Avoiding Common TKD Training Mistakes

[KickChick]

Studying the martial arts is about growing and learning from your mistakes. Here are some common mistakes that most students make at one time or another. (...adapted from a piece in the June 2001 issue of Black Belt Magazine


Mistake # 1
Training one side of your body more than the other.
If you are ever in a real self-defense situation, you probably won't be able to choose which leg to kick with, so both must be equally strong. Solution: Train you weaker side first and force yourself to use that side when sparring. Switching your stance when sparring can also help keep you focused on making your techniques sharp.


Mistake #2
Stretching too far too fast.
This is a common problem with adult students just beginning to study. When your motion exceeds what your body can handle, it can result in sore muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Solution: Arrive at class a few minutes early and get properly warmed up before class begins.


Mistake #3
Holding your breath.
Many students concentrate so hard on what they are doing, they forget to breathe, causing lightheadedness, dizziness, and a reduction in energy level. Solution: Relax (You've probably heard that before!) Breathe while you move, exhaling as you kick, punch, or block. Try to breathe deeply, from your stomach, rather than from your chest.

Mistake #4
Practicing advanced techniques before mastering the basics.
There is nothing worse than seeing a black belt with sloppy and incorrect form. Advanced students should never have to be reminded about making a tight fist or keeping their fingers tight in knife-hand blocks. Solution: Practice, practice, practice those fundamental techniques--they are the building blocks of the advanced techniques. If you spend time practicing the basics, your advanced techniques will look good and you won't end up as a black belt with sloppy punches.


Mistake #5
Overdoing it.
Know your limits and don't exceed them. It is very easy to fall prey to an injury if you allow yourself to get too tired. Solution: Training should be 90% physical and 100% mental. Save some physical energy for your next workout and concentrate all of your mental energy on making your techniques controlled and precise.


Mistake # 6
Practicing only your favorite techniques.
Everyone has a favorite technique that they are good at, as well as ones they need to work on. If you only practice you favorite kick, you will never make any improvements to your other kicks. Solution: Perform all your techniques using both sides of your body. When sparring with a familiar partner, surprise them by throwing a technique you've never used before.


Mistake #7
Coming to class only once a week.
With today's busy life style, people often find than exercise gets a low priority. If you only come to class once a week, you have six days in between for your memory to fade and your techniques to deteriorate. Solution: Make a commitment to yourself to get to class often!
On your days off, think about your kicks and blocks. Go through your forms in your head. Think of it as doing your martial arts homework and come to your next class prepared to learn.


Any others????

[Kaine]

I have the one side problem but I am working on it right now, other then that I concentrate very hard all the other problems when I go training ( I'm not part of a club right now). sloppy patters are a majore problem I've seen with people and it is a problem that I have too, like really lazy L stances and stuff like and non-full facing shoulders when punching. There are others too...

[KickChick]

I found that stances are a big problem and also when sparring I notice many of the students drop their hands, another big mistake. Also arms and hands flailing about when doing floor technique. Lack of power/snap and height in kicks is yet another.

As a black belt I try to always be conscious of my technique even when I am not feeling 100 % that day. There is nothing worse than seeing an advanced student just going through the motions...

I'm sure there are many others seen at your schools....

[Helm]

Yeah Id agree with the points you've raised. The biggest many people make is not relaxing, you see them all tensed up..especially their shoulders, and as a result their techniques tend to be poorly executed, and seem to take more energy for them to perform in this 'tensed' state.

Another common mistake is striking pads. A good pad holder can make so much difference when training. I see some people not even looking at the person kicking the pad when they are holding. They should be totally aware of what techniques are being used, how to hold the pad properly with minimal risk of injury to themselves and others. (I've seen people holding floppy pads infront of their faces).

[Tosh]

I like to add one

Peform the techniques, don't just put your arms and legs in to the correct position. If it's a block imagine yourself blocking if it's a strike imagine striking the vital spot.

If you are just placcing your arms and legs into a photographically correct position you are just doing keep fit, block to block , strike to strike!

[Kaine]

over extenstion when some one else is holding the pad, when you kick they move back in anticipation for your kick, and flailing hands is also a large problem...

[Thomas]

I love the original post... words of wisdom)

Common Reminders for higher level TKDists (and assistant instructors)

(1) Remember to continue practicing your old techniques and forms no matter what level you reach... you'll need them later for other tests or for instructing.

(2) Watch how other instructors do warmups and teaching. File away some ideas you'd like to use. Practice occassionally how you would run a class... you may be in front of the class suddenly and without warning.

(3) Assistant instructors should always have a teaching topic ready for every class... you may be asked to teach if the master chooses to do something else.

(3.5) Make sure you can do whatever you are going to teach... think about how you'll present it.

(4) Don't run your class EXACTLY like the other instructors... add some different drills or ideas... make your teaching style memorable.

(5) As a assistant instructor, be prepared to be the first one at class and the last to leave. Keep an eye out to see if anyone needs help before and after class.

(6) Always start on time and finish on time. Sometimes allow time for students to work on things they might need to brush up on.

(7) Always show a good attitude whether you feel like it or not... the junior students may emulate you.

(8) If you are injured or sick or really do not feel like training... don't. Contact your master and let him/her know you won't be in. It's okay to take a night off once in a while if it will make you more efficient. (The "always train whether injured, ill or not" is not a good idea. Sometimes a break will bring you back even better than before.)

[Artikon]

WOW!!! I've seen and actually done all of those bad things . . . and then learned my lesson . . . thankfully.

Some very good points brought up by kickchick, and of course Thomas your additions are also very true. Although #8 from Thomas I agree and disagree with. I find that sometimes training when you are felling down can sometimes bring you back up and give you some energy. Some of the best classes I've had with my students have been when I have felt poor. Although on the flip side listen to your body. If you do feel very ill, barely able to move, hoping the porcelin god is close by, may be a bad idea to go teach :D at that point I agree.

If I may also add one thing. I find alot of times students AND instructors alike are too concerned with the final product of the technique, and not the beginning or the middle. By equally focusing on the beginning, middle and ending, a student can have a technique that is fast, powerful, effective, and most importantly understood.

[Thomas]

I agree and disagree with #8 in a way as well. A person has to be conscious not to abuse this. If you are really injured or in a really bad mood, where your actions or injury could hinder the learning of others, then you should not go. If you are just looking for a reason not to train... then maybe you need to re-evaluate why you go in the first place.

[flyingblackbelt]

Okay this is my first post on this board so i figured id just tell everyone that. I teach quite often at my Tae kwon do school and the mistake i see people making most often is inconsistency. A lot of people will come 2-3 times one week and then miss an entire week, that is not the proper way to train, you have to make sure youre training everyweek that you can. Dont get lazy, lazy mindset amounts to lazy techniques. Also, the childrens parents tend to not have the right mindset, most of them want to get their child to the next belt fast and dont care what their technique looks like, thats a big mistake that can actually rub off on the children themselves, and believe me ive seen it. One small question for kickchick, do you by any chance train at a.i.t.k.d?

[KickChick]

Originally posted by flyingblackbelt
One small question for kickchick, do you by any chance train at a.i.t.k.d?

:D ... I believe you got your answer this morning flyingblackbelt.

Welcome to MAP flyingblackbelt.... and the name fits you well!

[neryo_tkd]

i noticed that some students don't pay attention to their entire body when executing a kick e.g. a yopchagi. they pay attention to the foot and leg and hips, but not the upper part of the body. they don't look at the oponent, they execute the kick but the upper part is directed in the opposite way. the same thing happens when executing a dwitchagi. the leg goes one way, the eyes another.
so i guess i have to agree that drilling the basics is very important and paying attention to details. as time goes by the students get the hang of all the techniques, more or less, but it's the details that make the difference.
then there are also problems with executing a dolyochagi. sometimes it looks more of a sewochagi etc.

i mean, there are mistakes like these that can be noticed in every dojo. but it's up to the instructor to notice them actually be able to notice them and explain them to the student(s) and of course up to the student to think about how much he/she wants to invest his/her effort in the training sessions.

[Kwajman]

Your right on, sounds like my instructor lecturing me (tho your better to look at). You, are, the, queen...

[neryo_tkd]

like ur instructor lecturing u?...... he he he he....great minds think alike...he he he he

[Kwajman]

Hey sounds like the instructors are teaching the same things! THats a good thing I think.

[Holgate]

only thing I would add is on the amount of training, yes train more than once a week, but anymore than 5 times a week will make very little diffrence to your technique and could have a backward effect on you because you'll become tired.

I exercise at least 4/5 times a week, but only twice in TKD (occassionally 3 times if I am in the mood) it's about varying the kind of exercise you do and if you train twice a week you keep your mind fresh but doing diffrent exercise keeps your body fresh and working other parts which wouldn't normally be worked on.

