Destruction

Destruction or breaking board is part of the Black Belt Grading procedures. One needs to perform destruction in order to be able to pass. However, the breaking board is different for every level of black belt grading. For those just sitting for their 1st Poom or 1st Dan, they have to break one with hand technique and one with leg technique. Those sitting for their 2nd Poom or 2nd Dan, they have to perform one hand technique and two leg techniques using both legs. While for those sitting for 3rd Poom or 3rd Dan and above, they have to perform two hand techniques using both hand and two leg techniques using both legs.

Another factor is the thickness of the board. It will be depends on the age, grade, gender and body size. The thinnest board will be half an inch and the thickest will 2 inches. There would not be any thicker than 2 inches as the holders are only able hold up to that thick.

The purpose of detruction is a test of power and speed of the students in executing the hand and the leg techniques. It is an indication of the ability of the students to be able to hit with speed and power to their assailants if the situation require them to. They have to be able to bring them down with one hit or the most 3 hits. Anything more than that show that the students are not yet achieve the level of a black belt.

Therefore, training for detruction require another method of coaching.

Grading

There was a mini grading today at One Utama which comprised only four students. They were the ones that had missed the last grading due to their unpreparedness. This time around, they suppose to be better prepared but circumstances such as stage fright, nervousness and anxiety had somehow affected their performance except one.

Nevertheless, their performance today had somewhat better than the previous grading. I was not really happy and satisfied with their performance as I know that they can do better but they are still very young and their training group is young too. Therefore, I can't really have high expectation. However, just drill them harder for the next grading at the end of the year.

Coaching Poomsae

Poomsae is one unique component in Taekwondo. It actually comes with many names. Of course the actual name is Poomsae, but there are countries that called in form or pattern. Anyway, in coaching poomsae it is important that the students have established a good foundation in their basic techniques such as the punches and blocks as Poomsae movements are made out from basic techniques. With a sound basic then the student will be able to perform the poomsae nicely.

However, there is techniques to be comply by the students to enable them to perform the poomsae beautifully. As the execution of the techniques require speed and power. These speed and power of the execution come from the waist power or in a more scientific term, the core strength. With a strong core, one can generate force from the core to the extremities. This way, the techniques can be executed with speed and power.

Therefore, in coaching poomsae, one needs to work from the fundamental techniques. Start with coaching the proper basic techniques and movements. Then develop their core strength. Then coach them to combine the core strength with the execution of the techniques. Once this is achieve, then the students wiil be abkle to perform the poomsae beautifully. This of course that the students already know their poomsae.

Mini Grading

There will a small scale grading at the One Utama class for those who had missed the grading due to their un-readiness during the last grading. As this class involve children at a young age, many of them are only able to learn at their own pace. Some individuals are able to pick up faster, while some learn at a slower pace. They take slighly longer time to learn.

Therefore, grading for the class at One Utama cannot be fixed for all as the children there are much younger and they all learn at different pace. There will be some individuals who are able to take the gradieng earlier while some are only able to do it later. It's all individualized.

However, the mini grading normally involve a smaller number of participants compare to the major one. This grading also motivate the kids to train harder rather than get upset to be left behind.

2nd International Symposium for Taekwondo Studies

I am actually more interested in the The 2nd International Symposium for Taekwondo Studies that will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark as there will be latest information in scientific aspects and new coaching idea available. The scientific aspect will include the physiology, biomechanic, psychology and rehabilitation. There will be presentation on taekwondo pedagogy and philosophy. It will be interesting to be able to find out new information around the world in Taekwondo. Once again, due to financial constraint, I am unable to go. furthermore, it'll be in Europe and the cost is much higher than in Philippine. Hopefully, I can make it for the 3rd Symposium.

Static Stretching

Static stretching is one of the stretching exercises to improve flexibility or the range of motion and in Taekwondo, it is especially important as flexibility is one of the most important components in kicking. Without good flexibility one is not able to perform high kicks and in free-sparring or kyorugi, kicking to the head will enable the exponent to score high point compare with kicking to the body.

