Pioneer Taekwon-do Association

Basic Requirements & Key Stages
for Full Members

The Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association is opposed to telling Instructors what they can and can't teach at their own clubs, but also understand the need to incorporate specific types of training to keep all members working from the same page towards the same goals and to accomplish this will use the Key Stages criteria. Though the Association won't dictate any member schools syllabus, we do ask that Full Member clubs fulfill the following basic requirements:

1. You teach Tae Kwon Do
2. Grading times are a minimum of 3 months for 10th to 5th kup and 6 months for 4th to 1st kup.
3. All patterns/forms are taught in the correct order and must be cummulative at all levels (i.e. green belts must always be able to perform white, yellow & green belt patterns/forms). When performed solo they are of a good standard.
4. Destruction is part of your syllabus (especially any elements involved/required for Dan gradings)
5. Potential Dan gradee's grade via an official Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association panel of no less than 3 examiners (One of which may be the club instructor if they are the appropriate grade, in addition to any guest examiners).
6. The Key Stages are incorporated into your clubs syllabus.
7. Instructors attend regular group training sessions and encourage senior students to do likewise.
8. Correct theory (as appropriate to you school/style) is taught as standard.

Please download the Full Member Requirements here: PTA Regulations

Key Stages

The key stages outlined below are a mandatory requirement for all Full Member clubs incorporated with any other types of training a club may do (ie. competition sparring). Associate & Individual members are also advised to implement them into standard training even if they cannot incorporate then in an official syllabus or grading structure. All the areas listed are tested at Black Belt gradings and can be incorporated sooner, but no later than the listed grade. Full help will be given (if required) to implement the key stages into your clubs syllabus and full instruction and help will be given in areas you are not familiar with (at the group training sessions or training sessions with a fellow & fully versed association member instructor as close to you as possible). Further information & help can be found on the following DVD if you wish. Please also read on how these elements are incorporated into Dan gradings by following this link.

The Key Stages are as follows:

Pattern Applications
At all levels realistic boon hae (applications) are introduced and taught to all students over 13. Minimal/basic applications for lower grades with greater complexity and more in-depth applications as they progress. Ultimately they would have to demonstrate some applications at their black belt gradings.

1 Step Sparring
Introduced at blue belt levels (4th Kup) and graded prior to black belt at clubs discretion (though this is advisable). Tested at black belt gradings in various ways.

As an example; Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy grade One Step Sparring from 4th kup onwards with only hand attacks, then at 2nd kup with hand/foot attacks. At black belt gradings/levels single attacks (hand/foot) from any side are tested.

Hosinsul (Self Defence)
Hosinsul on the other hand (at Rayners Lane) starts at 4th kup but is graded at 2nd kup onwards as pre-determined attacks, but open defences (as long as they are realistic) and at Black Belt gradings they are simply any attacks from the front and any from the rear with the student grading determining the counter techniques that are right for them.

Other clubs prefer to teach pre-determined attacks and defences for 1 Step Sparring and/or Hosinsul, which is fine as they are free to teach as they wish whilst working towards the common goal of how it will be performed at Dan grade levels.

On a personal note, I have noticed that pattern applications often become the main hosinsul defences and as such the overlap is exactly what is needed to make the art more rounded with training methods complimenting each other.

Traditional Sparring
The term 'Traditional Sparring' is used to separate it from the term Free Sparring, which is the common term used to describe competition type sparring these days. Traditional sparring allows all manner of techniques including strikes, kicks, sweeps, throws and groundwork (usually with a 30 second rule). Contact levels are interchangeable, there are no winners/losers and the onus is in becoming competent at fighting in all areas, even if taken down. There are various other related training drills and types of sparring to assist in this aim. For example: At Rayners Lane we introduce 'Choke Sparring' to all grades (13 and over) to get experience in groundwork. However, Traditional Sparring at 4th Kup and above, however, this is not graded until their black belt grading where medium/heavy contact levels are appropriate.

Destruction
Destruction or Board Breaking to be introduced to all ages by 3rd Kup (Latest)

Knife Defences, Throwing Techniques, Basic Locking Techniques, Chokes etc.
Basic knife defences are appropriate for this modern era and as such black belts should have a basic grasp of it. Throws are part of Tae Kwon Do's full system, and as such should also be taught along the line. Neither of these have specific stages and should simply be introduced as the students train (we refer to this sort of training as the 'non-core syllabus') and then be utilized to some degree during a black belt grading. This applies to basic locking and choking techniquies also as they all become part of Dan Grading requirements.