I suspect that every school has different nun chuck forms, and I don't propose that you can learn these forms from the short hand I am going to describe here in my post today, but I do want to get this written down to help me learn it, and to remind me when I need to do it again in my next test.
World Champion Taekwondo in Oregon tests black belt students every six months between dan and poom rankings. At my first level test, I have to know all eight taeguk forms, koryo, the first two palgwe forms, two self defense forms and five nun chuck forms.
Here I will describe the nun chuck forms:
Form Number One:
1. spin down
2. spin up
3. figure eight, tuck under
4. over the head
5. hip
6. hip
7. spin up
8. KIHAP!
Form Number Two:
1. spin down
2. spin up
3. figure eight, tuck under
4. over the head
5. hip switch hip switch
6. hip
7. spin up
8. KIHAP!
Form Number Three:
1. spin down
2. spin up
3. figure eight, tuck under
4. up switch up switch
5. up switch up switch
6. up
7. spin down spin up
8. KIHAP!
Form Number Four:
1. spin down
2. spin up
3. figure eight, tuck under
4. up back switch
5. up back switch
6. up spin down
7. spin up
8. KIHAP!
Form Number Five:
1. spin down
2. spin up
3. figure eight, tuck under
4. up down switch (under the leg)
5. up down switch (under the leg)
6. spin down
7. spin up
8. KIHAP!
If you know these forms (better than I do) and you can see that I left something out, please let me know. Thanks!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
First Level Test
At World Champion Taekwondo, black belts take a level test every 6 months between their dan gradings. A dan grading is when a black belt becomes a 2nd degree black belt or a 3rd degree black belt. A black belt must hold a dan grading for a certain amount of time before he or she can test for the next dan grading; for example, a black belt must hold a first degree rating for two years before he or she can test for a second degree. During the time, in order to keep students on track, learning new skills in a progressive manner, black belts take level test every six months.
My first black belt level test will be Friday, November 2, 2012 at the West Union campus. Times will be announced soon. Keep checking this page.
For my first level test I have to know Koryo, Palgwe Il Jang, Palgwe Yi Jang, nun chuck 1, nun chuck 2, nun chuck 3, nun chuck 4, nun chuk 5, and self defense. Eventually I will need to know all 8 of the palgwe forms and all 15 of the nun chuck forms.
My first black belt level test will be Friday, November 2, 2012 at the West Union campus. Times will be announced soon. Keep checking this page.
For my first level test I have to know Koryo, Palgwe Il Jang, Palgwe Yi Jang, nun chuck 1, nun chuck 2, nun chuck 3, nun chuck 4, nun chuk 5, and self defense. Eventually I will need to know all 8 of the palgwe forms and all 15 of the nun chuck forms.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Pan American Tournament
Four months ago (05/26/2012), my children and I had the opportunity to enter an international competition. U.S. West Coast Taekwondo typically holds an semi-annual tournament in Portland at the Convention Center. This year, they hosted the 2012 Pan American Junior International Open Taekwondo Championship!
They offered several competitions we had never entered before: team poomsae (forms), height breaking, distance breaking, and an obstacle course. All the black belts age 16+ would wear the electronic scoring gear. My children and I entered the team poomsae competition. We performed TaeGukOhJang. We competed against three other red belt teams who performed TaeGukChicJang or TaeGukPalJang. My daughter and I competed as red belts since our black belt certificates had not yet arrived from Korea. My son competed as a blue belt, that is why we didn't perform TaeGukPalJang.
Anyway, we were not very good, in my opinion. The other teams were much older. They had better technique, and one team was VERY well rehearsed. They had clearly done this plenty of times before. I was rather certain that we were not going to medal, but fortunately they gave bronze medals to two teams, so we didn't come home with nothing.
We were all entered in sparring competitions, too. My seven-year-old son did very well against his first opponent, but his second opponent was much faster than he was, so he brought home a silver medal.
