The updated version includes video links to all Patterns, Step Sparring, Model Sparring, Foot Sparring and Self Defense routines to assist students preparing for testings up to 1st Degree Black Belt.
The 1st – 3rd Degree Black Belt Grading Manual ebook is available in our Online Store
Patterns
The 1st – 3rd Degree Black Belt Grading Manual ebook sets out suggested testing requirements to achieve rank advancement in ITF Taekwon-Do. You are free to adopt fully, or modify where you feel necessary.
Gradings are an important aspect of any martial arts training as they should indicate and measure the student’s proficiency in that art, and allow further learning to take place. Gradings should be a test of technical ability, knowledge, indomitable spirit, courage, and attitude.
The Grading syllabus outlines all areas that need to be fulfilled in order to test for rank promotion: these requirements include Patterns, Fundamental movements (Blocking, Kicking, Striking, Stances), Sparring, Breaking Techniques, Terminology and Theory, Self Defense and any additional requirements.
Also note that active training time and attendance requirements are also set out and should be adhered to.
The grading syllabus is designed specifically for all ITF schools to be able to incorporate, encompassing a wide range of self-defense oriented movements and theories, whilst also being consistent with the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s requirements.
Our website partner, Global Fitness Institute is offering Martial Arts School Support Packages to assist them during the huge financial impact of the COVID-19.
With the impact of the forced closures caused by the COVID-19, and the heavy financial toll that it will take on us all, we’re feeling in the supporting mood.
Help us to Help You : the classic win-win scenario
Learn the many ways how you can help us to help you – and the bonus is, none will cost you a cent. No catches, no hooks, no risk…..and no limit to how much you can earn.
Right now with all memberships suspended, all gradings on hold, and no end in sight, any cashflow is better than none. In fact, the more money we give you, the better it is for both of us.
Become a GFI Referral Rewards Program partner
We pay your $500 per person who enrols in our Cert III/IV combo course
That’s $500 for each one !! You don’t have to teach them, just refer them. We do everything else.
Find one a month, that’s $6000 a year…… one a week is $25,000…….one a day is over $180,000
How much you can earn really depends on how motivated and driven you are – the more we have to pay you, the better it is for us, so you will have our full support and encouragement.
Most of your members will be home from work with time on their hands to study online, some may have even lost their jobs and be keen to add a qualification to make them job ready when the restrictions are lifted.
The potential to earn is limitless, take advantage of your data base and get paid simply for referring them to our PT course.
We will create a sign up form where they can nominate your Martial Arts School as their referring agent
We pay you within 48 hours of them signing up and completing enrolment paperwork. Not a week later, or a month later, or never at all …… like some others colleges who promise a lot and give nothing.
We do have lots of other ways you can EARN MONEY WITH GLOBAL FITNESS INSTITUTE, which will be more suited to when your doors are open again, but right now with martial arts schools closed, our referral program is the easiest and fastest way to see some cashflow.
ITFTAEKWONDO website wins Best Taekwon-Do Blogs award
Our blog page at itftaekwondo .com has been reviewed and awarded as one of the best taekwondo blogs out there.
The itftaekwondo.com website was analyzed based on content quality, authenticity factors, uniqueness, data security and a bunch of other aspects throughout the last weeks.
Those blogs that were considered as most reliable and trustworthy were among 20 shortlisted.
We are delighted to have received the recognition and award. We are pleased that people find our articles useful and informative.
For those people who haven’t checked out or blogs, visit our blog page here:
All our blogs are written by Master Michael Muleta, but we are keen to have input from other interested Taekwon-Do / Martial Arts blog writers.
Master Muleta has an extensive Taekwon-Do CV, having been an International competitor, coach, umpire and administrator. Having taught seminars in almost 20 countries and all over Australasia for close to 30 years, he is highly regarded for his insightful and informative approach.
With a career spanning over 30 years as both a Senior Physical Education teacher and Fitness Industry Education leader, Master Muleta is well versed to write on all matters of Martial Arts.
We also have links to non-Taekwondo related blogs from our partner site, Global Fitness Institute
Master Michael Muleta 2019 South Africa Seminar Tour
Master Michael Muleta returned after 21 years, to conduct a Masterclass, club training and visit the Arnold Classic Africa martial arts festival.
The seminars were conducted at Magua Taekwon-Do, with instructor Normal Magua, now 6th Degree being one of the students in Master Muleta’s classes during his extended stay in 1998.
