British Taekwondo Today December 2018

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DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

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The Grand Prix final fujairah 2018

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British International Referee Paul Timms Perspective

UWC ATLANTIC COLLEGE FEMINISM CONFERENCE

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Guest Speaker Master Paul Jones

The World poomsae championships Flying the Flag in Chinese Taepei

the 4th ultimate dan grading The Great North Road led candidates to Doncaster to test for promotion

a tribute to graham preece

some memorial pictures as we say goodbye to a gentleman and long serving member

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£1.99

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The Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo & Olympic Combat Sport within Great Britain via the NGB

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TAEKWONDO TODAY

www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 0161 456 1976

DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org

BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

Foreword

TAEKWONDO TODAY

Bringing you all the official information about NGB Taekwondo in the United Kingdom

TO FIND YOUR NEAREST CLUB VISIT www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk

STEVE BLOMELEY 6th Dan Editor-in-Chief Contributors: Phill Payne Mark Yell Steve Blomeley Gemma Beiscas George Barrett Rick Simpson Kathy Hook Paul Timms

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Testimonial

“Good to see this publication back to help build engagement with Taekwondo practitioners in the UK” Philip Payne

Practise “Taekwondo Today” with the National Governing Body

Taekwondo Today • Local Clubs • Training Tips

Foreword from the Editor.

• Instructor Profiles

Welcome to the December issue of ‘British Taekwondo Today’. I hope you all enjoyed the bumper issue last month with so much happening in October with major championships such as the British Nationals and the Manchester Grand Prix. This month highlights that there was still a lot happening following on from those inaugural competitions, as we found our National Poomsae team heading off to Chinese Taipei for the World Poomsae Championships, domestic 1-2-1’s in Kyorugi, Dan gradings and an AGM to finish off the month. BT now has a full board with newly elected NED’s and a new president.

• Competition Dates

Many of the very senior Masters within British Taekwondo were sad to receive the news that a dear friend and colleague had passed away and I hope we can show our appreciation of the tremendous amount of work he did behind the scenes, especially in the early years, with a commemorative page inside this issue. Please keep in mind that if you have any articles of interest, profiles, results, competition or seminar reports for consideration, please send them into the email address on the pages of the magazine.

I can’t promise to get everything in, but will certainly try to cover a broad spectrum. A majority of the membership at grassroots level who practise and train in the myriad of clubs up and down the country, do so for the love of our art, so we hope to include many topics that help and enhance your training, not just what the elite competition teams are doing.

• Results • Seminar Details • Seminar Reviews • Grading Dates • Grading Results • Student Profiles • Kids in Combat • Health Tips • Book Reviews

The Editor-in-Chief British Taekwondo Today

• Product Reviews • Equipment Suppliers

DEC

• Club Profiles

2018

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CONTENTS YIN

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Page 3 Foreword Page 7 Back the Brits Page 13 Graham Preece tribute Page 15 British Taekwondo Clubs page Page 21 Calendar of Events Page 23 Perfect Poomsae vs Practical Poomsae

For all your Membership enquiries and services go to www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk or telephone 01623 382020

CONTENTS YANG

Page 4 A refereees Perspective - Grand Prix Finale Page 6 The Ooda Loop Page 8 Feminism Conference Tkd Guest Speaker Page 10 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships Page 12 No Payne-No Gain A club Growth Journal Page 14 Ki-dz Korner Page 16 the 4th Ultimate Dan Grading Page 18 Horizon 1-2-1 Page 20Control the Control, Attack The Attack Page 22 Meet The Team

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DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

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PAGE 5 www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk

Grand Prix Final 2018 Fujairah

email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

A Referees Perspective – by Paul Timms

Hard work always pays dividends, don’t you try and tell me otherwise. I have pursued this dream relentlessly with every fibre of my being and to finally be selected for the Jewel in the WT’s crown the Grand Prix Final and World Team Championships in Fujairah was and is a dream come true!

Of course, I’ve had creeping doubts that I would ever be selected for the major events, but very few really in the grand scheme of things, although I bet my very nearest and dearest wouldn’t agree with that.

