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 STUDENT HANDBOOKIntroduction Welcome to BAKER'S MARTIAL ARTS! We’ve designed this handbook to introduce you to the basics you will need to get started in your Tae Kwon Do training. The handbook is intended as a reference guide to assist you during your first few months of instruction. If you have never studied a martial art before, many of the techniques and traditions may seem strange or awkward at first. We would like that “awkward period” to be as brief as possible. Feel free to ask your instructors or advanced students (look for students wearing black or red belts) questions outside of class or during class at appropriate times. You should read your handbook from cover to cover during your first couple of weeks of training and refer to it as needed thereafter. We hope it will provide a good introduction to your Tae Kwon Do training at Baker’s Martial Arts. We also hope you will find studying Tae Kwon Do as rewarding as all of us. Welcome to the family.
The origins of Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art, are believed to date back hundreds or even thousands of years. Tae Kwon Do has emerged as one of the most popular and practiced martial arts in the world and was first introduced in the United States in the middle of the last century. It enjoyed its premiere as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. As the art is passed from teacher to student, the personality and life experiences of the teacher are also passed along. At Baker’s there is a great diversity of martial arts experience among our instructors. Many of our instructors have practiced other arts and blend their diverse knowledge into their Tae Kwon Do curriculum. Your Tae Kwon Do training and its ability to enrich your life are only limited by your commitment and imagination. Julius Baker, Jr., 7th Degree Black Belt his Black Belt, Mr. Baker began teaching at the Young Adult Project (YAP), a program for inner city youth in 1973. He taught at the YAP for seven years until founding BAKER'S MARTIAL ARTS in 1980. Originally based in Berkeley, the studio was moved to this Oakland location in 1998. In addition to his over thirty years of Tae Kwon Do training, Mr. Baker has also studied Aikido, Escrima, Judo, Capoeira, and Tai Chi. He continues intensive study in Tai Chi and added Tai Chi to the martial arts curriculum at BAKER'S MARTIAL ARTS. Mr. Baker grew up in Berkeley. After an honorable discharge from the US Navy, he went on to receive a BA and then a Masters Degree in Health Science at San Francisco State Universtiy. After receiving his degree, he taught Physical and Health Education at college level. Mr. Baker has over thirty years experience working with children. In addition to teaching martial arts to kids, he has worked as a pre-school teacher, physical education instructor, teaching assistant, and a counselor for the Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department. What You Need to Get Started with your Tae Kwon Do Training The following are some of the things you will need to get started: 1. Uniform (dobok-Korean/ghi-Japanese): Can be purchased at the studio. How to Tie your Belt: 1. Place the center of the belt on your belly button. You will find that Tae Kwon Do has its own set of rules and etiquette. Great emphasis is placed on self-discipline and respect for yourself, others and the art. In the studio, you will be asked to show respect to instructors, students and the studio by bowing. When to Bow…. There are numerous other situations where bowing is appropriate, but not always expected. Keep your eye on more experienced students and follow their lead. How to address the instructor or other Black Belt… General Etiquette You will find that the majority of instruction at Baker’s is in English. However, there are a few Korean (and a couple Japanese) terms that are used on a regular basis. Here is the list you should familiarize yourself with
Choombi – Ready position
Katas – Forms Free sparring or light contact fighting is very important in the application of the techniques you practice in class. Most students begin sparring after approximately two months of consistent training. Free sparring is designed to allow you to move and throw techniques in a more realistic, spontaneous manner. You must wear the protective sparring equipment listed below. You may also elect to wear additional gear (i.e. forearm pads, chest protector, etc.). - Head gear The following are guidelines and rules for sparring: - Inform your instructor and your partner of any injuries or limitations you have. Illegal Contact Areas:
Forms are choreographed combinations of movements and techniques. As you progress in your martial arts training, you will learn forms that correspond with your increasing skill and belt level. Learning forms takes patience and diligence. You should try to practice your forms outside of class. The following is a list of the 15 forms practiced at Baker’s: Hwrang 1, 2 & 3 All Tae Kwon Do students are expected to test and advance in belt level. Promotions are generally held every couple of months. Promotional fees should be paid prior to the promotion. When students double promote, their fee includes the cost of the level they skipped as well the level of their promotion. Students who miss regular scheduled promotion and wish to do a make-up will be subject to an additional $10 fee. If you have been training consistently, you should expect to participate in every promotion. Increases in rank are very incremental. Students must receive two stripes on their current belt to advance to the next belt. You should consult the belt requirements posted on the bulletin board and in the website for a list of the techniques you will be expected to know for promotion. Please check with your instructor if you are not clear on any of the requirements. Other important things to remember for promotion: Other Activities Private lessons are available upon request and ideal for students who want to polish their skills for a promotion or competition. Please see Mr. Baker for more information. Besides the regular program, the studio frequently sponsors special events and programs for students and their loved ones. Promotions occur about every other month and are a great way to introduce your friends and family to the studio. Even if you’re not promoting you may attend promotions to support your fellow students. Visitors are always welcome to watch promotions or any class. Black Belt promotions are generally held once a year and are a special time at the studio. Black Belt candidates spend countless hours training and preparing for their big day and need your encouragement and support. Mark your calendar when the dates are announced and feel free to invite family and friends. Besides promotions the studio usually sponsors several other events every year. These can include potlucks, seminars and tournaments. These events provide great opportunities for you to hang out with your fellow students and meet their family and friends. Studio Rules & Other Things to Remember - Parents & Students – Please read the bulletin boards on a regular basis. Physical care requirements: Please remember, we are all learning together. Especially in a contact activity, mistakes are inevitable. They must be handled in a mature manner. Have patience and understanding of your fellow students. All students are expected to learn the student creed. Students may be asked to recite the student creed at promotions and discuss its relationship to their martial arts training. As a Member of Baker's Martial ArtsI will strive to build true Confidence through Knowledge in the mind Honesty in the heart & Strength in the body. To keep Friendship with one another But to develop Might for Right. |