The masterclass, attended by Black Belts and instructors, focussed on power development and understanding of the application of theory concepts.
It consisted of 4 hours of solid training and an interactive discussion about the techniques.
The following night, Master Muleta conducted a guest training session for regular class attendees, which consisted of lots of kicking drills, activities and some fundamentals.
Master Muleta was in South Africa as part of the Arnold Classic Africa and to promote the upcoming Arnold Classic Taekwon-Do World Championships, which he is hosting and organizing in March, 2020.
The 2019 Arnold Classic Taekwondo Championships, or affectionately known as the Arnolds, was a huge success. The event was held as part of the Arnolds Sports Festival Australia in Melbourne on March 16th.
With over 200 participants, we were not only the largest martial arts event of the festival, but also the largest sport.
Congratulations to event organizer, Master Michael Muleta, on once again co-ordinating a large and diverse group of people, from across multiple organizations, to work co-operatively to pull off a great event.
Participants came from far and wide, with ITF, WT and independent schools travelling from across Australia and New Zealand to take part.
Events included both ITF and WT sparring, ITF Patterns, WT Poomse, Self Defense Demos and Team Demos.
We also featured for the first time, the inclusion of a Special Needs category.
The ‘Arnolds has now become an annual ‘must attend’ for many Taekwondo schools’ events calendars, with many already asking about the 2020 event.
The highlight, of course, was when the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, came to say hello to all the competitors and watch some spectacular martial arts action.
Why Martial Arts Instructors need to be First Aid qualified
As a martial arts instructor it is vital that you do a recognized first aid course, and get qualified, so that you are prepared for any eventuality when working with students.
Whether you’re in the dojang or training in the park, you never know what can happen at any given moment. Accidents can and will occur. While you may take every precaution, you never know when a small accident can turn into a major injury or even a life threatening incident. It pays to be prepared for all emergencies.
The very nature of what we do, as martial arts instructors, involves a higher than normal risk of injuries, regardless of how good your warm up is, such as:
soft tissue injuries due to ballistic nature of movements
joint injuries through over extension, or awkward jumping, landing and spinning
breaks, fractures as a result of a fall or other impact, such as board breaking
concussions or other bleeding due to inadvertant contact during sparring
exercise induced breathing difficulties
temperature regulation when training in hot conditions
sudden cardiac arrest due to intense physical exertion, which ironically, is the major cause of cardiac arrest
These are just the most common occurrences, that every school will encounter over time, no matter how well you are prepared.
A black belt in itself, is not a qualification, but often it is all that is required to run your own school. Not only does it not guarantee you can teach the skills effectively, even more critically, it does not measure your ability to respond in the event of an injury. If an accident occurs, of course you can call an ambulance.
However, no ambulance can ever arrive instantaneously on scene. In fact, response times, on average, are between 7 and 13 minutes, which is a long time depending on the emergency. Every second can be vital in a medical emergency and, as an instructor, you should be the highest trained and qualified person there.
The treatment and first aid you can give in those vital seconds and minutes can make all the difference. As a result, it is recommended that martial arts instructors not only have first aid training but that they also have CPR training included in their first aid course.
Not Everyone Can Apply First Aid
Not everyone at the scene of an accident or medical emergency can apply first aid. Here are some interesting statistics:
383,000 out of hospital sudden cardiac arrests happen a year
88% of cardiac arrests happen at home
Many patients appear health with no known risk factors or heart disease
Effective bystander CPR can triple a victim’s chance of survival
Only 32% of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander
A quarter of all emergency room visits can be avoided with knowledge of first aid and CPR certification
Having the appropriate first aid and CPR training as a martial arts instructor is invaluable to you and your students that you get qualified. By being prepared you can not only help your students get skilled and healthier, but also help should any complications arise.
You Might Be Liable For Injury
Liability is a pretty horrible word for most martial arts instructors and organizations. However, if you aren’t keeping your first aid skills up to date then you might be putting yourself at increased risk. If you own your own dojang, run tournaments, personal training sessions, run camps, etc., then you legally need to have the right insurance and you need to be first aid certified.
Alternatively, you must have a first aid qualified member of staff who is and is always onsite during training sessions. If an injury occurs, no matter who was at fault, you will be automatically liable if you’re not going about things legally.
Finally, not having completed a first aid course, and keeping your qualifications current, puts you and your clients at unnecessary risk every time you conduct training and puts your reputation at risk. So why risk it when first aid courses are so easy to attend, or arrange for your school ?