I do owe my British colleagues a debt of gratitude because I couldn’t have done it without your constant encouragement and belief and I really do mean each and every one of you.

integrity questioned, but to be selected for the Grand Prix Final in Fujairah, amazing!

Sure, I have also given up hundreds of weekends during that time, been on an emotional rollercoaster ride and lord only knows how many hours I have spent driving/flying/ travelling investing way more of my own money than I have received back and was it worth it I hear you ask, every single flippin’ second and penny of it.

I am still buzzing. I keep pinching myself just to make sure it wasn’t a crazy dream and having finally landed home in Blighty after the 7-hour plane journey from Dubai and had more than enough time to reflect during it the experience was magical.

To be treated like an equal amongst the people you have aspired to emulate and to sit there and have it suddenly dawn on you, that you have made it to that elite pool of referees, very surreal. Just 40 referees were selected by the WT to referee at the event from the pool of thousands, it will be a very difficult experience to better, that is for sure.

Although there are four individuals who stand above all others for having encouraged and helped me beyond all others: - John Bass my travel companion and agony aunt, with whom I have no secrets. (My Father &) Jedi Master, George Eldrington, who has always encouraged me to push for the very top. Chris (& Debbie) Codling, my mentor and teacher for whom I have the greatest respect as a referee at the highest level of our sport. And Tom Stammer, just for always being there. And of course, my poor old wife who puts up with my travelling to places in the world she And for Fujairah – the gem in the up and coming herself cannot accompany me on but supports my every region of the UAE in Taekwondo standings. Well as endeavour with her encouraging and positive nature. you can imagine for that area of the world money is I’m sure my critics will be saying I was lucky, or my face no object and the opulence fits, or it’s okay for him etc. etc., but I truly believe you was on show throughout. create your own luck with hard work, passion and self- Let me paint a picture for belief. I can only take the credit for having had a single- you in layman’s terms, the minded pursuit of making my dream a reality and that massive screen in the venue unquenchable thirst or desire to make it into the elite behind the field of play cost pool of referees. Ever since I attended the corner judge as much as our entire budget course in Nottingham 8 years ago. I have chased it will, for the upcoming World down, investing thousands of hours, making many self Championships that we have –sacrifices on this journey. Of course, I have been called the very great honour of hosting names, been shouted at by hot-headed coaches, had my in Manchester next May.

The venue itself is to date, the most modern sports complex I have ever been in and trust me when I say I’ve been in a few. It was for the worlds media set up like nowhere else will be able to match.

I had the good fortune to centre referee in a total of 10 matches during the 4 days including a bronze medal match, surpassing my aim by double, more than my equal share I would say, experienced the single gender and mixed teams championships and it has only made me hungry for more.

The Gala awards and dinner was another very memorable and special experience that I will call a champagne moment, to treasure for a long time to come. To mingle with the very best of the best athletes, coaches, colleagues and hierarchy our sport has to offer, from Doctor Choue down how can you possibly even begin to do it justice in written form.

I have been asked to prepare this piece, so please don’t read me wrong. I am not boasting or trying to show off in any way shape or form. I am doing my very best to remain level-headed, keeping my feet planted firmly on the ground and I certainly don’t think for one second that I’ve arrived – I simply wish to try and portray a picture of what it means to me on a personal level. This in its self is a very difficult thing to do when you have spent your life following the tenets of our art.

Thank you to every one of you that has supported me in the pursuit to achieve my dream. I don’t take anyone of you for granted I assure you.

