How To Do One Step Sparring at Home
All this drill requires is two people, in which one could be a brother or sister or even one of your parents. It also requires very limited space. It doesn’t matter what grade you are, even a white belt can benefit from this. All what’s going to happen, especially for the main part, is your partner hold out their arm and you practice going around it. This is known as evading, and it should also be some fun once you both co-operate with each other. Now what follows is a full explanation of what one step sparring is all about.
ITA Taekwon-Do Summer Camp…Was it Hard?
Summer camps, a regular feature of many Taekwon-Do Associations, vary in intensity and are very popular as students can improve their training over an extended weekend or longer. Having organised a few such camps in a previous lifetime and forever curious to leapfrog my learning, I signed up Continue reading “ITA Taekwon-Do Summer Camp…Was it Hard?” »
The Three Faces of Taekwon-Do
Taekwon-Do may be viewed as a martial art, a sport and of course self defense. As a student of this great art I have at times confused these three faces, and my goal with this article is to highlight and differentiate all three. While the sport and competitive side of Taekwon-Do are self explanatory, many heated debates Continue reading “The Three Faces of Taekwon-Do” »
Cork Taekwondo 40 Years Reunion
Think of Brazil, and you invariably think of soccer. Visit Cork in Southern Ireland you might be forgiven for thinking of Taekwondo because this city and county has been a passionate bastion of ITF styled Taekwondo since Master Continue reading “Cork Taekwondo 40 Years Reunion” »
Cork 40 Years Celebrations – the Taekwon-Do warm-up starts now
Cork Celebrates 40 Years of Taekwon-Do, come and join the Party!
HOW TO TEACH SPARRING SAFELY
One of the key reasons that students both adults and children, give up training is commonly because they start sparring too soon. Their introduction to sparring is very abrupt, Continue reading “HOW TO TEACH SPARRING SAFELY” »
Black Belt Diligence
I remember reading about Howard Collins and Steve Arneil of Kyokushinkai Karate fame in the seventies. Their application and dedication to their art inspired an entire generation of martial artists. They both sacrificed everything Continue reading “Black Belt Diligence” »
Black Belt Standards – An Examiner’s Responsibility
If the grade of Black Belt in martial arts was easy to attain and gaining it was commonplace, then it must surely stand to reason that such a Black Belt amounts to little or nothing. The wearer of such a false belt is more to be pitied Continue reading “Black Belt Standards – An Examiner’s Responsibility” »
Cork Taekwondo 40 years on – an Opportunity in Waiting
If you were to visit Cork right now, today you simply could not miss the sea of Red and White Cork flags, bunting, silly hats and even people’s cars all in Red.
Because Cork will play in the Hurling Final tomorrow every man, woman and child, all the schools national and second level will take advantage of boasting Continue reading “Cork Taekwondo 40 years on – an Opportunity in Waiting” »
CORK TAEKWONDO ….How Big is That?
Cork Taekwondo Instructors’ Last minute Check List:
Posters up, flyers pushed through letterboxes, press releases sent off, web-sites tweaked with landing and squeeze pages, complete with flashing lights and limited special-offer free-bees to stressed out parents. Yep all done.
Wait there’s more ! … Continue reading “CORK TAEKWONDO ….How Big is That?” »
Taekwondo Pledges to Defend the Weak, or Does It?
Ever stood waiting in a queue in a public place with your partner, when a few intimidating thugs barge and bully their way to the front. What’s worse is when some brave bloke takes it upon himself to make a stand, the thugs proceed to Continue reading “Taekwondo Pledges to Defend the Weak, or Does It?” »
The Cork Taekwondo Funeral Experience
On Thursday morning I bumped into some old Taekwondo training friends and even some former Taekwondo foes, when I attended a funeral here in my hometown of Cork in Southern Ireland. Continue reading “The Cork Taekwondo Funeral Experience” »
Counter Attacking Sparring Option
Ever find yourself frustrated with your sparring when you execute a kick only to find your opponent is just that tiny bit out of range? Well, take heart as it can be a common feeling so this article looks at the advantages of counter-attacking as opposed to initiating the attack. Continue reading “Counter Attacking Sparring Option” »
Remembering General Choi Hong Hi
As the sun sets on this day June 15th, 2013, let us Taekwon-Do students and instructors around the world pause to reflect the man who died on this day eleven years ago in June 2002. The founder of Taekwon-Do General Continue reading “Remembering General Choi Hong Hi” »
Finding Reasons to Continue Training
We all have reasons for doing things. Having a flat midsection, renewed energy levels and better all round physical and mental health are all strong reasons to workout. However, we also may have reasons to give up, and these “give up”
Continue reading “Finding Reasons to Continue Training” »
A Beginner’s Guide to Taekwondo
Taekwondo, renowned for it’s dynamic kicking, as we know it today has two distinct styles. ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) which was founded by Korean General Choi Hong Hi and incorporates Patterns (Tul) which apart Continue reading “A Beginner’s Guide to Taekwondo” »
TEACHING CHILDREN TAEKWONDO – More of What you need to know
You may have heard it before, the saying, ‘Children are not “Miniature Adults”, yet many martial arts instructors fail to understand this concept. Would you ever dream of sending your child to a school where you knew that none of the teachers had undergone any form of teacher training or even had a course in child psychology and child development? Continue reading “TEACHING CHILDREN TAEKWONDO – More of What you need to know” »
Taekwondo Self Defence Techniques (Hosin Sul) Drilling Knees and Elbows
In this combination we explore those two explosive attacking tools, the knee (moorup) and the elbow (palkup). Apart from the practical value of short range techniques, it can be used for line-work in most Taekwondo classes, it is also great to include for cardio work as it works the bigger muscle groups, and can be easily done by most grades.
