Information for new students

Here is good information for all students new to Thornton Taekwon-Do.

While we will take new students at any time, the best time to join is on the first class of the month. This allows all new students to start together and not feel like they are the only person who is starting from scratch. With that in mind, it is important to remember one thing:

Every Taekwon-Do black belt you see was once a brand new white belt - just like you.

New students are not expected to know anything about Taekwon-Do (or "TKD" as it is often called). In fact, the less they know about TKD, the better they will be. Often it is best to forget what you know of martial arts from TV and movies. We do not use wires to fly. Instead we use our muscles. That does mean that students will not all jump as high, kick as hard, break as much, or spar as well as any other student. Each student has their own abilities and limitations. Some limitations can be pushed or removed entirely, but not all. One objective of TKD training is to be the best that you can be. In short, the more you train, the better you will become. How far you can go with TKD is up to you. There are no magic wands or spells or potions in TKD. If there is a secret to TKD training, it is simply this: Don't quit on yourself.

On a student's first class, they (and parents if desired) will have a short meeting with the head instructor just to get to know a little bit about each other. The head instructor will ask a couple of questions from each student, go over what students can expect as far as training and testing for belts, and then will give a few minutes to ask any questions that they may have. Many of the more common questions are listed below. After this meeting, the students are not thrown to the wolves. Instead they start a short program called "Basic Training" which usually takes about 4 classes. During these classes, the students are taught what they need to join the regular class. They will be taught the basic stances, a couple of blocks, a couple of kicks, and a couple of hand techniques. Along the way, they will be taught basic etiquette so they will know how to behave in TKD. Once the basic training has been completed, the students will join the regular class.

None of the students are expected to remember everything on the first attempt, let alone the new students. The instructors expect to have to repeat some things a few times before the student catches on. Fortunately, they more the students trains, they quicker they will pick things up. The instructors know that students learn at a different pace, and they have considerable patience. However that patience is not unlimited. Students who are repeatedly not paying attention, messing around during class, or other such actions will be disciplined in a very simple manner - they will do a few push-ups. Not a large number of push-ups, but just enough to encourage them to pay attention.

Here are some of the more common questions that are asked by students and their parents.

