Welcome To
TANG SOO DO
A Parent’s Guide
CONTENTS
Introduction
Questions & Answers
The Belt System
Testing for Promotion
Graduation Days
Class Protocol
Uniforms
Equipment & Weapons
Breaking
Practice & Competition
Photography
Visiting Other Dojangs
Weather Cancellations
A Letter to Parents and Students
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations
on your decision to enroll your child in Tang Soo Do! This art is designed to develop individual
character, mental strength, integrity, discipline, and respect. In Tang Soo Do, a child learns respect for
authority figures, including parents, as well as respect for himself and
others.
Tang Soo Do encourages courtesy,
patience, loyalty, honesty, and self-control... values that are not specifically
taught in most Western sports. Values
learned in the studio give the student concrete, practical guidelines for
behavior in his life. Martial arts
training also helps alleviate the fear most children have about handling
themselves if someone physically confronts them.
Tang Soo Do is a traditional martial art that traces its
roots back to ancient
Our founder and leader, Grandmaster
Jae Chul Shin
first brought Tang Soo Do to the
Your child’s instructor will be giving you various
registration forms when your child first enrolls in the studio, one of which
will be the application to join the prestigious World Tang Soo Do
Association. Please fill out these forms
completely, making sure they are signed by both you and your child, and return
them promptly to the instructor.
After your child has submitted his World Tang Soo Do
application form for processing, headquarters will send him a student manual
and a registration/identification card requiring his picture. These will be used many times during his
training. Make sure these two items are
kept in a safe and accessible place.
Again,
congratulations on making this
opportunity available to your child and a warm welcome to both of you!
QUESTION: Who will be
instructing the class?
ANSWER: In order to teach in the World Tang Soo Do
Association, all instructors are required to pass an Instructor’s Certification
program. Furthermore, our Black Belt
instructors participate in regularly scheduled instructor classes, training
camps, and seminars. You may also see
several assistant instructors who work with students in small groups or even
individually. When you watch a Tang Soo
Do class, you see students enjoying themselves in a friendly environment led by
caring, knowledgeable teachers.
QUESTION: Will classes leave
my child battered? Will my child become
a bully?
ANSWER: While classes are designed to be fun and exciting, we also teach
that what we are learning should never be taken lightly. Safety gear and special equipment are
required, and respect for others and self-control are two rules we strongly
emphasize. The
codes and tenets,
which serve as our foundation, reinforce tolerance and compassion for others.
QUESTION: What will my child
get out of class?
ANSWER: We help students reach their fullest potential by
teaching challenging classes, setting goals for our students, and giving them
the necessary skills to reach those goals.
In addition to improving physical conditioning, flexibility, and
balance, students learn skills necessary for self-defense. Along the way, students develop integrity,
self-esteem, and confidence. We guarantee
that dedicated training will result in better focus and concentration. For all these reasons, it is typical that
students enrolled in Tang Soo Do also report improved grades in school.
QUESTION: Should I join Tang
Soo Do with my child?
ANSWER: Absolutely!!!
Every student trains at his own pace, so anyone, regardless of age or present
condition, can study Tang Soo Do. Karate
is done from a standing position, and kicks and punches are learned without
body contact. In this way, coordination
and flexibility can be increased at any age.
Also, when children see important values illustrated by their own
parents, they have strong role models to follow. Fun, wholesome activity, like Tang Soo Do,
that actively involves the whole family strengthens family ties. It’s true:
Families that kick together, stick together!
QUESTION: How do parents stay
informed?
ANSWER: There are several ways for parents to keep up with
Dojang information. One is to check the
Vaughn’s Dojang website at www.vaughnsdojang.com. Another is to listen to announcements made by
instructors at the end of class. Also,
there is a bulletin board at the back of the studio with a calendar of events
and information about what’s happening at Vaughn’s Dojang. Your child will bring home flyers and
announcements from time to time. Ask to
see them. Finally, if you ever have questions,
don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s instructor.