[neryo_tkd]

well, Holgate, a very important thing when talking about the amount of training is WHY u r training TKD. if it is to get a great work out and learn some techniques, once or twice is ok. but if u take part in competitions, then once or twice will only get ur ass kicked at competitions.

[Holgate]

Yes but they do think that you gain as much from training just twice a week as you do five times a week, something like 1% diffrence if you train more. Sometimes it isn't worth exahusting the body just for an extra 1%

Training too much will also make anyone more prone to injury in both practice so I feel in the long run it isn't always the quantity of training someone does but the quality of training done which counts

[neryo_tkd]

yes, i hear you. but i still disagree with u. u would actually train once or twice a week and then go to competitions????????? wooow what a statement! well, it's either that ur competitions are not as tough as ours are, or there is something wrong with ur instructor if he agrees with u. that's my oppinion.

maybe u should ask around and find out how much the national team of ur country trains. is it really once or twice a week????
because if u train for competitions, u have a special training program. it's not always drilling the techniques and it's not always sparring, it's a combination of many different things that contribute to ur stamina, technique, strength, fighting skills etc etc etc and if u are a member of the national team, there are again special trainings that all competitors have together, outside the club they train at. i know it because i am one of them. and i don't think that there is something wrong with that way of training because it definitely brings results. to win medals at the world championship is not a small thing, wouldn't u agree???

[neryo_tkd]

Originally posted by KickChick
As a black belt I try to always be conscious of my technique even when I am not feeling 100 % that day. There is nothing worse than seeing an advanced student just going through the motions...

i couldn't agree more and it doesn't matter if it's when drilling techniques or doing forms or whatever. that is why i also want my students to concentrate 100% when doing the forms, which are not just mere moving around. if they see that advanced students do them with a boring expression on their faces then it's not good for the lower belts and it's saying a lot about those advanced students as well. this has never happened at my club but unfortunately i've seen similar things at different schools. and one more thing which i don't like is when the instructor does the techniques with the students. several months ago i witnessed it. the students were doing things wrong but the instructor didn't correct them because he didn't see them.

[Thomas]

I really like this thread and I just saw it buried in the back... anyone have anything to add?

[neryo_tkd]

you are right Thomas. I just hope that Holgate changed his opinion and learned a thing or two. I don't know how long he has been training TKD and whether or not he has been training seriously, but to become a good martial artist, one has to train more than once or twice a week. For example, beginners often don't understand certain things, but hopefully they will mature. and one more thing i really hate is to listen to comments about a martial art from people who train it on and off and don't take it seriously but they act as if they are smarter than the rest of the world. when i started training i was like a sponge absorbing all the info and advice that came from my instructor.

[Infesticon #1]

I can only train 1 day a week, and I have to travel 20 miles so I think that Kickchick's statement is rather unfair.

I do go through what I know, but I don't bother trying to learn new stuff, I leave that for class.

[kickcatcher]

I think that the biggest mistake is going to TKD (or any Martial Art) and leaving your common sense at home. This mistake normally involves getting totally engrossed in your particular style, looking at it in isolation or abstraction to other styles and the real world.

Students will learn how to understand a technique/concept etc only if they question everything that they are told and experience. They should put it into context of other ways/methods/approaches and options. Open mindedness should be added to the 5 (otherwise excellent) tenets.

Preaching of a cross-trainer over…..

[KickChick]

I can only train 1 day a week, and I have to travel 20 miles so I think that Kickchick's statement is rather unfair.

Which statement was that :confused:
this one?

"As a black belt I try to always be conscious of my technique even when I am not feeling 100 % that day. There is nothing worse than seeing an advanced student just going through the motions.."

And what does this statement have to do with a short drive to train just once a week.??

[KickChick]

Open mindedness should be added to the 5 (otherwise excellent) tenets.
Preaching of a cross-trainer over…..

But don't open it too wide, or your brain might fall out!!

Never would have guessed you were a crosstrainer! ;)

[Sun Hwang]

Yeah I used to have the onesided problem pretty bad. Then I joined out for the demo team and training for that was brutal! It got both of my legs fairly even though. Still not exactly the same.

But one of the biggest problems I see is the lack of crispness in forms. When people do it at one speed the whole time. Total lack of snap and power.

[tkd_princess78]

I do catch myself staying away from two kicks that need major work 1. jumping back kick i dont know why but I just dont like it the other being jumping spin kick. Last time I did that one my butt hit the mats nice and hard. I guess I should not given up I dont wanna be a soon to be sloopy Black Belt

[Poop-Loops]

I got one mistake people do a lot. Dunno if it's been posted:

Not training when you come to class/do it at home. I see lots of people come to class, and just eye ball the clock the whole time, counting down the minutes to when they can finally leave, and doing everything half-assed. If you're going to train half-assed, DON'T COME TO CLASS. Spending time in class isn't training. If you're going to come to class, train.

PL

[neryo_tkd]

i couldn't agree more. i really don't understand why such people keep ''training''. the minute the training session starts, the only thing they do is count the minutes. and it's really $hitty when you get paired up with them. but my instructor didn't allow such behaviour at his dojang. he took care of those.

[stratiotes]

Yeah i know a couple of those. Also i hate the whiners. Don't come to a class where you will be sparring and groundfighting if you are going to whine when you get hurt. This one girl wore glasses while sparring, and i accidentally front snap kicked toward her face, i had enough control to stop from hitting her face (which is totally legal point but just to be nice), but the glasses still went flying. She started whining and telling me to use more control and be careful. Those type should join the kids classes.

[Guy Mendiola]

The whiners are lousy practitioners,everytime when were stretching in the dojang I always hear them whining about how it hurts when you strecth and I know it hurts but don't whine because is just plain weak.

[Poop-Loops]

I whine when we do partner stretching. My partner doesn't know how far I can go, but keeps pushing (or pulling) anyway. Then the next day I can't walk because of that.

PL

[Infesticon #1]

Mistake #7
Coming to class only once a week. With today's busy life style, people often find than exercise gets a low priority. If you only come to class once a week, you have six days in between for your memory to fade and your techniques to deteriorate. Solution: Make a commitment to yourself to get to class often!
On your days off, think about your kicks and blocks. Go through your forms in your head. Think of it as doing your martial arts homework and come to your next class prepared to learn.


My bad, it was a quote taken from a magazine.

This thread should probably be stickied. :tup:

[RonR]

I whine when we do partner stretching. My partner doesn't know how far I can go, but keeps pushing (or pulling) anyway. Then the next day I can't walk because of that.

PL
Hi PL,
Number one important rule in partner stretching is communicating with your partner. You have to let them know if they are pushing you too hard or too little.
chow
Ron

[Thomas]

Good post!
I agree that "honest communication" is really vital... from doing stretching to joint locks or take downs. Partners need to communicate exactly what is going on... for example, if a lock isn't working, it needs to be examined... even if the person is a higher rank. OIf course, pain indicators in stretching and such need to be looked at... I know how most of my partners respond and if they scream in pain if it's real pain or not!

[KickChick]

This thread should probably be stickied. :tup:

Why not? ;)


Keep those mistakes coming fellow TKD members!!!

[Smokemare]

Infesticon:-

I wouldn't worry too much about not training more than once a week yet. You can read and practice at home for now. Then when you go, go early and practice before your class starts. When the class starts give it 110%.

I think the debate above about how many nights you should train is an interesting debate. When I was younger and had less commitments I could train alot more, before my last grading I was doing an average of 3 sessions per week. Plus several Seminars and Black Belt sessions at weekends. My record was set years ago before I took my black belt when I managed to train 8 sessions in a week, that was at a time when I was doing 5 nights a week constantly. I personally think if you want to compete and have a good chance of bringing some metal home you should be looking at upping it from 2 nights a week. At the same time I don't think 5 nights a week with squad at the weekend is sustainable. I remember a funny moment from the black belt grading a few months ago - A black belt guy was in the warm-up room doing side rising kicks, a while before the grading started (The 1st Kups were still being graded at this point.) He was quite into it and was working up a bit of a sweat, anyway from across the room one of his mates shouts," CAREFUL ! DON'T PEAK TOO SOON !" (It WAS funny - but you had to be there.)


Anyway his point was right, I think you CAN peak too soon, so varying the amount you train relevant to when you plan to compete or grade is important.

[Ikken Hisatsu]

only thing I would add is on the amount of training, yes train more than once a week, but anymore than 5 times a week will make very little diffrence to your technique and could have a backward effect on you because you'll become tired.

I exercise at least 4/5 times a week, but only twice in TKD (occassionally 3 times if I am in the mood) it's about varying the kind of exercise you do and if you train twice a week you keep your mind fresh but doing diffrent exercise keeps your body fresh and working other parts which wouldn't normally be worked on.

wrong. you learn these moves by continual repetition and sparring. If I only spar once or twice a week, someone who spars 4 times a week is going to floor me. Kimura realised his opponents trained 3 hours a day- so he started training NINE hours a day. and he was the best judoka that ever lived. every pro fighter trains for hours each day for a reason.

