Welcome to the US Combat Dojo. We train in martial arts because it helps us with respect, self-control, discipline, confidence, and patience; it helps us improve our inner self, our pride, our concentration, and our relationship with other people. We do not train to fight, we train so we don't have to fight, but we will be ready if it happens. The difference between a fighter and a martial artist is that a fighter has to fight, it's what they train for. A martial artist trains for him or herself, and never stops training because they always aim for unreachable perfection. To be a real Martial Artist, you must treat your martial art style and your life with humility, respect and honor. -Soke/Master Jonathan A. French (2015 Martial Art Hall of Fame Master of the Year Inductee) (2016 Martial Art Hall of Fame School of the Year Inductee)
Master Jonathan A. French Master Black belt in ITF Taekwondo Soke/Master of Joshiki Self Defense Soke/Master Black Belt in Kang Shi Do Master Black Belt in U.S. Guntai-Shu Martial Arts Black Belt in MMA Karate Black Sash in Praying Mantis Kung Fu Founder and Master/Chief Instructor of U.S. Combat Dojo Founder and CEO of the Association of Martial Artists World Wide, www.amaww.com
Direct line from Father of Taekwondo General Choi Hong Hi, to ITF Taekwondo Master Instructor Jonathan A. French Tae Kwon Do Founder, Grandmaster General Choi Hong Hi Grandmaster Byong Chull Yu Master Andrea Malik Master Jackson T. Shatraw Master Jonathan A. French
Student Creed Knowledge in the mind Honesty in the Heart Strength to the body Martial Art Tenets Perseverance Integrity Courtesy Self-Control Indomitable Spirit Theory of Power Reaction force Concentration Equilibrium Breath control Mass Speed
History of Taekwondo Tae Kwon Do, known as the oldest self-defense art in the world, is recorded in the Kogooryo Dynasty founded in 37 B.C. in the northern part of the Korean peninsula. The first martial art textbook was written in 1790 call Muye Dobo Tongji. Tae Kwon Do developed independently in Korea and in recent years has become the most respected national sport of Korea, and is now practiced in over 140 countries. In 1980 it was accepted in the summer Olympic Games and today it is the universal art of self-defense and modern world sport. The origin of Tae Kwon Do in Korea can be traced back to Koguryo Dynasty founded in 37 B.C. Mural paintings found in the ruins of the royal tombs built by this dynasty show scenes of Tae Kwon Do practice. Developed by primitive people as a means of fighting for food and defending themselves from wild animals and enemies, Taekyon (an old name for Tae Kwon Do) skills often imitated offensive and defensive positions of animals. The skills of unarmed combat became more complex as organized military forces began using the body's natural weapons to fend off aggressors. Korean culture and martial arts were strongly influenced and enriched by the Hwarangdo, a military, educational and social organization for noble youths of the Silla Dynasty during the 7th century A.D. It is from this ancient "Hwa Rang" that modern Tae Kwon Do traces its ethical and physical lineage. Their code of conduct and method of training is a part of the heritage that practitioners of today share with those early warriors. The virtues prized now, as they were then, are based upon loyalty to nation, respect and obedience to one's parents, faithfulness to one's friends, courage in battle, avoidance of necessary violence, and deep respect for the sanctity of all life. So it was that the balance of moral virtue and physical readiness was struck. Tae Kwon Do has survived two thousand years of history with the moral principles and code of ethics remaining intact. Buddhist monks, who added more spiritual aspects to the art, often instructed the Hwarang. Their greatest contribution to the development of Korean martial arts is probably adding a spiritual dimension to the training practices, something that Korean martial arts lacked before. From 1909 to 1945 Korea lost its culture and martial arts to Japanese. Traditional Korean martial arts such as Taekkyeon or Subak were banned during this time. In 1945 Korea was liberated as the Japanese were defeated. The martial arts masters of Korea wanted to eliminate all Japanese influence. This began the discussions on how to return to the traditional Taekyon martial arts and how to unite the various martial arts styles into one single style and national sport. The name Taekwondo (Tae Kwon Do) was chosen in April 1955 by the nine Kwans, the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in 1959/1961 to facilitate the unification. The International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) was founded in 1966 and followed by World Taekwondo federation (WTF) in 1973. Since 2000, Tae Kwon Do and Judo have been the only two Asian martial arts to be included in the Olympic Games. In 2009 it was estimated that Tae Kwon Do was practiced in 123 countries, with over 30 million practitioners and over 3 million individuals with black belts.
