History of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo by Ryan Brandt

The History of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo

Ho-Am TaeKwonDo is the completely unique and effective martial art that we practice, but how did it start? What are its roots? Well, TaeKwonDo roughly started 10,000 years ago, when people migrated from central Asia to the peninsula, Korea, where they relied on hunting, swimming, and climbing mountains to survive. As time went by, these people developed strong bodies, fighting skills, and a sense of teamwork. Their knowledge is that of the beginning of our martial art.

In Korea, about 4,000 years ago, formal martial arts training began with simple basics, like punching and kicking, and added complex things like horseback riding and archery. In the 6th century (A.D) the Silla Dynasty ruled the smallest of three kingdoms in Korea, and during the rule of its 24th king, a group of warriors formed the Hwa Rang Do, whose victories over the dynasty united the Korean Peninsula. Afterwards, TaeKwonDo warriors were taught to balance the mind and body by reading, writing, painting, as well as other artistic activities, which continues today in the ITA.

During the Koguryo Dynasty, anything military was forbidden to be practiced from 1909-1945, but Tae Kyon was secretly practiced and taught by a handful of Masters and Instructors. When Korea was liberated in 1945, people were free to practice martial arts again.

Recently, Grandmaster Won-kuk Lee, who founded Chung Do Kwon, was the first person to organize and found modern Korean TaeKwonDo. On April 11th 1995, a board of instructors selected the word Tae-Kwon-Do, foot - hand – art, to represent the national martial art of Korea. When Ho-Am TaeKwonDo was founded, the Siberian tiger and the rock were chosen to represent our organization. Ho, or tiger, relating to the Siberian tiger, was chosen to represent our bravery and justice, while the rock represented steadfast and the immovable life spirit of Korean and Western civilizations. The tenets of TaeKwonDo were soon chosen over the years, and since, TaeKwonDo has developed and changed little to turn into what is now - the International TaeKwonDo Alliance – the ITA.

~Ryan Brandt

My Senior 5th Degree Testing

Thank You to all of those who supported me. Here are the videos from the test that many of you have been asking about.

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Training for my Senior Fifth Degree Testing…

Thanks for all of the support as I have been preparing for my Senior Fifth Degree testing in TaeKwonDo. There are just 7 days until I put my best foot forward at the national testing on the 13th. Yes, I know it is Friday the 13th! I am not too concerned or worried by this. I am not very superstitious, but was honestly suprised to find this out when one of my students had revealed it to me. I will be ok. I have prepared for this more than any other testing in my life. For those of you who do not know. The Senior 5th Degree is the last rank before master level. Needless to say, I could not have imagined at 10 years old where TaeKwonDo would take me. I just knew simply. "I liked it."

I feel great. I have been preparing every single day in some grueling workouts (heavy cardio, strength and conditioning, and Martial Arts) to get me ready over the last 10 weeks. I have lost over 10 pounds and am at a lean 205-waivering a few pounds here and there when I do not remember to consume calories to compensate for the extra training. I have been eating a diet rich in whole grains, organic, low fat, and natural selections. I am a firm believer that what we consume affects the bottom line of our human perfomance both on the mat and off. It shows quite a bit of discipline to cut out all of the junk that we graze on throughout the day also. It prepares the mind and "cleanses you" physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When we remove a crutch, we must stand on our two feet and with the help of our loved ones. Our relationships are what matter-the one's with our family, our friends, and of course first and foremost our creator. If we are not mentally strong, we will fall short of our true potential.

