Students of the Month: The junior student of the month for July is Mr. Dempsey DeMars. The adult student is Mr. Aaron Fleischmann. We believe they are excellent examples of the finest qualities in TKD, and display the tenets of Taekwon-Do (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit). Congratulations! Please visit the webpage to view their information.
USTF Basic Ho Sin Sul Course: Our school is hosting the USTF Ho-Sin-Sul Basic course on Saturday, November 10th at the Youth Center. The course is scheduled to run between 9 am and 4 pm with a break for lunch. The course is open to all ages and ranks. Mr. Frank Hannon, VI Dan, Kansas State Director, will be our guest instructor for this course. Mr. Hannon is a retired Army Ranger, with an extensive Self-Defense background, and is one of only four certified Ho-Sin-Sul instructors in the USTF. Mr. Hannon will cover all Self Defense techniques and requirements from White Belt through Black Belt. He will show proper break falling, throwing, joint lock, release, and tumbling techniques.
We are expecting a number of students from the surrounding states to attend this class and everyone is expected to be on their best behavior. Any breaches in courtesy or behavior will not be tolerated!
This course is available to everyone no matter your age or rank, but is MANDITORY for promotion to II Dan Black Belt. Even if you are not ready to test for your II Dan, this course will count when you are eligible to test.
The cost is $65 if this is the first time you have taken the course, but only $45 if you have attended one in the past (retake). Please fill out the attached registration form and return it to Mr. Todd as soon as possible. We do need a minimum of 25 first time students to hold the class, and we can't count on the out of state folks. We will attempt to have this course every year here in Nebraska, but we can't guarantee there will be another one before you are ready to test.
Battle of the Belts: On Saturday, September 29th, we sent a large contingent to participate in the annual Battle of the Belts. We have historically done very well at this tournament and this year was no different. Congratulations to all those students who were able to bring home the medals. Visit the Axe TKD web site to see the winners and their medals.
2007 Events: (all dates are tentative)
November 10th – Basic Ho-Sin-Sul Course – Small Gym – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
November 17th – Testing, Small Gym – 8:30 am
December – Holiday Party
February 2nd-3rd – USTF Instructors Course – Kirksville, Missouri
April 19th – Master & Black Belt Testing – Large Gym
Testing: We will have our next on Saturday, November 17th in the Small gym at the Offutt AFB Youth Center. Mr. Todd and Mr. Bushor will be considering every student and will publish a list shortly. The testing will start promptly at 9:00 am, so don’t be late. The Youth Center will be open at 8:00 am and we expect all those testing will be in uniform and stretching not later than 8:30 am. All students, even those not testing, are expected to attend the testing. If you cannot attend you must let Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor know in advance. Parents, family, and friends are all invited to watch and take pictures or video during the testing. Come and support all the students testing to their next level.
Assistant Instructor Schedule: The following individuals are tasked to attend the 5:30-6:30 class and assist the instructor. If you cannot attend the scheduled class, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. October 23 - Ms. Fuller, October 25 - Ms. Bowing, October 30 - Mr. Finan, November 1 - Mr. Reep, November 6 - Ms. Reep, November 8 - Ms. Fuller, November 13 - Ms. Brumbaugh, J, November 15 - Ms. Brumbaugh, N, November 20 - Mr. Carter, November 22 - Ms. Bowing, November 27 - Mr. Finan, November 29 - Mr. Reep
Black Belt Requirements (By Ricky J. Todd, 6th Degree)
Axe Taekwon-Do is following the requirements set by the USTF for promotion to black belt. The requirements are listed below. The guidance we follow is that if a course is readily available a student must attend the course. We do provide exemptions due to military travel, etc. All exceptions must be approved by me and they will become rarer as we move forward. I consider a course in Missouri to be readily available if a majority of the class attends, for example the upcoming Ho-Sin-Sul (self defense course) here in November and the USTF Class C Instructors Course in Missouri in February 2008.
When a student enters the promotion eligibility time frame for any black belt rank they will be evaluated by the state director (Mr. Bushor) who will conduct a pre-test. Mr. Bushor he will provide me (regional director) with a list of his recommendations. We will then schedule a black belt testing. Our goal is to produce technically proficient students, so if there is any doubt that a student can pass the test they will be held back until the next scheduled testing which is every three months. We will discuss these results with students and their parents individually.
In addition to being technically proficient on all techniques for a student’s rank and the ranks below them the following is the USTF requirements for promotion.
1st Degree Black Belt
- Good character and attendance in class
- Recommended by Mr. Bushor & approved by Mr. Todd
- At least 6 months training as a 1st gup, Red Belt/Black Stripe
- 20 hours community service
- USTF Class C Referee
- If teaching in a school away for Axe Taekwon-Do, the student must be a USTF Class C Instructor
- Participate in one USTF tournament
2nd Degree Black Belt
- Good character and attendance in class
- Recommended by Mr. Bushor & approved by Mr. Todd
- USTF Level 1 Ho-Sin-Sul Course
- USTF Class C Instructor
- Recommended to be a USTF Class B Referee
- Must be at least 14.5 years old
- At least 18 months active training as a 1st Degree Black Belt
- 30 hours community service
- Participate in two USTF tournaments
3rd Degree Black Belt
- Good character and attendance in class
- Recommended by Mr. Bushor & approved by Mr. Todd
- Must attend USTF Level 2 Ho-Sin-Sul Course
- USTF Weapons Self Defense Course
- If teaching in a school away from Axe Taekwon-Do, the student must be a USTF Class B Instructor
- Must be at least 17.5 years old
- At least 30 months active training as a 2nd Degree Black Belt
- 40 hours community service
- Participate in three USTF tournaments
4th Degree Black Belt
- Good character and attendance in class
- Recommended by Mr. Bushor & approved by Mr. Todd
- Required to be a USTF Class B Instructor
- Required to be a USTF Class A Referee
- Must be at least 19.5 years old
- At least 42 months active training as a 3rd Degree Black Belt
- Participate in 4 USTF tournaments
Self Control (By Patrick J. Finan, 2nd degree)
The fourth tenant of Taekwon-Do is self control. Simply put, it is being in control of yourself, your actions and your emotions.
There are several examples of this. First, when practicing Taekwon-Do, you need to be able to control your kicks and punches. This is a skill that improves the more you practice, but you must strive to have the most control possible. Anyone can use a full force kick or punch and clobber someone with it, the skill is being able to throw that same full power punch or kick and have only light contact or no contact at all. If you watch Mr. Todd when he is demonstrating a technique for sparring, he will come at you with full force, and then just barely touch you. That shows tremendous self control.
Another aspect of self control is controlling your emotions. You need to make a concerted effort to not loose your temper with other people. Do not take out your anger or frustration on someone else. Keep control of your temper and do not “fly off the handle.”
Self control while participating in Taekwon-Do is a huge necessity. The last part of self control I would like to cover is once the sparring is over. After the match you still need to exhibit self control. If you do not win the match, do not storm out of the ring and start throwing a fit, chucking your sparring gear around and kicking whatever might be in front of you because you did not win. That shows poor self control and is unsportsmanlike. If you have control over your emotions, this will not happen. I have seen this happen on more than one occasion while at tournaments I have attended. Mr. Glen DeMars said it well after the Battle of the Belts, “Being a winner does not mean we win all the time…to be a winner you must be both mature and humble, in victory and defeat…mature, humble, hard working, intellectual and a good sport with a positive attitude makes a winner.”
Being in control of yourself, physically and mentally, is a big part of Taekwon-Do. This, along with all the other tenants, can be used in Taekwon-Do as well as your everyday life. Strive to make yourself an example that others will want to follow.
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