First Aid Kits
It is a fantastic idea to have your own personal first aid kit with you on hand. Most dojangs should have their own first aid kits but you can’t always rely on them to be appropriately stocked. So supplement them with your own kit. Quality first aid supplies aren’t that expensive and they allow you to quickly treat basic injuries that commonly occur among out of shape clients.
First Aid kits should be checked and replenished (or replaced) each year. Check the expiration dates on medications and ointments, etc. Keep your kit out of harsh temperatures and environments where possible. Keep a notebook with the medications and ointments, with their expirations listed, so you can replace easily as needed.
Having all the right equipment on hand is useless if you don’t have the skills to use it. It is essential for a martial arts instructor to get qualified and learn first aid skills, as is keeping that training refreshed. As we all know, a skill that goes unpracticed can become rusty. In fact, the reason CPR training is recommended to be renewed is that there are always advancements in training and in methods of performing both CPR and first aid responses.
Furthermore, first aid training allows a martial arts instructor to spot the small signs that a student is in distress before a small issue turns into a medical emergency.
Organize a First Aid course for your school / association – contact us to book your group’s session
First Aid Course Options :
First Aid Oz is Government authorized to deliver the following First Aid courses Nationally :
Remember an accident can happen to anyone. So get qualified and don’t let your skills get rusty because you never know when the next big emergency is just around the corner.
GFI will arm you with the knowledge and skills to establishing or enhancing your chosen careers. Our staff are experts in their field, balancing academic qualifications with real world industry experience and success.
Our Global Fitness Institute Jobs Board assists graduates find exciting employment opportunities in the Sport, Health and Fitness Industries.
Well done to all who represented Australia at the recent ITF World Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It is one of the toughest cauldrons of ITF competition with a packed stadium full of latino pride and agression. On the mats, we were super proud of the way the Aussie team showed their true spirit and had a red hot crack.
Fair to say all competitors performed very well, and most at or close to their best performance at this level of competition.
Five long days of competition tested the concentration and endurance of our athletes, but they all gave a good account of themselves.
The nature of sports is that it’s not always enough to get a medal, but we are proud to say we did come home with some.
Special Congratulations, of course, goes to our medal winners
Lindy Crouch (2 x Gold Medals)
Jodi Stanton (2 x Silver Medals)
Lee Hermansson (1 x Silver Medal)
Sasha Robertson (1 x Bronze Medal)
Jackson Riordan (1 x Bronze Medal)
Well done to the coaches Phill Zdybel, Bronnie Keating and Rob Riordan. Your hard work and encouragement in preparing the athletes for their bouts was fantastic.
Thank you to all supporters and parents who came along to cheer on our team.
Well done to Master Neil Cliff and Master Noel Keating, on representing Australia as Umpires.
To round out a very succesful campaign, Master Keating was awarded a Medal of Merit from the ITF for service.
In other big news, Master Michael Muleta was appointed under Secretary General of the International Taekwon-Do Federation at the ITF Congress. (see article)
For all those who did not attend on this occasion, there is always next time.
The next ITF World Championships will be held in Moscow, Russia in 2020.
As per ITF Rules, the INO is charged with co-ordination and management of the national team, from selection trials to team registration, including apparel. From a coaching point of view, we naturally invite coaches from all representative parties.
We will make further announcements regarding squad formation, development camps, coaching and selection trials at the appropriate time.
Affiliations to the INO for 2018 are now open for new and renewing schools.
Master Muleta appointed new under Secretary General of ITF
Master Michael Muleta was recently appointed the new under Secretary General of the International Taekwon-Do Federation at 2018 ITF Congress in Argentina.
Master Muleta, a foundation member of the President Choi Jung Hwa led organization, has filled several executive roles over the past 16 years including:
Co-Ordinator of ITF Administration
Director of Scientific Research
Tournament Committee Member
Director of Expansion (Oceana)
Director of Umpiring (Oceana)
Additionally, Master Muleta has held the post as President of United ITF Taekwon-Do Australia Inc, the National Body for ITF in Australia since 2002, having founded the organization in 1999.
At various times he has been Technical Director / Adviser for Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Nepal.
Master Muleta has been involved extensively internationally, having taught seminars in South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, USA, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and across Australia.
He has participated at 13 ITF World Championships since 1994 as a competitor, coach, umpire and official.
