Kuk Sool Won of St Paul | Twin Cities Martial Arts with Classes for Kids, Adults, Families, and Workouts

Tournaments make for a very long day… For the judges.  As members of a traditional martial art that focuses so heavily on etiquette we should really do our best to thank the judges.   Unfortunately, I always hear a lot of complaints.  I even remember doing some complaining myself.  So, in the spirit of contrition, I am going to thank some judges right now.   I’d like to thank Master Seitz, and Master Simms for giving me contact warnings during sparring.  I’d like to thank Master Jeff Green for not being fooled by flashy techniques, and I’d like to thank Master Kunz for making me do above the head spin-kicks without jumping.  For all of you who are not judges I’d like to give you a peak at the judges world.  I’ve heard many different systems by which judges do their judging.  But the main thing I see is consistency.  Remember, even if you do not understand what they are looking for, the judges are doing their best to be consistent.  So without further ado, and in no particular order, here is my list of the top ten things you can do to impress the judges: 

•  Etiquette, Every judge I know will give higher points to better ettiquette or down grade you for bad etiquette.
• You Won Hwa - remember that Kuk Sool is a softer style, so if you do everything hard and jerky you will not score as high as someone who flows.
• Do your techniques - The judges are looking at your techniques; a poor technique ending in a magnificent fall reflects more on your partners falling ability then your technique ability
• Do the techniques in the book!
• Ettiquette: Formal bow (unless injury prevents), speak clearly, use a title, smile, do not turn your back on the judges, thank the judges for your score.
• When doing form - look at your target!  not your hands and feet.
• Hyung By-Whats?
• Control, Control, Control - I see too many students who want to spar hard at tournaments.  Remember, if you want to spar harder,  do it at your home school.
• Weapons:  If you only practice the form and ignore the basic spinnings and meditations, your forms will show it
• Etiquette: Did I mention etiquette?

This Monkey has some scary good spin kicks.

Yes, it’s true. I am moving to Chicago.

I have accepted a job at Leapfrog Online as a Web Producer. My new job is located north of the city in Evanston, IL, but I will be living in the City.

After graduating from Purdue University in December, I retired my instructor position to Brandon JKN and moved back here to Minnesota where I kept this website and blog going. I am happy that PSBN Steffen and DBN Nicki are getting their voices heard by posting on the blog and know they will take care of all of you readers and students from around the world.

I want to say Thank You to all the readers of this blog and I hope that wherever you are, you know someone is practicing Kuk Sool somewhere else in the world. We are all Brothers and Sisters.

I will be training at Sa Bum Nim Hill’s school in Chicago, and I am really looking forward to training there. If there is anybody from there that reads this blog, I will see you soon.

There is also a possibility that I will be in the U.K. this Fall because my girlfriend will be studying abroad in London. I don’t need much more of a reason than that to come across the Atlantic and practice with some of you U.K. Kuk Soolers. So maybe this Fall we will have to arrange a place to meet and train if you are from the U.K.

If you want or need to contact me in the future my personal email is maxkpage [at] gmail [dot] com, I also run my personal website at www.maxkpage.com

In the future, I would like to start another Kuk Sool Blog or my own school so you may hearing from me again on the Net. Until then, We all need more practice. Thanks for reading and keep it up for PSBN Steffen and DBN Nicki.

Kwan Jang Nim Alex has recently had a professional Video made to promote his 2 new schools down in Texas. Fortunately for everyone else he offers the video to help other schools who would like to use it. So all we had to do was put our school Contact Information on the end and drop it on our Homepage. Click the image below to go to our homepage to watch it.

Kuk Sool Won of Timberhill Master, Kwan Jang Nim Daniel Jolly, is known for his great sparring ability. Also, he is a giant. If you see a really tall Master walking around at a tournament you will know who he is. He is also very nice and talented.
Say Hi and Remember to bow.

Here is his schools website where you can learn more about Kwan Jang Nim and his history: Kuk Sool Won of Timberhill - Texas Martial Arts

So I am sitting in Houston Airport waiting for my flight (we’ve been delayed three hours so far), and I’m trying not to let the frustration ruin what has been an outstanding weekend.

I have spent the last three days with my fellow instructors at the Kuk Sool Won annual instructor training. There were instructors there from all over. One even came from as far away as Japan. We were trained, helped, and coached by Kwan Jahng Nims Barry Harmon, Choon Ok Harmon, Alex Suh, and Sun Jin Suh. It was, once again, a wonderful opportunity to get ideas, learn, and correct a wide array of martial arts and business techniques. But the high point had to be Kuk Sa Nim’s speech.

Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of just how truly awesome Suh In Hyuk, Kuk Sa Nim really is. Of course, I have always known that he can do astounding things, but every once in while it hits me on a visceral level. It can be mind blowing.

