From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #362 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Thur, 28 June 2001 Vol 08 : Num 362 In this issue: the_dojang: Testing the_dojang: spacifics on uniform info request the_dojang: Re: T-Shirts for special child the_dojang: Re: Promotional Testings the_dojang: Re: Testing Times the_dojang: Re: Testings the_dojang: Re: Pre-Tests the_dojang: Re: Tests the_dojang: Hip pain the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~1111 members strong! Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The premier internet discussion forum devoted to the Korean Martial Arts. Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Rudy Timmerman" Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 02:26:25 -0400 Subject: the_dojang: Testing Christa writes: > I have been in the process of revising our testing procedures and schedules > to better fit students needs and desires. Hi Christa (and others on this subject): The question of testing when and how often is dependent on the school owners priorities. Some say that testing should be every two months because of student retention; however, others have had succes with every other imaginable combination of the testing procedure. I have perhaps a different slant on the subject. Like Bruce, I feel that the ability of a student to pass a test depends greatly on the subject matter that is taught (some curriculae are much more intensive in content than others), and the students' ability, time, and all the other criteria that molds the student. In my school, I "check" every student at two months intervals. This is NOT designed to advance the students (some do and some don't), but to ensure that NO ONE is ever left behind in any class under my supervision. If I see that there is a general problem with a number of students, than the class Instructor gets a check up. If I find a student falls behind the normal time it takes for most to learn a subject, the student is offered free private lessons. This way, each and every student in my school receives the best I can offer. Some decline to take me up on my offer, but it is never because I don't have time or care less. To me, testing is merely a tool to check the pulse of my school. Sincerely, Rudy National Korean Martial Arts Association ------------------------------ From: "Jordan Kim Lee" Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 14:11:21 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: spacifics on uniform info request ok all to answer the questions about my post. i am in a university martial arts "club" here. our instructor is not on staff at the university. and we get very little student organization funds. There is no embroidery or printing on our uniforms. our participation in the program is included in our activity fee so our instructor doesn't make much money off this job unless he jacks up the prices. a light weight uniform costs us $40 if we buy it from him. to me that is way to high! we have no patches on the uniform either. it's just a plain white uniform of any weight we choose. so with all this in mind please help me out here. if anyone has experience with places to order uniforms, catalog or on-line, please let me know ASAP. here is a list of sites that i've looked at. if you have info on any of them or any others please let me know. (i know i'm getting redundant here but i really need feedback!) OK here is the list of sites i've seen: allblackbelt asuperbuy martialartsmart karatemart karate depot Thanks for any info you can provide. Jordan _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ From: GrannyTKD@aol.com Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 22:41:51 EDT Subject: the_dojang: Re: T-Shirts for special child <> Thanks for helping us out. Anyone who wants to contribute one of your TKD school T-shirt to Alexa Miller (7yr. old green belt diagnosed with progeria who will be honored at this yr.'s USTU Jr. Olympics) can either deposit the shirts at the Tekno booth at the event or for those not attending, you can still help by sending T-shirts to: Dunlap's TKD Alexa T-shirts P.O. Box 2485 Gretna, LA 70054-2485 (Alexa is very tiny and weighs only 26 pounds, so please contribute the smallest size you have......THANKS!!) ------------------------------ From: "Jason & Nicole Swanson" Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 22:03:20 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Promotional Testings To reply to a few of the questions about how our system currently works... I have about 45 students of those, typically around half will test at any given testing. Students are required to ask permission to test of myself or my assistant instructor and permission is only granted if we feel they will be successful. We also have some minimum attendence and time in rank requirements for 2nd Gup and higher ranks. Timing is tricky because we do accept students at any time The reason I am considering increasing the time frame is simple, I just feel rushed to cover the cirriculum. Thanks again, Jason Swanson 4th Dan Lincoln, NE ------------------------------ From: MissIllona@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 03:15:08 EDT Subject: the_dojang: Re: Testing Times In a message dated 6/27/2001 11:13:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Students are eligible to test every three months of active training status (min of two classes per week). If they pass the pre-test, they can perform to standards, they are put on the list. At mid ranks it swiths to four months, then at seinor levels it's four, five and then six months from Black stripe to black belt. We hold a test every month so students who don't make the cut this month due to vactions, school work, or such will be able to test the next month. >> This is how we do it, too. Beginners may be in their ranks from 3 to 4 months but I have had some exceptions in that also. Some have moved up faster ... like at 2 months. But once in the Intermediate ranks they slow down to 4 to 5 months each rank. In the Advanced ranks it is around 4 to 6 months ... depending on how often they attend their classes. Once they make Recommended Black Belt ... they have 6 months to train hard and get ready for their next exam ... if they have slacked off ... then it is another 6 month wait. We only test for Black Belt twice a year ... the (higher ups) won't come out our way every other month or so to officiate at the tests ... only twice a year. Illona ------------------------------ From: MissIllona@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 03:22:57 EDT Subject: the_dojang: Re: Testings In a message dated 6/27/2001 11:13:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << I conduct almost no make up testings, it has to be a extremely good reason, and the vast majority of times the student simply waits an additional month and then tests. >> We have no make-up tests either because we test monthly ... so they will have to wait for the next monthly test if they missed their test that month. We have made exceptions and tested them say after a class on a Friday night for a good reason. Not because they have a baseball game that day. Pick which you want to do ... baseball game or test for your next belt rank in martial arts. :-) One boy tested one day early because he had to go to San Diego for his Grandmother's birthday party ... she was going to be 100 years old and they were going to have the newspaper out that day to take a big family picture and he wanted to be there. I thought that was a good reason to reschedule the test for that Friday night. Illona ------------------------------ From: MissIllona@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 03:30:46 EDT Subject: the_dojang: Re: Pre-Tests In a message dated 6/27/2001 11:13:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << My advanced students benefit from mandatory tests every three months by actually being graded with their weak and strong points pointed out. This allows me to design customized programs for them to improve weaknesses and measure progress in all areas >> We hold a pre-test where we bring in the advanced students and have them go thru all their requirements and we (the black belts) write down their strong and weak points and what we believe they need to work on. Also, all their classtimes have been put on their paper so they can see how many advanced classes, regular classes, sparring classes and such they have attended. They may be lacking in some of those classes and it gives them an opportunity to see where their strengths and weaknesses are. Sometimes we only work on our strengths ... thinking they are weak ... when it should be something else we may need more work on (and we thought we were strong there). Know what I mean ? Everything that is written that day is given to the student to go home and read and then it is up to them to come to the classes and work in the areas they need to work in (I have a copy of everything that is written that day and I will help guide them if need be) ... like if they have been neglecting to come to a set number of advanced classes a month and only work out in the regular classes instead or not coming to the sparring classes but sparring will definitely be on their tests ... then they need to figure out their schedule so they can attend these classes and get their skills up. But it helps me to see where they need work so I can set up the classes to work on those areas that are weak ... and applaud them in the areas that they are strongest in. Illona ------------------------------ From: MissIllona@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 03:33:17 EDT Subject: the_dojang: Re: Tests In a message dated 6/27/2001 11:13:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << It does not matter if I have one person testing or 100. >> No, it shouldn't matter ... because that 'one' student is having an important day ... and it does matter to them ... alot ! I like smaller tests anyways ... big tests are soooooo tiring ! Illona ------------------------------ From: miguel@garciatkd.com Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 09:54 -0000 Subject: the_dojang: Hip pain - ------=_unique-boundary-1 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Forgive a newbie question, but I wonder if anyone could offer some advice on flexibility. I'm very tight, having ignored stretching for years. I've noticed a good (for me) increase in flexibility since starting Taekwondo and stretching regularly, but I'm not particularly happy with my abductor flexibility in particular. My sidekicks are pathetic, and if I go too high during a kick, I get pain in my hips. Any advice, or should I just keep working diligently on standard stretching? Thanks in advance. ==> Muscular tension is normal, particularly for older males. Pain in the hip means that you are not rotating or 'turning over' the hip during the kick. In http://garciatkd.com/links.html I have aome links to articles on stretching that I have found very worthwhile. Another question, if anyone is willing to field it: which weapons, if any, are considered "standard" in Taekwondo? I've seen sword (which looks like a Japanese katana) joong bong, long staff, and nunchuka (sorry, can't recall Korean name). Any others? ===> The only weapon that I know as being originally incorporated into the Lorean Martial arts is the cane. My Chance for a plug" dont forget. Cane master seminar discount signup period is quickly approaching. http://garciatkd.com/news.html Miguel http://Garciatkd.com - ------=_unique-boundary-1-- ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 5:31:54 PDT Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V8 #362 ******************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org To unsubscribe from the_dojang-digest send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.