The Irish National Taekwon-Do Association (INTA) held their Spring Technical Seminar on Saturday April 2nd and Sunday April 3rd in Maynooth Post Primary School Dublin. Hosting the seminar was Master Brendan O’Toole (8th Degree) President of the INTA and Master Val Douglas (7th Degree) Vice-president of the INTA.The seminar was attended by over 70 students ranging from Yellow belt to Fifth Degree.

Master Brendan O Toole began the session with an informative talk on the theory of power. Master Douglas was next with an intensive warm-up including partner work, team work and core exercises. A focus on 2-step and 3-step brought the seminar to lunch time on the first day. Mr. Nigel Stobie (5th Degree) commenced the session after lunch with a testing warm-up including some partner work and plyometric exercises. The remainder of Saturday afternoon was spent on the colour belt patterns. The theory of power and constructive pointers offered by Master O’Toole were put into practice and any difficulties students were experiencing were talked through and demonstrated. The first day drew to a close at approximately 5pm with self-defence. Master Douglas led the final session where on the floor attacks were the topic of discussion.

Master Douglas teaching juniors

The second day kicked off for 2nd Kups and above with kicking drills and partner exercises and bagwork. A revision of the higher colour belt patterns followed the warm-up session. Red Belts and black tags continued with bagwork and sparring with Master Douglas while Dan patterns were teased out by Master O Toole. A very enjoyable afternoon was had after lunch with some novel approaches to warm-ups and conditioning by Master Douglas. A key message on Sunday afternoon was to enjoy training and this was certainly the case. Partner work, kicking routines, sparring drills and team work brought the two day seminar to a close at approximately 4pm. A very comprehensive two days was enjoyed by all students.