My nine-year-old daughter was placed in the same bracket with someone who was clearly not in her weight class. They made some changes, and she sparred against someone more appropriate. She won quite soundly. It was very exciting for her. It is the first time that she had actually beaten someone in a tournament.
Not surprisingly, they did not have anyone in my age, belt and weight bracket, so I was given a gold medal before even entering the ring. They did find me someone to fight. She looked a bit younger than me and a good bit heavier, and she was only a green belt. I'm sure it was the first time that I fought someone who was slower than me. I won the match with a score something like 14-2.
In the middle of the tournament they had a ceremony where they read off some lottery numbers. My daughter won a bottle of soy sauce. The sauce manufacturer was in attendance. I think he was one of the sponsors of the tournament. Another student from our school won a giant television. That was neat.
Master Kim was there, but I didn't see any other students from any of the other schools. I think only the Scappoose school came, and brought seven students, I think. Robert had a really rough match. I think he was kicked or punched in the throat. That hurts.
My daughter was the only one of our family who entered the breaking competition. She entered height breaking. It was really a very interesting contest. The judges held up a big yard stick, and then the competitor indicated how high they wanted to set their board. They were only allowed one break, so they had too choose wisely. Samantha didn't understand this, and she let the ref set the height of her board, but she won a gold medal anyway.
All together, we brought home three bronze medals, one silver medal, and three gold medals!
They offered several competitions we had never entered before: team poomsae (forms), height breaking, distance breaking, and an obstacle course. All the black belts age 16+ would wear the electronic scoring gear. My children and I entered the team poomsae competition. We performed TaeGukOhJang. We competed against three other red belt teams who performed TaeGukChicJang or TaeGukPalJang. My daughter and I competed as red belts since our black belt certificates had not yet arrived from Korea. My son competed as a blue belt, that is why we didn't perform TaeGukPalJang.
Anyway, we were not very good, in my opinion. The other teams were much older. They had better technique, and one team was VERY well rehearsed. They had clearly done this plenty of times before. I was rather certain that we were not going to medal, but fortunately they gave bronze medals to two teams, so we didn't come home with nothing.
We were all entered in sparring competitions, too. My seven-year-old son did very well against his first opponent, but his second opponent was much faster than he was, so he brought home a silver medal.
My nine-year-old daughter was placed in the same bracket with someone who was clearly not in her weight class. They made some changes, and she sparred against someone more appropriate. She won quite soundly. It was very exciting for her. It is the first time that she had actually beaten someone in a tournament.
Not surprisingly, they did not have anyone in my age, belt and weight bracket, so I was given a gold medal before even entering the ring. They did find me someone to fight. She looked a bit younger than me and a good bit heavier, and she was only a green belt. I'm sure it was the first time that I fought someone who was slower than me. I won the match with a score something like 14-2.
In the middle of the tournament they had a ceremony where they read off some lottery numbers. My daughter won a bottle of soy sauce. The sauce manufacturer was in attendance. I think he was one of the sponsors of the tournament. Another student from our school won a giant television. That was neat.
Master Kim was there, but I didn't see any other students from any of the other schools. I think only the Scappoose school came, and brought seven students, I think. Robert had a really rough match. I think he was kicked or punched in the throat. That hurts.
My daughter was the only one of our family who entered the breaking competition. She entered height breaking. It was really a very interesting contest. The judges held up a big yard stick, and then the competitor indicated how high they wanted to set their board. They were only allowed one break, so they had too choose wisely. Samantha didn't understand this, and she let the ref set the height of her board, but she won a gold medal anyway.
All together, we brought home three bronze medals, one silver medal, and three gold medals!
Monday, May 7, 2012
My first black belt test
On Saturday, April 28, 2012, my nine-year-old daughter and I took our first black belt test. I tested for first-degree black belt (first dan), and she tested for first-degree junior black belt (first poom).