[Zen TKD Warrior]

wrong. you learn these moves by continual repetition and sparring. If I only spar once or twice a week, someone who spars 4 times a week is going to floor me. Kimura realised his opponents trained 3 hours a day- so he started training NINE hours a day. and he was the best judoka that ever lived. every pro fighter trains for hours each day for a reason.

I completely agree with you. This is a problem at my school. We spar maybe twice a week - more close to tournaments. Then when we do spar it maybe for 15 minutes - taking turns. This isn't the greatest way to learn and you see it during testing and at tournaments. It also doesn't help that children - less than 15 years old - attend the adult evening class and are allowed to spar with the adults. Then we have to "go light".

[fanatical]

Yeah i know a couple of those. Also i hate the whiners. Don't come to a class where you will be sparring and groundfighting if you are going to whine when you get hurt. This one girl wore glasses while sparring, and i accidentally front snap kicked toward her face, i had enough control to stop from hitting her face (which is totally legal point but just to be nice), but the glasses still went flying. She started whining and telling me to use more control and be careful. Those type should join the kids classes.

Hehe. The whining may have come from the actual losing of the glasses. Those things are expensive :cry: .
But then again, why was she sparring with glasses? (was it sparring or just practice?) I have glasses, but I don't even train with them at all. And my sight is horrible. But not so bad I have to wear them all the time. Hope the poor girl isn't near blind :(

But that makes for a little typing on the actual topic. Glasses, jewels and anything else not worn when taking a shower (um.. except clothes people.. don't get me wrong), shouldn't be worn while training. Many advocate the point of view that it's dangerous. While others blatantly deny it and feel that students should choose for themselves. But think about it. I don't think I know any other sport where people are able to comfortably work out while wearing stuff like that. Why are martial arts considered different? I have heard myself students questioning why they have to take this and this off. Is it really that mindnumbingly difficult to understand? It's restrictive and uncomfortable. And if you don't think so, you aren't training hard enough :D

Guess I am a little off topic, but the posts about whiners here kind of got me going. TKD is "too popular". In a sense that it almost gets a mainstream quality and all kinds of people flock to it. Got to take the bad with the good though. Popularity is good, but it can be a double edged sword. I just spoke against myself there I think. I'll stop now :rolleyes:

[NRees]

only thing I would add is on the amount of training, yes train more than once a week, but anymore than 5 times a week will make very little diffrence to your technique and could have a backward effect on you because you'll become tired.

I exercise at least 4/5 times a week, but only twice in TKD (occassionally 3 times if I am in the mood) it's about varying the kind of exercise you do and if you train twice a week you keep your mind fresh but doing diffrent exercise keeps your body fresh and working other parts which wouldn't normally be worked on.

I train Taekwon-Do for 5 hours a week on 4 nights. If I could only train for 2 hours a week then I wouldn't go, there'd be no point because 2 hours isn't long enough to do all my patterns at a "break-it-down" speed - then there's sparring,bag work,muscle development etc etc to cover. But I will admit that I trained twice a week up until about 8 months before grading for 1st Degree, but thats because there was only 2 classes available to me as I had no way to get to the clubs held away from my town (i was only a lil nipper back then lol).

[haggisdj]

Hi

I agree with #4. I think there is nothing worse than watching students perform patterns or line work and not punching to the centre of their own body. Also, students whose Walking stances and 'L' stances are identical. These seem to be a problem at all grades.

[neryo_tkd]

i have also noticed that there are instructors who pay a lot of attention to explaining how the leg travels while performing a kick. that is ok, but the strength of the kick can by no means be forgotten. what's the use if you can perform a kick but not be able to hit a bag and make it move. the reason for this might be also found in the lack of pad work or bag work. some students simply need a target which they can hit in order to feel the kick, so to speak.

[Murasama-of-Ise]

Clear your mind of all thoughts, and focus on the physical aspect of what you are doing.

[neryo_tkd]

Clear your mind of all thoughts, and focus on the physical aspect of what you are doing.


:confused: :D :D :D :p

[megk]

I think a typical TKD training mistake is thinking that TKD is something that can be picked up quickly. It takes hard work and the mindset that you won't give up. If I saw students at my school giving 100% all the time there would be much improvement. I hate to sound harsh, but you can't be a wimp and learn this art fully. There are bumps and bruises involved. Especially in the self-defense realm of TKD.

[neryo_tkd]

exactly. it takes maaaaany repetitions to learn a kick and there is always something one can improve. some posters have complained about instructors who don't include much sparring in the training sessions. on the other side there are instructors who in my opinion start with the sparring too early. of course there will be bruises and pain in knees and hips if the student has to spar but hasn't learnt to perform the kicks. i guess, everything in its own time.

[Oldie]

I hate to sound harsh, but you can't be a wimp and learn this art fully. There are bumps and bruises involved. Especially in the self-defense realm of TKD.

I feel that lacking control from the hitter contributes to lots of these bumps and bruises. The person who hits too hard, causing the sparring partner to pass out or to get severely injured, needs to think twice about why he is sparring. If the "accident" happens for the first time, the hitter should really examine his sparring techniques and the force he delivers.

There shouldn't be a second such "accident". The least I can say is that sparring needs to be closely supervised, but too often it isn't.

While TKD training is not baking cookies, I personally had just such bad experiences sparring a higher belt. Here I was a green belt, at 170 pounds, 50 yrs old. I was paired with this big young 27 year old guy, a 2nd dan, at 245 pounds. He wasn't showing me how to spar; he wanted to kill me, and almost did. I passed out after one round, having been hit rather severely. When I came to, he told me he didn't realize I was that weak.

Another time, he broke my right wrist with a face-high round house kick. That broken wrist took 7 months to heal.

When I tested for my 1st dan, by then I had already gained 20 more pounds (of muscles, at 190 pounds) and he was going for his 3rd dan. That was full-contact sparring. It went on for two rounds of 3 minutes each, mean-spirited hard-fought battles. The 3rd round went on what seemed like forever, since we were both very tired... until the Master Instructor stopped the match.

I never felt so great to be able to hit that person as hard as I could. But now thinking back, both of us were lacking control, actually more so from me than from him, for I was bracing for a beating from him and wanting to fight him the best I could and did. Had I fought someone else with that kind of force, concentration, speed and skill, someone would have gotten hurt badly.

Oldie

[neryo_tkd]

I feel that lacking control from the hitter contributes to lots of these bumps and bruises. The person who hits too hard, causing the sparring partner to pass out or to get severely injured, needs to think twice about why he is sparring. If the "accident" happens for the first time, the hitter should really examine his sparring techniques and the force he delivers.

you are talking about sparring at the dojang, right?!

[Oldie]

neryo tkd,

Yes, I am talking about full contact sparring at the dojang. Yes, we had pads on, so there were no broken bones although the bodies did get some pounding, and there were many bruises on our limbs. I tried my very best to avoid getting hit, counter when I could, attack when the chances were there; all kicks and punches were used, except the illegal ones (but probably a few of the illegal moves were thrown in from both he and me). He being the stronger of the two did have some hard kicks and punches (you ought to feel a couple and you would know what I mean, even with the chest guard and other protective gears). Fast and furious, especially in the second round, and I thought I was fighting for my life against someone 23 years younger than me (I was 54 yrs old at the time I took the 1st dan test; he was going for his 3rd dan). When the 3rd round came about, we were both tired; for me, I felt like my heart was about to come out of my chest. I evaded more of his attack and tried to conserve energy...but time seemed to stand still. I was exhausted...and my arms felt dead, completely dead. "Keep your hands up! Do not quit!" I heard the Master Instructor yell at me. Then I got hit in the chest, hard, and it felt nauseous. I felt a little disoriented, and was backed into a corner. The survival instinct took over and I took advantage of his charging in, blocking his hard and bruising punches with my elbows, side-stepping to his right and delivered a most devastating round kick to his mid-section. "Gooooooood kick!" The Master Instructor exclaimed. I must have counted on that kick as the last one that I could muster. The big guy swaggered a little, as I was practically on his right rear catching my breath. He turned toward me, and I backfisted him with my left fist (illegal move) and he instinctively tried to block that backfist-----at which time the Master Instructor stopped the match.

By the way, I had to spar a total of 9 rounds, against different opponents. 4 rounds against 4 different red belts; 1 round against 2 attackers, 1 round being 1 of the 2 against 1 red belt. These were done one after the other, with no rest in between. The 3 rounds against this guy were the final test. There was a one-minute rest between the rounds.

When all the rounds were done, I pulled off all my sparring pads and flopped on the floor trying hard to catch my breath. In fact, I must have passed out for a few seconds or so. I did not care if anything was said about me at that point. I simply wanted to breathe.

Oldie

[Oldie]

[ I must have counted on that kick as the last one that I could muster. The big guy swaggered a little.........
Oldie[/QUOTE]

Sorry, I meant "the big guy STAGGERED a little..."