Continue reading “Taekwondo Self Defence Techniques (Hosin Sul) Drilling Knees and Elbows” »
The Oldest Taekwondo Combination in the Book
“The Oldest One in the Book”
This month’s Taekwondo combination is the Step In leading Leg Side Kick and follow up with a knife-hand. This is probably one of the first and most basic of all sparring combinations, we all strive to learn, nonetheless it is a formidable Continue reading “The Oldest Taekwondo Combination in the Book” »
Tailor Made Taekwondo Sparring Combinations Part 2 – Using the Axe Kick
Before we get into the axe kick, just recap on last month when we covered eight points that would benefit putting a combination together. Now we add two more. Continue reading “Tailor Made Taekwondo Sparring Combinations Part 2 – Using the Axe Kick” »
Tailor Made Combinations for Taekwondo Sparring Part 1
One of the most interesting aspects of Taekwondo training is putting together a combination of kicks and punches using some of our favourite techniques and more importantly ones that are tailor made for ourselves. We know from our Continue reading “Tailor Made Combinations for Taekwondo Sparring Part 1” »
Taekwondo and Sparring the Inner Opponent
One of the best selling self help books of all time has to be: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. With 25 million copies sold and translated into 38 languages it makes an easy recommendation. Based on many years of success literature as part of his doctoral studies, it was first published in the USA in 1989. Elegantly written and containing trans-generational gems of profound wisdom, to my mind, has outlasted many of the current wave of new age publications. It’s important because it follows closely the dogma of the great Continue reading “Taekwondo and Sparring the Inner Opponent” »
Why Flexibility Training is Important for Taekwondo & Health
Every fitness book will tell you that it is vital to stretch regularly to maintain flexibility and aid muscle recuperation throughout your life. They are all right. I took awhile to heed this great advice, I needed stronger reasons Continue reading “Why Flexibility Training is Important for Taekwondo & Health” »
Getting Girls and Women to Practice Taekwondo
I have no doubts most genuine, caring, instructor can see the value of teaching young members of our society lessons, both physically and mentally, through the martial arts. But are we reaching out to all children, or are there some Continue reading “Getting Girls and Women to Practice Taekwondo” »
Is it a Myth? Now that I’m over 40, My Metabolism is Slowing Down….
Does Metabolism change after Age 40?
Many of us believe in this myth that once we reach age 40 our metabolism dramatically slows down and we helplessly pile on the weight. Well the good news is Continue reading “Is it a Myth? Now that I’m over 40, My Metabolism is Slowing Down….” »
Pushing Through Barriers in Taekwondo Training
Strong reasons to keep up training, over many years, takes an above average mindset. Black Belt and beyond is a plateaux reserved for those of us who value a fit, strong body and an open mind on what is possible with further advanced Continue reading “Pushing Through Barriers in Taekwondo Training” »
Boxing Mindset for Taekwondo Sparring
Boxing for actual sparring is a serious workout. Unlike the cardio type of exercise, this is a slightly different mind set. It has elements of grace and beauty and well as elements of hardcore training Continue reading “Boxing Mindset for Taekwondo Sparring” »
Why do You Teach Taekwondo to Children?
