Mini-Kids Excerpt

This clip shows a sample of the ITKD Mini-Kids syllabus and features 5 year old Louise Molon-Noblot  and 7 year old Leandre Canapi. In the releasing techniques section we also had the assistance of 4 year old Tayla Kay.

The syllabus at this level includes the following techniques:

  • Make a proper fist
  • Punching high, middle and low
  • Low Block (on the spot)
  • Sitting Stance Punching
  • Big Steps
  • Front Snap Kick (on the spot)
  • The Passive Stance
  • Releasing – Low wrist grabs (same side)

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Mini-Kids: First Blue to First Red Excerpt

Dan-Gun Tul is the pattern required at yellow belt level. This video features yellow belt Rebecca Chitty alongside ITF Patterns World Champion Miss Melissa Timperley, coached by Master Paul McPhail.

Although this level of critiquing may not be necessary at yellow belt level, it is hoped this video provides helpful tips to improve performance at any level. Some of the points raised by Master McPhail in the video are:

Correct intermediate positions for knifehand guarding block, twin forearm block and knifehand side strike

Correct finished heights and hand positions on various movements

Avoiding turning the fist before the end of the punch

Performing the pattern is Miss Rebeca Chitty, a yellow belt from Paul M Taekwon-Do in Auckland, New Zealand. Performing alongside her is Miss Melissa Timperley, ITF 3rd dan Patterns gold medallist in 2013 from Auckland New Zealand. The video begins with Rebecca performing the pattern alone, followed by an analysis of her pattern compared to Melissa. Then Melissa performs the pattern at the end of the video.

Classic : NZ Self Defence Syllabus 2008

This video technology enables students to compare themselves to experts side by side so that they can see how to improve in visual detail.

The full video gives this kind of analysis so you can see the differences in technique and timing. Even if you are not Riana, you can still get tremendous benefit by comparing someone to an extremely skilled athlete at the same time.

Snippets of amazing old footage

DON’T FORGET TO WATCH No. 10 – Paul McPhail performs Juche forwards and backwards

For my 5th degree black belt grading in 1993 I thought it would be a cool idea to perform Juche Tul forwards then backwards for General Choi.

The plan failed miserably as I started the backwards part… I hadn’t even considered the possibility that General Choi would take offence to it. He turned his head and refused to watch. I figured… well… I may as well carry on now and struggled through to the end.

I passed the grading so I guess the General had forgiven me by the day the results were announced.

Here is the footage of the pattern at the grading.

Do-San Tul

iam Reynolds performing the pattern alone, and then alongside Miss Melissa Timperley.

It is not the intention of these videos to be unnecessarily critical, but more to teach a level of detail that may not be covered in a normal training session. By the use of slow motion we can highlight errors and offer suggestions for improvement.

Some of the points raised by Master McPhail in the video are:

Timing of intermediate positions, which Liam does well

Correct heights of movements and getting the intermediate positions starting from the correct line of the body

Achieving a backward motion on the reverse punch

Correct pivoting of the foot on spot turning and for the releasing technique

Keeping the hands up at eye level after the front snap kick and kicking to solar plexus height

Making sure the hands face the correct way for all intermediate positions.

Performing the pattern is Liam Reynolds, a blue belt from Paul M Taekwon-Do in Auckland, New Zealand. Performing alongside him is Miss Melissa Timperley, ITF 3rd dan Patterns silver medalist at the 2015 ITF World Championships and gold medallist in 2013. Melissa performs the pattern at the end of the video.