My wife, Melissa Johnson makes me mentally strong. She supports me in all that I do. Having gotten to experience what it is like to have her in my life for the last 15 years, I would rather have my arm surgically removed then to know what it is like to not have her in my life. As for my child Ashton-James, what can I say. I never thought in my life that I could love, adore, and cherish someone so strongly. I thought I had purpose before. You are my purpose now. When you were born 19 months ago, my life was changed. You are definitely "daddy's buddy". I gave you so much love in your infancy. Now that you are a "big boy" I well up with emotion when you return the unconditional love back. It makes me proud on our "boy's days out" to lunch or shopping when you say with a hug around my arm and a smile "my daddy". You have such a vigor to follow after daddy and train TaeKwonDo. When I work with you on the training floor, it makes me grin from ear to ear. These times are so special. As the country song goes "You're gonna' miss this. My precious family is why I work so hard.

In closing, the final days of preparation are before me. I will see all of you next Friday, and thanks for the support of a strong showing.

Senior Master Newton from Augusta, Georgia coming on the 17th!

Senior Master Newton, 7th Degree Black Belt and the Johnson's instructor will be in Cary this Saturday. Mr. Newton is from Augusta, Georgia where he has his Academy- Terry Newton's TaeKwonDo Academy of  Augusta. Let's make Mr. Newton feel welcome.

The 4 Elements of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo by Rita Lewitt

“Describe the 4 elements of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo.”

The Elements of Ho-Am Taekwondo are Essence, Philosophy, Mission and Journey.   These four elements create a solid structure which we use to deliver a consistent message.  The individual parts of the four elements compliment, and are in alignment with each other.  Together they provide a framework for teaching, training and living a fulfilled life.

Ho-Am Essence is the style in which we use and teach our techniques, allowing our Taekwondo to be unique.  Ho-Am Philosophy is our basic set of beliefs that we strive to follow to maintain the integrity of our art.  Ho-Am Mission is what we hope to achieve through consistent focus.  And Ho-Am Journey is an individual focus on the progression from beginner to varying degrees of the accomplished artist.  This mission commissions all Taekwondo students to further develop themselves and to always reach for new levels of perfection.

TRAINING:  In training, Essence provides the guidance to enhance the artistic style.  This gives me the tools to constantly improve upon what I have already learned.  Essence keeps me wanting to learn more.

TEACHING:  In teaching, all the elements are candidates for discussion.  The opportunity to provide a Ho-Am message during each class allows for the spreading of this knowledge to other students.  Empowering the students with this knowledge will help them on their life and Taekwondo journey as well.

LIFE:  In life, the Ho-Am Philosophy, Mission, and Journey provide a framework for positive balanced life that focuses on my well being as well as those in my community.  They help me keep a straight path in sight for living out my life.

By Rita Lewitt - Johnson's TaeKwonDo Black Belt

My TaeKwonDo Journey – By Stefan Dybka (a 10 year old boy Martial Arts Student in Cary, NC)

My journey started when my friend Christian brought me to a class. I liked it and decided to sign up. I had started half way through the cycle and  Christian was two belts ahead of me. I worked really hard and got enough classes in four weeks to test. I passed that testing. I didn’t catch up to him until red belt.

 I was thinking of quitting when I had been a brown belt for a long time. I had missed a testing cycle because I was on vacation and I had gotten a no change on the next testing cycle. I was discouraged and I wanted to play with my friends after school instead of taking class. My parents didn’t want to make me go to Taekwondo. Over time I decided that I wanted to continue with Taekwondo, and I would be self motivated. I am so close to my black belt and I really want to be a black belt.

 I want to be a black belt because then I get to learn more difficult moves and the forms are cooler. I also think that being a black belt is an honor. I will feel proud if I get my black belt and I would like to show it to some of my friends.

 I really like Taekwondo. It has taught me a lot of self defense that makes me feel safer when I’m by myself. Thank you Mrs. and Mr. Johnson and all the rest of the instructors for teaching me all of this.

Stefan Dybka

Johnson’s hosting campaign in Cary, NC for Soles4Souls

Heartwrenching to see this in this day and age!Johnson's TaeKwonDo is accepting gently used to new shoes for the Soles4Souls organization. We are currently accepting shoes and sandals at our location at 100-D Woodwinds Industrial Ct. We will begin putting collection boxes around the Cary area soon. Our campaign is planned to end in April 2010 with a "Walk a Mile Without Shoes Walk" for the Soles4Souls organization.

