To Change or Keep? - Input Please!

[MADDOG]

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Hello,

I have an inquiry going out to TKD Students – Instructors – Enthusiast.

My inquiry is in regards to a debate I have been having with myself and with other MA friends.

My question is would you keep or change the following -&- why:[1]
For forms and basics –
(a) The hand chamber on the hip –vs.- hand chamber held high near the chin.
(b) The blocking arm to be traditional / one bone side expose –vs.- flat of the forearm
/ two bone side expose.

[2] For verbal instructions –
(a) To utilize Korean terminology –vs.- to utilize all American terminology.
(b) Forms to have their Korean name –vs.- their American translation.

Your input will be very much appreciated as I am going to potentially start a TKD program with in my church.

Thank you.

Ed Barton
An Old American TKD MDK

[eXcessiveForce]

Hand chamber should be dropped for hand near chin. we already do this with not problem in our school.

One bone showing for blocks But eliminate the X chamber if you use it. It is a ready made trap.


I would americanize your terminology, but still teach some korean names for things. It is easier if everything has an english name and then high ranks could be required to know the korean names to "preserve tradition" if you felt it was necessary.


Good luck.

[osopardo]

The problem, is that when you start tinkering with the original it is no longer strictly the same thing you started out with, which may be a good thing. All your modifications seem to make sense from just sheer practicality.

But then again, your students may have difficulty transferring to another TKD school if they were to relocate and wish to continue their studies elsewhere. They would find themselves at a disadvantage at another school, having to learn things in order to advance that others at the same belt level already know.

Ironically, it might make more sense to allow stylistic modifications at the higher levels, after "the basics" have been taught

It all depends on your intentions and how you represent what you're teaching. As an extreme case, there's a school in my area that specifically makes it clear that they are not a traditional school and their instructors are teaching different styles (which all students are required to study) on a rotating schedule. And they call their curriculum "Street Defense System", not Tae Kwon Do or Judo or Karate, etc.

[TKDguy]

I beleive you should chamber at the waist and deffinately use the outside of the arm for blocking. this is just what i am used to i guess. As for the terminology i beleive you should teach them both for everything. i am not saying they have to learn the language but you should have them know both if they want to comepete.