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TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

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PAGE 7 DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

The Ooda Loop

by Dr Mark Yell, 4th Dan

BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

The Science behind the Martial Arts

The Ooda Loop

The Ooda Loop

someone believes killing is always wrong, it will be extremely difficult to

It is important as we develop ourselves as Martial Artists, we understand the principles, the Martial Science, behind why our techniques work and why certain principles are very important, and others less so. The enables us to become much more effective martial artists and allows us to focus on what gives the greatest benefit as we develop. This article is part of a series of articles about Martial Science I will be writing for British Taekwondo Today

THE OODA LOOP The OODA Loop is a concept created by USAF Colonel John Boyd, a USA fighter pilot during the Korean War. He developed the concept of the OODA Loop to explain how to direct one’s energies to defeat an adversary and survive. The phrase “OODA loop” refers to the recurring decision cycle that people go through to Observe, Orient, Decide, Act in anything that we do. The concept was designed to describe a single decision maker, e.g. a fighter pilot in a combat situation, and is therefore equally applicable to a martial artist. If you can minimize the time it takes to take a corrective action, i.e. go through the OODA loop, this greatly increases your survival rate. Taking too much time or getting

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get to one phase such as Orientation and decide that you do not have enough information, therefore you go back to more Observation. This can happen at any point. It may even happen just before taking Action, thus delaying Action until more Observation, Orientation, and Decision.

It should be really obvious to you at this point that you need to learn to get through this process as quick and efficiently as possible to survive an attack. You need to also realize that your opponent is going through the same process at the same time. In order to win, you should operate at a faster tempo or rhythm than your opponents—or, better yet, get inside your opponent’s Observation-Orientation-Decision-Action time cycle or loop ... To do this you need to train in such a way that you shorten each step of the cycle. Such activity will make you appear ambiguous (unpredictable) thereby generate confusion and disorder among our opponents—since your opponents will be unable to generate mental images or pictures that agree with the menacing, as well as faster transient rhythm or patterns, that they are competing against.

APPLYING THE OODA LOOP AS MARTIAL ARTISTS

Figure 3: The detailed OODA loop cycle Colonel Boyd developed the concept to explain how to direct one’s energies to defeat an adversary and survive. What is key is that “the loop” is actually a set of interacting loops that are to be kept in continuous operation during combat. He showed how the phase of the battle has an important bearing on the ideal allocation of one’s energies. The approach favours agility over raw power in dealing with human opponents in any endeavour.

OBSERVATIONS The diagram in Figure 3 shows that all decisions are based on observations of the evolving situation tempered with implicit filtering of the problem being addressed e.g. dealing with a street attack. The observations are the raw information on which decisions and actions are based. The observed information such how many, where our enemies are, the landscape, what weapons (e.g. a hand full of sand etc.) must be processed by our brains to orient it for decision making in what we do.

In understanding the OODA loop and how we apply it as martial artists, the key is to obscure your intentions and make them unpredictable to your opponent while at the same time you clarify their intentions. You need to overcome this in a real-life situation. Unfortunately, many people never operate at a faster tempo to generate rapidly changing conditions that consider how they feel about this until it is too late. Instructors should inhibit your opponent from adapting or reacting to those changes and that regularly help their students confront the question of whether they are suppress or destroy their awareness. Thus, a hodgepodge of confusion prepared to injure or potentially kill someone if the situation arises. and disorder occurs to cause them to over- or under-react to conditions or Mental imagery can be used to help one answer these questions and activities that appear to be uncertain, ambiguous, or incomprehensible. pre-program their minds to take action when necessary. Orientation is the most important part of the O-O-D-A loop since it shapes the way The OODA Loop also serves to explain the nature of surprise and we observe, the way we decide, and the way we act. This is where our shaping your actions to confuse your opponent. The OODA Loop shows training has maximum effect in speeding up our response. that prior to making a decision (the Decide phase), the person will first have to get information (Observe) and determine what it means to him and what he can do about it (Orient). In this way, the utility sought DECIDE at the Decide phase can be altered by affecting the information the opponent receives and the cognitive model they apply when orienting The D is the decision we make on how to act. This will be the instinctive upon it. The proper mindset is to let go a little, to allow some of the decisions we are trained to execute as we practice our Martial Arts. chaos to become part of your opponent’s mental system, and to use it The Decision Phase can be understood in more detail with a study of to your advantage by simply creating more chaos and confusion for the Hick’s Law and this will be the subject of another Martial Science article. opponent. You funnel the inevitable chaos of the fight/battlefield in the The key thing to understand is that the fewer decisions you need to direction of the enemy. make, the faster your response time will be.

