Our Blog

An ongoing series of informational entries

Preparing For Your Next Belt Rank Test

March 15, 2020

Every Taekwondo student loves when he/she gets the opportunity to test for their next belt rank! A common question related to this is as follows:

What should I do in order to prepare for this upcoming belt test?

Here are some suggestions on what to prepare for specifically to achieve that next belt rank!

Preparing For Your Next Belt Rank Test:

Focusing on the curriculum specified for your current belt rank- Make sure you are aware of what is expected of you to know for the next test. If you are unsure of what you need to know, you can ask any of the dojang Instructors and they would be more than happy to help you! Things to make sure you know very well are your Poomse (Forms), self defense, techniques, free sparring, etc. Whether you feel confident in your curriculum or not, PRACTICING IS VERY IMPORTANT! Each day, take one or two specific things to focus on, and work on them until you feel like you know them inside and out, but don't be afraid to ask for help or ask any questions you may have. We are all learning!

Getting yourself mentally ready to take the exam- When preparing for your upcoming rank test, make sure you are mentally ready. A good example of this would be to make sure you feel confident in all of your curriculum, get that "Can-Do" attitude that you can do anything that you put your mind to, and ask the Instructors any questions that you may have before the test. This way, when the day of your test finally arrives, you can feel confident and ready to do your best and receive that next desired rank!

Making sure that your uniform and belt are both ready the day of testing- Respect and discipline are a huge part of the Martial Arts Taekwondo experience, and the way that you carry yourself and your uniform says a great deal about that! Make sure that the day of testing, your uniform is clean and neat, possibly even pressed, and that you have your belt with you. Make sure that your belt is tied correctly, both remaining ends of the belt are even, and your uniform is nicely tucked underneath your belt. Not only will you look sharp, but us Instructors appreciate the pride that you take in yourself as a Taekwondo student. Also, during testing, Team Dragon t-shirts are not allowed, you must be wearing your uniform, belt included.

With the above suggestions on preparing for your next belt rank test, along with doing your very best, coming prepared with all of your equipment, and a positive attitude, you are sure to succeed! Nerves are natural to feel before a test, but as you progress throughout the exam, those will cease and not only will you do great, you will feel happy while testing! Above all, most importantly you will reach the ultimate goal......... TO ACHIEVE THE RANK OF BLACK BELT!

-Arizona Dragons Taekwondo Family

The Importance of Competing in Tournaments

February 14, 2020

Why is it important to participate in local and national tournaments?

Competing in tournaments builds self confidence, teaches one to be a team and individual player, and improves a student's sparring and general techniques.

Self Confidence: As you continue to participate in local and national tournaments, a competitor can expect to increase his/her self confidence. Having to perform under pressure and in front of a crowd of spectators, a student will learn how to compete in front of others and how to handle pressure in a positive way. This gain in self confidence can be applied not only in the dojo, but also in life.

Becoming a Team and Individual Player: When students begins to compete in tournaments, it is not only that one student who will be in attendance. Taekwondo familes stick together, so they always get a group of students together and go as a team group to represent their Taekwondo school. Not only will the students learn to support one another in competition, but also will get the opportunity to coach one another. This will build their friendship with the other students in their dojo, but also they will learn how to teach one another to bring out everyone's best ability.

Becoming an individual player is key to success in competing in tournaments. A student will learn how to compete as in individual by demonstrating their Poomse (Forms), board breaking, and free sparring competitively. Learning how to compete in tournaments individually comes with many benefits and is definitely an incredible experience.

Improving One's Free Sparring and General Techniques: There is so much to learn when a student competes in local and national tournaments. Whether they win or lose, they will gain a knowledge of what they are good at, or what they need to improve upon. This applies to free sparring, board breaking, and Poomse (Forms). A student will then be able to take that knowledge that is gained from competing in tournaments, and be able to return to the dojo and practice what he/she needs to work on. Then when the next tournament comes, they will have a better understanding and new techniques to apply at a competitive level.

