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Home |
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"You have ten years to get it right." -Joel |
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Test notes |
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I can honestly say that these are the most grueling tests I have ever been through in my life. Joel means to prepare us in every way for conflicts. The tests are designed to force you to react under physical and mental stress similar to that of a street fight. If our skills are ever tested in the real world I know I will be prepared. |
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First test Sat. August 23, 2003 for Orange belt |
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Need to work on- |
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Keeping feet from stomping
Better follow through on blocks and punches
Circular move need to be more circular and flowing
Balance
Don't get so easily distracted |
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Funny things- |
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At some point Joel stops mid sentence and yells, "Oh my god! Hold on, someone is about to loose their pants." My belt had become loose during the test.
At another point, when I was sweating and puffing, he said, "Come on, this is supposed to be Club Med", in reference to a brief conversation I had with him after class one day where I mentioned that compared to TKD his classes were like Club Med. |
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Second test Sat. Nov. 15, 2003 for Purple belt |
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I was very prepared for this test. There were four of us testing, Rick and I for Purple and Allison and Tim for Orange. For some reason we got into this rhythm where one of us would do something wrong and when Joel made us do it again the ones doing it right would second guess themselves and soon we were all doing it wrong, driving Joel nuts. I thought he was going to blow a gasket on our #3 combo. "Sensei NOT HAPPY" |
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Third test Sat. January 10, 2004 for Blue |
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I had no clue I was testing until a week before. I knew Allison was testing but I didn't think I was ready. Joel said I was. I was sick but didn't know it and got really worn out right at the beginning. At one point I was seeing spots and thought I was going to have to quit. For some reason, maybe because I couldn't overhtink, I did very well. |
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Fourth test Sat. July 3, 2004 for Green |
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I was really worried about this test before it began. Joel was in rare form, however, Bradly seemed to act as a lightning rod for his wrath, since he was testing for black. The funniest part was the beginning when he dumped out all three of Brad's carefully laid out water bottles. Right out the window! What a riot.
He paired Rick and me up (Warren and Mike were testing too) and we spent most of the test with either Bret or John in the gym. It was all pretty easy, I barely worked up a sweat. We stood around and chatted for most of it, untill we heard Joel coming, then we would do chinese foot manuveurs up and down the length of the gym and act like we were all tired and stuff. OF COURSE I'M KIDDING. This test kicked my ass. I sweated out 10 lbs of water and felt like I was going to pass out twice.
Bret seemed most interested in discussing an instructional site I found over the internet I had linked to our band page. Then he roped Joel into the conversation. Of course, I couldn't talk, so my hands were tied.
After what seemed like 20 minutes it was all over. Hard to believe we started at 9:30 and ended after 1:00. I heard the Brown belt test is even easier. |
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