testing, testing, testing...

tonight the officer and my son tested for their next belt level in tae kwon do. my son has been in tae kwon do for about 15 months. he was testing for the blue tip on his green belt. he is two levels higher than his dad. the officer started last july. he was unable to participate much in january - march due to work. he was testing for his orange belt. the test started at 4:30 p.m. and we did not leave until 8:15 p.m. there were at least 30 students testing. it was a long evening. we had arrived early to get a good seat. my daughter did pretty good to sit in the same spot for at least 3 1/2 hours.

the testing started out with everyone lined up to warm up. they do their stretches, kicks and punches. master lee then divides the students up into groups of 6-8 to start their testing. each group will perform the hand and kicking techniques they are required to know. in addition, they will have to perform the forms. when your group is finished, you sit down quietly and watch the other students. sometimes the yelling can get loud!

the video is of my son doing the jumping splits.

after all groups have completed their techniques and forms, they have to put on their sparring gear. they will spar two times with two different students. it may be someone with a higher or lower belt than themselves. the officer did a great job. he got in a good head shot (which is worth 2 points). my son had to spar with two white belts (the first level), so he is expected to not go crazy on them. the officer and my son are in the red chest guards.

after the sparring, each student must break a board with a kick or a hammer fist. after about eight attempts to break the board with a turning back kick, my son finally does it. the picture of the officer breaking the board is pretty dark and fuzzy, but you can tell he broke the board right in the middle and on the first try.

they do not pass out the new belts until the next class; however, they did pass out stars for students with good grades. that reminds me i have to find some kind for way to make a report card for my son. anyone who knows of a site where i can print off a form for a report card, please leave a comment.

the officer and my son have a had a lot of fun doing this together. we expect our daughter to start when she turns 5. i may even have a go at it myself. don't know if i'll be posting video of me doing it though! :)