In addition, the Observation Phase is also about your Levels of Awareness. Being more aware of your surroundings makes you more ACT alert and gets you through that phase much faster. The details of the The power of the concept is in the way it makes explicit, that which is Observation phase will be discussed in a later article, suffice to say that The final step is the Action Phase. These are the defensive or offensive usually implicit. It takes the basic ways we think, decide, and operate in the more aware you are of your surroundings and environment, the actions you take to defeat your opponent. Once you reach this point, the world, ways that often get confused and jumbled in the face of conflict faster you can identify and assess a potential or incoming attack. strikes and/or defensive actions are taken and then the OODA process and confusion such as a street fight, and codifies and organizes them begins again. After fighting back, more Observation is needed to into a strategic, effective system that can allow you to thrive in the heat of determine how the opponent reacted. This information then leads battle. It is a learning system, a method for dealing with uncertainty, and ORIENTATION again to Orientation, more Decision, and likely more Action. a strategy for winning head-to-head contests, competitions and fights.

The second O, orientation, is the repository of our genetic heritage, In war, life, or a street fight, the OODA Loop can help you grapple with cultural tradition, and previous experiences, e.g. martial arts style and OTHER FACTORS changing, challenging circumstances and come out the other side on training. Most people slow down in the Orientation Phase. This is where top. If you can process this cycle quickly, observing and reacting to you must filter the information collected in the Observation Phase and It is possible to get “stuck” at some point in the loop. If you do not control unfolding events more rapidly than your opponent, and thereby “get process it. Your ethics, morality, religious inclinations, and such have your fear, it will escalate into a “Fear Loop” which can then get stuck inside” your opponent’s decision cycle, you gain the advantage. a tremendous impact on how long this phase takes. For example, if into a repeating cycle if you do not break out of it It is also possible, to hung up in the various phases can kill you.

Dr. Mark Yell, from Warrington is currently a 4th Dan at Cheshire Taekwondo Academy and trains regularly with the editor at Ki Taekwondo Stockport.

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BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 0161 456 1976

Article

DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

TAEKWONDO TODAY

UWC UWC Atlantic Atlantic College’s College’s Feminism Feminism Conference Conference UWC Atlantic College’s Feminism Conference explored feminism within a global and intersectional context. Students challenged themselves to strive for a better understanding of the social, political and economic conventions that surround feminism. The conference was a platform to explore how our gender influences our daily lives, and truly understand the roles we each play in furthering this influence - whether positive or negative. The organisers named the conference as “The F-Word” conference as the label “feminist” is seen as a taboo in many societies. In providing a wide range of perspectives on feminism, the conference hoped to deconstruct feminism, and then reconstruct it a new way. The organisers wanted to break down gender constructs which divide, subjugate and alienate people, and instead see gender as something which can be something that unites and empowers people.

The conference consisted of workshops, talks, and activities surrounding topics of inequality, sexual harassment, internationalisation, and more.

Students participated in a variety of events ranging from oppression simulations to self-defence workshops to Human Libraries where students could share their own experiences. All the events listed were initiated and executed by the students of Atlantic College with the help of staff members as well as external guests. We believe the two-day conference was successful in initiating and sustaining many discussions among students, staff, and guests about everyday issues in our world as well as bringing feminism into a new light for many.”

My involvement was discussing situational awareness, the effects of adrenaline, motor skill limitations and self-defence/disengagement techniques.

www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

TAEKWONDO TODAY

BacktheBrits BT News and Events in the UK.

B

ritish Taekwondo Limited. Registered Name Change Following acceptance of the proposed resolution for change of name at the AGM held on 24 November 2018, British Taekwondo Limited has been formally accepted at Companies House.

