USTF Class C Instructor Course: 

        Master Todd and Miss Bowing lead a group of our students to the USTF Class C Instructors Course in Broomfield Colorado this month.  This course is required to become an assistant instructor, and several of our current instructors attended to refresh their knowledge. All the first time attendees are required to pass a 100 question written test to qualify as an Assistant Instructor.  All of our students passed the written test with a score of 90% or better.  TKD is always changing and therefore we need to incorporate those changes into our class. The following changes will be incorporated into our training:

- Emphasizing the Walking and L-stances with the proper length, width, weight distribution, and foot positions.

- Emphasizing the correct release motion in Joong-Gun

- Emphasizing the correct preparation for the low pushing block with double forearm in Toi-Gye

- Emphasizing the continuous motion in Dan-Gun for the low block with outer forearm to the rising block

- Emphasizing the correct foot position on the ground (refer to the stepping diagram) between the high turning kick to the middle back piercing kick in Choong-Moo.

- Emphasizing the direction of the middle block with x-knife hand in Choong-Moo (it should be facing your opponent and not solar plexus line).

- Ensuring we change the terminology for the elbow strike in Yul-Gok to middle strike with the front elbow and not front strike with the elbow.

     These changes pertain to everyone in class who know the techniques/patterns. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask Master Todd or Mr. Bushor for further explanation.

Demo: Mr. Bushor led a group of students in a demonstration for the Bellevue Elementary Schools Carnival this month.  We had an excellent turnout of students and everyone did a great job during.  Thanks to all who attended and participated in the demonstration.  It turned out great!

Summer: Summer is only a few weeks away! Axe Taekwon-Do offers classes throughout the year, and we do not take the summer vacation off.  With that, a lot of you may go on vacation, it is your responsibility to e-mail, call, or tell one of the instructors to let us know you will be missing class.

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.  We also sent a registration form home with EVERY student.  We hope to make this tournament our biggest ever, so please plan to attend.

Sparring Gear:  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 will still need to purchase a mouth guard and protective cup (for you guys) if you intend to spar in the upcoming tournament.

Self-Defense Course:  We will hold a USTF Ho-Sin-Sul Ground Course later this year at the Youth Center. We are not sure of the exact date yet, but it will be one day of training and everyone is invited regardless of rank.  There will be a fee associated with this as well as a certificate of completion for everyone who attends.  This will be an excellent course taught by Master Hannon from Kansas.

Travel:  We will make several road trips this year for courses and tournaments.  When we travel all students are invited to attend and so are their parents.  We typically have enough parents attending that we can take students that travel without their parents. However Master Todd and/or Mr. Bushor need to approve this ahead of time.  Remaining opportunities for travel this year will be for tournaments in Wyoming, Missouri and Colorado.  This year we are adding the Wyoming tournament that is hosted by the President of the USTF, Sr. Master Martin.  Since students from other states will attend our tournament this month we support their tournaments also. 

Camp: (by Master Todd)  We are not having a summer camp this year in Region 6 (Missouri).  However we have plenty of tournaments to satisfy your travel interests.  There is consideration for next year to move camp back to its original location in Knob Noster, Missouri near Whiteman Air Force Base.  This is where I started teaching camp in 1986.  The camp changed over the years and moved to the Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri and several other places.  There is consideration for moving it back to its original location which is rustic and provides students with a better camp experience, it will be a return to basics theme.  More information in the future. 

Upcoming dates - 2012

- Saturday, May 19th – 5th Annual AXE TKD tournament, Offutt AFB Youth Center

- Thursday, May 31st – Promotion testing for all eligible and approved students, Offutt AFB Youth Center

- Saturday, July 28th, 2nd Annual Axe TKD Bike Ride. 

- Saturday, August 18th – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.

- Saturday, September 15th, Wyoming Invitation, Casper, Wyoming

- 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.

2nd Annual Axe TKD Bike Ride:  On Saturday, July 28th, we will have our 2nd Annual Bike Ride.  Like last year, we will start and end at the trail head near Capehart Road and Highway 75.  There will be drinks, fruit, and some food at the half way/turn around point.  Everyone, to include your family members, is invited as long as you have a bike that will make the trip (about 12 miles total).  Master Todd volunteered to stay back with the slow group last year and may be convinced to do it again this year!  It was a great time last year and should be again this year.  We will talk about moving it to a different day if the weather is too bad (rain, temperature, etc.).