Policies and Procedures 1. Techniques taught in class are not to be applied out of the Dojang/Dojo unless circumstances involving your safety or the safety of others are overriding. You should always avoid or walk away from a situation whenever possible. 2. Execute a bow of courtesy upon meeting your instructor or a ranking black belt. 3. Remove shoes and put in the designated area. Don t walk on the training floor with shoes. 4. Respect other people s property and belongings. 5. The Dobok/Gi (uniform) must be always be neat and clean (odor free), with patches in proper placement. Class T-Shirts may be worn as your uniform top during class, a full Dobok/Gi must be worn for tests and demos. 6. Always practice good personal hygiene habits. Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. 7. Remove all jewelry before entering class (wedding rings may be worn, be careful if you have a big diamond). 8. Respect the class that is in session. Lower the volume of your conversation if you re early. 9. Enter class with energy and demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning. Practice should be vigorous; however, inform your instructors if you become fatigued. 10. Strict attention is to be given to the instructor at all times. 11. No vulgarities or obscene language is allowed. Loss of temper, loud laughing, talking, horseplay, or any display of a lack of self-discipline will not be tolerated in class. 12. No gum chewing, smoking, food, or sugary drinks, allowed in the Dojang/Dojo. Keep drinks to water or a sport drink for hydration. 13. All students should be on time for class. The instructor understands that parents have other obligations and maybe late. If a student arrives late, stand to the side of the class and wait for permission. Fall into the back of the class, the next we fall out and back in you may take your proper place in the ranks. 14. Steady and consistent attendance is essential to progress. Please notify your instructor when you can if you will be absent. 15. Your belt must be tied properly. Never wrap your belt around your neck, drag it on the floor, or handle your belt in any manner that displays disrespect. The belt should never be washed, due to the ancient philosophy; the original white belt, with continued hard practice, eventually darkens, deeper and deeper until eventually it turns black (but also, the color may run). 16. Stand with hands behind your back, and stand with pride when speaking to your instructor or when you instructor is speaking to you. 17. Students must turn in their testing fee on or before the test. 18. Tuition payments must be current in order to test. 19. Students should practice only those forms, which have been presented to them by the instructor. They should not try to skip ahead by observing higher ranks. 20. Free sparring is not allowed without permission from the instructor. In free sparring, there will be no contact to the face, neck, groin, back, or below the belt. It is mandatory for all equipment to be worn during sparring: head gear, mouth guard, gloves, and foot pads. 21. Before you enter or leave the Dojang/Dojo, you are required to execute a bow of respect to the area of training. 22. Every student is subject to the school s rules and regulations. Non-compliance will result in the following penalties: warning, denial to test, belt taken away. 23. The Dojang/Dojo is the responsibility of the students, please keep it neat and clean. 24. If you understand a command or instruction, reply with, Hai 25. Do your best!!!!! Hai!
How to Tie a Martial Art Belt
Courtesies and Commands in Korean Thank you for teaching us Con sa hom nee dha Attention Charyot Bow Kyung yet Line Up Chul sa (cho-sa) Sit Down An Jo Stand Up E La Sutt Begin Say Jak Rest Shee Yoe (She O ) Ready position Choon Bee Return to ready position Par Row Stop Go Man Turn Doe Rha Punch - Chirigee Reverse punch Pon Tay Chirigee Front kick Ap Cha Gee Side Kick Yup Cha Gee Training hall - Dojang Turning Kick Tollyo Cha Gee Uniform - DoBok Back Kick Dwee Cha Gee Colored Belts Gup Low block - Ha tan makki High block - Sang tan makki Middle block - Chung tan makki
Counting to 10 in Korean 1 - Hana 2 - Tul 3 - Set 4 - Net 5 - Dasut 6 - Yasut 7- Eel gop 8 Yuh dul 9 Ah hap 10 Yul
Meaning of ITF Taekwondo Patterns Chon Ji / Heaven and Earth Dan-Gun / Immortalizes the legendary founder of Korea. Do-San / A tribute to Ahn Chang Ho, (1876-1938) a patriot who fought for Korean independence Won-Hyo / Historical personality credited with having introduced Buddhism to Korea in 686AD Yul-Gok / Memorializes the great philosopher Yil (1536-1584) Joong-Gun /Named after the patriot Ahn Joong Gun who was executed by the Japanese authorities. Toi-Gye/ A tribute to noted scholar and philosopher Yi Hwang (1501-1570) Hwa-Rang / Pays homage the the ancient Hwarang Warriors of the Silla Dynasty. Its 29 movements honer the 29th infantry division of General Choi. Choong-Moo / Name given to Korea's greatest Admiral, Sun Shin Yi (1545-1598), inventor of the Kobukson (turtle boat).
For Information on class times, prices or if you just have a question, please Contact the Master Instructor, Master Jonathan A. French Email: masterfrench@amaww.com School Website: www.uscombatdojo.com Association of Martial Artists World Wide Website: www.amaww.com Phone: (315)764-8239 Please leave a message