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BS Online Update Service Notification from British Taekwondo (England & Wales Only) All British Taekwondo Instructors that are signed up to the DBS Online Update Service and pay the £13 per year fee to Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS), are not required to apply or pay for DBS checks via your Hub profile. The DBS Online Update Service checks are carried out separate from The Hub and cost £25 via Worldpay to British Taekwondo for administration (not the £65 you will be charged if you apply through The Hub). If your DBS on your Hub profile is expired or expires within one month, please contact James Docherty at: james.docherty@ britishtaekwondo. org with the following information:

S Master Paul Jones 6th Dan Chief Instructor and Head Coach Llantwit Major and Wales Taekwondo

Article with

email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org

Kick

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tatement from Jon Smith: We held our AGM on Saturday 24th November in Manchester.

I would like to thank all those who took the time out of their busy

schedules to attend.

These events are really important – after all, it is your futures and the future of Taekwondo in the UK that the AGM is annually designed to support.On Saturday the meeting voted in two new Non-Executive Directors: Sivakumar Ramasamy and Gemma Biescas, as well as a new President, Sarah Jennings. We look forward to 2019/2020 with good heart!

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ilver for GB Taekwondo’s very own Queen B’ at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final that was held in Fujairah, UAE. The rest of the squad bowed out in the earlier rounds and couldn’t emulate the home Grand Prix success from October. Bianca Walkden is now aiming for more end of year success after suffering another near miss in the last World Grand Prix final of the season.

Queen B’ is hoping to take the world crown again in May next year when Great Britain hosts the world championships in Manchester.

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he selection event for the 2019 National Squad will be the National Poomsae Championships which will be held at the University of East London over the weekend of 15-16 December. It is very important that any members seeking

selection into the National Squad and onward selection for major events in 2019, including the 2019 European Poomsae Championships, participate at the National Poomsae Championships.

More details for the National Poomsae Championships can be found at www.tpss.nl.

If you have any questions about the selection criteria or British Taekwondo Poomsae in general please contact the Head Coach Master Gemma Biescas – gemma.biescas@ britishtaekwondo.orgT???

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riday 30th November we paid our respects to a long time serving member of the British Taekwondo community at the funeral of Master Graham Preece in Stevenage.

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he British Taekwondo club page has been included to remind everyone that there is availability to advertise and promote your clubs in the magazine. We would hope that many, many people and students will forward on the magazine to their friends and colleagues to highlight their wonderful Martial Art and all the benefits that come with practising it. The adverts shown are just an example but also a thank you to the

clubs that supported Master Blomeley from the previous year. He would hope as we start the new year instructors and coaches would consider once again paying that small nominal fee to be included in each publication, which in turn all helps to keep the publication going.

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f you haven’t seen the results and team standings from the National Championships that were held in Sheffield the other month please visit the BT website and take a look in the news section.

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nyone wanting to add a little Christmas Stocking filler for their loved one please note there are some Taeger cups available from the Grand Prix and the British Nationals. Please contact the Editor Master Blomeley direct. Queen B’ Taeger Cup Grand Prix, Spec-Taeger Cup Grand Prix and Nationals Taeger Cup.

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PAGE 10 email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 0161 456 1976

– by Gemma Beiscas

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Article

DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

TAEKWONDO TODAY

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www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

Article

TAEKWONDO TODAY

The World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

he 2018 World Poomsae Championships in Taipei in November was a record-breaking event as it was the biggest Championships so far. The British Taekwondo Team consisted of 23 athletes and was a huge success for Great Britain.

was selected in July and Thardhethetoteam athletes worked extremely prepare for the event and also raise funds towards the trip. This was the best ever preparation for a major championships including a dojang to train in whilst in Taipei. The team Tusah doboks were sponsored

by Ki Martial Arts. Also at the

here is always an element of Tsystems luck of the draw with elimination but the team results exceeded expectations with several athletes finishing in the top 5 and top 10 as the highest European athlete which shows that team GB are World Contenders and bodes well for the European Championships in 2019. A highlight of the results was Master Angela Broadbent winning a well-deserved Bronze medal in the female U65 category. Next is the British Taekwondo National Poomsae Championships in December to select the 2019 Poomsae Squad. Everyone is looking forward to getting back on the mat to showcase their skills in an ever more popular part of Taekwondo competition.