In the weeks leading up to the test, I was very nervous about performing all of my forms. My daughter had them memorized with no problem, but I kept getting the mixed up. I would start out performing one form, and then after the turn, I would start performing steps from another form. It was maddening. Fortunately my daughter helped me “cram” for the test the night before.
On the morning of the test, we arrived at the testing center at about 9:15 am. My daughter's best friend came with us for support. The test was held at Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus. There were approximately 50 students testing for first- second- or third-degree black belt or first-, second- or third-degree junior black belt. Most were testing for first-degree; there were (oddly) only a handful of students testing for second- or third-degree.
The test was scheduled to begin at 10am, so we had some time to stretch and review our forms. I was still mixing some of them up. This did not help set my nerves at ease. At 10am, we separated into three groups, and we did some stretching. There were only two other adults in my group. The rest were all teenagers. I recognized the masters leading my group, but I do not know their names. They made a point to emphasize the importance that everyone stay safe today. They wanted us to let them know if we became injured during the test.
At approximately 10:20, we began endurance testing (20 minutes). This is the part of the test that most candidates dread the most. The masters asked us to do lots and lots and lots or jumping jacks, mountain climbers, pushups and sit-ups. Some of these exercises we do regularly in class, but not all of them and not nearly enough in my opinion. I had wanted to be better prepared for this portion of the test, but I just can’t keep up with the teenagers, so my strategy was to just do my best, not give up, and maintain a positive attitude. I was not near enough the other adults in class to notice how well they were doing, but one of the masters came to the back to check on me at least three times to make sure I was doing alright.
After endurance testing, he gave us a five-minute break to get a drink of water. I checked in with my daughter and learned that her master had asked her group to remain in plank position for what seemed like forever. She said it actually made her cry, but no one noticed. She was red in the face and sweaty, but as happy as I was to have completed this portion of the test.
At 10:45 we started basic techniques (40 minutes). This portion of the test was really fun. We demonstrated various punches and blocks. At this point I was able to relax and even smile. We finished basic techniques with one hundred punches. I was surprised how easy that was. Then he asked us to one hundred more. I think I probably lost count and only did 90. My arms were starting to feel like jelly. At 11:05 we started kicking (25minutes). At this point I was finally able to shine. I was feeling really good, and when the master complimented me on my spinning hook kicks, I felt nine feet tall.
After kicking, he gave us a ten-minute break to get some water and put on our sparring gear. I also grabbed a little snack from lunch box. Oddly, this was the part of the test that my daughter was most nervous about. She thought we were going to be scored, like in the tournament, but I knew that we were going to have friendly bouts, like in sparring class. It was also at this point in the day that our former master, Jason Leitski, made an appearance. It was super-awesome to see him again.
At 11:40 we started sparring (30 minutes). I was paired up with the other adult woman testing today. She was very nice. I think she said her name is Shirley, and she studies at the West Union School. Her daughters were testing today, too. The master announced to us that we would fight in five ten-minute rounds. My sparring partner freaked out a little bit, but I knew he was teasing. We fought in three one-minute rounds. We couldn’t all fight at once, so half of us sat down while the other half fought, and then they sat down while we fought. We traded places each round. After each round, some of us switched partners; I switched partners after the first round. My second partner was younger, but closer to my own weight. I think I was much better than either of my partners, but not everyone likes sparring.
After sparring, we had another five-minute break to get some water and stow our gear.
At 12:15 we started forms (30 minutes). This was the portion of the test that I was most dreading, but it turned out all right. We did not perform the forms in order, but two other things happened that were to my advantage: first we performed the forms all as a group, which I knew we would, and second, the master called out the steps. I tend to fall behind when we are told to perform the form at our own pace. I did forget which step comes next a few times, but I was able to “cheat” by watching the people around me, and I did okay. I did get an extra kick in on of the forms, but no one called me out on it.
At 12:45 we watched the higher-ranked students perform their nun chuck forms. They were really good. Hardly anyone dropped the nun chucks, but there were a lot fewer candidates than years past.
