All About Taekwondo

[ChiefKiasu]

Imami:

ChiefKiasu:

They get graded every quarter so they get to see themselves improving step by step, with the color of the belt to show for their hard work. That's very motivational!

Chief, do u know if they can \"jump grade\"? Like learning piano, the students can skip grades and jump to a higher grade?

Yes. It's called a \"double promotion\". About 10% of students that go for each grading exercise may get a double promotion, depending on what the judges think about their performance during the grading process. That essentially saves you 3-4 months towards the ultimate \"Black Belt\" status.

[Imami]

Thanks chief.

[KATEEEEEEE]

I was thinking of sending my kids to learn taekwondo. Any idea what’s the difference between the CC and the private schools?

[iRabbit]

ChiefKiasu:

I switched my Sec 1 son from fencing to Taewondo and the difference was notificeable after 6 months. He filled up quite nicely, become more assertive, and less gangley in his gait. He is now moving with a lot more confidence. They get graded every quarter so they get to see themselves improving step by step, with the color of the belt to show for their hard work. That's very motivational!

All in, I thought it was a pretty good switch.

Just witnessed ds having his first Taewondo lesson. Was perspiring like mad after an hour's worth of training. But he super liked it. I like the fact he has to shout during every movement. I hope that (the shouting) helps to toughen him mentally.

[Twinklesss]

Any kids in Cheng San cc or YCK cc learning taekwondo? Any review?

[lapapillion]

FQW:

Going to sign ds up for Taewondo soon, at his request (his friends are doing it). A few newbie questions regarding this sport. Thanks.


Will learning martial arts make one violent?

Are they many branches of Taewondo locally?

What are the different belts and their significance?

I've learnt TKD in my secondary school days because it's compulsory. It's a Maris Stella thingy

Anyway, I don't think learning martial arts will make one violent. If anything, it had made me more peaceful, knowing that I can defend myself and others in certain situations. Do have to be careful not to let the punching and kicking get into your head and become a 'hero'. The most useful thing that I learnt is to be confident enough to block blows and kicks, not to attack.

Regarding the different belts, they go in order:

1. White
2. Yellow
3. Green
4. Blue
5. Brown
6. Black

In between, there's also white with yellow tape or blue with brown tape etc. There's more after black belt too..dan 1, dan 2 etc..but think black is more than sufficient for now

[iRabbit]

Thanks for the detailed sharing, lapapillion. Appreciate it.

[ChiefKiasu]

FQW:

Just witnessed ds having his first Taewondo lesson. Was perspiring like mad after an hour's worth of training. But he super liked it. I like the fact he has to shout during every movement. I hope that (the shouting) helps to toughen him mentally.

I'm sure it will help toughen him both mentally and physically. And it's good to get the kids to sweat :evil: . Which school did you sign him up at? What is the cost? My kids are at Induk, prices about $350 for a term (3 months), kinda expensive, but they are quite flexible with makeup and even extra lessons, and they have a nice air-conditioned lounge for lazy parents like myself to hide from the heat outside while sniggering sadistically at my kids sweating it out in the glass-windowed training rooms. They are really cute to watch, especially the younger ones. And you are right... the kids have great fun in there.

The belts have essentially been doubled. It starts with the White belt:

White -> Yellow-tip
Yellow-tip -> Yellow
Yellow -> Green-tip
Green-tip -> Green
Green -> Blue-tip
Blue-tip -> Blue
... and so on

Each promotion takes about 3-4 months, so you can probably only promote about 2 major colors in 1 year, unless you can get a double promotion.

[iRabbit]

Chief,


I signed ds at Victory Sports at BT Plaza at $130 per mth but no comfy lounge for me to sit leh. I’ve to pay to sit at the cafe next door.

[peasants]

I think the fundamental question before signing our kids for TKD is to understand the difference between World TKD Federation and International TKF Federation. After that, it branch down to Local STF which is an advocate of WTF and others under ITF. All schools I see here are under STF, and for political reasons, they are artificially most recognised. Then the our consideration gets narrow down on the organisation structure of both STF schools and others under ITF. I can share my thoughts further if anyone is interested, fyi, my two daughters attained poomsae at P1 and P3 respectively under STF. Myself is black tip, but I have stopped since. Same for my daughters.