Championships were International Referees Grandmaster TW Shin and Master Glen Culbert.

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DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org

TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

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BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 0161 456 1976

No Payne A Club Growth No Gain Journal 7...

By Phill Payne

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y name is Phill Payne and I am a British Taekwondo coach.

I currently run two full time martial arts centres while also helping other martial arts coaches develop their coaching, business and technology systems.

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ast month we looked at the process of selecting and moving in to a full time martial arts centre. We already know the ‘build it and they will come’ model requires very deep pockets and can often affect the sustainability of a club so this month I thought it would be prudent to look at how you can get new students through your doors. Due to the scope of this topic, I am going to break it down into 3 sections. This first article will provide a brief crash course on marketing basics and the

subsequent articles will examine the different marketing methods and channels.

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irst up, what problem are you trying to solve?

I know your product is a martial arts programme but your customer is looking for a service to solve a problem for them.

This could be weight control, improve physical fitness, boost confidence, help with self discipline etc. It is important that the benefits of your service aim to solve the perceived problem(s) or your target market.

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ften called a Unique Selling Point, what is different about your club and the way it operates that positions it as the obvious choice for your ideal customer? There maybe many activities that is capable of solving your potential customers problems, why would they choose your service over others?

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ho is your target market? Although we would like to think that everyone could benefit from training in our martial arts programme, it is very difficult to produce good marketing material that appeals to everyone.

If you have different programmes targeting different demographics, create separate marketing materials for each programme.

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arketing can be split into two sections, strategic and operational.

Strategic marketing is your big picture tasks such as carrying out any market research, identifying your ideal customer and positioning your service to serve your chosen market.

The operational side of marketing is the day to day task such as choosing your marketing channels and preparing advertising copy.

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ricing is often a personal and sensitive topic for most martial arts instructors. While it is not my place to tell you what you should charge, here are a few mistakes I have observed during my time mentoring and interacting with other coaches.

They undervalue the benefit of the service they provide to their students

They presume that if they charge less, they will attract more students

They feel guilty about charging what they think their service is worth

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nother important aspect of marketing that is often overlooked is measuring results. There are many different ways to do this but as results of previous marketing should guide where you spend your future budget.

Missing this step can be responsible for continuing investment in ineffective marketing activities.

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n 2014 I opened my second full time martial arts centre. At the time the small community magazines were still quite popular and I thought this maybe one of the forms of advertising we would use to launch the venue. To give me a better understanding of it’s effectiveness I randomly phoned 5 companies that were currently advertising in the magazine. I was pretty shocked when 2 out of the 5 companies didn’t even answer the phone and out of the ones that did, non recorded how new customers had found out about their service.

Please don’t fall in to this trap. Make sure you are answering all enquiries and that you always ask ‘Where did you find out about us?’

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IP FOR MAXIMUM GROWTH: If you’re thinking of taking on a full time venue and you need to grow your current numbers quickly to help offset the impending higher costs, here is a simple process that has worked for some of the coaches I mentor:1.

Decide how many students you want to teach or level of income you would like to achieve (Note: Bigger is not necessarily always better).

2.

Invest your spare time and money into marketing to get to the break even point as fast as possible

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by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

Article

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TAEKWONDO TODAY

In Memory of Graham Preece:

3.When you pass the break even point, continue to reinvest all extra profit in to marketing until you reach your desired number of students (or income level)

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said this process was simple but that is not the same as being easy.

As you grow and scale your club there will be lots of shiny things that will pop up and try and take your attention and resources. If growth is a necessity, stick to the process and don’t get distracted.

A dedicated, sincere and genuine man, who worked tirelessly for decades behind the scenes for British Taekwondo

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emember that this process is solely focused on growth and does not take in to account how you optimise your administration processes or uphold the standard of your service.

This is a whole new topic and something we may come back to at a later date.

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ext month, maximising new leads using your web site. Thanks for reading.

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any of us who have been around in Taekwondo for a long time knew Graham and the tremendous amount of work he did for the for the BTCB and British Taekwondo.

