Being a Dad and Coach

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On May 7, 2016, my daughter Caity returned to Taekwondo competition for the first time in eight years. As her dad but also her coach, I tried to dissuade her from sparring until we had a few more months but she was adamant about sparring at the tournament. Caity likes forms but she always preferred sparring. Reluctantly, I agreed. <תוחלת bbox_x = bbox_y "359" = bbox_w "1462" = bbox_h "4" = fsize "20" = fweight "14" = ירוק "3" אדום = "255" = "255" כחול = אלפא "255" = "

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Things Come Full Circle

caity-tkd-מדים

A few weeks ago, my second foray into the martial arts came full circle. My daughter started studying Taekwondo again after more than five years away from the sport. It is actually Caity, who brought me back to martial arts in the summer of 2000. After my natural father passed away in July 1999, הלכתי לכושר של שנה

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Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

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Last week, it was testing preparation at Willow Martial Arts. We went through the walking drills, forms and self-defense required for Taekwondo testing. As I observed the students preparing, I remembered a statement Master Pat Weseman often told me when I was a colored belt preparing for my next Taekwondo test. “Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”

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Why We Use Canes

ירוק-קני-טכניקות

Most self-defense programs are made up of striking or grappling techniques. A few self-defense systems use techniques from both. Striking and grappling techniques can both be effective but sometimes a defender needs an equalizer. Policeman carry night sticks and tasers for this reason. The laws of the United States ban most weapons but one tool legal to carry anywhere is

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Practical Application of Forms

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When most students start forms training, their main focus is on learning the proper sequence of the techniques to perform the pattern in the prescribed manner. It is unusual for a beginning or even intermediate student to think too much about what they are doing with the techniques and what they are defending against. Is the technique straight forward or

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Can You Bullet Proof Self-Defense?

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A question I’m often asked during classes and seminars is “Can I become invincible by learning self-defense?” The short answer is “לא” but they are asking the wrong questions. Better questions would be: “What can I do to make myself a less desirable target?” “How can I get in better shape to successfully repel an attack?” “What techniques should

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Are Forms Important for Martial Arts?

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The legendary Bruce Lee wrote an article for Black Belt magazine many years ago which challenged the efficiency and efficacy of kata, צורות או הכשרת דפוס. Ever since the publication of this article, הרבה אמני לחימה אחרים החלו לקרוא תיגר או שאלת הצורך בהכשרת צורות. מאז אני מוקדש הוראה בהגנה עצמית, you would think I

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Martial Arts Is A Family Affair

home-team

One of the best thing about the martial arts such as Taekwondo is the ability for fathers, mothers, ילדים, grandchildren and other family members to train together. You develop a mutual interest you cannot replicate by sitting in the stands watching your children play baseball, soccer, <תוחלת bbox_x = bbox_y "302" = bbox_w "1336" = bbox_h "19" = fsize "20" = fweight "14" = ירוק "3" אדום = "255" = "255" כחול = אלפא "255" = ". Besides training with all three of my kids and my wife, who trained

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