Competing in local and national tournaments can enhance a student's Taekwondo experience a great deal. Whether it be through gaining self confidence, becoming a team and individual player, or improving their sparring and general techniques, something positive will always come out of competing. Here at Arizona Dragons Taekwondo, we encourage each and every student to do their very best to compete in every tournament they can, and we look forward to seeing everyone improve and take home that Gold medal!

-The Arizona Dragons Taekwondo Family

The Benefits of Learning Taekwondo: The Martial Arts Experience

January 15, 2020

Taekwondo is just one of the many martial arts that have been around for thousands of years. Taekwondo is a martial art that emphasizes self defense, the art sequence of movements known as Poomse (Forms), curriculum involving hand and foot techniques, competitive free sparring, and much more.

There are many benefits that come from learning Taekwondo whether you are three years of age or all the way through adulthood. The beauty of learning Taekwondo is that no matter how advanced you become in your ranking, there is always still so much more to learn, grow, and improve upon.

BENEFITS OF THE TAEKWONDO EXPERIENCE:

1. Enhancement of Self Confidence- Not only will you gain confidence in your Taekwondo curriculum, but also a higher confidence in yourself. You will learn how to speak well with others, how to perform well under pressure, and a reassurance in the ability to defend yourself if need be.

2.Enhancing Your Athletic Ability- As you work your way through the program, your stamina and endurance will increase greatly. With every kick, punch, and push-up your body will begin to work harder and improve your overall physical fitness. Who doesn't love to be in shape, right?!

3. Self Defense- As a martial artist, you learn many self defense techniques whether it be standing up, on the ground, and even pushed up against a wall. No matter what the situation is, you will learn a correlating technique so you will always have the confidence to defend yourself. Self defense is much needed now in this day and age between unexpected attacks and even bullying. A Taekwondo student will always have the essential tools to feel comfortable in any situation.

4. Patience- Martial arts in general, especially Taekwondo, will teach you a great deal of patience. As you progress through the belt ranks, not only will you have to wait in order to be eligible to test for your next rank, but also will develop patience for learning new techniques and curriculum.

5. Developing a "Can Do" Attitude- There is so much to learn in Taekwondo between curriculum, self defense, patience, stamina, etc. Above all, one of the most important things you can develop is a "can do" attitude. You will learn to never give up on yourself and that no matter how difficult something may be, with the right attitude you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. This can be applied not only in the dojo, but also in life. Your attitude determines your altitude!

The art of Taekwondo, personally, has taught me many things that I am able to use in all aspects of my life. I am CERTAIN that you can achieve these same benefits that I have as long as you give your all, keep working at it, and never give up! The benefits that come from learning Taekwondo are endless and is definitely something that every individual should try at least once in their lifetime.

What are some of the benefits you have experienced from learning Taekwondo? Comment below and we look forward to hearing from you!

-The Arizona Dragons Taekwondo Family

Why Kids Should Study Martial Arts

Physical, Mental, and Social Benefits

For people new to the martial arts, the benefits of martial arts training might not be obvious. Some will think, sure, it's a great workout--just look

at that "Ty Bo" guy. And of course it's good for self-defense, with all that punching and kicking. But the benefits of martial arts training, especially

for children and teenagers, are much more than simple physical improvements. Martial arts benefits span a spectrum of physical, mental, and

social attributes, all of which are learned and improved through martial arts training.

Physical benefits include the following:

· Physical fitness

· Personal security

Mental benefits include the following:

· Learning abilities

· Goal setting

· Discipline

Social benefits include the following:

· Camaraderie

· Self-esteem

· Respect

· Calming

We'll cover each of these attributes--benefits of martial arts training--in this article. We'll also discuss special benefits for girls, which make

martial arts training for young ladies even more important.

Naturally, these benefits also apply to most adults as well. However, developing these attributes early in life contributes to a healthy, happy adulthood.

That's why it's even more important to get those kids kicking.