What we learn from testing

Testing is a learning experience for the students ... and for us as instructors. What we learn from parents whose kids don’t pass testing is that whatever part of testing their child didn’t pass, we focused too much on the other things in class and not enough on what their child didn’t pass on. Based on those comments we are either focusing too much on sparring, board breaking and forms ... or not on any of them at all. You get the picture ... 

Some things that may surprise you

After the February 2009 testing, we told you the percentage of students who no-change has been pretty consistent over the past few years no matter how much or how little we focus on any one aspect in class. For example, this past testing cycle, we added more board-breaking opportunities for all students, but especially for students who had previous no-changes for board breaking. Did that lower the percentage of no-changes for board breaking? Nope! Plus, we had more students than usual go to third attempts and need coaching to finally break on that third attempt, even at the black belt level, where we aren't supposed to provide any coaching at all during testing.

And now, after the April 2009 testing, we had one of our smallest percentage of board-breaking no-changes ... and we worked far less on breaking "real boards" this testing cycle than we have for a long time. Our instructor told us he had the same experience at his school ... more focus on board-breaking equaled more board-breaking no-changes and less board-breaking focus equaled less board-breaking no-changes.

We'll continue to work with students on forms, sparring and board breaking techniques every single class. Every target drill, every floor drill, and even the fun games, are designed to improve sparring, board breaking and/or forms.

But we can't control one of the most important aspects of their training ... getting them to class regularly. Yes, sometimes they will resist coming because they want to watch TV or play with their friend's new video game or puppy. Does that mean they don't want to do taekwondo anymore and that you should let them quit? No! And think about why you signed them up in the first place. You wanted them to:
• develop more self-confidence
• get stronger
• become healthier
• develop leadership qualities
• be able to handle bullies
• learn self-defense skills
• be able to set and work toward goals
• learn how to overcome obstacles
• have fun in a safe environment

All we're asking for is three 30- to 60-minute classes a week. That's only 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours out of a 189-hour week! That leaves a whole lot of hours for sleeping, eating, playing, going to school, chores, homework and other stuff.

Typically, kids who resist coming to class have a great time once they get there and the resistance was usually because they were doing something fun that they weren't ready to stop yet. They aren't so different from adults in that way. Making sure that you are choosing consistent nights of the week to bring them to class and giving them plenty of advance notice to get ready for class can help with the transition from one activity to the next.

Kids may also start resisting class when they get sparring gear, because it's something brand new. Or when board breaking is added. Or when they get their first no-change. Or when their new form is a little harder to learn than the last one. Quitting when they're facing a challenge can actually lower the student's self-confidence ... something was "too hard" and they realize they gave up.

Every student we've had who has wanted to quit because of a no-change, or sparring or a new form was "too hard" but who's parents talked with us and then encouraged them to stick with it, has grown in self-confidence because they overcame that obstacle. Many of those students are our junior instructors and on our leadership team. That ability to face, and overcome, obstacles will help them in school, in friendships and when they start a career.

“What can I do to help my child be more likely to pass testing?”

•     Bring them to class regularly

      No, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll pass, but students who do come consistently 2-3 times every week tend to perform better at testing

•     Relax, relax, relax

•     Parents, if you stress out, your kids stress out and don’t perform as well at testing

•     Talk to us if you’re concerned

•     Complaining to other parents in the lobby doesn’t give us the chance to address your concerns

•     If they get a no-change, relax; yes, they will be upset, but if you take it in stride, so will they and that’s a lesson that will serve them well for the rest of their life (and you didn't "waste" the testing fee; if they didn't pass, you don't pay for the next testing)

As we tell our students frequently, our testings are “real” tests, not a demo like some schools do. When our students earn new rank, they know they have truly earned it. Their parents didn’t do it for them, no one just gave it to them. They know they worked hard for it and that gives them the self-confidence you brought them here to gain.

And we do listen

Students who have had a no-change for board breaking and who feel they need more practice, can come in either Monday or Wednesday evenings at 7 pm, starting the 2nd week after the award ceremony, to break their own boards, our boards (with a wood card) or use re-breakable boards. We'll have any parents or students in the adult class hold boards for those students. Wood cards are $20 each. The amount we mark off the card for each board depends on the size board broken. For example, a 5” board is $2, so the wood card is good for 10 boards.

Parents, you can also purchase a re-breakable board ($65 and good for 1,000 breaks) and/or buy wood for your child at the local hardware store. (We buy ours from Home Depot) It’s untreated pine, 1” x 12” boards, which come in 4’, 6’, 8’, etc. sizes, that you or the store need to cut to the correct size for their age. All boards for breaking will be 1” thickness x 12” length and it’s the width of each board that changes for the age:

For national testings, the board station for one of the foot techniques will have an extra board.

It is the student’s responsibility to remember what size boards they need to break at testing.

If you want to work with them at home, you can also purchase a target to help them with their speed, power and aim, and we can show you how to hold the re-breakable and wood boards.

BLACK BELT FUN!!!

One of the biggest concerns at black belt is boredom. Especially if a student isn't eligible to test for several months or has had one or more no-changes.

So ... we've added weapons to some of the black belt classes. Yay!!!!!

Parents, they'll be foam covered items and we'll keep them at the school so you don't have to worry about the safety of the family pet or younger siblings.

We may not use them every black belt class, but when we do, students who know their whole form can work with the group practicing with weapons

And there’s old forms!

We hope all our black belt students will consider becoming instructors. Their own techniques will get better, and it’s just plain fun to teach!

So, during almost every black belt class, we’ll be working on old forms and one-steps with students who already know their own forms.  Of course, they can also come to the old forms class on Saturday mornings at 10 am.

Probationaries, we know it seems like it will be forever before you earn your belt with your name on it and can test to become an instructor, especially if you’ve had no-changes at this rank. So, if you learn all the forms and one-steps now, we’ll teach you the first decided form as soon as you earn that rank and you’ll be ready to test for your instructor collar that much faster. And start helping in class now so you’ll have the experience and be ready to teach when you get your collar.

Remember, getting your black belt isn’t the end of the journey. It just means you’ve mastered the basics of taekwondo and are ready to begin your serious training. 

LEADERSHIP

You’ve probably heard us talk about the leadership and instructor program many times. It should be a natural next step for all of you who are brown belts and higher to be in the leadership program and then test for your instructor collar when you are a 1st decided black belt.

So, if you’re a brown belt or higher rank, and at least 8 years old, talk to Mr. Weislogel or Ms. Thompson about choosing a day to help in the junior beginner class.

What do leadership students do? You might hold targets for a student or for the instructor who is demonstrating a technique. You might even be in charge of a group of students, teaching them kicks or hand techniques on targets. And we count on you to motivate those students with high-fives and compliments.

As soon as you become a 1st decided and learn that form, you can test for your instructor collar. What do you need to know for that? How to do all the forms, from white up to yours, and all the one-steps. And there’s an open book test.

If you wait until you become a first decided to start learning the old forms and the one-steps, though, it will be that much longer before you can test for your collar. So join us for the old forms class on Saturday mornings and start learning them now, even if your not 8 yet!

Of course, it’s important that you work out regularly and put full effort into every class to set a good example since other students will be looking up to you.