At 1:05 we heard some speeches (20 minutes), I think four different parents had been asked to speak about how taekwondo had helped their children grow up into better people. Some of the parents were also studying taekwondo.
At 1:25 we started board breaking (35 minutes). We were each given eight boards. The children were given medium-sized boards and the teenagers and adults were given “thick” boards. My master, Eric Jun, held my boards for me. We had to think up our own breaking techniques. I thought we could do eight kicking techniques, but we had to do four hand techniques. I chose chop, hammer fist, and elbow strike. I couldn’t think of any others, so Master Eric called out punch: not my favorite breaking technique, but I did fine. For kicking techniques, I performed back kick, sidekick, spinning hook kick and spinning roundhouse kick. I broke all my boards on my first attempts. Later I learned that my daughter chose hammer fist, chop, elbow strike, reverse chop, axe kick (her favorite), sidekick and spinning roundhouse kick.
At 2:00 we began the closing ceremony (30 minutes). We lined up by school and received new uniforms, so we scurried off to the bathrooms to change. I love new uniforms. They are always so bright white. These uniforms had black collars and black stripes on the shoulders and thigh. They also had the name of the school running down the sleeve, across the back and down the leg. When we came back to the testing area, we lined up in front of our masters again and we received our belts. Our friends Laura and Dominic came down and snapped pictures with us. The Bakkensens and Singles were also there to support us. When everyone had his or her black belts, we gathered for a group photo.
After the test, we went out to lunch at Red Robin with our friends the Singles to celebrate. Red Robin is becoming the go to place to celebrate black belts. We ate there after Jared’s black belt test, and we ate there after Dominic’s black belt test.
The whole experience was really wonderful. I'm so grateful that so many of my friends were there to support me. I am especially grateful to Laura and Olivia who took pictures. It would be a real shame if we had no photos of our experience. I’m looking forward to continuing my taekwondo journey. I will be eligible to test for second-degree black belt in two years, but before that, I will have three level tests at six month intervals to keep me on pace toward my next dan ranking.
In the weeks leading up to the test, I was very nervous about performing all of my forms. My daughter had them memorized with no problem, but I kept getting the mixed up. I would start out performing one form, and then after the turn, I would start performing steps from another form. It was maddening. Fortunately my daughter helped me “cram” for the test the night before.
On the morning of the test, we arrived at the testing center at about 9:15 am. My daughter's best friend came with us for support. The test was held at Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus. There were approximately 50 students testing for first- second- or third-degree black belt or first-, second- or third-degree junior black belt. Most were testing for first-degree; there were (oddly) only a handful of students testing for second- or third-degree.
The test was scheduled to begin at 10am, so we had some time to stretch and review our forms. I was still mixing some of them up. This did not help set my nerves at ease. At 10am, we separated into three groups, and we did some stretching. There were only two other adults in my group. The rest were all teenagers. I recognized the masters leading my group, but I do not know their names. They made a point to emphasize the importance that everyone stay safe today. They wanted us to let them know if we became injured during the test.
At approximately 10:20, we began endurance testing (20 minutes). This is the part of the test that most candidates dread the most. The masters asked us to do lots and lots and lots or jumping jacks, mountain climbers, pushups and sit-ups. Some of these exercises we do regularly in class, but not all of them and not nearly enough in my opinion. I had wanted to be better prepared for this portion of the test, but I just can’t keep up with the teenagers, so my strategy was to just do my best, not give up, and maintain a positive attitude. I was not near enough the other adults in class to notice how well they were doing, but one of the masters came to the back to check on me at least three times to make sure I was doing alright.
After endurance testing, he gave us a five-minute break to get a drink of water. I checked in with my daughter and learned that her master had asked her group to remain in plank position for what seemed like forever. She said it actually made her cry, but no one noticed. She was red in the face and sweaty, but as happy as I was to have completed this portion of the test.