Oldie

[neryo_tkd]

you did really well. i assume you got your 1st Dan. congratulations http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/1/happy64.gif. If the Master at the testing did not react to the way you two sparred, it means that others spar that way too. at the dojang during our training sessions we also spar full contact, and at competitions it's always full contact. the most important thing is that you survived and earned your belt.

[TKDobsession]

wow! I have alot of respect for anyone sparing full contact. doesn't sound all that fun to me. but I bet you guys could whoop my but anyday. at my school its all friendly, light contact. sometimes the big guys will hit hard, but its all in good sport. I've never had someone whose angery go at me. thats got to be a bit scary. I'd tell him to take a chill pill. but oldie, great job at your testing! you definately deserved your rank.

lane

(mental note to self - don't cross oldie :D )

[AussieNath]

I see a lot of people go through the school who turn up only to try and better their training partners. It is reflected in the way they spar and train. They are usually agressive in nature and are just after a little ego boost. These people don't usually stay with the art for an extended period of time, but look for something else to satisfy their ego.

The funny thing is, those that take an aggressive mindset in their training find themselves prone to injury from more senior students.

Students should always show respect and be mindful of their motivations for training.

[Ling Kuo]

Mistake # 1
Training one side of your body more than the other.
If you are ever in a real self-defense situation, you probably won't be able to choose which leg to kick with, so both must be equally strong. Solution: Train you weaker side first and force yourself to use that side when sparring. Switching your stance when sparring can also help keep you focused on making your techniques sharp.I certainly agree with this point. When sparring I frequently feel that my left leg is much weaker than the right - when I try kicking my opponent nearly always blocks it and when it does hit it doesn't have much impact. At home I have a very large mirror and everyday I practice side kicks very slowly. I have found since I started practicing with my left leg first that its power/height/accuracy have gradually increased and I am pleased about it. :D
What I really hate in TKD is knowing or thinking that I can't do a basic move.

[eudobex]

I think one of the big problems people have when they first start sparring, is that they worry to much about the technique being exact, they never actually get the move out. I recon to start with you just need to get in there, and as you get more used to it the technique comes along as well. Another mistake in sparring is also forgetting to move, is people learn to move from the begining, they become much quicker at getting the move in and getting out of the way.

1st Dan black belt

[megk]

Oldie,

I am sorry to hear that your experience was so scary. I think that perhaps respect was not a large part of your training. I spar often and sometimes it gets a bit rough but we never are trying to hurt eachother. When I train for competition it gets more aggressive. I am only a Blue/ red belt so I am not at your level yet though. Most of my bumps and bruises come from working on self defense techniques.

Good job on your test...

[UKscrapper]

I have to say that I have been injured a few too many times and have witnessed some appalling injuries in TKD training. To me anything that prevents me from regular training is something that has to be avoided at all costs and that includes injuries.
Its just common sense not to hurt your partner else next time he may not be there for you to spar with or practice your self defense moves.

[megk]

UK,

You are right on. Tenants of TKD are courtesy first, then integrity, and perserverence...and lets not forget the whole self-control thing. In my opinion if your not learning respect, then your not learning TKD, your learning how to beat on other people. I am thankful that I train at a dojang that teaches respect. Theres a lot more fun to be had when you are respecting your sparring partner.

[Mark_Campbell]

Yes but they do think that you gain as much from training just twice a week as you do five times a week, something like 1% diffrence if you train more. Sometimes it isn't worth exahusting the body just for an extra 1%

Training too much will also make anyone more prone to injury in both practice so I feel in the long run it isn't always the quantity of training someone does but the quality of training done which counts

U should train every day, if you can only see your instructor twice a week then so be it, but 24hrs in a day you can spare one of them to go through your pattern etc, class time is not learning time its correction time, you should go in their accomplishing everything your instuctor told you was wrong last time, so he can deal with new mistakes

p.s training isnt necessarily a beasting, though there always fun :D

maybe thats sadistic im not sure

[firesprite]

Good post!
I agree that "honest communication" is really vital... from doing stretching to joint locks or take downs. Partners need to communicate exactly what is going on... for example, if a lock isn't working, it needs to be examined... even if the person is a higher rank. OIf course, pain indicators in stretching and such need to be looked at... I know how most of my partners respond and if they scream in pain if it's real pain or not!

I agree, however there is nothing worse than when you tell them to stop and your partner doesn't, I'm fairly flexible but dislike partner stectches because occasionaly guys will be like "Only a little more and you'll touch the floor"
when I'm already in pain, and only stop when I yell at them or the instructor tells them off. :mad:

[evilkingston]

i understand that training alot is inevitable, but ofcourse this can put a strain on your personal life
i train tkd twice a week (tuesday&thursday) and hkd three times a week (monday, wednesday, saturday), this means i only have sundaynights off (because on friday i go salsadancing with my girl :love: )
i understand that sometimes you just have to listen to your body and stay home, BUT on the other hand... i'm injured now (bacterial infection, taking heavy antibiotics - not sportrelated) and DAMN i want to train again... when you do it 5/7 it really becomes an addiction

on sparring I have 1 tip & 1 question:

tip) train with all your gear on when getting ready for competition, this way, you'll be used to your 'tok', 'mouthpiece', 'hogo' and 'helmet'

question) is it ok to dose your power & speed for stamina? i have problems with stamina. when we spar, we do it for half an hour and i'll give it everything i've got, but after 15min i'm neglecting my defence... but when i dose my attacks i do not win (most of the time). TIPS?
my trainer says: go running (coz' biking shortens the muscles), but i train 8h/week (10 if you count in salsa! :D ), so aside from working it's hard to find the time!

[KickChick]

question) is it ok to dose your power & speed for stamina? i have problems with stamina. when we spar, we do it for half an hour and i'll give it everything i've got, but after 15min i'm neglecting my defence... but when i dose my attacks i do not win (most of the time). TIPS?



You need to learn to pace yourself! (I hear this time and time again in class) and going full power (or as you say "giving it everything you got" is yet another common training mistake. Relax, breathe properly, stay light and limber on feet, and learn to pace yourself by throwing effective techniques.

Wouldn't hurt to work on your cardio to increase stamina with some kick/punch drills or interval fast walk/jogs

[glenchuy]

haha. i must profess i'm better at one side too! i'm a leftie when it comes to kicks, but since i cross train, and into KB too, i can punch harder AND faster with my right! really weird...i wonder if anybody else has the same scenario as me.

the advantages of course, is that i start with my left stance instead of the right stance, and it really confuses the opponent when i punch with my right (strong punch) into my left roundhouse (stronger kick). the disadvantage of course, would be, that people who i regularly spar with, know that i'm stronger with my right punch and left kicks, so they watch for it a lot.

[Rabid Wombat]

It's always good to work the leg you're bad at. The situation with me (the best I can tell, at least) is my right leg is stronger, but I do all my pivot kicks (round, hook, side) on my left side. The reason for this is probably that I can balance and pivot better on the right, so having that as my base foot is the advantage. Do you think this is true?

[evilkingston]

it's the same with me :rolleyes:
so atleast i can agree :D

[neryo_tkd]

a lot of people will say that one side of their body is 'better' than the other. i have also noticed that some of my students at the club sometimes use the better leg when i come close and watch them :D the weaker side should never be neglected. if you are doing bag work or pad work, subconsciously you will use the stronger side more, but the thing is that in a real life situation you can't choose. a potential attacker won't ask you about your good and weak side. so work on the good things and make them even better, but also work on the bad ones even more.

[Graifox]

I saw alot of people when i could get to classes who would (mainly girls) who would chat and be halfhearted in there attempts. They let nerves and feeling foolish as they where new to class get to them.
I think its a shame cause if you are interested anough to actually come to something and stickit out that its worth while putting in your effort to get it right.

Theres nothing like getting a technique right to make you feel proud. Its also one of the best cures for the common cold... hehe.

[neryo_tkd]

we are all different. not everyone who starts training a martial art actually continues so and sticks with it for a long time. there are people who want to try it out, because there is no other way to see if a certain martial art is the right choice or not. but on the other side i also agree with you, if you keep on training it, then do it the way it should be done. i guess, here the instructor should play his/her role. if s/he allows chatting and other similar behaviour during a training session...

[SparcZ]

I whine when we do partner stretching. My partner doesn't know how far I can go, but keeps pushing (or pulling) anyway. Then the next day I can't walk because of that.

PL

That's why partner stretching is useless and dangerous IMO.

[neryo_tkd]

That's why partner stretching is useless and dangerous IMO.


not if you have a careful stretching partner. i've done it many times and never got hurt.

[NaughtyKnight]

Hi,
I find that partner stretching is very important in achieving your maximum. How are you supposed to do issomectrics without a partner? Just make sure that your training partner doesnt go too far.

