Ok, these things are prolly covered in threads somewhere else, but I'll just combine the things I'm interested in hearing your take on into 1 thread. I only have the opinion of my 4 1st degrees, would like to know what others think. A lot have to do with various habits I'm having to break.
Colored uniforms on students - The last main instructor didn't care what color they wore. The head instructor came back and saw students wearing red and black (a green and a yellow belt) and was on the fence, color of your uniform doesn't mean anything, just color of belt. I flat out banned anything other than white. I let the students that already had colored uniforms keep wearing theirs, so they didn't have to incur the cost of a new uniform. Century is greedy.
Traditionally, taekwondo doboks are white. If you are going to use a different color, make sure that everyone is wearing the
same color. Especially with kids. You do not want arguements about why kid X gets to wear red and kid Z gets to wear blue. Keep all students the same.
Also, unless you are an independent, your organization likely either stipulates or has a preferred dobok. If you are part of a larger organization, you should use the dobok associated with said org.
No comment on Century. I use Dynamics
http://dynamicsworld.com/.
Colored uniforms on instructors - I only wear white or black. I have one instructor in a blue/black 'team' uniform, and another that wears red with black stripes. I think that if you earned the black belt you earned the right to ear whatever color you want
Once again, there are colors and doboks that are traditionally associated with taekwondo in general and with different organizations specifically. Unless you have some very good reason for doing so, I would adhere to the norms of your organization. Again, if you are independent, then this is not an issue, but I would suggest having all of the instructors in the
same dobok, whatever color you happen to choose. I know that some schools put instructors in black, assistant instructors in red, and students in white. That is fine too, so long as people in each role are in the same color.
Side kick - Some how, these kids were taught how to throw a side kick without pivoting the standing leg and getting the hip rotation. They were also taught to swing the foot backwards like a pendulem as they chamber.
Huh???
I can't even do it, totally screwed up. I preach it over and over, I point out when they get it wrong. I'd about to the point that i'm just going to say 'no pivot = push ups'. We go up and down the line, we work with each kids one on one. We do 4 count kicks. Anyone have any tips that they do with the kids that work?
Retrain them and don't pass them to the next belt until they can do the kick correctly. New students coming in should be learning the kick with the pivot, so the old way should simply die of attrition. I would reserve pushups for respect or behavioural issue.
Sparring gear - Mouthguard/cup must have, gloves/feet to spar other students, headgear under 18. No chest protectors required. I've never used one. Are they really worth the extra money?
Are you sparring under WTF rules, ITF rules, or something else? WTF and ATA are the only ones who use the hogu to my knowledge. Everyone else is headgear, gloves, and some kind of foot protectors. Mouthpieces should be required for everyone and cup should be required for the boys. Hogu should only be required if you are WTF.
Best wishes to you!
Daniel