This time it was Kuk Sa Nim sharing his philosophy of martial arts instruction. He said that the main points of a true martial arts instructor are: “like, love, respect”.

When he said this I was blown away. Not because I was surprised, disbelieving, or in disagreement, but because I realized that this man lives this philosophy. It is part of who he is. And we are all richer for it.

Kuk Sool uniforms come in all shapes in sizes, but people new to Kuk Sool sometimes don’t get to see that higher level uniforms are segmented and earned through rank. In this post we will go through all the uniforms and ranks (with awesome pictures) from our Comprehensive Korea Style of Kuk Sool Won.

Regular Training Uniform

This uniform is worn by everyone that practices Kuk Sool no matter your rank. It is a plain black that has Korean writing on the back that reads “Kuk Sool Won” or something of the like. This uniform also requires you to have a patch of the Korean Flag and the Association Logo. You may also have your countries flag on the sleeve. There are some differences depending on what country you are in. In America you are not allowed to have a patch that signifies what Dojang you are form but in Korea you are allowed to have a patch that has your Dojang name on it.

The only way to distinguish rank is to look at the belt of the individual in this uniform. Colored belts are easy to determine rank. Black Belts it gets a little harder. Jo Kyo Nim and Kyo Sa Nim Ranks (1st and 2nd Degree Black belts) have the same thickness of belts. Pu Sa Bum Nim, and Up all have a thicker belt. There is a special thick white belt given to you when you promote to Kwan Jang Nim but usually they do not practice in this belt.

1st - 3rd Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Jo Kyo Nim, Kyo Sa Nim, and Pu Sa Bum Nim Ranks)

This uniform is formal uniform attire for tournaments and special events (ex. Demonstrations) that resembles old time Korean Generals Uniforms. At these three ranks the trim will be Silver only.

4th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Sa Bum Nim Rank)

This is one of three Generals Uniforms that does not share colors with multiple ranks. The others that do not share colors across multiple ranks are 9th Degree Black Belt (Chong Kwan Jang Nim) and 10th Degree Grand Master Rank (Kuk Sa Nim). It will always have Red and Silver trim.

5th and 6th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Kwan Jang Nim Rank a.k.a. Master)

Only does this uniform finally signify Master level in Kuk Sool Won. All ranks above fifth degree are referred to as Kwan Jang Nim or Master until you get up to 9th Degree and 10th Degree. The Red trim only signifies Master level achieved as years and years and years of training.

7th and 8th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Kwan Jang Nim Rank)

Still called Kwan Jang Nim or Master, these Masters are the elite of Kuk Sool Won. Only those truly dedicated and passionate about Kuk Sool Won can achieve these ranks through constant practice and teaching. The uniform has Red and Gold Trim.

9th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Chong Kwan Jang Nim a.k.a. Chiefmaster)

Chong Kwan Jang Nim or Chiefmaster are only second to our beloved Grandmaster Kuk Sa Nim. Their Uniform has only Gold Trim for those who taught many to Master level.

10th Degree Black Belt Uniform (Kuk Sa Nim a.k.a. Grandmaster)

The Founder and head of the World Kuk Sool Won Association is Kuk Sa Nim In Hyuk Suh. Kuk Sool!

Video of the Two Instructors at Kuk Sool Won of Walzem down there in San Antonio, Texas. Sa Bum Nim Lawson and Kyo Sa Nim Jen doing some great demos.

I’ll also pass on a little link love to help them rank a little higher in Google.

Here is there Web Page: San Antonio Martial Arts - Kuk Sool Won

This post will be for all of you who know or have ever been taught some grappling. Here in Minnesota we have grappling seminars once every two months or so.

I just got done traveling to my Alma Mater, Purdue University, and taught a grappling seminar there, so I thought I would write on how to practice what we teach. * In the coming days I will post a list of what was taught at the seminar with some videos

Positional Practice

1. Position Change

You both start in a given position (Mount, in-the-guard, etc…). Start grappling and when one or both has changed position start over. This practice is to help you learn skills, escapes, and counters in a certain position. You can still get someone to tap out. It just has to be from your starting position.

2. Tap Out

Same as Positional Change but instead of stopping if positions have changed you go until someone taps out due to a choke, lock, or technique.

Take Down *more advanced/dangerous

1. Start from the Wrestlers Clinch

Start from a Wrestlers Clinch and go till tap out.

2. Start from Sparring

This is the most advanced way of starting and involves starting from sparring. If you watch Mixed Martial Arts on TV that is what I am talking about. Obviously, very dangerous. Only do this way of practice when you are an advanced student practicing with another advanced student.

Great Video of Kings Lynn Black Belt Demonstration at the Dojang. Nice job.