[z2bass]

I think you should add going less than 2 times a week :)

[evilkingston]

I think you should add going less than 2 times a week :)

how do you mean? are you being sarcastic or not?
:confused:

[z2bass]

I preally do think people should go atleast 2 x a week

[KickChick]

I think you should add going less than 2 times a week :)

Already listed on original post ...

Mistake #7
Coming to class only once a week.
With today's busy life style, people often find than exercise gets a low priority. If you only come to class once a week, you have six days in between for your memory to fade and your techniques to deteriorate. Solution: Make a commitment to yourself to get to class often!
On your days off, think about your kicks and blocks. Go through your forms in your head. Think of it as doing your martial arts homework and come to your next class prepared to learn.

[Amnion]

Oldie,

I am sorry to hear that your experience was so scary. I think that perhaps respect was not a large part of your training. I spar often and sometimes it gets a bit rough but we never are trying to hurt eachother. When I train for competition it gets more aggressive. I am only a Blue/ red belt so I am not at your level yet though. Most of my bumps and bruises come from working on self defense techniques.

Good job on your test...

I'm new to this site, but I want to say that I've almost always done all my sparring at full contact. My instructors have always practiced good self-control, and seeing that was something we all picked up on. I think full-contact sparring doesn't always mean that you're trying to hurt each other, just that you're not tapping your opponent. I've only witnessed a few injuries so far, and they were always injuries that would have happened regardless. I do want to say that for some people, full contact is not the way to go, and it's okay. I've sparred people like that and I've always respected the fact that they weren't comfortable with it. But me, I don't gain anything if my opponent is holding back. I can tell and it screws me up. Anyway. Glad to see that Oldie overcame that obstacle; sometimes you never know what you're capable of until you're put in that situation.

[TKD_Dad]

I find doing them in my head helps give me a visual of what I look like. since I don't have much room at work I will do the stances for each count of the Form seems to have help at this point.

[Splush]

How about not training just because you can't make it to the Dojo? I mean if you can't get a lift or something, don't chump out. Practice at home or somewhere else suitable for training.

[Jane Lane]

I don't agree that training only twice a week results in poor performance and progress. I understand that more classes mean you don't forget techniques, you get more practise and it is a sign dedication. But on the other hand, others may find the same amount of training too strenuous or ill-suited to their life-style/reasons for training, and detrimental to their progress.

And there are people like myself who are unable to attend classes more than often, (while TKD is a very important part of my life, I'm just not at a stage of my life/education where I can focus entirely on my training), but make up for it with enthusiasm and dedication. While I find TKD very addictive and would enjoy more classes, I don't necessarily think that my ability would improve because of them. I practise at home, get regular excercise and I'm always running through techniques in my head. In class, I'm focused on what I can achieve, and also what I can work on for the next lesson. I haven't found that my progress has suffered in any way at all.

TKD is a way of life that doesn't just exist in the Dojang. Just because one does not train 5 times a week or more, it doesn't mean that person is any less dedicated to the art. I think it's more about attitude, and how you use your knowledge and time.

A common 'mistake' I've noticed is shyness inhibiting ability. Many students, (particularly new ones), are too shy to kihap and use full power. It's a sign that the pupil is not comfortable in his/her ability and with fellow pupils, and while this should improve with time, if an instructor and fellow pupils don't make an effort to help to build up that person's confidence, it can often act as barrier to the student's full potential for quite some time.

Also, I agree that a lack of control is a common mistake, particularly in sparring. Sparring isn't just about beating your oponent. When I first started sparring, I found it very intimidating, and with certain partners, I didn't learn anything except for how to run away from them! In contrast to this, what I learn from patient, more mature students, is invaluable and irreplacable.

[NaughtyKnight]

I agree with you Jane, It is hard to train more than 2 times a week when you work. With that said though, there are ways to get in more training time around your work/social life.

I recently got a few of the blackbelts from my dojang to train with me outside of class 3 times a week. Thats on top of my 2 days of class time. I got a personal instructor at the gym to help me work on my plyometrics and strenght programs and they are really helping me.

I also have learned how to train at home effectivly thanks to the black belts and the drills that we perform.

Wake up early, if you have work at 8, get up at 6 and you have 1.5hrs of training. Nothing feels better than a hard workout in the morning and it leaves your clearheaded and feeling energetic the rest of the day.

My mate who does Ninjustu trained only once a week at a dojang, he spent 2 hrs everyday at home going over what they learnt. His training didnt suffer. He is one of the best fighters I have ever seen.

The only real problem with not going 3 times a week, is that you wont grade very fast. If getting up the grades doest worry you (it does really worry me) then its fine.

Good luck. :)

[Jane Lane]

Hi Knightcommander,

My point was more about training in the dojang - I definitely agree that if you do only train twice a week, you need to put in the hours elsewhere, (I think it's great you get together to train with other black belts) - If you don't, not only is your development going to suffer, but also it might be a sign that you're not interested enough.

At my club, there's a minimum of 3 months between gradings for lower belts, and 6 months for higher belts, which most people find is plenty to get up to standard. But I guess I'll find out for myself, as I gain more experience.

I regret not starting TKD earlier. I'm at college and get up at 6 every day so I can go for a quick jog. After college, I go to work and then start my school work at 9. Things get particularly hectic around exams. But having made all those excuses, my problem actually is making myself go to college/work, rather than TKD. On my 2 evenings off, I go to the dojang and I spend all my spare time practising what I can. TKD is incredibly addictive!

It'll definitely get harder when I get to higher belts, but hopefully when I go to uni next year, I'll have more time. I was just trying to say that while more training is ideal, if you're really determined, I believe you can achieve anything you put your mind to; Where there's a will, there's always a way! :)

[NaughtyKnight]

Where there's a will, there's always a way! :)

Damn straight.

TKD is one of the most addictive things I have ever done. I choose it over my ex (which lead to us breaking up) and I would do it all again.

I love my patterns. Even when Im at work I practise them.

[neryo_tkd]

of course it is possible to improve with 2 training sessions a week, but the question is what kind of improvment you are trying to achieve. if you want to be a competitor 2 training sessions a week are definitely not enough.

[NaughtyKnight]

of course it is possible to improve with 2 training sessions a week, but the question is what kind of improvment you are trying to achieve. if you want to be a competitor 2 training sessions a week are definitely not enough.

Of course. If you want to be able to compete you have to train longer and harder then anyone else, but the training doesn't always have to be with your master. If you can only get to class 2days a week, then spend 10 more hrs a week at home practising.

[neryo_tkd]

Of course. If you want to be able to compete you have to train longer and harder then anyone else, but the training doesn't always have to be with your master. If you can only get to class 2days a week, then spend 10 more hrs a week at home practising.


if you mean ''at home'' as in ''at home on your own'' then i don't think of it as a good idea, if you want to be a competitor. sparring can't be practised on your own.

[NaughtyKnight]

if you mean ''at home'' as in ''at home on your own'' then i don't think of it as a good idea, if you want to be a competitor. sparring can't be practised on your own.

I meant outside of class. You can get a few mates from class to come over and spar with you.

[neryo_tkd]

I meant outside of class. You can get a few mates from class to come over and spar with you.


that's great, and it is important to practice, but if you practice, it doesn't necessarily mean that you improve, because you need skilled guidance, i.e. someone who will tell you what you are doing wrong and why and of course how to avoid it and improve. so, i'm afraid that the amount of practice discussed here is not enough to be a competitor.

[NaughtyKnight]

that's great, and it is important to practice, but if you practice, it doesn't necessarily mean that you improve, because you need skilled guidance, i.e. someone who will tell you what you are doing wrong and why and of course how to avoid it and improve. so, i'm afraid that the amount of practice discussed here is not enough to be a competitor.

Well if you wanted to compete high up, then you would be training with your master full time. Im talking about thoes students that wish to compete but not at an extremly high level.

The best bet is to get private lessons with your master every so often. This way he can check your progress one on one and help you improve your technique. My master really helped me with my spinning hook kick and skipping cresent kick. I spent hours working on them, but the one private lesson was all i really needed.

[kchenault]

I have not been on here for a while, and I didn't have time to read all the posts on this thread, but I always had a gripe that the instructors I have had pushing the students too quickly, regardless of age. We used to do kicking drills where beginners, myself included, would barely finish the technique, if that, and the kiyap to execute again had already been given. How should a beginner tackle the over-enthusiastic or sadistic, take yourpick, instructor? Getting the basics can take time, how do we slow things down to take into account our inexperience?

[NaughtyKnight]

I dont know about you, but I enjoy my master pushing me hard. We dont stop the whole lesson.

I learned much quicker than I would of if we went slowly, and I wouldnt be as conditioned as I am now.

Work on your basics at home, learn how to do them in class and perfect them with loads of training.

[kchenault]

Also, one point I didn't have time to make, when being pushed, how can you minimize injuries?