QUESTION: How often will my
child attend class?
ANSWER: Classes are scheduled for one hour sessions, two
days per week. Later, as students grow
in rank and commitment, more classes become available. Please read the section under Class Protocol
regarding missing classes.
QUESTION: Are classes ever
cancelled?
ANSWER: There are a few days during the year when the studio
is closed for holidays or a special event.
In case of severe weather, you may want to call the studio before
leaving home. There will be an
announcement on the answering machine if the studio is closed because of
weather problems.
QUESTION: What is the
Black Belt Club?
ANSWER: When a student reaches the
Green Belt level, he or she may decide to join the Black Belt Club. This club is dedicated to students who take a
serious approach to their training, and who are committed to completing their
journey to Black Belt Excellence! Black
Belt Club members enjoy financial and other benefits, such as additional
training opportunities.
THE BELT
SYSTEM
Students in Tang Soo Do progress through a series of
promotions designated by different colored belts or Gup levels. Each color has its own philosophical meaning
and each represents the cycle of the seasons and the cycle of life. There are 10 different Gup levels between the
beginning student (white belt) and the eventual Black Belt. Each promotion or Gup level represents a new
and advanced stage in Tang Soo Do training.
In addition to learning new techniques, forms, and general information
at each belt level, a minimum amount of time is required before a student is
eligible to test again for the next level.
The 10 Gup levels are summarized as follows:
Gup Level Belt
10th Gup White Belt
9th Gup White Belt with orange
stripe
8th Gup
7th Gup Orange Belt with green
stripe
6th Gup Green Belt
5th Gup Green Belt with brown
stripe
4th Gup Brown Belt
3rd Gup Brown Belt with red
stripe
2nd Gup Red Belt
1st Gup Red Belt with blue
stripe
Cho Dan Bo Blue
Belt (Black Belt Candidate)
TESTING FOR
PROMOTION
The instructor will advise the student when testing
for the next belt will occur. It will be
the sole discretion of the instructor to determine if advancing to a new level
is in the best interest of the student at that time. When the minimum time has passed, your
child’s instructor will evaluate several factors, including but not limited to:
progress made in training since the last test, attitude, general knowledge,
conduct in class, etc. The road to Black
Belt is a long-term commitment which cannot and should not be hurried any more
than growing up should be rushed. At
every stage in Tang Soo Do, there are valuable lessons, physical and mental, to
be learned, and some take longer than others.
Not all students in a class will advance at the same rate.
When an instructor has determined that a student is
ready to move to the next phase of training, the student will be required to
pass both a physical test and a written test based on information found in the
student handbook. Prior to the written
test, the student must complete and return to the instructor: 1) a testing
application form, 2) the testing fee, and 3) the student’s registration card,
which must have a photo attached.
Student evaluation is actually an ongoing process
that takes place during a student’s training sessions. The final step in the process is a
demonstration of skills before a testing panel and a promotion ceremony when
new belts are awarded. This event is a
celebration in which all students should participate, not just those receiving
their new belt. A student’s attendance
at these ceremonies shows support of fellow classmates as well as dedication to
one’s personal training.
GRADUATION
DAYS
Belt promotions are held at the main studio
in Audubon on the second Wednesday of every month. Promotions are held at our YMCA
satellite programs on the Thursday following the Audubon ceremony.
CLASS
PROTOCOL
Most all of the information pertaining to training
protocol is explained in the WTSDA student manual and should be reviewed on a
frequent basis. There are a few
important issues explained there that should be mentioned here for emphasis,
however.
Students should arrive at least 15 minutes before
class is scheduled to begin. Upon
entering (and leaving) the Dojang (studio), students should bow to the
instructor and salute the flags. Once
inside the Dojang, the student should quietly begin warming up and stretching
off to the side. For safety reasons, no
gum is allowed and all jewelry and watches should be removed. If a student arrives late, he should prepare
himself for class and then wait to the side until he is recognized by the
instructor and asked to join the class.
