On Sunday 27th of May, 82 members of ITA clubs from around the country ranging from 3rd Kup to 7th Dan travelled to Ennis for the second ITA technical seminar of 2012. The seminar was led by the ITA technical committee of Master Kenneth Wheatley 7th Dan, Mr Niall Jones 5th Dan & Mr Stephen Ryan 5th Dan and the three instructors did an excellent job in providing instruction and feedback to all participants. Of the 82-strong group, 48 blackbelts where in attendance, this included several instructors and high-degree blackbelts and their dedication to Taekwon-Do is underlined by the fact that they should attend such an event and strive to further their knowledge and skill. The seminar covered many aspects of the ITA syllabus including step-sparring, technical kicking, fundamental movements as well as the 24 patterns. The technical committee showed their superb technical knowledge as they invited and answered all questions that the participants put to them. The seminar was organised very well to keep students motivated as the instructors rotated the topic being covered frequently to keep the group’s attention. The intense heat of the day made it tough at times and the participants where grateful for the water breaks given throughout the day.

The morning session began at 10am and focused on the various motions & fundamental sequences that can be found in the patterns as well as colour belt patterns up to Yul Gok Tul. The patterns training was broken up with a module on step sparring and a very enjoyable session on technical kicking with Mr Ryan where he demonstrated several progressions for building strength and skill in kicking techniques.

The afternoon session began with Mr Jones leading an enjoyable games-based warm up and was the then followed by the completion of the colour belt patterns before the group was divided as the blackbelt patterns where covered and the colour belts focused on step sparring. A highlight of day occurred during the patterns sessions when the instructors invited participants to come up in small groups and have their patterns assessed, this gave the volunteers a chance for some personal feedback on their own performance and gave the onlookers a chance to ask any questions they may have.

The seminar concluded at 4:30pm after 6 hours of training in the intense heat. It was a very successful seminar and one that participants of all grade and age where sure to benefit from. Congratulations must go to the technical committee of Master Wheatley, Mr Ryan & Jones for conducting an excellent seminar and making it very informative & enjoyable for all involved. The next technical seminar is scheduled for September in Cork.

Report by Mr Carl Smullen III Dan, ITA PRO