unless we let you know in advance, if the base and Youth Center are open on a normal class day we will have a class.  If the weather is bad and the base and Youth Center are not closed, use your best judgment when driving to class.  Safety should be the most important decision you make, if driving is not safe, then don’t come to class.  However, if the class is not canceled and you are not coming to class, then let Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor know that you will not be there.

Setting Goals (By Mr. Kevin A. Bushor, 4th Degree Black Belt) When you first joined our Taekwon-Do class what did you want to come away with?  Was it to have the ability to defend yourself, getting your Black Belt, a chance to participate in the Olympics, or to beat up the bully at school?  Did you have any goals at all?  What ever your original goal was, most students eventually figure out they have a short term goal of getting their next belt and a long term goal of becoming a Black Belt.  We see students reset their short term goals after every testing without even thinking about it, but once that long term goal of becoming a Black Belt is achieved resetting your long term goal is not as easy.

Over the years we’ve seen students leave the class because they lose interest, or their parents no longer force them to come to class, or their parents have to move the family to a new state.  Most of these things are out of your control, but seeing a student dropping out of class after achieving their Black Belt has happened far more often than we would like.  The reason, more often than not, is that once the student has achieved their long term goal they never select a new goal.  The time between testings become much longer once you become a Black Belt.  One and a half years before you can test to 2nd Dan, 2 years to 3rd Dan, and so on.  What used to be a short term goal you achieved every 3 months is now years away.  You still need short term goals you can strive towards, but they must now become mastering your new patterns, step sparring, hand and foot techniques.  You were doing these same things as part of getting ready for your next testing, but now you must concentrate on each individual aspect of your requirements.  You should also concentrate on perfecting all your old Color Belt patterns and techniques.  Becoming a Black Belt is a major success in your Martial Arts life, but you can’t let it be the end to your Martial Arts life.  As a Color Belt you were learning the basics of Taekwon-Do, but once you become a Black Belt you learn to correctly use and master those techniques. 

If you haven’t set a long term goal for Taekwon-Do, now is the time to think about it.  If you have a long term goal and you are close to, or have already achieved it, now is the time to think about setting new long term and short term goals.  Either way, you need to be constantly evaluating your goals and resetting them when needed.  First Degree Black Belt is a great accomplishment, but it should never be the END of your journey.

The right tool for the right job, continued.

In October news letter we presented some of the tools you will use in Taekwon-Do.  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.  This month we will introduce you to more parts of the hand you will use as tools.

The Knife-Hand is a very powerful attacking tool, and is used for attacking the skull, neck artery, bridge of the nose, temple, philtrum, clavicle, shoulder, and the floating ribs.  The knife-hand can also be used for blocking.  To make a correct knife-hand you press your four fingers together, bending the middle finger and ring fingers slightly inward.  Leave a little space between the forefinger and thumb so that most of the strength is concentrated on the striking surface.  The knife-hand tool is the surface from the wrist to the main knuckle of the little finger.

The Reverse Knife-Hand is opposite the knife-hand and is made exactly the same way except you must bend the thumb in sharply towards the palm (like showing the number four with your fingers).  The reverse knife-hand is used to attack the neck, point of the chin, temple, philtrum, ribs and angle of the mandible.  Like the knife-hand, the reverse knife-hand is also used for blocking.

The Fingertips are used in a variety of ways depending on the target area.  The flat, straight, and upset fingertips are formed the same way as a knife-hand, with the fingertips of the forefinger, middle, and ring fingers all even.  If the palm is facing downward at the moment of impact it is considered a Flat Fingertip and is chiefly used for attacking the ribs, eyes, and occasionally the abdomen.  If the palm faces inward at the moment of impact it is considered a Straight Fingertip.  This is used for thrusting to either the solar plexus or the abdomen.  If the palm faces upward at the moment of impact it is considered an Upset Fingertip.  This is mainly used for attacking the pubic region, floating ribs, lower abdomen, and occasionally the armpit.  If you bend your main knuckles sharply about 90 degrees, and press your thumb to the middle knuckle of your forefinger you create an Angle Fingertip.  This is especially useful in attacking the eyes or solar plexus from a right angle.

The Thumb, when extended out to the side of the fore fist can be used to thrust the solar plexus, ribs, eyes, windpipe, and armpit.  The single Forefinger is used when it is extended, bending slightly while the other fingers are clenched in a fist, with the thumb is pressing against the middle finger.  The forefinger is used to attack the eyes, windpipe, and the mastrid (which is directly behind the ear).  The Double Fingertip is made up of the forefinger and middle finger, extended out and slightly bent.  Press the thumb onto the ring finger.  This tool is only used against the eyes.

An Arc-Hand is created by bending three fingers slightly deeper than the forefinger while the thumb is bent toward the little finger.  It is used to attack the Adam’s apple, point of the chin, and the upper neck, and is occasionally used for blocking.  The tool is the surface between the secondary knuckle of the forefinger and the thumb.

The Back Hand is formed with an ordinary open hand but pressing the thumb against the side of the forefinger.  It can be used to attack the face, jaw, lips, and epigastrium.  It can also be used as a blocking tool.

The Finger Pincers are used to attack the Adam’s apple and throat.  It is made by clenching the middle, ring, and little fingers while the thumb and forefinger are made into the shape of a pincer.  The middle knuckle of the middle finger forced into the throat using the tips of the thumb and forefingers to guide the tool.

The Base of the Knife-Hand is created when the wrist is bent sharply toward the thumb and is used to attack the clavicle only.  The Press Finger is used to apply pressure on arteries and minute vital spots (pressure points).

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