It is our goal as Martial Arts teachers to assist students in reaching their fullest potentials so that they can then learn to manifest those skills to do good in the outside world. The best way that we can teach young people leadership is experientially. Getting out there and doing something. Leading by Serving.

Anyone interested in helping with this great cause, call Mr. Bryson Johnson or Mrs. Melissa  Johnson at (919) 469-5555. We need volunteers for the walk and the collection box distribution as well. If your business would like to be a collection center, contact us. :)

Martial Arts Students Encouraged to teach Fire Safety Drill

Johnson's TaeKwonDo encourages everyone who does not yet have a Fire Safety Plan to get one. Practice the plan with your children at least once every year. Remember that you may think that your children do not need to know this-as you will help them escape the home in case of a fire-but your children may have to escape on their own if you are injured.

 

 

 

What does this have to do with Martial Arts? Well, Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy teaches self-defense. You may think that self-defense involves the ability to defend yourself from an attacker. Though this is very true, Johnson's believes that self-defense comes in all forms-defense from anything that could harm or injure you.

Download the materials so that you can print the fire safety kit out and begin practicing a plan with your family at home today! Time your children so that they can practice efficiency. Don't Wait! It could happen to you.

Martial Artists Walk for ‘Stop Child Trafficking Now.org’

Congratulations to all of the Martial Arts Students who stepped up this past Sunday to teach Self-Escape skills at Wake Med Soccer Park. There was a large crowd that came out-several hundred in fact and a select few of our Johnson's TaeKwonDo students came out to not only teach invaluable personal protection courses, but to walk 5 kilometers for the 'Stop Child Trafficking Now' organization.

Johnson's TaeKwonDo walks to stop child trafficking

For those of you unfamiliar with this group, they fund operatives that will help to eliminate the crime of child trafficking at the root-the predator. Many of the team members that work for the organization are retired Navy Seals, Special Operatives, FBI agents and the such that have a passion for taking down the evil people that choose to harm children. It was a great event and special thanks to John Casablancas for holding the event. For more information on our Personal Protection Courses through Tom Patire Group or for information on our Ho-Am Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Programs Click the link: Martial Arts in Cary, NC

7 year old student leads Martial Arts demonstration and Bingo for Clarebridge Assisted Living Home

At Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy students are leading their  martial arts peers across the country by manifesting the skills that they learn on the training floor and putting them to use for the good of the world. If you are wanting to be associated with winners in more than just Martial Arts Skill, but also winners in life, try Johnson's TaeKwonDo. We walk the walk!![youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/VOR0e1CGjQo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

Habitat For Humanity Dedication September 19th, 2009

Johnson's TaeKwonDo Habitat Home Cary, NC

It was amazing to see all of the hard work that our Taekwondo students put forth finally come to fruition. Our Cary, NC students held a Break-A-Thon in May 2007 and managed to raise just under $8,000 through 99 separate donations. This summer we went out to help with the building process also. With the assistance of the entire Habitat For Humanity of Wake County team, Lot 3 at Falcone Pointe is now complete. The family will soon be moving into it in a couple of weeks, I suppose. Wow students! You all did a great job!! From the fundraising to actually getting out there and building the home, I am proud of all of you.

Martial Arts Students from Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy Sponsor a Habitat Home

Johnson's TaeKwonDo and its students truly epitomize the "Walk the Walk" philosophy of martial arts training. We take the training and values that we learn in the dojang and use them to make an impact on the world! Great Job Again!

 

 

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A Karate Class or a Life-Changing Experience

 

 

 

Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy is located at

 

100-D Woodwinds Industrial Ct  Cary, NC 27511

 

(919) 469-5555.