Congratulations to all of those selected at the recent National Team Selection trials held in Adelaide, to represent the Australian Team at next year’s ITF World Championships in Argentina.
Officials / Coaches
Master Michael Muleta
Master Noel Keating
Master Neil Cliff
Bronywn Keating
Rob Riordan
Ron Sutton
Competitors
Ethan Bagatan
Jade Sutton
Jesseca Sutton
Kate Schaefer
Kerry McEvoy
Kye Todd
Marc Bagatan
Riki Wood
Yoko Robinson
Sasha Robinson
Lee Hermannson
Jackson Riordan
Jodi Stanton
Kyle Higginbotham
Phill Zbybel
Joshua Zdybel
Lindy Crouch
Supporters
David Todd
Karen Schaefer
Rowena McEvoy
Steve Schaefer
Tammy Todd
Craig Higginbotham
Jan Robertson
Tanya Riordan
Jason Hampton
Darren Williams
Samuel Bagatan
Anthony Quast
Violence against women is a serious and widespread issue in Australia, as well as throughout the world. And while the long term goal is education to stop violence against women, there are actionable strategies women can employ, right now. Here are 7 very simple reasons you should consider taking a women’s self defense class.
1 – Don’t Become a Statistic
Frankly, the statistics in Australia alone are frightening. At least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner. One in three women have experienced physical violence. 300,000 women a year experience physical or sexual violence from a stranger. Violence against women contributes to more death, disability and illness to women between 15 and 44 than any other preventable risk factor. Learning self-defense gives you the power to avoid becoming one of these statistics, now.
2 – Prevention and Awareness
As teens and adults we become increasingly fixated on the front and our devices, often being unaware of what’s around us. You work with an experienced instructor to develop strategies that work best for you against a variety of opponents, attacks and situations. Above all, women’s self defense teaches us awareness and prevention.
3 – Take Control for Yourself and Other Women
Women’s self defense is about taking safety into our own hands. Taking a Self defense class is our chance to take action in our own lives, to take control of our own present and future. The fact is, crimes against women happen and will continue to happen. Women’s self defense classes can help prevent us becoming victims. Knowing how to defend ourselves gives us a better chance of stopping attacks and even lessening attacks against women in the future.
4 – Great Exercise!
Self defense classes, at the end of the day, can also be a great source of exercise, working a range of vital parts of your body. It not only exercises your body physically, it also exercises your mind, reactions and reflexes. It is also an incredible way of exercising your own power and confidence. You do not have to be physically strong to be successful at self-defense. If you can learn to successfully escape or prevent a dangerous situation, then you are exercising good self-defense.
5 – Be Accountable
As women, we are constantly encouraged to be accountable for ourselves. We are told to be accountable for our finances. We are told to account for our stress and encouraged to be accountable for our health, weight and diet, along with our workouts and fitness. It stands to reason that we should be accountable for our self defense. Is it really so hard to add a self defense class to our routine as we would add the latest yoga, pilates or work out fad? However, unlike a fad, this is something that will actually make a monumental, positive change to our lives.
6 – Be Feminine
There is a terrible misconception – unfortunately perpetuated by mass media – that self defense is unfeminine and unattractive. These dangerous articles claim that women who pursue self defense are masculine, “jacked up” and have a distasteful love for violence. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many models, actresses and even pageant winners are devotees of women’s self defense. Women’s self defense is incredibly feminine because it is empowering. Encouraging women to take self defense is a beautiful, inspiring thing. So, ignore the dangerous misconceptions of mainstream media and enjoy learning self defense.
7 – Do Something Now
Of course we need better education to end violence against women and men. Violence of all kinds is unacceptable. Unfortunately, though, education is long term and may not be able to help you today, tomorrow or even next year. That is why women’s self defense education is important. This is something that can happen now. Women’s self defense provides functional strategies, techniques and training methods to stop an attacker intent on hurting you. It gives you the security and confidence, right now, that you can protect yourself should the need arise. Unfortunately, no matter how well intended, ideologies can’t do that. So until education catches up with reality, keep yourselves safe. Invest in women’s self defense today.
Contact GFI to find out more about our women’s self defense classes and courses. You may consider taking up a structured martial arts class such as Taekwondo, Jiujitsu, Karate or combat sports such as kickboxing, boxing or MMA. Likewise, many providers offer personal training or group sessions / courses for you and and friends or work colleagues.
