Newsletter Newsletter 4/2006 ITF Scotland - From Strength To Strength

Nearly 100 students attended the twice yearly technical seminar held by ITF Scotland, at Master Sutherlands Academy at Livingston. Run over the weekend of 23/24th September, the course has four objectives:

• To keep students informed of any technical changes to pattern movements.
• To ensure that Instructors and students are aware of the new black belt syllabus.
• To allow 1st kups the opportunity to get to know the environment in which they will take their black belt test and to meet their examiners.
• To teach the latest Ho Sin Sul techniques and demonstrate the practical applications of Tae Kwon do.

The course was delivered by Master Michael Thompson. VII, Mr Gordon Wallace VI and Mr Mark Davies IV. Mr Wallace concentrated on tourth degree patterns and above. Master Thompson instructed the 1st Kups and Mr Davies concentrated on practical, as opposed to competition sparring techniques.

The main aim of the course is to improve and maintain technical standards. On the following Sunday the formal black belt test is held, with and examination panel of Mister Gordon Wallace VI, Master Sheena Sutherland VII and Master Michael Thompson VII. At the same time students who wish to promote to First degree and above in the future are taken through a pre-test, so that they can receive advice from senior international instructors on what part of their Tae kwon do they need to improve, in order to stand a better chance of promotion.

The courses have been oversubscribed for several years and people won't come back if they aren't enjoying themselves! Attendance of at least two courses is part of the black belt grading syllabus.

The technical course attempts to ensure that we have a consistent standard of technique particularly in pattern movement. It also prepares students who wish to become instructors, who can then attend the instructors course which is held in February each year over a weekend. A new feature of the instructors course is now to teach the philosophy of martial arts how to instil 'do' in instructors and students. Pioneered by Mr Wallace, this must be having an effect because his Aberdeen School was the overall best Gym at the recent championships at the Robert Gordon University Sports Centre in Aberdeen.