True gold does not fear the test of fire |
Group Training Group Training is a facet of the Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association and it has a number
of aims: 1. To enable senior students to train and practice the 'Key Stages' (as well as other related Tae Kwon Do elements) with other senior grade students not from their own clubs. 2. To enable instructors to have what is often a rare thing when teaching and that is some training time of their own. 3. To enable both clubs and instructors to forward their skills in specific areas as well as learn and practice these areas in the first place. 4. To ensure all members of the association are working from the same page, towards the same goals. 5. To ensure all Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association members are practising what is required to succesfully complete an Association Dan grading. Group Training is low cost, joint training sessions for Instructors, Black Belts and senior Kup grades and only available to Association members (both full, associate & individual). Group Training sessions takes place 2 to 3 times per year and consist of a training session over 3 to 4 hours. The sessions cover various things, from the 'Key Stages' to sessions on 'Choke Techniques' (as one example).. many things are covered at each group training session. These sessions may also include standard training items such as competition sparring, foot sparring for black belts and solo patterns (peformed how your instructor wants them performed), but will always include some or all key stage material. Group Training is geared towards the higher grades, from 4th Kup upwards and includes all Dan ranks. Lower grade sessions or mixed sessions can be run if requested, but in the main they are for senior Kup and Dan grades and an opportunity to focus on higher level elements of training. Though they are not mandatory, it is advised that all members try to attend these sessions to keep on top of their skills and to train with others. However, for black belt grading candidates they become mandatory. The exception to this rule is those who do not live within a reasonable travelling distance. Association instructors, irrespective of grade are able to teach sections of the Group Training. It will not be the same instructor doing the same segment each time as we want instructors to train as well as share their skills, but we also want students to gain skills from many different perspectives and mindsets. Consequently this means higher grade instructors can train freely on many or all sections of a Group Training session (no ego's allowed here, as senior grades may well be training someone junior to them!) As the Association builds, sessions will be run between groups of clubs that are reasonably close together, hosted by each club in turn, saving time and money for all concerned, whilst enabling higher skill development. Once these are running, a yearly full association session for everyone will also take place. Seminars Group Training is not to be confused with seminars. Seminars can cover anything martial arts related, whilst the group sessions work on the Black Belt curriculums. Seminars are hosted by various association members, either by themselves or hosting another martial artists. Seminars are optional but all members must offer a minimum £5 discount to fellow association members, unless the specific seminar guest charges a 'per person' fee (which is very rare). |