Have you ever asked yourself the question, ‘Why do I teach children?’ Answer the question carefully, because if it is not in your heart or disposition to teach kids, then you shouldn’t be doing it at all… Have you ever sat back and reflected, ‘What do I teach and how am I teaching? Are the children actually learning something valuable? Martial arts is a Continue reading “Why do You Teach Taekwondo to Children?” »
Is Your Taekwondo Curriculum Suitable for Children?
Traditional martial arts training like Taekwondo is typically looked upon as being very disciplined, so instructors tend to be strict, with a focus on skill development. There is a high element of hierarchy and therefore you would never speak unless spoken to or be allowed to question. The style of teaching is purely didactic, children are expected to obey in silence. Generally, Continue reading “Is Your Taekwondo Curriculum Suitable for Children?” »
Taekwondo Training with Goals and Passion
Since the day I first saw Bruce Lee flash across the screen, I was hooked on everything martial, particularly Taekwondo, as my passion for it developed and consumed my life. Now before I suggest that we all start running out to buy rash guards and the latest MMA must-haves, I am speaking from a personal perspective of passion for Continue reading “Taekwondo Training with Goals and Passion” »
Weight Training for Taekwondo and Fitness
AN INTRODUCTION TO RESISTANCE AND WEIGHT TRAINING
Strength or Weight training, sometimes known as Resistance training, will enhance boxing martial arts and fitness. Even the high kicking art of Taekwondo will benefit, as research has shown when resistance and flexibility training are combined, flexibility actually increases. Continue reading “Weight Training for Taekwondo and Fitness” »
Coming of Age in your Taekwondo Training
Many of us think of ‘Coming of Age’ as turning 18 or 21. While this is known to be true for young adults as a milestone in life’s journey, a similar occurrence takes place for those who practise the martial arts journey long term. To me, coming of age in your martial arts training, takes place around age 40, plus or minus a few years, depending on the individual. Continue reading “Coming of Age in your Taekwondo Training” »
Sparring the Taekwondo Ego
Allow me to transport you dear reader, back to when my parents gave me a pair of Boxing gloves in October 1965 for my tenth birthday. I wore them all the time and tested my skills on my younger, terrified brother. Continue reading “Sparring the Taekwondo Ego” »
Getting Serious About Taekwondo Training…
I was inspired reading the autobiography of one of the world’s greatest dancers Michael Flatley, about when he really decided to make dancing his life’s endeavour, how his training regime was seriously upgraded… Continue reading “Getting Serious About Taekwondo Training…” »
Children’s Taekwondo Classes – Some Important Ideas
For those of us that have run children’s classes long term, we may have seen a drop in the age 7 – 11 group and teenagers recruitment over time and are quick to blame ‘competition’ (what many instructors consider other martial arts clubs in the vicinity) or ‘recession’ (people simply have no money!). Continue reading “Children’s Taekwondo Classes – Some Important Ideas” »
Teaching Children – What you Need to Know
BUDO BLACKBELT UK Magazine, No. 36, Dec 2003
This article is about physical aspects that should be taken into consideration when teaching children martial arts and emphasizes why an adult training regime is not suitable for a young child. Continue reading “Teaching Children – What you Need to Know” »
Does the Style of Martial Art You Practice Really Matter?
I recently wrote the following paragraph at the start of a book. I share it here as it leads into the opening of this blog…
“I began my study of the martial arts after an assault by a gang of thugs in 1974. The beating hurt more psychologically than physically, and for a long time afterwards, revenge was my prime motivation to take up martial arts training. The Bruce Lee craze was in full swing and I began training in Boxing and Taekwondo in June of 1974. It really did not matter to me that the style was called Taekwondo, I could just as easily have walked into Judo or a Karate club.
Continue reading “Does the Style of Martial Art You Practice Really Matter?” »
Chasing the Elusive Six Pack
At this stage of my career, I feel priviledged to be still very actively involved in training, particularly with my latest project Kaizendo Fitness, a training programme I developed over the last 10 years, to facilitate both the needs of the fitness enthusiast and the adult martial artist. A personal goal of mine, now at the age of 56 is to chase down the elusive six pack, although I would settle for four. Continue reading “Chasing the Elusive Six Pack” »
Taekwondo Training – Using Paddle Pads
Murphy’s Masterclass - Using Paddle Pads
This month we look at the paddle target pad. While the paddle pad is not strictly a focus pad, it still is a very valuable and important piece of equipment. The story behind the paddle is that a group of Korean Taekwondo experts who were looking to warm up prior to an exhibition held a martial arts shoe by the heel and held it so that the wider top end of the shoe could act as a target. Continue reading “Taekwondo Training – Using Paddle Pads” »
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