Training in C.A.C Taekwondo usually begins with learning the basics of punching, kicking and blocking in wide and deep stances, similar to traditional Karate. Once you have a grasp of such techniques though, we move on to what we consider to be more useful techniques, and someone who's trained in kickboxing would probably recognize himself or herself more than someone who's trained in say Shotokan Karate or Olympic TKD.
Taekwondo is famous for it's high-flying kicking techniques and spectacular breaking exhibitions. Kicks are also what's primarily used in TKD competition, but we train a lot in hand techniques, much more than what's usually taught in TKD. So basically, C.A.C TKD is kickboxing sprinkled with TKD-kicking, rarely, if ever reaching higher than chest-level with our kicks. We also allow leg kicking, most TKD-schools do not.
Sparring is usually not encouraged in the first year, since it takes a while for most to learn to control their technique. Should someone wish to spar before that first year is up, they may of course do so, providing they have the safety gear for it. An absolute minimum here is gum-shield and groin-protection, for obvious reasons. Boxing gloves and head protectors can be borrowed at the club.
Belt promotions are optional, you can just follow class and not bother with any belts and promotions, but most enjoy challenging themselves to reaching higher belt levels.
Click on each belt to see the requirements. Note however that the listed techniques are a minimum of what will be expected of you to be able to demonstrate, all previous levels are also included. You can at any time be asked to show a technique from a previous level.
Your technical prowess will also be reviewed, so testing will not be a matter of simply "doing the kicks". Your deepened understanding of technique and increased skill, as compared to your last test, is what the test is really about. |