 

http://tkdcary.com

 

  

 

  

 

There are numerous Martial Arts schools in the Cary Area. There are those that teach Shotokan Karate, Ninjitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, and Sport TaeKwonDo. Each of these schools can offer you a limited number of things. You can begin to learn the Martial Arts, you will get good exercise and should have fun doing it. Though this level of traioning may be sufficient for some, students will often seek out an academy that offers a fuller experience; one where students do not just learn to punch and kick, but practice real life skills as well.

 

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Students at Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy are trained to manifest the martial arts philosophy in their daily lives. Our training does not stop when you step off the mat; it continues off the mat as well. Our students practice weekly on how to take their skills out of the dojang and into the world to help their community. This is the New Way of Martial Arts! This is the way of Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy!

If you want more than just the "Local karate school experience", visit our website at http://tkdcary.com.

 

Hundreds  of students have chosen Johnson's. They teach the Ho-Am Style of TaeKwonDo, a style unique to their organization-the ITA (International TaeKwonDo Alliance). The ITA mission is to empower its students to enrich their personal, artistic, and professional lives through Martial Arts training. While the ITA believes that our students should be able to protect themselves and perform beautifully and artistically, our sense of purpose comes through the preparing of our students for citizenship. "We encourage our students to use their Martial Arts knowledge to improve our communities through one act of leadership at a time."(ITA)

  

Here is a list of some of the things that Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy students have completed in the 4 short years that Bryson and Melissa Johnson have owned the "karate school in Cary":

 

1.) Students raised over $8k for Habitat For Humanity of Wake County.

2.) We volunteered to build the Habitat House off of Falcone Pkwy that we sponsored with the monies raised.

http://www.habitatwake.org/homes/falconepointe.html

 

 

The Johnson's students should be proud of their accomplishment!

 

 

3.) Raised over $16k dollars for St. Baldrick's through 3 different events.

 

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4.) Planted shrubbery and other plants for the Assisted Living Home-Clarebridge in Cary. 

5.) Have held car washes for charity.

6.) Have held bake sales for charity.

7.) Have sold ornaments for the Ronald Mcdonald House that our students made-a project by Black Belt Rupa Vummalaneni.

Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy supports the Ronald Mcdonald House

8.) Have sponsored soldiers during Christmas.

9.) Have sponsored needy families.

10.) Raised awareness for Autism and the Autism Society of NC - a project that was led by 9 year old Junior Black Belt- Ben Pham.

 

"Thanks to Johnson Tae Kwon Do Booster Club and 12-year old Benjamin Pham for holding a fund-raising event as a service project. Benjamin chose to benefit ASNC because he has a sister with autism. Benjamin proudly presented a check for $2,055 to ASNC"

 

The Autism Society of North Carolina

 

11.) 16 year old black belt and Instructor Jessica Stober organized a 5k run and rain barrel auction to benefit the World Wildlife Federation. Jessica's project is still underway, and information can be found at the website she had developed at http://runforwildlife.com. Jessica's project has been very successful thus far. She has commissioned the painting of eight 55 gallon drums that normally would have been thrown out as trash so that they could be made into rain barrels to benefit the envronment. The rain barrels will be auctioned off at the 5k so that money can be raised for the World Wildlife Federation.

Woods Charter School Students Donating Their Talents and Time!
Click Below to see our news coverage!
http://www.mycarolinatoday.com/2010/04/rain-barrel-auction-and-5k/
She also has her 5k race which will be on April 24th at Wake Med Soccer Park. She secured a 1 million dollar insurance policy for thee event, talked with town leaders and the town of cary regarding logistics, and is in charge of a team of over 25 individuals. 

This is the best way to truly teach a martial arts student leadership-by having them practice it as a hands-on experience. We call this experiential leadership training or Project-Based Leadership Training.

 

12) A 7 year old and Green Belt at Johnson's organizes a visit to Carolina House Retirement Home in Cary - Jackie organized the visit for April 25th, 2010 where all martial arts students can perform for the residents. A few weeks back, Jackie organized a meeting where some of the younger students could make cards and other crafts for the residents to make them feel good.

Young martial arts students taking their skills out of the dojang and helping others in the world!

13) What Does Math Have to do with Martial Arts? Tejas Sundarersan- a 15 year old black belt knows!

Tejas Sundaresan has organized weekly math clinics at the TaeKwonDo Academy for students preparing for their SAT tests. Tejas knows math! He is very talented at it, and he accepted the challenge from the Johnsons to take his skills out of the dojang and into the world. That is exactly what this young man is doing. Way to go. See, it really does not matter what you do to help, just that you do.

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These things were done in part by the chief instructors, Bryson and Melissa Johnson and through Johnson's many project-based leadership projects in which students learn by doing. The Johnsons believe that the best way to teach leaderhip, to teach discipline and other valuable life lessons and skills is by having students do them. It is one thing to say that martial arts students should help out with their communities. It is another to go out and work on these skills with your students and have fun doing it.

 

With the emphasis on community and the close bond that the students feel to each other-much like a family, coupled with superior martial arts instruction, Johnson's has become the go-to school for many looking for more than just a karate class that they can dump their kids off for an hour to go shopping. They are looking for an experience, an education, and a disciplined, as well as positive atmosphere. They go to Johnson's. 

     

 

 

The History of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo and the ITA

The History of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo and the ITA

By: Stephanie Lamm - A Johnson's TaeKwonDo Blackbelt

Evidence of martial arts date back to 3000 B.C. when paintings of fighters using hand and foot techniques were found on ancient Egyptian tombs.  Plato also mentions fighting without an opponent which is much like the modern day patterns TaeKwonDo artists practice.  Though all of this led up to modern day martial arts, formal training can be dated back to 4000 years ago with the HwaRang warriors.   

Before North and South Korea there was Korea, and long before that there were three kingdoms.  They were the Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje.  These kingdoms were constantly at war with one another and needed armies to defend themselves.  The Silla dynasty during the sixth century was the first to develop martial arts to protect themselves.  A group of soldiers called HwaRang were taught Taek Kyon, an early form of TaeKwonDo.  They were well educated on battle plans and other military tactics as well as educated in their martial arts training.  The lived by King Jin Heung's tenants which were: be loyal to your country, honor your parents, be faithful to your friends, never retreat in battle, and never to take a life without a just cause. 

The art form later spread to public use and became a sport that was practiced on special occasions.  The competitions were called Soobakhee.  It was an important part of their culture and was treated with great respect.  Sometimes they would use these contests to scout for future HwaRang warriors.  Much fighting occurred during the time of the three kingdoms and eventually, thanks to the HwaRang and their strong military force, Silla came out on top in 688 A.D.  This unified Korea and Taek Kyon became widely practiced as a recreational sport among the people of Korea.

The last dynasty of Korea was the Yi dynasty which ruled Korea from 1392-1910 and took an anti-military approach to their ways of life.  Thus all martial arts practices were banned.  The Taek Kyon artists would not give up though.  Some martial arts schools went underground and practiced in secret.  Since almost all communication was lost between the schools many different forms of present day TaeKwonDo were formed.  When the Yi Dynasty was over martial arts was practiced openly again, but it was not as organized as before since all schools were practicing different slightly different styles.  This caused much confusion and the sport became less popular among the citizens.

Once the separated groups started to merge, the Japanese invaded Korea and put an end to all "folklore-ish" practices such as Korean martial arts.  TaeKwonDo was yet again forced to go into hiding and the groups drifted further apart.  Once Japan withdrew from Korea there were many divisions and types of TaeKwonDo and it was much different from school to school.  A man named Lee Won-Kuk was the first to organize TaeKwonDo and get all the separate groups to agree on a name, techniques, and philosophy that would become modern day TaeKwonDo.

TaeKwonDo still varies because of separate organizations such as the International TaeKwonDo Alliance, World TaeKwonDo Federation, and the American TaeKwonDo Association as well as many others.  The basic movements are the same, but there are slight variations in belt ranks, philosophy, and location.  TaeKwonDo is now a widely practiced and well respected art form.  It contains remnants of its past and honors its roots, but has been modernized to accommodate the growing world around it.  TaeKwonDo has an interesting history and has stood the test of time for over 4000 years.

The 4 elements of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo

The 4 Elements of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo

By Dale Page (One of Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Jiu-Jitsu Blackbelts)  

HoAm TaeKwonDo is built upon 4 basic elements; Essence, Philosophy, Mission and Journey.  These 4 elements work together to define HoAm TaekwonDo and contribute to its uniqueness and successfulness.

Essence is defined as the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something which determines its character.  The essence of HoAm TaeKwonDo is based upon four principles which when practiced by the student result in its uniqueness.  These principles define how the student practices and performs the movements in TaeKwonDo.  The first principle is “Balanced Posture Alignment” and it defines the relationship, position and alignment of body parts at a specific period in time.  The proper practice of this principle reduces the possibility of injury and helps in effective delivery of techniques.  The second principle is “Extended Plane Dynamic Force” which defines the line of movement in HoAm TaeKwonDo.  This principle works with the nature movement of the student’s limbs to safely create power.  The third principle is “CAT or Controlled Acceleration and Timing” which defines the timing and tempo of HoAm TaeKwonDo movements.  CAT creates rhythmic movements which contribute to the effectiveness, safety and artistic beauty of the form.  The forth principle is “Mindfulness Living and Training” which defines the students attention to the balance of mind and body and to the concept of Presence, the awareness of the moment.  The practice of this principle enhances the students perception of the moment during experiences at TaeKwonDo or during normal everyday activates.

Philosophy is defined as a theory or attitude that guides one behavior.  The philosophy of HoAm TaeKwonDo is based upon the universal principle of the “Law of Harvest” and its 7 Tenets; Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage and Community.  The “Law of Harvest” is basically you reap what you sow, in TaeKwonDo you get out what you put in.  The seven tenets are our basic guiding principles and along with the Siberian Tiger, the symbol of HoAm TaeKwonDo, endangered in modern times.  HoAm TaeKwonDo strives to create a balance between mind and body and to respect the students’ personal beliefs.

Mission is defined as a strongly felt aim or calling.  The mission of HoAm TaeKwonDo is to guide the organizations’ continued growth and development along with the empowerment of instructors and students to enrich their personal, professional and artistic growth, which leads to the protection of the tenets.  The growth and development of the organization is based on the tenet of community and not business and strives to combine modern research with the ancient traditions to develop the artistic principles.  HoAm TaeKwonDo encourages students to improve their body, mind and spirit, to create a better world and to do what is right.

Journey is defined as an act of travelling from one place to another.  The journey of HoAm TaeKwonDo is an individual journey and is defined by the individual and influenced by instructors and mentors.  The journey is one of physical and mental development and improvement, learning physical techniques to develop the artistic mind.

Dale A. Page

January 21, 2009

My TaeKwonDo Journey

My Tae Kwon Do Journey   by Jimmy Loo

It's funny how things work out a certain way. I couldn't say I have had a common beginning to my Tae Kwon Do journey. It seemed like all the planets had lined up properly for me to be a Tae Kwon Do student. If I didn't decide that one particular day to drive over and check out the noon class, and Denny also just happened to be checking out the class the same day; I don't think I would be writing this essay now. How lucky could I have been to have another out of shape, overweight person thinking of doing the same thing and show up on the same day? Well, I've been at this for more than 2 years now, and I'm not as out of shape as I was when I started. Looking back, who knows, maybe I would have signed up later, but I know it would have been much more intimidating and not as enjoyable as those first few classes without Denny.

I'm quite sure that most adults, who begin training in martial arts, would not have imagined that one day they would be approaching such a benchmark. I remember when I first started training and mentioning to Mrs. Johnson that I would be satisfied with being a brown belt. She gave me such a look that caused me to feel embarrassed to have such a small goal for my self. What I've learned from Tae Kwon Do, just like everything in life, one must try their best and push them selves to achieve the highest possible potential. Of course, back then I thought I was only brown belt material.

As with many journeys in life, this particular one has been at times enjoyable, learning, and challenging. With what I had faced these last couple of months, I have learned that things can change in a blink of an eye. Now more than before I would like to be a black belt, so that not just my family, but others my age will see that it's never too late to start something that can change their life for the better. With becoming a black belt, I feel that I would be able to help and mentor more students.  Even though it has taken a little longer to get to here, I am still glad I took this journey.

Ho-Am TaeKwonDo Sparring

HoAm TaeKwonDo Sparring

By Dale Page (One of Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Jiu-Jitsu Blackbelts)  

There are three distinct styles of free sparring in HoAm TaeKwonDo; Testing, Championship and Personal Protection sparring.  These styles are bound by general rules and protocols that are in place to protect the participants, but they each have uniquely different rules and protocols that define each style.

The general rules and protocols that govern the three styles of sparring lay the ground work for how the styles are to be performed along with participant conduct and protection.  Rules that dictate how sparring is to be performed are as such: no one below the rank of green belt may spar, sparring should be very controlled, no sparring before or after class and that an instructor is on the floor to supervise.  Rules that dictate participant conduct are as such: always show respect by bowing to your partner, if you make a mistake you should apologize, if your partner falls you should extend a hand to help them up, never spar or continue to spar if you or your opponent becomes upset or frustrated, never gloat if you demonstrate a good move or have greater skill than your opponent and the most important rule is to be courteous to your partner.  The rules that are in place for participant protection are as follows: no hard contact, never hit your opponent in the face, neck, back or below the belt, never strike or block with elbows, knees or head, do not use blind techniques, stop sparring if your partner falls or is injured and stop sparring if you feel that your well-being is threatened.

Testing sparring is the basic style of sparring in HoAm TaeKwonDo.  This is the style in which the TaeKwonDo artist learns how to incorporate all types of techniques; blocking, striking, kicking, jumping and spinning into various combinations.  During this style of sparring the participants goal is to learn and to demonstrate what they know along with assisting their partner in learning and showing their abilities.  The general rules of testing sparring are as such: the higher rank throws the first technique and sets the pace, listen to the instructor, answer up and modify behavior, maintain control and when the instructor starts or ends the match, answer up and start or end.

Championship sparring is the competitive style of sparring in HoAm TaeKwonDo.  This is the style in which the TaeKwonDo artist uses various techniques and combinations they have mastered.  During this style of sparring the participant's goal is to score points against their partner and to win the match.  The general rules of championship sparring are as such: the match is for two minutes or when one competitor scores five points, after two minutes the competitor with the most points wins, no hard contact, points are awarded when two or three judges call the point, competitors must show courtesy and not “showboat” and competitors must bow before and after each match.

Personal Protection sparring is the “street” style of sparring in HoAm TaeKwonDo and is generally not used in the classroom setting.  This is the style in which the TaeKwonDo artist uses all techniques and combinations they have mastered.  During this style of sparring the participant's goal is to protect themselves in a threatening situation.  The general rules of personal protection sparring is as such: there are no rules except those outlined by Local, State and Federal statutes, maintain proper mental attitude, know your surroundings, be aware of your attacker, be ready to do whatever is needed and to stun or disable attacker to facilitate escape.

While each style is different they are linked together and build upon each other to help develop the TaeKwonDo artist.

 

Dale A. Page

July 29, 2009