If a student must miss a class, he should notify his
instructor beforehand. In other words,
at the beginning of each class, an instructor should know where every student
is. If a student must leave class, he
should first receive permission from the instructor.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of training in
a traditional martial art is the meaning of the bow or Kyung Yet. In Tang Soo Do,
the bow is a form of greeting and sign of respect. (This is the same reason why all Black Belts
are to be called “Sir” or “Ma’am” by Gup students.) A student is expected to bow to his
instructors, all Black Belts and Masters, whether in the studio or out, and
also to his opponents. The bow is never
interpreted as the student being less or
lower than the senior rank, but it is
an expression of his humility, courtesy, pride, and self-esteem. Black Belts and senior ranks are also
expected to return the bow. A person who
can show humility is a truly capable leader.
UNIFORMS
The Do Bohk
or uniform can be traced back to 600 AD in
Once a student achieves
Green Belt, the lapels of the Do Bohk
top must be trimmed in the same color as the belt (except for Cho Dan Bo). Trim kits are available through the
studio. There is only one acceptable way
to tie the belt and to fold the uniform when not being worn. Please refer to this section of the student
manual for details and instruction. Even
young students should be taught to tie their own belts correctly.
The only markings on the Do Bohk are the Association patch on the left, front (over the
heart), the Korean flag on the left shoulder, the student’s national flag
displayed on the right shoulder, and the identifying studio insignia on the
back.
There should not be colored shirts visible under the
Do Bohk, and the Do Bohk should only be worn for
training or competition. Do Bohks can be ordered from
Association headquarters. Instructors
can help with sizing.
EQUIPMENT & WEAPONS
Safety equipment is important to prevent injuries
while training and is a requirement for all competitive sparring. By the time a student achieves his Orange
Belt (earlier is okay), he must own a complete set of sparring equipment. The set should include protective headgear,
hand gear, footgear, and a mouth guard.
Boys are required to wear a protective cup in competition.
Your instructor can help you
determine the correct size gear to purchase.
Safety gear can also be ordered from World Tang Soo Do
headquarters. See your instructor for
order forms.
When a student becomes a Green Belt, he will begin
training with a Bong or
rounded staff, which he should bring to every class. This weapon developed from everyday living
tools such as early farming or hunting implements. The length of the bong should measure the height of the student (plus or minus no
more than 2 inches). It should be no
larger in diameter than can be comfortably held and maneuvered in the student’s
hand (1/2 - 3/4 inches). Bongs can be purchased from the studio
or martial arts supply stores, but for the younger student, any hardwood stick
like a broom handle or a wooden extension pole found in a home supply store can
be used if it is the right length and diameter.
The more a student practices Bong drills on his own, the more proficient
he will become with this first weapon.
BREAKING
When a student tests for his
Green Belt (and for all tests after that), he will be asked to break boards as
part of his physical test. Breaking is a
test of concentration and proper technique.
It is important to bring the correct type and size board to the tests.
Boards for breaking should be cut from pine. Look for wood that has straight grain and is
without knots. The drier the wood, the
easier it is to break, so a good board should be light weight and sound hollow
when tapped. Sap in the wood acts like
glue and makes the board dense and harder to break. You should be able to make a slight
indentation in the wood with your fingernail.
The boards should be 1 inch thick and 12 inches
wide, and the height depends on the age or size of the student. Boards should be cut (across the grain) in
8-inch heights for small children, 10 inches for teens and adults. Gray lines indicate grain direction.
PRACTICE & COMPETITION
The techniques and forms found in Tang Soo Do are
designed to improve the student’s ability to defend himself. The more a student practices outside of
class, the sooner his techniques improve and the better able he is to defend
himself should the need arise. Practice
also magnifies the other benefits of training such as improved fitness,
flexibility, concentration, and discipline.