Without Master Preece’s tireless work behind the scenes on membership there probably wouldn’t have been a BTCB. Sadly Graham lost his battle against cancer on November 11 at 8:30pm.

A gentleman fondly remembered and sadly missed. R.I.P old friend.

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DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

TAEKWONDO TODAY Kidz Korner

British

email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org

TAEKWONDO TODAY CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS British Taekwondo Club Members Page

AS FROM 2019 PLEASE CONSIDER ADVERTISING AGAIN AS YOU ALL DID BEFORE SUPPORTING THE MAGAZINE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP Below is a sample of just a few who regularly advertised and a thank you for all those who did before

O

The Taegers of Taekwondo C Steve Blomeley 2018 TM

Information contained in our published works have been obtained by BT and or The Editor from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither BT nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither BT nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in BT publications. No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher or Editors for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, product, instructions, or ideas contained in the published material. All rights reserved. No part of any BT published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. British Taekwondo Today Magazine copyright Steve Blomeley 2018.

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DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

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BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

This month the Great North Road led quite a few to test for high rank promotion at the....

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4th Ultimate Dan Grading D

own in Doncaster, a place where the Flying Scotsman was designed, Ultimate Taekwondo’s 4th in-house Dan Grading took place on 25th November at The Den. Nobody flew through the town quickly as they were there to be properly tested for various levels of black belt grade at the venue on Gunhills Lane Industrial Estate, Armthorpe, Doncaster. The Den is the name given to Kathy Hooks main training headquarters. There were twenty-one candidates grading for 1st Dan alongside the first Higher Dan Grading held by the Club.

Seventh Dan Examiners Tom Stammer and Harry Wake were invited from Koryo Taekwondo to sit on the panel alongside Ultimate’s 7th Dan Kathy Hook. There were also guest Examiners John Stopforth 6th Dan from Lion Taekwondo, David Morrison 5th Dan from Kathy’s own group Ultimate Taekwondo and Richard Fairhurst who is a 4th Dan from Black Widow who was on the panel for the 1st Dan Gradings. Congratulations to new Master Grades Scott Abley (Salamander), Sophie Morrison (Ultimate) and Andrew Sowerby (SAS). Additionally, Jenny Furness of Ultimate Taekwondo (aged 67) put in a fantastic performance to pass to 4th Dan with Simone Abley (Salamander) passing to 3rd Dan. The candidates for going for Black Belt were from Ultimate, Empire, Black Widow, Aquila, Salamander and SAS clubs.

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The grading consisted of patterns, basic kicking techniques up and down the hall, one steps with a partner, self-defence, 1 to 1 kicking, free sparring ( at least 3 rounds with different partners), breaking and knife defence for the senior Dan candidates. The candidates also had to demonstrate pad kicking in rounds with their partner.

The breaking consisted of a kicking technique and one hand technique for those going for 1st Dan, whereas the higher Dan grade candidates had to perform multiple breaks. Poomsae wise all candidates had to perform a minimum of 4 of the required syllabus.

PAGE 18

DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

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BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

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PAGE 19

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138 67

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PAGE 20 DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

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PAGE 21

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BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 07598 413664

TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

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C T L ON RO ON RO

ATTACK

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ATTACK

Self Defence Techniques and Tips for the Beginning Student

Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th December The British Taekwondo National Poomsae Championships

By Master S. H. Blomeley Self-defence tip for the beginning Taekwondo student or Kicksister this month covers your LEFT wrist being grabbed to pull you along, stop you reaching for your baton or handcuffs if an officer of the law or to immobilise your hand as they try to hit you. Of course, if you can avoid somebody stepping into your personal space who hasn’t been invited is much better and this is down to your awareness and perception of a threat, but what if they do manage to get to this position and grab out at you.

1: Picture 1 is the normal interpretation you are given from the movement of knife hand block and strike. i.e your left-hand blocks the incoming attack whilst you strike back at the same time as defending with a knife hand strike 2: Picture 2 shows you a close up of the hand positioning blocking at the attacker’s wrist and defender striking towards the neck or head.