[BoredNow]

We used to do kicking drills where beginners, myself included, would barely finish the technique, if that, and the kiyap to execute again had already been given.

In my school white belts are told that for them getting the technique right is more important than speed. They all gain speed given time.

should a beginner tackle the over-enthusiastic or sadistic, take yourpick, instructor?

change instructor?

[kchenault]

Please understand, I pose these questions for people who are just starting out. I have been through this before already, so I am just trying to foster discussion. I value everyone's answers, but they are not necessarily for me. Thanks.

[NaughtyKnight]

Also, one point I didn't have time to make, when being pushed, how can you minimize injuries?

Proper execution of break falls.

[SavageHenry]

The biggest mistake at my club that I've come across is not working on pads properly. When doing punching drills you are not helping your partner if you are pulling the pads back from their punch or not offering resistence. The other day I had a guy who was moving backwards while I was trying to punch, I kept trying to get him to stop doing that but he refused. I don't think he understood that what he was doing could have hyperextended my arms, but I did so I had to train at half power so as to not injure myself. Holding pads improperly for kicks can be problematic too. The point of training pads is to get a feel for kicking PROPERLY, not to learn to kick at crazy angles that don't make sense (once again I train with some people that don't get this idea). Not to mention if those pads are held at crazy angles it hurts to kick them because thats not a natural way to kick. A nice 45 degree angle for round kicks works.

I find that if I hold the pads properly I can help work punches with anybody in the class (thats right even the 250 pound beast types). That little bit of resistence you give back actually protects your arms... On the other hand regardless of how I hold the pads the kicks seem to rattle me a bit if they're way huge. But it's martial arts not pattycake so i deal. But it really irks me when people hold pads improperly and refuse to correct it because it causes problems (and possible injury) for the people that want to really train.

[kchenault]

Let me clarify my statement on pushing. I meant pushing your body too fast and hard to please your instructors, not an altercation with someone. My advice, don't. If they don't like it, take your business elsewhere. Your wellbeing is more important than his wallet.

[Dr.Quinn]

One thing that really bugs me in my class is that a few people (one particularly) just dont try. Why go to class at all if you're not going to listen to the instructor?! Then if working w/ parteners you have to waste time explaining the drill that the instructor JUST explained.

Oh, one more, this has already been touched on so i will keep it brief : Accelerated ranking. I have been training three years and I'm a Blue 1. A little low for three years, I dont test every opportunity. There are people who cant even get through Chun Ji without trouble who are higher ranked then me. I should NOT have to explain to a RED BELT what the 8th move is in Dan Gun!

Now you've gotten me worked up!!! ;)


-DocQ (<-- hyperventalating) :D

[franksv]

I would agree,some folks seem to get belt/rank crazy and move on before getting their current material up to par.

My big mistake in my early training was trying to kick too high too fast.I was'nt getting the basic mech of some kicks and at 90 degrees my kicks where good,at head height,they where sloopy with no power.Its easy,especially in a taekwondo class to get caught up in the high kicking frenzy.For me atleast(this may not apply to everyone) I would say get work your kicks low until they are good and strong for a while,than start reaching for the sky.After I went low for about six months,head height got a LOT easyier.Thats my 2 cents.

[neryo_tkd]

some folks seem to get belt/rank crazy and move on before getting their current material up to par.

that's not the student's fault but the instructor's because s/he is the one who either allows the student to test or not.

it might also happen that a certain student knows the forms for the grading, but later forgets them because the instructor maybe pays attention to the forms only before the grading takes place, which is in opinion incorrect.

[franksv]

Agreed,I ve seen students belt eager and a master who could not say no.I know sometimes its hard for a school to get students(and have them stay) so they can pay the rent and offord to live.So sometimes they let students have to much say in their own training,for fear that they will walk away.I have also seen students who take their time and work hard.Its like many things in life,you will get what you put into it and ultimatly you are responcible for your own training.A master can only do so much,but the student must do the work.I guess this is another training mistake:thinking all masters have their students best interests at hart.This is the topic of a whole different thread:martial arts and business.

[MarioBro]

I know it was mentioned about stretching too far too fast...but I want to add that stretching without a pre-stretch warm-up is bad too.

Gotta get those hamstrings and quadraceps warmed up but any means. I prefer the knees up jog a few times around the dojo, then I move onto a heels up behind jog a few times. I then do the leg swings while holding onto something. We then do stretching at the beginning of class which is fairly intense, and then after class is the best time to do the intense stretching as your muscles should be nicely warmed up.

I am just recovering from a slightly strained hamstring due to not following my own advice a few weeks back, and trust me..you do not want to do serious damage to the hamstrings so warm them up!!

[neryo_tkd]

stretching without a pre-stretch warm-up is bad too.


definitely, goes without saying!

[franksv]

I only do dynamic strecths before my training(with warm up).I do static at the end of training(find I get a much better stretch and it's a good way to cool down/relax) and also after I run(static).Works for me,have not had a injury since I went this way.

[NaughtyKnight]

Please guys do some basic pre stretching and stretching before doing any training. I really badly injured my groin back last year because I was lazy.

Thanks to leg swings, I can kick above my head no worries without any warm up. :D

[mrs.bleicht]

Okay this is my first post on this board so i figured id just tell everyone that. I teach quite often at my Tae kwon do school and the mistake i see people making most often is inconsistency. A lot of people will come 2-3 times one week and then miss an entire week, that is not the proper way to train, you have to make sure youre training everyweek that you can. Dont get lazy, lazy mindset amounts to lazy techniques. Also, the childrens parents tend to not have the right mindset, most of them want to get their child to the next belt fast and dont care what their technique looks like, thats a big mistake that can actually rub off on the children themselves, and believe me ive seen it. One small question for kickchick, do you by any chance train at a.i.t.k.d?
My instructor closed his school, there are no other HTF schools nearby, I am not giving up on Taekwondo, but since I have not been training in an actual class setting I find that my focus on every aspect of the art, is lacking, I feel that I am getting a lazy mindset, and that is the last thing that I want because soon I will be teaching I find that my family is enjoying the fact of having me around more often. What can I do to regain, the mental dicsipline to practice, focus, and not just the fact that I want to instruct more than anything, because that isn't working, I find myself drifting when I practice everday for my certification, and I mess up on a certain part of the form that I am doing at the time, and then when I go back to correct the part that I missed, it messes the rest of the form up. What do I have the pre certification jitters or what?

[mrs.bleicht]

I find it Irritating, when particing your one step sparring and the person attacking does not step out in to the position right, it kinda makes you feel, that you are doing your one step all wrong. I have to tell those that do that step to a front stance not into a middle stance. After all if I accidently hit you and kick you, you are going to fall, when executing a proper front stance that is not going to be a problem.

[Artikon]

Maybe when you are just learning technique this can be a problem; however adaptation to your partner is a key component of developing effective skills. Not everyone is the same and not everyone moves the same or attacks the same. Falling into a pattern of having them step exactly the same each time is just developing an expected response for an expected stimuli. In this instance practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent.

[mrs.bleicht]

Maybe when you are just learning technique this can be a problem; however adaptation to your partner is a key component of developing effective skills. Not everyone is the same and not everyone moves the same or attacks the same. Falling into a pattern of having them step exactly the same each time is just developing an expected response for an expected stimuli. In this instance practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent.
I tend to disagree because if the step is supposed to be kick knee, then kick mid section, or if its arch hand to the throat, and they are not positioned right, you get yelled at by your instructor, because you are not targeting right and its all because your partner is not standing right, or how about this one. A step is written where you have to be positioned right in front of your opponent in order to palm strike them in the face and if their attack stance is not right, you will have to strain alot to get yourself into position, in order to execute properly, but then again I guess i can see your point as well, because outside of class, when and if you get attacked the other person isn't going to be stepping anyway. My point was mainly that it is Irritating. Like as in Oh my gosh , I hate that!!!!!

[fear]

My point was mainly that it is Irritating. Like as in Oh my gosh , I hate that!!!!!

lol i know what you mean that's why i was lucky as i was rising through my belts i had another student the same age as me and we knew exactly how to make each other look good so we passed. Like during sparing we would take turns attacking to show off our moves. But now as i go back to train the younger students i somtimes mess up to see how they react. See if they try to fix what i do or just try to work around it. Since i'm a black belt and they are white and yellow they don't think they can ask me to change what i do. Which is wrong in this case. If sombody is messing up what you are supposed to do then you can ask them to fix it (of course ask nicely to higher belts or enjoy the pain of push ups or whatever punishment you get). If you are going to try and work around it then it is your fault and you should be punished if you mess up as should the other person, considering one steps is two sided. if they aren't steping right maybe ask your instructor to have a talk with them? or ask them after class to fix what they are doing. Kinda harsh that you get introuble for someone elses mistake.. But..yeah nobody is going to step in to punch you and sit there waiting for you to do a one step IRL..that's why sparing is great ;)

[SabishiiObake]

Hey, I was wondering if any of you could give me some advice.:confused:

I have this really annoying problem...I'll be doing my pattern and I concentrate on technique the whole way through, never on power and flow. It came to the point when I realised all I was doing was stepping through the moves. Is this weird??? Or do all green belts go through this "stage" :eek:
I found that when I did try to incorporate more power into my blocks and kicks, I got sloppy on technique. Is this a case of not practicing enough? (I train 3 times a week. And 2 days I dedicate to practicing patterns and sparring) Or will power come in time?