After kicking, he gave us a ten-minute break to get some water and put on our sparring gear. I also grabbed a little snack from lunch box. Oddly, this was the part of the test that my daughter was most nervous about. She thought we were going to be scored, like in the tournament, but I knew that we were going to have friendly bouts, like in sparring class. It was also at this point in the day that our former master, Jason Leitski, made an appearance. It was super-awesome to see him again.
After sparring, we had another five-minute break to get some water and stow our gear.
At 12:15 we started forms (30 minutes). This was the portion of the test that I was most dreading, but it turned out all right. We did not perform the forms in order, but two other things happened that were to my advantage: first we performed the forms all as a group, which I knew we would, and second, the master called out the steps. I tend to fall behind when we are told to perform the form at our own pace. I did forget which step comes next a few times, but I was able to “cheat” by watching the people around me, and I did okay. I did get an extra kick in on of the forms, but no one called me out on it.
At 12:45 we watched the higher-ranked students perform their nun chuck forms. They were really good. Hardly anyone dropped the nun chucks, but there were a lot fewer candidates than years past.
At 1:05 we heard some speeches (20 minutes), I think four different parents had been asked to speak about how taekwondo had helped their children grow up into better people. Some of the parents were also studying taekwondo.
At 1:25 we started board breaking (35 minutes). We were each given eight boards. The children were given medium-sized boards and the teenagers and adults were given “thick” boards. My master, Eric Jun, held my boards for me. We had to think up our own breaking techniques. I thought we could do eight kicking techniques, but we had to do four hand techniques. I chose chop, hammer fist, and elbow strike. I couldn’t think of any others, so Master Eric called out punch: not my favorite breaking technique, but I did fine. For kicking techniques, I performed back kick, sidekick, spinning hook kick and spinning roundhouse kick. I broke all my boards on my first attempts. Later I learned that my daughter chose hammer fist, chop, elbow strike, reverse chop, axe kick (her favorite), sidekick and spinning roundhouse kick.
The whole experience was really wonderful. I'm so grateful that so many of my friends were there to support me. I am especially grateful to Laura and Olivia who took pictures. It would be a real shame if we had no photos of our experience. I’m looking forward to continuing my taekwondo journey. I will be eligible to test for second-degree black belt in two years, but before that, I will have three level tests at six month intervals to keep me on pace toward my next dan ranking.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
My fourth tournament
On Saturday, March 3, 2012, the Taekwondo of America Association held its annual All Oregon Open friendship tournament. For the first time, my nine-year-old daughter and I were entered in all four events: demonstration team, forms, breaking and sparring. My six-year-old son was entered in three events: forms, breaking and sparring.
There were eight demonstration teams entered in this year's tournament. Our team captain drew number three for our presentation order. I was really glad we went early in the rotation. We opened with what we called a moving meditation. I've also heard this section of demonstrations called musical forms. It was very realizing music, and we performed low block, middle block, high block, punch and single knife block all in slow motion, all in unison. It was neat. I really liked this section of the demo, but I was disappointed that the audience didn't quiet down when the calm, relaxing music started playing. We performed this demo last week for a different crowd, and the audience was much more generous.
After the slow motion bit, we continued our musical form with some music called Into the Arena. It is the cheer song associated with the South Korean national soccer team. It is really great music, and we had to move very fast during this section of the demonstration. We performed high block chop, reverse chop, middle punch, high block and palm block in rapid succession, in unison. This was the hardest part to learn, but once we learned it, it was easy.
After the musical forms, we did a self defense sequence in which four boys attacked four girls with a punch, The girls blocked the punch and countered with three roundhouse kicks to the body before throwing the boys to the ground. It looked really cool.
Then we went right into breaking. We started with jumping front kick. Four team members performed a regular jumping front kick and then John did a jumping front kick off a chair. Robert did a two kicks off the chair, and Dominic did his triple kick off the chair. I held for John, Robert and Dominic, but I didn't do a very good job. Only Dominic's board broke.