  • Do I need a uniform to get started?
    New students do need to get a uniform to get started on their training. They are allowed to train in street clothes for their first month or two. But they will need to get a uniform before they will be allowed to compete in a tournament or test for their next rank.
  • How do I get a uniform?
    New uniforms are purchased through the USTF (United States Taekwon-Do Federation). The can be purchased by going to USTF headquarters in Broomfield, however most people find it easier to just ask the head instructor to get the uniform on their behalf and then re-imburse the instructor when they get the uniform. This works out well since the head instructor trains at USTF HQ and is there a at least a couple of times a week. The head instructor can also get the uniforms at a small discount so students can save both money, time, and hassle.
  • Can I get a uniform from a second-hand store?
    While it is possible to get uniforms from a second-hand or thrift store, care must be taken. If you should find such a uniform, the student must present it to the instructor for approval before wearing it in class. If the uniform does not meet the USTF requirements then it cannot be worn to classes or tournaments. The head instructor has the final decision in this matter.
  • Do I need to purchase any text books
    There are a few text books that the students will need. There are books for all color belt testing requirements, black belt requirements, all of the patterns in TKD, all the types of step-sparring, officiating at tournaments, and a few more. Some of these books will need to be purchases while others will be given to students as part of their belt testings or seminars that they attend. The cost of these books is about $12 each so you will not need to take out a loan or mortgage your home to get them.
  • Can I just look up the information on the internet?
    The USTF has purposely elected to not publish the content of any of these books on the internet. You can easily find all sorts of information on TKD all over the internet. The trap in this is that not everything that has the name "Taekwon-Do" is the same style of TKD that the USTF follows. Even if it states that the information is directly from General Choi (the founder of TKD), it may not be the same.
  • If not all "Taekwon-Do" is the same, how do we know that USTF is true TKD?
    TKD was named and developed by General Choi Hong Hi of Korea in the 1950's. He brought the martial art to US and one of the earliest adopters was Charles E. Sereff who was taught by the General and became the senior Grand Master (9th degree black belt) in the US. Sr. GM Sereff founded the USTF which started here in Colorado. In fact, the current headquarters of the USTF is in Broomfield at Sereff Taekwon-Do. To bring this even closer to home, all of the instructors at Thornton TKD train at Sereff TKD including the head instructor. Many of them actually attended instructor seminars taught by the General himself. Sadly, the General passed away in 2001 and Sr. GM Sereff passed away in 2022. The USTF is currently under the control of Grand Master Renee Sereff who also runs Sereff TKD in Broomfield. She was granted the title of "The Lady General" by General Choi himself.
  • Then is TKD the best martial art?
    There are many martial arts forms available today, from traditional styles like TKD up to modern combative systems. Which style is the "best" depends on what you want to learn. TKD for defending one's self and family. It is not for attacking or bullying others. It is considered a hard-style but does take advantage of various "softer" techniques such as releases and pressure points. The goal is for the student to be able to use the most appropriate technique and power for the situation.
  • I want to learn self-defense but I don't want to fight.
    There is a big difference in between fighting and the sparring that is done in the USTF. In sparring, the competitors are trying to score points with various techniques while blocking their opponent from doing the same to them. There are rules for the safety of the competitors and a center referee to enforce those rules by using warnings, minus points, and (if needed) disqualifications. We use sparing to show how the techniques work with control, and breaking to show how much power can be generated without hurting anyone. While none of us want to be pulled in to a real fight, combining the techniques of sparring with the power of breaking and the mental discipline to stay in control of one-self will yield a strong ability to "defend against moving opponent or opponents".
  • Does TKD use padding like they do in the Olympics?
    TKD uses hand, foot, and head pads for protection when sparring. Some competitors also wear shin pads. However we do not use electronic scoring equipment. What is seen in the Olympics is a different style of TKD in which knock-outs are not discouraged. In the USTF, knocking out an opponent is an automatic disqualification and can lead to a permanent ban on sparring. Our sparring is done using light and controlled contact for the scoring of points, not injuring anyone. Unfortunately when two people are sparring, there is the possibility, though uncommon, that someone will get injured. We have medically trained people available to tend to any injuries that should happen.
  • Where can I purchase the pads, and when should I?
    Sparring pads is about the most expensive equipment that can be purchased, costing between $80 and $100 per set. It is usually recommended that pads be purchase after a student has stopped growing so quickly. Thornton TKD has a large collection of sparring gear that students can use during class and borrow for tournaments until they get their own. There are very specific rules for what pads are allowed for used in sparring, but neither the USTF or Thornton TKD specify a specific brand or style of pads. The head instructor will direct students where they can get pads that will meet these requirements. All you have to do is ask.
  • I have trained in another martial art. How will that affect my status here?
    Such situations are discussed on an individual basis. In general, however, rank certificates from the USTF will be honored. Black belt certificates will need to be verified through the USTF. Rank earned from non-USTF martial arts will be handled based on the style in which the rank was earned and how long it has been since the student last trained. It is best to discuss the situation with the head instructor before deciding to join Thornton TKD. There are several options available and ther head instructor will be able to determine the correct one to use.
  • Myself (or another family member/friend) has their black belt. Can they help train me or my children?No. Different martial arts often have different names for similar techniques, or the same name of a technique can be completely different. There will be subtle differences that will become big problems. Even within the same style, such as the USTF, each instructor has considerable discretion on how they teach techniques. Further, it can be very confusing for a student to be learning from more than one instructor. General Choi himself said that one person cannot ride two horses. At some point the student will need to make a decision or be split apart. Having one instructor is the best approach to learning a martial art, and that should be the instructor who is signing the belt rank certificates.
  • Here is the most important questionMy child said something about class that doesn't sound right. Who can I talk to?
    If you ever have a question about something you heard from your child, saw in class, or witness in a tournament, the person you should talk with is the head instructor. Use email, text, or phone as you feel is needed. It will not help to call the City of Thornton as they only administer the program for registration fees and scheduling of classes. They are not experts in TKD. The head instructor is responsible for what happens in TKD to both the City of Thornton and the USTF. In fact, all of the instructors are part-time employees of the City of Thornton. The head instructor is the lead instructor for the TKD program. Please address all your questions to the head instructor.