[NaughtyKnight]

Just pracitse more.

Dont worry so much on patterns, they arent the be all to end all. Just work on your overal technique, and you will find that it all slots together over time.

[Grey Rain]

I think I had a similar problem SabishiiObake, well hopefully had rather than have. I use to always keep tense throughout the pattern. Instead of relaxing in-between the blocks/attacks and only tensing when I carry them out. On retrospect it seems like a bloody obvious thing to do, so it might not be your problem. If it isn't then practice, practice, practice and through that maybe you'll have a eureka moment ;).

[SabishiiObake]

I shall practice, practice and PRACTICE! ;) Hopefully I'll have a eureka moment...thanks guys, I was going INSANE!

[KickChick]

I shall practice, practice and PRACTICE! ;) Hopefully I'll have a eureka moment...thanks guys, I was going INSANE!

To avoid that monotonous movement throughout your form, try changing up the cadence of your performance.

I read this on the TKD Tutor site and this really improved my forms performance ...

"Sting once said about music. "Great music's as much about the space between the notes as it is about the notes themselves." In Taekwondo: a great pattern is as much about the space between the movements as it is about the movements themselves." http://www.tkdtutor.com/10Patterns/PatternPerformance.htm

[kwang gae]

Thanks to leg swings, I can kick above my head no worries without any warm up

Are leg swings, what we call "stretch kicks" in our dojang? Essentially a warm up axe kick starting low and working up higher and higher as we get loose?

I'm very interested in stretching, because I'm very tight, and at age 44, getting those round kicks head high isn't too easy for me. Would love to learn more about this.

[KickChick]

We call them "rising kicks" (performed somewhat like an axe kick but back leg rises from a front stance with leg locked) and we primarily use this kick at the start of our classes as a "stretch kick" .... utilising this dynamic stretch for warming up the lower extremities to the various other kicks.

You should look into Tom Kurz and Stretching Scientifically
http://www.stadion.com/column.html..... as he discusses flexibility problems associated with us aging adults.

Helped me out immensely.

[kchenault]

That's a good tape. A lot goes into learning to stretch properly. Tom Kurz's stuff will really improve your cold kicking. The effects last quite awhile, too.

[kwang gae]

Thanks for the heads up on Tom Kurz. I went to his website last night and printed off some great info on stretching. I haven't ordered his video yet, but I think I will.

He talks about doing dynamic stretches 2x a day, in the morning before breakfast and again later, so today I did it. Quite a challenge before my coffee!

Anyway, I can see how this will really help me, so I want to thank you again!

[HwaRang]

I shall practice, practice and PRACTICE! ;) Hopefully I'll have a eureka moment...thanks guys, I was going INSANE!

patterns are a great way to practise "the art" of Tae Kwon Do, [how to move in between the moves (to paraphrase sting)]. but usually the patterns happen mostly in your head.
next time you are on a long train or lying in bed or something try just thinking through all the patterns without performing them. not just memorise them but think of it automatically as one long movement without pauses (yeah i know, i know dont do that for gradings etc...).
and most importanly - when you block or strike in your pattern just imagine somebody off the street right at you throwing a swing at you. in the middle or the class invisible/or only you can see him - block his attack and actually hit him correctly.
once you are performing patterns like this you will get that epiphany and realise you are going through patterns start to end automatically without thinking.
then you can work on more power or speed to the techniques

[G50]

patterns are a great way to practise "the art" of Tae Kwon Do, [how to move in between the moves (to paraphrase sting)]. but usually the patterns happen mostly in your head.
next time you are on a long train or lying in bed or something try just thinking through all the patterns without performing them. not just memorise them but think of it automatically as one long movement without pauses (yeah i know, i know dont do that for gradings etc...).
and most importanly - when you block or strike in your pattern just imagine somebody off the street right at you throwing a swing at you. in the middle or the class invisible/or only you can see him - block his attack and actually hit him correctly.
once you are performing patterns like this you will get that epiphany and realise you are going through patterns start to end automatically without thinking.
then you can work on more power or speed to the techniques
I agree, I do the exact same thing for practice, I always go through patterns in my head right before I go to sleep. :)

[franksv]

Getting caught up in other like styles and having a huge amount of material.Then figuring out the grass is not really greener on the other side and then you are torn between styles(all of which you are fond of,but its too much to train it all everyday).I MUST hit ALL my material on a daily basis(I still do the ki chos daily),I am my own worst enemy.I hate being in the situation to let a style or two go.If I can't train my stuff like an idiot savant,I m not really training it in my mind. :bang:

End of rant,thanks for reading,please learn from my mistake.

Frank

[Burnsey]

I think that sleep is also important. You are not just more alert and less tired after a good night sleep, it helps your memory too. So practice your patterns and get lots of sleep.

[HwaRang]

I think that sleep is also important. You are not just more alert and less tired after a good night sleep, it helps your memory too. So practice your patterns and get lots of sleep.

true, but when im suffering from insomnia i will go through all my patterns until i get sleepy or the rest of the house wakes up. ;)

[Burnsey]

I guess thats a good idea HwaRang. If you can't sleep doing patterns is probably the next best thing. Better be sure you warm up first though because you may need to utilise some self defense when angry tired people find who's woken them up!

[tkd-kicker96]

Usually when I can't sleep it's because I am thinking about patterns in my head...then i have to get up and do my patterns until I know they are right. Drives me crazy sometimes!!! :bang:

[beefytee]

Hey guys, obviously I'm new.

Let me break down my story then to my question, I'll try to make it quick.

I'm 28 and started Tae Kwon Do a month ago.
As a child/teenager I was an athlete, baseball and football. I'm undersized (5'5") but I had a natural athleticism and mechanically was always sound and strong.

For the last 7 years or so I have been wasting away at a desk job and decided I really needed to get my body moving again.

Now, I've been studying rigorously for a month. At class 4 or 5 times a week. I have also been running about 2 miles a day 5 to 6 times a week.

This week, my roundhouse clicked, and all the sudden, I have a ton of power in the kick. The mechanics of the kick are stronger than the muscles in my legs.

Now, finally my problem/question.

Last night after class my legs hurt so much with every step that it was honestly hard to walk down the stairs and home. It was a deep ache and felt almost like a bone bruise.

After resting for a couple of hours they were 100% better so I think I may just be over working them. I'm pretty good about stretching, especially because my hips are still very tight and my side and round kicks are only a little better than waist high.

Questions: Has anyone else experienced this? Is this simply a fatigue issue? Is there anything in addition I should be doing? Should I be training less? Is this an issue of my mechanics outpacing my body?

[HwaRang]

I get that all the time.
If a week goes by where i haven't spent a day hobbling then i havent trained hard enough.
If it "hurts" but more like a dull ache then dont worry, let it come and go. You get used to it, maybe even enjoy it.... :confused: well...

EDIT: if ever you get a pain in the joints, however, calm down. joints are nasty when damaged.

[beefytee]

That's good. It is livable, an Ibuprophein works wonders.

My joints seem fine. My hips hurt a lot, but I'm 99% certain that is muscular and not skeletal.

The pain is kind of like shin splints, but the whole leg

[KickChick]

Well beefy this really is not a TKD training "mistake" but rather a common after training soreness.

What you seem to have (since your pain was felt immediately after training ... is acute soreness.
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1999/01_99/muscle.htm


Your legs will need to get used to the vigors of kick training in TKD.. and they will!

Remember! -- Warming-up is an essential pre-requisite before training in Tae kwon do

[taescharnhorst]

Very good advice, lot's of good wisdom and informative. Thanks

[NaughtyKnight]

That's good. It is livable, an Ibuprophein works wonders.

My joints seem fine. My hips hurt a lot, but I'm 99% certain that is muscular and not skeletal.

The pain is kind of like shin splints, but the whole leg

Dont worry man, that all goes away.

I was in agony after every kick when I first started, mostly from my hip flexors.

[tkdally]

I train at three different schools that are all part of one club. At one of them we have a group of about 5 or 6 young kids whose parents seem to use the class as a creche!!!

They drop them off about 15mins before class starts and the kids just run riot. They run around the dojang, shrieking and trying to kick and punch eachother. The instructor tries really hard to get them to do something useful whilst they are waiting for class to start (i.e. practice their patterns or step sparring) but they don't listen and she has other things to do before class starts (collect money, talk to students that have issues, paperwork for competitions and gradings). In the end us senior grades end up acting like babysitters telling them off for kicking eachother in the head and trying to explain that they'll either hurt themselves or eachother. SOOOOO ANNOYING!!

