30.1.2011 / Special training session for blue belts and above with Marek Svitek (14.00 - 16.00)

Next seminar for higher belts passed and because I was not the one (even though trainer´s name differs just by two letters) to lead it, let me write something about it.

I promised to bring my brother (Marek Svitek, nicknamed Tatanka) for our training for months (ok, realist would say for years). He started to practice kickboxing just few months after I have started taekwondo, did thousands of very colorful training with trainers of high standard (pioneers of kickboxing in Czech republic) and fought probably hundreds of fights in nearly all kickboxing disciplines also both on European and World level. I want to say at the beginning, point was not to teach taekwondoists kickboxing, but to take some corrections and to fight (we sparred under our sport rules, but in my opinion sport sparring in pr
otectors is important part of training of no rules self-defense fighting with more benefits than disadvantages) with another experienced person, to make our overview more broad and to get new motivation. It is good to know, that kickboxing rules of light contact discipline are pretty the same as our sport matsogi, just a bit more statically and in average (but who thinks average is often surprised...for example by naeryo chagi to head) kick boxers punches better and we kicks better. I hope that taekwondoists that took part in this seminar were surprised that my brother used Korean terminology at least for foot techniques and that he pronounces word "Taekwon-do" in way that even linguist would be happy.

Colorful group came, from 6 taekwondo schools (plus kickboxing gym Kosa gym), from 6. kup to IV. Dan, they came from Lysá nad Labem and from Vraný and from Kladno. Ludovit Beno (called Luda) also from Kosa gym assisted my brother.

Training itself consisted of really hard 15minutes warm-up (I was standing in first row so I did not see people behind, but I can imagine all surprised faces thinking about their cardio in new way), few games focused on footwork, few sparring rounds with 30% speed and power (both me and my brother were surprised that even our Godzillas understood this and really practiced for 30%, doesn´t happen too often) and then main part of training started. Idea was to train defense and fluent counterattacks as a best way to fight. We changed in pairs after each round, so i think everyone practiced something with everyone available and that is one of main idea of these training - to try our taekwondo skills against bigger/smaller/more stable/new/anger faced/whatever opponent. Half an hour was dedicated to sparring itself, when we exhausted ourselves totally (at least I did - thank for our first round Tom Vodička ;o) ).

We discussed this training with Marek afterwards - he was sincerely excited about how were everyone dedicated, was surprised from 3 attending people who he described as "real warriors" and we both agreed that it was great way how to spend Saturday. He was also (positively) surprised by our hand techniques which is often problematic when fighting with kick boxers, but mentioned one problem seen in everyone skill. In his opinions we are not able to combine hand and foot techniques fluently (and it is goal of ibo matsogi, do you know?), so we are boxers in doboks or taekyonists but never really taekwondoists. Last important information - brother will be happy to come again in few months if we will be still interested.

We went for well-deserved beer after training and also some food (no one was really hungry, even I was not what was surprising - probably too much punches to stomach). It was also nice part of event, funny conversation, some broken glasses (but accidentally and in friendly atmosphere...girls got easily nervous from my brother ;o) ) and two talented youth organization Prague 2 oldies kept talking till night.

So it was. As always, everyone interested with open mind is invited to these training events. More information on my email chrobimed@seznam.cz.

PS: I have to say - I really appreciate that my seniors accepts my invitation and come regularly, practice hard and are not afraid to show their weaknesses. My respect for them grows deeper every time. I also respect both girls and small Jirka Novák that they are not afraid to come for hard 2 hours training to fight with guys that are to big even for me. I am sure there are much easier ways to spent Saturday.

PPS: Work on fluent combinations!

PPPS: Thank to Ondra for photos. They express training´s mood well.

PPPPS: My brother is really wordy.

Taekwon and carpe diem and see you at next training-social event.

Martin Svitek, III. Dan