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.