Black
Belt EssayBlack
Belt Essay A demonstrations purpose is to display to the public what Taekwon-Do is all
about and
demonstrate to junior Taekwon-Do practitioner’s what they can obtain with training.
A
demonstration should make people want to start Taekwon-Do and inspire other
practitioners to continue. Demonstrations should be exciting, informative and
impressive.
The demonstration team should consist of a variety of ages and sexes which people
in
the crowd can compare themselves with as a peer. A demonstration must be appealing
to
people who have no knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
All techniques should be sharp, crisp and consistent. For example in destruction’s,
a
break that is so difficult that only half of the time it’s broken does not look
as good as a
less difficult break that is consistently broken. Extra difficult breaks should
be practised
at training until it is consistently broken, and then incorporated into demonstrations.
Or if
the break is of such difficulty that a full board cannot be broken for demonstration
purpose’s a half board can be used.
The demonstration itself should cover all aspects of Taekwon-Do -patterns, step
sparring, free sparing, destruction’s and self defence. Also since a demonstration
is a
show items which the crowd find exciting like skits, focus and items which interact
with
the crowd.
The demonstration team should have two demonstrations prepared, one for the
public
containing some basics and a demonstrtion prepared for crowds who hve knowledge
of
Taekwon-Do.
Patterns- I believe that too many patterns in a demonstration can become boring
to the
untrained eye (that of person who has no knowledge of Taekwon-Do). I feel that
a
demonstration should consist of no more than two patterns- a team pattern, and
a pattern
done by a single practitioner.
Step Sparring- Step sparring if well organised can be very impressive. But one
step
sparring when demonstrated with two or more pairs has the tendency to look not
as
disciplined. If well practised two pairs can make this an impressive item. Another
option
to having two pairs is two have one pair but introduce model sparring as well.
Perform in
slow motion first and then in fast motion. Having one pair makes it easier for
the crowd
to follow and watch the techniques more closely.
Free Sparring- Free sparring is very exciting for the crowd to watch. Therefore
this can be
incorporated more than once. Free sparring should be demonstrated with no contact,
and
with contact wearing protective gear. The protective gear worn should be exactly
the
same as the protective gear used in tournaments. Also the bout should be refereed
and
have winner. In this case also only one pair sparring at once.
Destruction’s- It is my point of view that all destruction’s in a demonstration
should be
extra special and impressive. A combination of hand and foot destruction’s.
I think that
destruction’s are the key to an impressive demonstration. If perform efficiently,
they are
clean, to the point and very impressive to the crowd. You don’t not have to
be a
practitioner to realise the difficulty of destruction’s. I think that a demonstration
should
contain different breaking materials. For example timber boards, roof tiles,
etc. For a
demonstration more emphasis should be put into the difficulty of the break than
the
amount broken. Breaking for a demonstration is different to breaking for a grading
or
competition in which you can increase the amount broken. For a demonstration
depending on the difficulty of the break half boards can be used but full boards
used
where possible. It is important that a team member can perform the same break
regularly
without hiderence of injury. But there has to at least be one power hand and
foot as it is a
important element. But before the power breaks are performed the announcer should
put
great emphasis explaining that this is a power break needing great power, control
and
technique. In the case when half boards are used the announcer can explain that
these
boards used are for demonstration purpose’s and explain that to perform these
kicks more
emphasis is put on difficulty. Besides, a half board broken looks better than
a full board
bounced and the general public would not be able to tell the difference unless
they had
further inspection.
Self Defence- This is a display of all techniques that can be used in a real
life situation.
This it has to leave the impression of being able to handle yourself in any
situation. The
attacks should be attacks that you would likely get in the street. For example
a push
followed by right hook, attack with a knife, two on one, etc. It has to executed
so that it
does not look rehearsed and it has to look painful.
Skits- Skits are a real crowd pleaser and are enjoyable for the team members
to preform.
There are a few problems with skits, one is to many things happening at once.
To solve
this have one “goodie” and two or three “badies”. This eliminates the mock war
scene
look. There has to be something defining the goodies from badies, for example
a black
beanie and vest on the badies. Also the skits have to be regularly practised,
otherwise the
skit looks real rusty as people miss cues and so on. Also skits have a tendency
to drag on
if there too long. A skit should be fast, defined and well organised.
Focus- This item displays accuracy and consistency. This impresses the crowd.
The
element of danger is important and holds the attention of the crowd as this
item usually
demonstrates how close you can get with kick or punch without actually hitting
the
person. This item should be done slowly first so the crowd have an idea of what
is
actually happening. Other ideas for focus is to place target on the head of
team member to
break. This item does not need to be displayed slowly first. But to build suspense
time
should be taken when sizing up the break. Focus can be incorporated into one-step
sparring placing all techniques demonstrated as close as possible.
An important element to the demonstration is how the announcer comes across
to the
crowd during the demonstration. The announcer needs to explain what is happening,
build each item up, and create suspense when needed. Introduce members of the
team as
the demonstration is in motion and to keep the crowds attention if fading. It
has to be kept
in mind that a demonstration is a show to the crowd, and all items should have
emphasis
put on crowd pleasing. The announcer should watch the crowd response to decide
on
wether an item should stay or not.
Here is an example of a demonstration.
1. Whole team demonstrates some simple to difficult hand and foot techniques.
2. Break one wooden board with flying high kick held by a person standing on
shoulders.
3. Team Pattern eg. Hwa-Rang
4. Break 8-10 tiles with forefist.
5. Model sparring incorporated with one step sparring (one pair)
6. Two board knifehand \ Two board elbow
7. Sparring- non contact.
8. Break one wooden board held by person sitting on shoulders with flying high
twisting
kick
9. Self defence- unarmed attacks, attacks with knife
10. Multiple Break
11. Sparring - Two on one
12. Senior Dan pattern performed by single most senior person.
13. Break one wooden board with twin turning kick / twin front kick
14. Break one wooden board with tumbling kick
15. Skit
16. Sparring- contact with protective gear. Referee imposing tournament rules.
17. Flexibility (with one or two people)
18. Break one board with 360 Flying back piercing kick / 360 Flying reverse
turning kick
19. Focus- person balances cans in each hand and on their head. Knock cans held
at
shoulder height with flying side piercing kick, flying back piercing kick. Knock
can off
head with flying reverse turning kick.
20. One suspended board held above head of a team member with Reverse turning
kick.
21. Twin flying crescent kick popping a balloon
22. Flat fingertip thrust (half board)
23. Focus - kick apple off a knife using 360 Flying reverse turning kick / Tornado
kick
24. Skit
25. Overhead kick over 2 team member and 4-5 members of the crowd with member
lying on the top (pyramid kick).
26. Form up and team performs 9 punches (high, middle, low) yelling Tae-Kwon-Do
on
each punch.
The demonstration team itself has to run as one unit. All members of the team
should
have a equal spread of spotlight. Each member should have a break or item that
they have
perfected that is theirs to do in a demonstration.