FAQs - United Tae Kwon Do Academy

Q: How Do I Get Started?

Sign up for a Trial Class at any of our locations (offers may vary) and enjoy private lessons and a group lesson to see for yourself if United Tae Kwon Do Academy is a good fit for your Taekwondo training! Contact your branch of United Tae Kwon Do lo ask about current Trial Promotions .

Q: How Do You Teach Things Like Focus, Confidence and Respect?

1. Focus Every activity done in the class requires our Three Focus. They are the first thing taught to a student and are referred to by the instructors daily. Focus is stressed and expected in every class becoming habit for the student in everything they do. Eyefocus - look at the person who is speaking to you to avoid being distracted by your surroundings. Body focus - control your body and your movements. Mind focus - concentrate your thoughts on the activity al hand and clear your mind of any thoughts that may deter you from that activity. 2. Confidence Setting and achieving short term goals. long term goals will show dedication, perseverance or commitment while the achievement of short goals gives the student that "can do" attitude resulting in the confidence to try other things and to keep pressing forward even after minor set-backs. 3. Respect Respect is shown and expected in every aspect of Taekwondo. It is taught in the first lesson and insisted upon from that point forward. Instructors and students show respect to one another by using "yes ma'am", "no ma'am", "yes sir" and "no sir". They show respect to the school by bowing when entering or exiting the training floor and respect to the country by bowing lo the nation's flag at the beginning and ending of every class. Most importantly the students are shown to respect themselves and their accomplishments.

Q: What Should NOT be Considered When Selecting a Taekwondo School?

The following are some things you should not consider when choosing a dojang/instructor: 1. Nationality or Gender The race or gender of the instructor is completely unimportant. Do not assume a Korean Taekwondo instructor is better than any other instructor. Do not assume a male instructor is better than a female or vice versa. What matters is whether the instructor can instruct and inspire your to be the best you can be at Taekwondo. 2. Aesthetics of Dojang You do not want to train in a dump btlt otherwise the appearance of the dojang is not that important. 3. Superfluous Stuff A good dojang needs a clean, safe !raining area, punch/kick targets, punch/kick bags, maybe some mirrors, and maybe some mats. Do not be overly influenced by unrelated stuff, such exercise machines, weight room, hot tubs, tanning beds, etc. If you want lo pay for all these extras, that is okay, but they are unnecessary. 4. Uniforms Do not be influenced by flashy uniforms. Be suspicious of dojangs that use uniforms that are too different from the nom. 5. Appearance of Instructor A skilled T aekwondo fighter will probably be in excellent physical condition. A skilled Taekwondo instructor may be a physical wreck. When you are in need of medical attention, you do not care whether the doctor helping you is fa! or not, you only care whether he or she can help you. Similar to good coaches in other sports, good T aekwondo instructors come in all sizes, shapes, and levels of fitness. 6. Rank There is no universal Taekwondo ranking system .. Be suspicious of those claiming unusually high ranks. Each major Taekwondo organization has it own rank

Q: What Questions Should I ask When Visiting a Taekwondo School?

Questions to ask when evaluating a dojang: Is the head instructor a full-time or part-time instructor/owner? How long has the school been open? Do you teach Olympic style Taekwondo? Do you teach practical self-defense techniques? Is the school matted for use in thraws or falls? Is board breaking required in training? For testing? Do you charge belt testing fees? What are they? How often are tests conducted? Do you award black belts to youths? If yes, starting at what age? What is the average time for a youth to get a black belt? What are the class hours? Are instructors nationally certified through a recognized organization? What is the organization and its history? Is the instruction by group or private? Is private instruction available at an extra cost? How many classes may I attend each week? Do you use youth instructors?

Q: How Should I Visit a Taekwondo School?

A few things to consider when making your first visit to a prospective Taekwondo school: When visiting for the first time, call ahead to make sure visitors are welcome and make an appointment Wear normal street clothes Be polite and courteous If you're offered a hand, shake hands. If someone bows to you, bow back. Be quiet during class, do not do anything to draw attention to you while the class is in session. Get there early and stay afterwards so you can ask questions. Do not try to impress the instructor with your limited knowledge of taekwondo or other styles. Do not try to use Korean words unless you are sure of the meaning and pronunciation. Beware of high-pressure sales pitches at some schools. If you feel pressured, leave.