3: Picture 3 shows an alternative to being able to use this movement if your LEFT wrist gets grabbed by their LEFT hand or in other words an opposite hand grab as they try to hit you. By rolling your left wrist to reverse the grip onto the opponent and raise your hand high, this gives you the opportunity to use your counter knife hand strike onto the back of their left arm striking a vulnerable anatomical area of the triceps muscle.

1

Traditional interpretation

3

6: By dropping down into the assailant you should be able to utilise a downward elbow strike to their exposed back to complete the move and nullify the threat or enable you to escape to a safer area.

Close up of hand positioning

4 Alternative move if wrist is grabbed

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4: Picture 4 is again a close up of the hand positioning reversing the grip plus striking the exposed tricep muscle

5: Doing this will cause their body to shift and open them up for a ball of the foot front kick whilst still maintaining your grip on their left wrist. If done correctly it should cause their body to double over and thus expose their back.

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2

Strike tricep muscle of grabbing arm

6 Follow through with ball of the foot front kick

7

7: Picture 7 is a close up showing the positioning for the strike.

Close up of position for downward elbow strike

Drop into x-stance with downward elbow strike

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Note: This technique shows the ability of a smaller person being able to defend against a larger opponent from a common assault. Always train or practice with a qualified Instructor.

Tuesday 25th December Christmas Day Wednesday 26th December Boxing Day Monday December 31st New Years Eve

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PAGE 22

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DECEMBER 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

by Master S.H. Blomeley email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org Tel: 0161 456 1976

TAEKWONDO TODAY Article

www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk

email: bttoday@britishtaekwondo.org

BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY

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Article

TAEKWONDO TODAY

BRITISH TAEKWONDO STAFF

MEET

THE

TEAM

By Master S. H. Blomeley erforming patterns well can be accomplished on two separate fronts or even combined Pso much together depending on your understanding and outlook, as to what they are for and why emphasis is placed on them for promotion. Do we practice them to be executing the nicest techniques visually, showing great flexibility, balance and control with perfect timing, as is required for Poomsae competition or do we perform them with a pragmatic approach being able to deliver decisive blows, locks and holds to a would-be assailant?

Chief Executive Officer Shirley Stapleton Responsibilities An experienced Senior Finance and Operations Director will take charge of the operational side of the business.

01623 382 020 shirley.stapleton@britishtaekwondo.org

Non Executive Director Siva Ramasamy

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Looking at an earlier article in the British Taekwondo Today magazine where a self-defence tip is featured, here is how it is actually contained in the end sequence of movements from Taegeuk 4 jang.

Pattern 4 of the Taegeuk with its interpretation of ‘Thunder’ finishes with a simultaneous knife hand block and strike, followed by a ball of the foot front kick landing in an x-stance executing what is traditionally known as a downward back fist. But is it a back fist? if you study the effect the techniques performed on a human body it may give you a different insight or alternate application for this particular poomsae.

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1: Left leg forward long stance with left knife hand block and right hand inward knife hand strike simultaneously.

Non Executive Director Jonny Cowan jonny.cowan@britishtaekwondo.org

Non Executive Director Gemma Bescias

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2: Close up of the hand positions 3: Execute a front kick with the ball of the foot mid-section (competition poomsae would be high section for aesthetic appearance).

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4: Close up of practical targeting of opponent

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5: Immediately and quite powerfully drop into your x-stance delivering a downward backfist or depending on point of view a downward elbow strike! A lot of practitioners don’t realise the x-stance doubles your mass or body weight into a strike, lock or hold. Depending on your point of view this position could actually be a downward elbow strike (please see the earlier page in the magazine Control the Control or Attack the Attack).

Back fist downward strike or downward elbow strike? It’s your pattern, your poomsae, your interpretation!

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Not everything is as it seems in patterns! Can you figure out which Dan Poomsae, this rarely seen move in Taekwondo of escaping an arm bar is from?

Membership Services Executive Rhiannon Prestage rhiannon.prestage@britishtaekwondo.org Click picture to see technique in action!