LMRA Taekwondo Class Description
Taekwondo
has been taught at LMRA by
Taekwondo is taught at LMRA for men, women, boys and girls, ages 6 and
up, in the Sports and Fitness Center, room 3.
Classes are taught by Master Terry Avery,
Fifth Degree Black Belt, World Taekwondo Federation, Kukkiwon Certified. The Sports and Fitness Center is located in
southwest Fort Worth at 3400 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76109. When
you go in the gate, tell the guard you are there for the Taekwondo class. After passing the guard shack make a right to
get to the Sports and
Click here for Area Map showing location of Lockheed Martin Recreation Area (LMRA).
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here for map showing location of Sports & Fitness Center at LMRA complex.
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The class schedule is as follows:
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
6:00 to 6:55 PM - WHITE
(beginners) &
7:00 to 8:15 PM - YELLOW & ABOVE
Classes cost $147 for 3 months for Lockheed members. Classes are even open to those who don’t work
for Lockheed. Non members pay an
additional $40 annual fee.
Visitors are welcome to come by and observe classes or even try out two classes for FREE at any time to see if it is for them. New students are accepted any time. For more information call Master Avery at any of the phone numbers below.
You can call (682) 429-5154 for more information.
E-mail
address is T.Avery@sbcglobal.net
Taekwondo is a Korean martial
art that teaches students to defend themselves using their feet and hands. The one thing that distinguishes Taekwondo
from other martial arts is the use of powerful and diverse foot techniques. The Taekwondo student learns to defend
themselves and in the process conditions and strengthens their body, while
improving self confidence, aerobic conditioning, coordination and balance, as
well as learning patience, respect for others and how to focus their mind and
body. Students will be taught hand to
hand self defense techniques, Poomse (forms), breaking techniques, free
sparring and one step sparring techniques.
Students are required to purchase a white Taekwondo uniform
(dobok). Students are required to show
respect, follow school rules and are encouraged to do
their best and inprove regardless of how good or bad they may be when they
start. At each level one learns a little
more, that builds on what has been learned before, and eventually the diligent
student is doing things they might not have believed they could do at the
beginning.
At the beginning level of White
Belt, students learn some Korean terminology, basic stances, front snap kick
and roundhouse kick, basic blocking and punching. When the instructor feels they are ready,
they test for the next level in a belt test at the Won Park Institute.
At the next level, orange belt, the student
learns a Poomse, starts free sparring, learns new Korean terminology, more
blocks and strikes and the sidekick.
At the next level, yellow belt,
and at each level after that, students learn new kicks, a new Poomse, new terminology
and five new one-step sparring techniques. Breaking is added to the
requirements at the intermediate level of Green Belt. At red belt, students begin learning hand to
hand self defense techniques utilizing joint locks.
To become black belt the student
is required to perform all kicks, including flying and jumping kicks, all
forms, one step sparring, hand to hand techniques, free sparring, breaking and
take a written test on their knowledge of Taekwondo. Black belt students learn
new forms, perform complex breaking, practice sparring multiple opponents and
defense against hand, knife, stick and gun. Students attending two classes per
week can expect to earn their Black belt in about 3-1/2 years. See below
for more description of forms, sparring, self defense, breaking and one-steps.
Forms, called poomse in the Korean
language, are a series of defending and attacking movements performed against
imaginary opponents in a set pattern. Through the practice of forms, students
come to learn the applications of various techniques of Taekwondo. Forms serve a multi-dimensional role, aiding
in development and refinement of mental discipline, coordination, balance,
timing, breath control and rhythm, all of which are essential skills to the
Taekwondo student. Students start with a
simple form and at each new level they learn a more difficult form. At LMRA Taekwondo, color belts learn the
Palgwe series of forms and Kee-bon 7 and 8.
Black Belts learn the standard World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Black Belt
forms, Koryo, Kum Kang, Tae Bak, Pyong Won, Shipjin, Jitae, Chunkwon, Hansoo or
Ilyeo.
Free sparring is two students
sparring each other, without any predetermined form. Only closed fist punching
techniques and kicking techniques are allowed. No punching to the
face is allowed only kicks. Hits below the belt and throws are forbidden. All
of the vulnerable spots are covered with protective gear. Sparring is required
for all levels above white belt.
One-step sparring techniques are
prescribed defensive techniques for certain attacks to improve street
self-defense ability. Again, starting with simple and progressing to more
difficult. The attacker steps back into
fighting stance and kee-yops (yells), while the defender stands in ready
position. The defender then kee-yops
(yells) to signal he is ready and the attacker kee-yops (yells), takes one step
forward
and attacks. The defender then either
steps backwards or slides forward at a 45 degree angle while executing a block
and then countering with punches and/or kicks.
These techniques can involve sweeping the attacker's leg and throwing
the attacker to the floor.
Breaking is a method used to
measure the mental concentration ability, power, accuracy and speed of the
student by utilizing a variety of Taekwondo skills to break boards, bricks,
etc. The amount of mental concentration
and focus required to execute breaking technique is considerable. If the student is not totally focused on the
technique or techniques to be executed then he/she will not be successful. Confidence in one's abilities is required or
the focus will not be as it should be. At LMRA Taekwondo, the student
breaks their first board when they test for Blue-Tip, Green Belt. This helps to build confidence and at each
belt test after that they do more difficult breaking techniques. At the test for Red Belt they are required to
break one board at each of two stations and at the test for Bo-Dan they must
break two boards at each of two stations.
When they test for Black Belt they must break two boards at each of
three stations. When attempting to break boards, the focus of the strike
should be through the center and several inches beyond the boards so the
technique goes through and does not stop at the surface of the boards. Power alone will not always make the
break successful. If the technique is
not executed perfectly or the target is not hit precisely as required the
target will not break and/or the participant may be injured. Breaking demonstrates that the student has
the mental focus, confidence, strength, agility and power in his/her Taekwondo
techniques to be truly effective.
Hand to hand self defense is the
use of joint locks, which allow one to control and subdue an attacker, without
striking, by manipulating joints. The
student practices freeing oneself from the grip of an attacker and the use of
joint manipulation to reverse the opponent's grip to a point where the defender
is in control of the attacker.
No shoes on the workout floor and always wear a clean white uniform.
You should bow to the flags as you enter the training hall.
You should respect and obey your instructor and higher ranking belts.
You should bow to your instructor before starting and after finishing
classes.
You should answer to your instructor "Yes, Sir" or "No,
Sir" and call him by the proper title.
You should not smoke, chew gum or drink (water, soft drinks, etc.)
Additionally, there should be no loud talking, laughing or
horseplay while you are in class.
A Taekwondo student should never willingly argue or fight, no matter what
the reason.
All the Korean names of the basic Tae Kwon Do movements should be memorized
in the Korean language.
You should endeavor to develop yourself mentally and physically in the spirit
of Tae Kwon Do and to develop strength of character through brotherhood
and friendship.
