Training Programme for Adults (16yrs+)
The Gordon Wallace Blackbelt Academy teaches Traditional ITF (International Tae Kwon-do Federation) Tae Kwon-do as taught by Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi 9th degree (1918-2002), founder of Tae Kwon-do.
Students wishing to enrole in the Adult Blackbelt Training Programmes will find the curriculum and the training methods extensive and varied. Students will learn traditional Tae Kwon-do fundamental movements and familiarise themselves with the application of these movements in patterns and practical fixed sparring exercises. Students can then test the effectiveness of their techniques in various ways. Power and accuracy is demonstrated by the breaking of boards. Speed and co-ordination is demonstrated in free-sparring and close quarter fighting situations.
Academy Membership
The Academy Membership provides training twice a week and classes are split for both Beginners and Advanced students. The Membership also provides additional open training on Sunday afternoons. These sessions provide additional time for students who may have missed a class, for practicing what they have learned during the week, stretching, working on fitness, or simply for practicing their syllabus requirements. These sessions are not instructor led, but an instructor is always there to supervise and provide any assistance required.
Click here for details of our class times.
The Training
A central element of Taekwon-Do are its 24 Patterns (Tul) which are learned as a student progresses through the grades. Patterns are sets of various fundamental movements, both offensive and defensive, against an imaginary opponent. These are performed in a fixed and logical sequence to help the student to develop correct technique, balance and precision.
Moral culture is a fundamental part of Taekwon-Do with emphasis placed on courtesy to others and self discipline. This is embodied in the five Tenets of Taekwon-Do:
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Courtesy (Ye Ui)
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Integrity (Yom Chi)
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Perseverance (In Nae)
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Self Control (Guk Gi)
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Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)
Whilst learning the various techniques, you will also be developing a high level of fitness, flexibility, strength and self-discipline. Rarely does another martial art offer the same strong blend of intense body conditioning and defensive skill development.
Training methods used, range through individual, partner and team exercises with extensive use of kick shields and focus pads.
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Training with Focus Pads |
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Competition Sparring - Advanced Class |
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One-Step Sparring |
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Power and accuracy is demonstrated by the breaking of boards. Techniques will vary according to grade and consist of foot and hand techniques.
Progressing through the syllabus
Progression
through the syllabus is by a hierarchal colour
belt grading system. There are six belt
colours, ranking from the lowest, white, then
through yellow, green, blue, red, to the coveted
black belt. Each colour, with exception of black, has two levels of
grade, making ten in total.
Membership provides training twice a week and we recommend students to attend both classes where possible in order to fully benefit from the programme.
In order to provide a clear training syllabus for your progress to Black Belt, each student will have an individual training plan. This will map out what is required to progress to the next stage of the programme.
The gradings for belt promotion are held approximately every 6 weeks. Although these dates are assigned, it does not mean that students are eligible to sit all grading examinations. The grading criterion is that student should have taken the required number of classes and completed the required standard for that grade level.
On
promotion, you will receive a certificate and a
new belt.
We will ensure that your progress is
monitored continuously throughout the next stage
of your programme.
It
is my goal to ensure that ALL students all
reach their goal of Black Belt. Click
here for details of our Blackbelt Gradings.
Pictured
Left - Master Wallace, VII Degree
(International Instructor
& Grading Examiner)
Competitions
Although the Gordon Wallace Blackbelt Academy is a Traditional Martial Arts School, the school actively participates in Sport Tae Kwon-do (Competitions). The schools students are regular travellers to competitions all over the UK and in some cases, have represented their country in the National Team at International events. This will give you another focus for your training and also a feeling of achievement, not only if a trophy is won, but for having the confidence to enter.
Our Competition Results will give you details of some of their successes.
