I hope everyone had an exciting 4th of July. With summer officially here, I know everyone has a lot going on like family vacations and summer sports. Please let either Mr. Todd (rtodd@axetkd.com) 293-2610 or Mr. Bushor (kbushor@cox.net) 291-4013, know if you will not be at class. This is common Courtesy (Ye Ui), the first of the Tenets of Taekwon-Do.

We have the new Axe Taekwon-Do patches and they are available for $3 each. You are not required to buy or wear them, but if you have one of the old Meek's TKD school patch you must remove it. This is not to be disrespectful to Master Meek, but to show that you are part of our school now.
We are planning on a Black Belt testing on Saturday, 14 August. The testing will be at the Youth Center and Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor will let you know if you will be testing. We will pass out the forms once we have finalized the list of those eligible to test. Testing will begin at 12:00 (noon), and may last 2 to 3 hours, although it should go faster than that. If there is a testing dinner afterwards we will let you know once we have decided on the details (so more to come!).

You can order sparring gear and other stuff out of the Century catalog at any time. There is a copy of the catalog available at class each night, and we have a copy that you can take home to show your parents. Again, see one of the instructors to get a catalog or order gear. If you don't already have a cup (guys only) or a mouth guard (everyone), these are mandatory, and can be purchased from Wal-Mart or other department store. We do have a few available for sale, but the sizes are limited and you can get them as cheep as we can from a department store.

Axe Taekwon-Do Web Site
http://members.cox.net/ustfneb/index.htm

USTF Web Site
http://www.ustf-itf.com

Composition of Taekwon-Do
Taekwon-Do is composed of fundamental movements, patterns, dallyon, sparring and self-defense techniques that are so closely related that it is impossible to segregate one phase of instruction from another.

Fundamental movements are necessary for sparring and patterns, while both patterns and sparring are indispensable for the perfection of fundamental movements.
In the illustration, one can see it is difficult to distinguish the beginning of the cycle from the end. There is, in fact, like the deity, no beginning or end. A student will find that he will have to return time and time again to the beginning fundamental movements to perfect his advanced sparring and self-defense techniques.

Each fundamental movement, in most cases represents attack or defense against a particular target area or definite action of an imaginary opponent or opponents. It is necessary to learn as many fundamental movements as possible and fit them into complete proficiency so the student can meet any situation in actual combat with confidence. The pattern actually places the student in a hypothetical situation where he must avail himself to defense, counter-attack, and attack motions against several opponents.

Through constant practice of these patterns, the attack and defense become a conditioned reflex movement. Power and accuracy must be developed to such a high degree that only one single blow is needed to stop an opponent, so the student can shift stance and block or attack another opponent.

Each pattern is different from the other in order to develop reaction against changing circumstances.
Once the basic patterns are mastered, the student then begins to physically apply the skill obtained from fundamental movements and patterns to sparring against actual moving opponents.

Collaterally with sparring, the student must begin to develop his body and toughen his attacking and blocking tools so he is able to deliver maximum damage in actual combat. Once a student has applied himself to fundamental movements, patterns, sparring, and dallyon, then the time has arrived for the spontaneous attacks; i.e., self-defense. The student will constantly find himself returning, however, to his fundamental movements even when he has achieved the highest possible degree of proficiency in self-defense techniques. As in military training, Taekwon-Do progression follows a certain parallel:

1. Fundamental Movements = Individual soldier's basic training
2. Dallyon = Maintenance of equipment
3. Patterns = Platoon tactics
4. Sparring = Field exercise in simulated combat conditions
5. Self-defense = Actual combat
Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, Vol. II, Pages 236-238. Gen. Choi Hong Hi, 1993.