Orientation Basics

So, What things do you need to know?

The orientation class consists of five class sessions to introduce the beginner to Taekwondo. There is not a formal test to graduate from the orientation class, but the student is expected to know the basic terminology, stances, and kicks. The class is divided into five sections. The first two classes consist of an introduction to Taekwondo, general etiquette, dojang rules, the history of Master Lee, basic stances, and double punch. The third class is a review of the first two classes and adds front rising kick, crescent kick, and front kick. The fourth class includes round-house kick, and the fifth class adds side kick. The classes are cumulative and by the end of the fifth class, the student should have a fundamental understanding of the basics. This section describes the basics, in detail, for students to review.TKD is natural, so the movements we make should be natural as well.

BASIC ETIQUETTE

Bowing:

Feet together, hands at side
Tuck chin to chest and bend forward at waist 45 degrees, eyes looking downward
It is considered disrespectful in Korean culture to look at the person you are bowing to - it shows distrust .

Only need to bend forward 45 degrees, a very deep bow can actually show disrespect

Why do we bow ? In Korea, as in many East Asian cultures, it shows respect.

When to bow

On entering and entering the dojang
When entering and exiting the training floor
Bow to flags when entering and exiting training floor (with both the U.S. and Korean flags displayed, this shows respect to our country and to Korea as the origin of Taekwondo)
To all black belts
To Sabumnim (Master Sean)

Lining up:

Always line up at the beginning of class quickly!

Senior students line up first so juniors can follow suit quickly.
Most senior student in front on right hand side
Decreasing seniority in line to left of senior
Start a new line with the next highest student on far right hand side directly behind seniors.
Seniority is determined by

Belt Rank :
Date of beginning Taekwondo practice
Even if someone has been promoted sooner than another, the senior student (within a belt rank) is the one who started Taekwondo earlier. Students who have taken the Black Belt test, and not yet been promoted, do not necessarily become more senior than students who have not taken the test.

How to tie your belt :

Find the center of your belt. The center should be placed in the middle of your stomach.
Wrap both sides around your body.
With the end of the belt in your right hand, bring it under both belts from below, on the left hand side of your stomach, so that it hangs over the top. It should now be on the left side of your body.
With the side that was previously in your left hand, use your right hand to fold it over so that it is now pointing toward the left.
The belt that is hanging over should now wrap around this folded part of your belt and come up through the hole in the middle.
Ends should be adjusted so that they are even.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY:

our school: dojang

uniform: dobak

instructor: kyo-sanim

Thank-You: Kahn-saha-mida

Ki-Yap:a loud yell.

You don't yell "kihap!" that would be like yelling "Yell!". What you yell while performing a kihap is as individual as the student. The kihap should originate from the abdomen and be a loud release of energy. Reasons for kihap include: showing good spirit, tighten abdomen (will reduce a blow to the stomach), frighten opponent, focus energy, etc.

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Blocks : low block, high block, inner block, outer block

Basic Kicks: To learn TKD kicks properly, you have to attend taekwon do classes. It is simply not possible to learn the mechanics of tae kwon do kicking techniques without the help of a qualified instructor. You risk injury to the knees and hips without this instruction.

Basic Stances: Attention stance, Walking stance, forward stance, back stance...

Basic Attacks:

SELF DEFENSE

All basic TKD techniques fall into 4 catagories: The speed and force with which these techniques can be issued makes taekwondo a good self defense practice.

Every punch, every kick, every yell is self defense practice. You might not realize it, but the simple techniques that you practice in class, increase your confidence, control and ability to defend yourself if the need should ever arise.

You learn throughout your training where the vital points on the human anatomy are. These are the targets you use to perfect your techniques. Learning these points comes with forms practice, because each strike, punch or kick is aimed at one of these points.

So if you never specifically take a "self-defense" class, your taekwon do training has prepared you. It will become part of your sub-conscious.

You will start by memorizing techniques. But consistent attendance in class and practice of the techniques will soon lead to developing effective responses to whatever situation you find yourself in.

OUR DOJANG

By becoming part of the USTKD family, it is important for parents and adults to monitor smaller children- important for kids to listen to parents and adults, regardless of rank.

It also means that you can always ask questions of your seniors (your new brothers and sisters). Never be afraid to ask, we are a family now who help each other. Some things may not be immediately apparent why we do things. It is your responsibility if you do not understand something or need additional help to ask help from your seniors - that's why they are there!

The school rules were developed primarily for the safety of all our students, and they are not to be treated lightly.

Horseplay can be extremely dangerous.

Attending class under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly forbidden.

Training with an injury should always be discussed with an instructor first.

This is for your benefit as well as your fellow students.

OLYMPIC SPARRING

Full contact is allowed and opponents score "points" by kicking and punching the body at certain targets above the belt.

Competitors must wear protective gear such as a chest protector, mouth guard, helmet and arm / leg guards.

The person who scores the most points in three rounds is declared the winner.

Like boxing, there are weight divisions for male and female competitors

*Olympic sparring adheres to very specific rules and has evolved differently from traditional tkd because of it.*