After jumping front kick we performed spinning roundhouse kick. Six of us held while six of us kicked in rapid succession. I held for Claire, and her board broke. I was very pleased about that. After spinning round house kick was flying side kick. Four students stood next to each other side by sidle and bent over double. Robert took a nice long run and jumped up onto a chair and then straight across their backs. He looked really great (and he broke his board)!
We concluded with power breaking. I was set up downstage center with ten boards on blocks. Claire was stage right with five boards and Betty was stage left with five boards. The rest of the team was assembled behind us, each with their own boards in their hands. We counted together to three and then we all broke together. The students behind us broke with their knee: jumping with their left knee and breaking with their right knee, sort of like jumping front kick. Claire, Betty and I broke with hammer fist. I got through all ten of my boards! it was awesome!
The other teams were very good. The team from Seattle was the best. I wonder why they came all the way from Seattle to compete in our little tournament, but it was a lot of fun to see them. They wore brilliant white uniforms with USA embroidered on the back. Their finale was a break 15 feet over head. They built a human tower to hold the board that high over the mat. Predictably, they took home the first place cup. Wilsonville took the second place cup, and all the other teams were awarded third place cups. I was disappointed that we didn't learn our actual scores. I would have like to know if we came in dead last or not, but that is just the way it is. We have plans to perform at the Pow Wow again this summer and at the Christmas party in December.
There were eight demonstration teams entered in this year's tournament. Our team captain drew number three for our presentation order. I was really glad we went early in the rotation. We opened with what we called a moving meditation. I've also heard this section of demonstrations called musical forms. It was very realizing music, and we performed low block, middle block, high block, punch and single knife block all in slow motion, all in unison. It was neat. I really liked this section of the demo, but I was disappointed that the audience didn't quiet down when the calm, relaxing music started playing. We performed this demo last week for a different crowd, and the audience was much more generous.
After the slow motion bit, we continued our musical form with some music called Into the Arena. It is the cheer song associated with the South Korean national soccer team. It is really great music, and we had to move very fast during this section of the demonstration. We performed high block chop, reverse chop, middle punch, high block and palm block in rapid succession, in unison. This was the hardest part to learn, but once we learned it, it was easy.
After the musical forms, we did a self defense sequence in which four boys attacked four girls with a punch, The girls blocked the punch and countered with three roundhouse kicks to the body before throwing the boys to the ground. It looked really cool.
Then we went right into breaking. We started with jumping front kick. Four team members performed a regular jumping front kick and then John did a jumping front kick off a chair. Robert did a two kicks off the chair, and Dominic did his triple kick off the chair. I held for John, Robert and Dominic, but I didn't do a very good job. Only Dominic's board broke.
After jumping front kick we performed spinning roundhouse kick. Six of us held while six of us kicked in rapid succession. I held for Claire, and her board broke. I was very pleased about that. After spinning round house kick was flying side kick. Four students stood next to each other side by sidle and bent over double. Robert took a nice long run and jumped up onto a chair and then straight across their backs. He looked really great (and he broke his board)!
We concluded with power breaking. I was set up downstage center with ten boards on blocks. Claire was stage right with five boards and Betty was stage left with five boards. The rest of the team was assembled behind us, each with their own boards in their hands. We counted together to three and then we all broke together. The students behind us broke with their knee: jumping with their left knee and breaking with their right knee, sort of like jumping front kick. Claire, Betty and I broke with hammer fist. I got through all ten of my boards! it was awesome!
The other teams were very good. The team from Seattle was the best. I wonder why they came all the way from Seattle to compete in our little tournament, but it was a lot of fun to see them. They wore brilliant white uniforms with USA embroidered on the back. Their finale was a break 15 feet over head. They built a human tower to hold the board that high over the mat. Predictably, they took home the first place cup. Wilsonville took the second place cup, and all the other teams were awarded third place cups. I was disappointed that we didn't learn our actual scores. I would have like to know if we came in dead last or not, but that is just the way it is. We have plans to perform at the Pow Wow again this summer and at the Christmas party in December.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)