We'd like to spend some time before class doing extra practice but we can't because they're always running around getting in the way, it's so noisy that you can't concentrate and you have to watch them so they don't kill eachother.

Not a week goes by where the instructor tells the kids that they need to stop doing this because it's not a playground and they should respect the dojang, but when they all get together it's like group mentality and they turn into chimps. She has now said that if they do it again she will make them sit the class out and then explain to their parents the reason why. I hope she follows through on it but somehow I doubt it.

I think she needs to tell the parents that they have to wait with their children until the class starts. Either that or she makes them wait outside until the class starts (or tells them not to drop them off early) and any paperwork can be done at the end of class.

[KickChick]

She has now said that if they do it again she will make them sit the class out and then explain to their parents the reason why. I hope she follows through on it but somehow I doubt it.


There in lies the problem ! ;)


I suggest that your instructor has a word with the parents conveying this same sentiment. This is not a babysitting service ... this is a school. Class begins at such and such time.... please bring your children in at that time and no sooner than 5-10 minutes prior.

Are parents able to watch their students during class? Perhaps let them for one day and see just how proper or improper their children are. Of course, their children may perhaps be angels knowing that their parents are watching ;)

Many instructors rely on their senior students to help out in class. Try not to feel as a babysitter but rather as learning how to "teach" ... it is a good prerequisite that will either make or break you ;)

I believe rather young children should not attend the same classes as older students.... it is far too distracting at times. Perhaps a suggestion to reclassify the classes as well?

[tkdally]

I am not sure it's really my place to suggest that the classes be restructured. I have explained to her that it is distracting for the older students but the children also have a right to attend the school too - that's just how it is.

I regularly help teach classes and realise that dealing with children is part of the job but sometimes it would just be good for the children to behave!!!!!!!!

Amazingly (or not) we had a substitute instructor tonight (he teaches another school within the club) and they were like angels. Guess they know when they can and can't get away with it. Might drop that into conversation with the regular instructor if I can.

[fc_was]

I've made many mistakes in my training but two stick out. One I didn't even realize until I read it in a forum here. As I moved up the ranks, I practiced my ranking form until I had it down good enough to pass the test. Then I moved on to the next form. I lost a lot in my training by doing that. Now, after reading it in one of these forums, I understand what the forms teach us and practice them all equally.

Second mistake, I learned my next forms before I was ready. They're all in the book and I can download videos of them off the internet. I spent most of my time un-learning my mistakes rather than perfecting my techniques. I learned Koryo as a yellow belt because it looks cool. My instructor saw the video on my laptop and advised me not to try it. Then later, knowing what type of person I am, said, "well, if you want to learn it you can but it will just be mindless motions for you." I learned my lesson well.

[tkdmusclerock]

Big mistakes I see (and sometimes make) in sparring class:

-Being too aggressive with a sparring partner that's a mismatch. Especially in a smaller dojang, you will find yourself sparring with a student with lesser skill level than yours. Beat them? Absolutely. Beat them up? Nah. Also, not being aggressive enough with lesser opponents. Don't kill 'em, but don't be condescending, either. Be a good training partner. Remember, sparring class is a lesson, not a fight.

-Not trying new techniques and strategies. The class is the right place to try new things, even if you suck at them. Work the techniques enough and you won't suck.

-(my personal Achilles' heel) Being too tense/thinking too much. Analysis is paralysis. If you have to think very much, you're doomed. That's why we drill, drill, drill. Repetition is the mother of skill.

[neryo_tkd]

yes, that's why there are training sessions. i have also noticed that there are students who do all the drills in class but when the sparring starts, they use almost nothing of all those drills. big mistake. variety is important.

[shotsy]

I just started TKD, and will test for yellow 12-9-06. Unfortunatly I have already seen many of the problems described here. We only have class 2x a week. It is a small town and you can not make a living teaching TKD. The classes are cheap and a good value for the money ($20 a month first person, $10 each add. per family/ 4 hrs a week available to train at the dojang). My biggest pet peeve is a lack of commitment by the students/parents - all but 3 students are under 16. Roughly 30 students total. The instructors are great and willing to help with questions.

I personaly go to all classes and am often the first there and the last to leave. The majority of the kids however don't put in extra effort at class/before start of class is called especially in the lower belts. I think it is the amount of work and quality of work you put into it personally and what your goals are more than what someone elses goals are.

There are two things that drive me big time nuts: the lack of adults to spar or team with(three bb 1 temp bb 1 brandnew wb) --bb are instructors. and the sloppiness. I have talked with and become friends with the main instructor--she is firm and fair. If they are not up to spec they do not test, however in an attempt to keep the dojang open, she feels it is necessary during normal training to let some of it slide with the very young student to keep them interested and coming back, not discouriging and making them want to quit.

Any opinions????

We are the only dojang for 50miles

[neryo_tkd]

i don't know how old those kids are. kids are kids. they are not able to concentrate and focus as long as the adults, so you have to cut them some slack.

it would be great to have a separate kids class and a separate adults class. since there aren't many members in your club, i can understand that you train together.

[Texas TKD]

One of the mistakes that I see in class is when students try to knock over the wavemaster by pushing it, instead of snapping their kicks instead. They think knocking over the bag is more important than proper technique.

[Smokemare]

Big mistakes I see (and sometimes make) in sparring class:

-Being too aggressive with a sparring partner that's a mismatch. Especially in a smaller dojang, you will find yourself sparring with a student with lesser skill level than yours. Beat them? Absolutely. Beat them up? Nah. Also, not being aggressive enough with lesser opponents. Don't kill 'em, but don't be condescending, either. Be a good training partner. Remember, sparring class is a lesson, not a fight.

-Not trying new techniques and strategies. The class is the right place to try new things, even if you suck at them. Work the techniques enough and you won't suck.

-(my personal Achilles' heel) Being too tense/thinking too much. Analysis is paralysis. If you have to think very much, you're doomed. That's why we drill, drill, drill. Repetition is the mother of skill.

There's another word of warning about this point - you reminded me of a situation that happened over ten years ago when I was still with the TAGB. We were on a training holiday in Gran Canaria, I was about red tag and I was sparring with a yellow belt guy who was erm, something like brown in full contact karate and a bit bigger and older than me. Anyway he was going for it - not stupidly, but but being a bit heavier than normal, I ducked one way and kicked me really hard in the face - had me staggering a bit...

Anyway 3rd Dan Tony Littlejohn noticed - who incidentally is a really nice guy and a fantastic sparrer. He told me to have a sit down for a minute and he'd spar with person X. Anyway I haven't seen such a fine display of pwnage in sparring before or since. Tony was really laying the smack-down to the point where the guy was guarding and Tony uppercutted him and it threw his head right up in the air and had him staggering backwards...

It was nice to watch. Actually the dude said he really enjoyed it afterwards and wanted to spar with Tony more often... I think this was possibly to save face a bit though.

[SeeDarkly]

Hmm since starting training in WTF I think the number one thing I have noticed is....lack of hand training.
Hands around waist, never where they should be! Utter lack of punching in sparring and next to no defence vs hand strikes or close range attacks.
I was sparring a guy three or four belts higher who actually backed off to throw a kick from boxing range...
I was told thats because of hands/wrists/arms getting broken by kicks-so in that case it's ok to get kicked in the neck/head by the same kick?
Remember it''s the way of the HAND and foot:P

@Oldie in #51
Nice going their matey, you came out all the stronger in spirit for it though!

[SeeDarkly]

. Anyway he was going for it - not stupidly, but but being a bit heavier than normal, I ducked one way and kicked me really hard in the face - had me staggering a bit...

Anyway 3rd Dan Tony Littlejohn noticed - who incidentally is a really nice guy and a fantastic sparrer. He told me to have a sit down for a minute and he'd spar with person X. Anyway I haven't seen such a fine display of pwnage in sparring before or since. Tony was really laying the smack-down to the point where the guy was guarding and Tony uppercutted him and it threw his head right up in the air and had him staggering backwards...

It was nice to watch. Actually the dude said he really enjoyed it afterwards and wanted to spar with Tony more often... I think this was possibly to save face a bit though.
Sorry for double posting but I re-read this...

I'm not sure I fully approve of that...I have the same issue as the brown belt, coming from mma style arts, sometimes we honestly don't mean to do what he did y'know and for a 3rd dan to go ahead and "teach him a lesson" doesn't feel quite right.
How do you know that the guy was so on the defensive? He might have been really nervous about having a go back just in case...he did some damage to Tony:( Before getting upset-you never know how good someone really is, I'm just playing devil's advocate:P
I mean you ducked one way and caught a kick in the face? Did he whack you on purpose like that?
How can watching someone get "pwned" (maybe) be nice? :confused: