Class starts with warming up our muscles by 5 minutes of running in a circular fashion around the workout space. This is usually led by a senior student, and different running patterns may also be included. After the run we perform some basic stretches, usually lead by the senior student as well. The run and stretching increases blood flow, and loosens up the muscles, helping to prevent injuries and improve the speed and strength of strikes. Calisthenics such as sit ups, push-ups, etc. may also be done at this point.
Basic techniques are attacking and blocking moves that are fundamental to Tae Kwon Do, composing the foundation for more advanced combinations. Each technique is practiced in isolation, by moving forward for a set number of steps (alternating left and right feet), repeating the move with each step. It is impossible to completely master Basics, for you can always go faster, demonstrate more power, improve focus or increase balance. As students advance, Basics can also be done backwards and in various combinations. Additional techniques and combinations are added to a student’s repertoire as they progress, however, the fundamental basics are practiced by all students at the beginning of every workout.
Middle Target Punch – a closed-fist strike with the leading arm to the centerline of the body, at solar-plexus height on a person of your size.
Upper Target Punch – a closed-fist strike with the leading arm to the centerline of the body, at nose height on a person of your size.
Rising Block – a closed-fist block with the leading arm, raised in a bent position quickly upwards to protect the crown of the head from a downward strike.
Double Arm Block – a two-arm, closed-fist block in which the movement crosses the centerline of the body with the leading arm completing the motion at eye level and the secondary hand elevated tightly, locked at mid-section of body, ready to serve a counter strike
Single Arm Block- a one armed block in which the blocking arm moves from the outside of the body, inward, ultimately locking at eye level, at centerline of the body. The secondary hand locks on the hip in a tight fist.
Front Stretch- introductory stretch for front kick in which lead leg is swung upwards to increase range of motion and flexibility. Toes are curled backwards.
Front Kick- kicking strike that begins by chambering the knee of the trailing leg to the torso, then striking outward to the center line torso of a person of similar height. The striking point is the ball of the foot, toes curl backwards.
Side Stretch- introductory stretch for the sidekick in which the lead leg is lifted horizontally , keeping the swinging foot parallel to the ground, back foot planted, and toes curled back.
Side Kick- a kicking strike, starting in the horse stance, in which the knee of the leading leg is chambered to the torso before striking horizontally outward with the foot parallel to the ground and the toes curled back.
Knife Hand Block – A two-arm open hand block analogous to the double arm block in which the leading arm extends across the midline of the body and the second secondary hand elevated tightly, locked at mid-section of body, ready to serve a counter strike
Knife Hand Attack – a single arm strike in which the striking hand is raised contra-body, then extended horizontally outward at shoulder height, striking with the ridge of the hand.
Round House Kick – An outside-in kick in which the trailing leg is chambered to the torso, then extended frontward, toward the midsection of a person of a similar height. The strike does not impact forward, but rather across with the foot parallel to the ground and the toes curled back.
Front Kick - Side Kick (combination) – a standard front kick, after which the kicking foot is placed firmly on its respective side of the body, pointing 90 degrees away from the direction of momentum, followed by a standard side kick with the opposite leg.
Reverse Punch – from a back stance, the leading arm performs a single knife-hand block, then returns to the hip while the non-blocking hand performs a middle target punch.
Six Step – this combination basic starts by moving into a back stance while performing a single knife-hand block. This is followed by an upper target punch with the opposite arm, succeeded by a rear leg side-kick, two rear-leg roundhouse kicks, and finally an upper target punch.
Forms (Poomse/Katas) are choreographed movements integrating the techniques practiced in Basics. Each belt-level has several Forms associated with it. Forms become more complicated as the students go up in rank and experience. If a student remains true to the intent of the forms, your hands quicken, your balance gets better, and you react to your opponent’s attacks more swiftly during sparring. All techniques should be done with power and speed.
We practice all forms leading to and including the forms designated for our belt-level. This builds stamina, but more importantly it is intended to promote a simple idea--you must always strive to do the forms better, regardless of the years that you have trained in Tae Kwon Do.
Freestyle fighting as practiced by Drexel Tae Kwon Do/YMAP is non-contact, unarmed sparring. Freestyle fighting offers the student unlimited opportunities to refine self-defense techniques and fighting skills. It also allows the practitioner to work on self-control so that composure is maintained under a range of circumstances.
In freestyle sparring, two practitioners are paired together and practice striking and blocking to the best of their ability for a short time period (announced in advance and timed by the workout lead). The objective is to score as many torso and head “points” as possible, while minimizing your opponent’s score using blocking. In non-contact sparring, a point is counted when you come within 1-2 inches (depending on belt level) of your target with a significant amount of force applied. Actually hitting your target (i.e. coming into direct contact with your opponent’s torso or head) IS NOT PERMITTED, and you may be disqualified or restricted from sparring in the future).
The objective is to have full control of one’s body and emotions at all times so that all offensive attacks can be delivered with speed, full power that can break several inches of wood, and with accuracy within one inch of the intended target. The practitioner may use all kicks, punches, blocks, counter-attacks or any combination of such. White belts do not participate in sparring until they develop the appropriate skill and control.
To demonstrate respect for your sparring participant, all sparring matches begin with a bow, and fighting positions are not assumed until the workout lead directs you to. Similarly, all sparring sessions end with a bow before the workout lead announces how to rotate sparring partners. Please remember to be respectful to the workout lead and pay attention, it is usually a stressful job. Two-on-one and three-on-one sparring may be conducted per instructor’s discretion better train the reflexes, peripheral aptitude and composure in stressful situations.
Three-step sparring is where the fundamentals of sparring are learned. Students line up with a partner as in freestyle sparring, however they are not usually directed by a workout lead. Students alternate attacking and defending. The attack consists of three upper-target punches thrown as the attacker steps forward with each punch, alternating hands with the steps. The defender counters these punches with knife hand blocks, each time blocking while stepping back (thus also alternating sides). After the third attack, the defender steps in with a counterattack. Both the attacker and defender must execute each technique with speed, power and focus. As in freestyle sparring, respect and the safety of your partner are paramount. The session begins and ends with a bow, and the attacker announces each attack and waits until the defender indicates that they are ready to begin. The more advanced the student, the greater variety of counter attacks which may be practiced in this exercise. Advanced belts move on to one-step and alternate hand strike/countering.
Warm-downs are designed to reinforce technique, cool-down the body, and stretch out the muscles. Standard practice begins with one hundred middle-target punches thrown in place while in a horse stance. Each punch is fully extended while pulling back the opposite hand with the fist on the belt. Ten front kicks are then executed in place with the right rear leg of a front stance, while maintaining proper balance with the front leg. This is repeated for the opposite leg. The next exercise is ten left side kicks from a horse stance, stepping over so that the practitioner is moving across the studio. This is followed by ten right side kicks in the opposite direction.
Class ends with flexibility stretching and deep breathing. Note that warm-downs may vary based on instructor and time available.
*** This is the standard class format as taught by Duk Sung Son and is standard within our community and should be committed to memory ***
Per instructor's discretion additional basics, combinations, exercises, self defense, falls, rolls, wood breaking, weapons work, bag work, etc. may be practiced. Limited, controlled light contact sparring is permitted under instructor supervision.