However, there are many other type of stretching to improve flexibility such as PNF, dynamic stretching, isometric stretching etc. It is important to know and understand the timing to perform each type of stretching exercises. Dynamic stretching is to be performed at the beginning of the training session. Static stretching is to be performed either at the end of the training session or a training session by itself.

Competition

There will be an Invitational Taekwondo Championship at the end of the year specifically 5 & 6 December 2009 at the Kuala Kudu Bharu Selangor. The competition is organized by the Hulu Selangor Taekwondo Association. The competition will have sparring and poomsae and open for 10 years old and above. The category is divided into 10-12, 13-15, 16-18 and above 18 years old.

I need to start to prepare a team now as time is not on my side with the festive season around the corner, grading and school examinations there is not much time left for training. I need to plan and prepare a training program for the athletes during the Hari Raya break and to start training once they return.

On top of that, I also need to prepare for budget and transportation to send a team there.

Let see how many athletes that are ready to participate in this competition.

Today...

Today, we continue with poomsae training but we work more poomsae today than last week. We started with the fundamental conditioning of knee raising etc. Then follow by front kick over seated partner's arm and side kick with assistance for height.

We also work on destruction techniques for hand and leg to prepare them early for the black belt grading in November.

Today's poomsae was performed by number and own time. There'll be no lesson next week for the Hari Raya and when lesson resume, training will continue with the rest of the poomsae and more on destruction training.

International Referee

There will an International Referee (IR) Seminar being conducted in the South East Asia region, specifically Manila, Philippine. This can be consider the nearest and probably the cheapest IR seminar being held due to the low cost of living in Philippine. However, the timing that it is being held is not right as I am currently undergoing house renovation. I am running low on the budget. Also the cost of the seminar is USD$300 and inclusive of air ticket, accommodation and boarding, that will come out to considerably big amount.

To think deeper, what can I do with the IR status if I am not really interested in becoming a referee? I am more of a coach than an official. If you can't coach, then it's better for you to officiate... No Offence..

Professional Development

Taekwondo coach, like every other coach need to read to upgrade themselves. One has to take time everyday for professional development. Reading not restrict to only taekwondo material but also other topics or subjects that related to it. Reading material are not restricted to books only, internet is another source but one needs to be aware of the information being posted on the internet cos not everything on the internet is accurate.

There ae many new information out there that can help the coaches to improve themselves and upgrade their knowledge. Otherwise they will be left behind and be obsolete. Professional development can help the coaches to be keep tab on the new training and coaching information that can help the athletes to improve. When the coach improve, the athletes can also benefit from it.

Poomsae Training

Today session was in preparation for poomsae training. It started with the "old - school" fundamental training, with
knee raising 40 x 3
lateral leg raising, backward raising, front leg crossover 20 per leg x 3
waist twisting 40 x 3
followed by
full-squat front kick, rotational push up and sit-up. 10 x 3

Then continue with passive stretching with partner. Straight leg with back fully lean against the wall and partner push the leg up 10 count x 3 ht
Side way of abductor stretch of 10 count x 3 ht
front kick over seated partner arm of 10, 8 and 6 each leg
double side kick knee and head of 6 x 3 sets

Later poomsae training begin with Taegeuk 1 with focus on the movement and execution. After that specific poomsae will be taught for specific level and koryo is done by all the black belt. The focus of the poomsae was on the execution and movement of thetechniques utilizing the waist power or core strength.

Next week poomsae training will be doing the same exercises with more poomsae. Focus will still be on the execution of the techniques.

Post Holiday Training

Lesson will be back to normal after a week of holiday. The physical conditioning will be reduced to make way for more skill and techniques training in preparation for grading in November for both senior and junior belt.

Training now will focus on poomsae and destruction with a bit or combination kicks. Probably will have some free-sparring for the weekend classes. This serve as an evaluation of the skill training that have been done for the pass several months. Now is more to application.

On the physical conditioning, work will be done on the flexibility and core training with maintenance of muscular strength and endurance.

The poomsae will be conducted in accordance with the new changes by the Kukkiwon.