For these reasons, natural athletic ability is not a substitute for
diligent practice, especially as a student progresses into higher ranks. Ultimately, a student’s training is his own
responsibility and his dedication will determine the speed and level of his
progress. Like any other worthwhile
endeavor, the more a student puts into his Tang Soo Do training, the more he
will get out of it.
While Tang Soo Do is considered an art as opposed to
a sport, there are a number of regional tournaments scheduled that provide
competition for those who desire to compete.
The ultimate in Tang Soo Do competition is the World Tournament held
every other year. Some of the benefits
of competition include meeting students from other schools and even other
countries, increased confidence, the chance to compare techniques with other students,
and the opportunity to learn from others.
Tournaments are always educational and fun to watch, even for those not
competing.
Tournaments are arranged so that students of similar
age and belt level compete with each other.
Events include Hyungs (Forms),
Dae Ryun (Sparring), Weapons,
and sometimes Breaking. Students may
compete in some or all events depending on their belt level. Your child’s instructor will prepare the
students for upcoming competitive events.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Parents and family members are strongly encouraged
to attend promotions, tournaments, and other special Tang Soo Do events. These special events make wonderful
opportunities to photograph or videotape your son or daughter “in action”. We ask, however, that you do not bring cameras to the studio
to photograph or tape any students while they are training in regular
classes. Thank you for your cooperation
in this matter.
VISITING OTHER DOJANGS
One of the great joys of being a member of the World
Tang Soo Do Association is the opportunity to train with students almost
anywhere in the world. If you are
traveling and there is a World Tang Soo Do studio near where you will be, you
may want to consider stopping in for a visit or training session if scheduling
permits.
Proper protocol must be observed in order to do
this. You should first ask your
instructor for permission to train at another studio. Then you must contact the studio owner where
you will be visiting beforehand to ask permission to stop by. Headquarters in
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
If we are experiencing severe weather conditions,
you can check on class cancellations either by calling the main dojang at
610-676-0691, or by checking our website at www.vaughnsdojang.com.
A Letter to
Parents and Students. . .
Welcome to the wonderful
world of martial arts. It is important
there be an understanding about what to expect when taking on an endeavor such
as traditional Tang Soo Do.
First 6 months: In the beginning, if you are like most people, you
will experience a sharp learning curve, where you will see results
quickly. Focus and concentration will
increase at a rapid rate. Balance and
coordination will improve dramatically.
There will be an increase in flexibility and muscle-tone.
Second 6
months: The student should go over basic
stances and basic techniques every day.
It seems to take longer and longer to achieve results. This is normal, and this is where
self-discipline comes into play.
Understanding this type of learning curve is
beneficial to understanding martial arts.
As well as having peaks, where technique is picked up quickly and
understanding is high, there are times when it seems that not much is happening
but work. These times are what I like to
refer to as plateaus of learning. It is
this time, when it seems like class is just drill, drill, and more drill, that
the serious student is born.
Unlike anything else, Tang Soo Do is a method of
self-actualization where a student can define one’s self, and study human
nature as well. Tang Soo Do is not a
store bought item. It must be experienced
to appreciate its value, and this takes time, perseverance, and patience. The original name for Tang Soo Do was
translated as: Hard Work, or Grinding
Out and Polishing. This applies to
the physical being, the mental being, and the spirit of the student.
I like to compare the trip to Black Belt to a
college course. If the student looks at
it this way it saves confusion later on when the training becomes more like
work. By sticking it out and making an
all out effort, the average student can make it.
Published by:
VALLEY FORGE
MARTIAL ARTS
(610) 676-0691
The content contained within this page is the property of
the World Tang Soo Do Association and Vaughn's Dojang. The images and information
contained herein may not be reproduced without the expressed written
permission of the World Tang Soo Do Association.
World Tang Soo Do Association Headquarters
709 Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 468-2121
fax: (215) 336-2121
WTSDA@aol.com
