What is the difference
between Tae Kwon Do and Karate?
"Tae Kwon Do" is a Korean martial art that translated means "the way of
the hand and foot" or "the art of kicking and punching." Learning Tae Kwon
Do teaches students how to use their hands and feet to improve the mind and
the body. Tae Kwon Do is one of the most popular martial arts in the world
and can be found in every major country. In addition to being a popular form
of self-improvement, it is also Korea's national sport. "Karate" is a
Japanese martial arts that translated means “empty hand." Although both
martial arts share similar movements, the country and customs are different.
How
young do you take students?
Generally, we prefer students to be at
least 6 years old. Usually by this age, a child has a decent attention
level and concentration to benefit from the class.
Are students
required to compete at tournaments?
It is not required, but strongly
recommended that students participate in a tournament or two during their
training.
Can someone
compete on the State and National Level?
If someone is interested in a higher level of competition,
our
programs can prepare a student who has the interest, desire, and ability.
In the past, students of Nguyen School of Tae Kwon Do have competed in State
and National Competitions in recent years and fared very well at that level.
How
are the belts ranked?
Beginners will earn their first belt early
in their Tae Kwon Do training starting with white and moving on to orange,
yellow, green, blue, purple, purple trim, brown, red, and finally black.
Juniors, or students under the age of 16, will earn a Junior Black Belt, or
Poom. Adults earn a First Degree Black Belt, or 1st Dan. Black Belts are
ranked from 1st through 10th degree. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degree Black Belts are
considered journeyman level. 4th - 6th degree Black Belts are considered
Master Instructors. 5th Degree Black Belts & 6th Degree Black Belts often
hold the title Kwang Jang Nim (Head of a school or an association). 7th -
10th Degree Black Belts are considered Grand Masters.
How long does
it take to earn the rank of Black Belt?
Generally, it takes a student 3-4 years to
earn the rank of Black Belt. Some students may earn their Black Belt in 2-3
years. It all varies with each individual student.
What is a
Black Belt?
A Junior Black Belt (Poom) or Adult Black Belt (Dan) is a student recognized
for their commitment to Tae Kwon Do who has achieved a high level of
proficiency and knowledge in the art of kicking and punching. This
proficiency includes that a student's conduct outside the gym is a
direct reflection of the art, the instructor and the student themselves.
What happens after reaching Black Belt?
Upon reaching Black Belt, a student will
realize how much more there is to learn and continue their own training,
advancement and individual improvement, while they also pass on what they
have learned to new students. This is part of the circle of Tae Kwon Do --
passing on all the training once learned by teaching new students who may
one day do the same. This keeps the art of Tae Kwon Do alive for many
generations and is the principle on which Tae Kwon Do and the Martial Arts
have sustained themselves for over 2000 years. The knowledge and art of Tae
Kwon Do is a gift that is meant to be shared with others who strive to learn
and to better themselves.
What is the role of the
instructor?
The instructor's goals are to build and support the development of confident
students. These students are individuals with goals, discipline, and a sense
of proper direction in their lives. Students will also have needs and the
instructors are there to see that those needs are met by training to
help students become better human beings. The method of training, in all
aspects, is a goal-oriented system which serves as a positive reinforcement
to growth as individuals.
What is
belt testing?
When the student has completed the required
time and material training requirements a test date be set. As in any
educational institution, the instructors know when a student is ready to
test to, please trust their judgment. The belt exams are open for family and
friends to attend and watch. The student will perform the required material
in front of the testing instructor as well as the audience, then finish by
breaking the required board or boards, to advance to the next level.
Beginner students and children are given the assistance needed to help them
fulfill the requirements to earn their belt. This helps build confidence.
Advanced students are required to complete the exam with little or no
assistance. Junior and adult black belt tests must be passed with no
assistance.
Can a
student fail?
No. If a student continues to try and persevere, then he/she will never fail.
He/she may not complete all the requirements at the time of their test, but
re-tests are always offered a couple weeks later on material missed for colored
belts and a month later for black belts. Tae Kwon Do is not about failing,
but about succeeding. Instructors will see that each student can succeed no
matter what it takes. In the gym, four letter words like "can't" and "don't"
are replaced with "can", "do" and "try." There is no giving up, so there is
no failing.
What do the students
receive with testing?
Following testing students are awarded a
new belt and an advanced certification. These certificates should be kept in
one place for verification at the black belt exam time. The certificates
measure 8-1/2" by 11" and are suitable for framing. A good way to keep
certificates together is to put each new certificate in the front of the
frame while keeping the previous certificates in back. The Black Belts are
certified through the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Black Belts are
certified and registered with the Kukkiwon in Korea, the World Tae Kwon Do
Headquarters. The World Tae Kwon Do Federation is the only martial art
recognized and accepted by the International Olympic Committee.
Why are students required to bow?
Bowing is a tradition in Korea used when
entering or leaving the gym. It is also used when asking a question of an
instructor or entering the Dojang in which higher ranks and black belts are
present. It is a sign of respect for their for their experience, knowledge
and commitment to Tae Kwon Do. It is also out of respect for the gym, the
ranks, and the instructors. It is similar to an American handshake. When you
meet someone it is proper etiquette to shake their hand. In Korea, and
especially Tae Kwon Do, it is proper to greet people in this way each time
they meet. This method of recognizing authority, experience, and greater
knowledge helps to strengthen a student's respect for authority in and out
of the Dojang whether it is parents, teachers, police, adults or other
persons of stature. It also fosters a sense of respect for the training, the
goals, and the person they aspire to become.
What
can students do to get the most out of their training?
The most important thing students, as well as parents, can do to ensure the
best possible training available is to trust the instructors with the
training for you and/or your child. The instructors work very hard to
develop the best training programs they can with every step taken, every
method used for a reason. Your confidence and support guarantees that you
will get the most from your Tae Kwon Do training.
