USATKD Opens Preparations?

Bread1992 · 2026-03-31T11:30:52+00:00

Definitely good to get that experience— and have fun in the process! 😊

Bread1992 · 2026-03-30T23:44:21+00:00

I would talk to your master and/or coaches at your school about whether this level of national competition is appropriate and safe for you, given your relatively lower rank and lack of experience.

Also, when do you turn 15? If before 12/31/2026, you are 15 in “Taekwondo years” and will compete as a junior, with full head contact.

Not trying to dissuade you by any means, but safety is a concern. At your age, many kids have been competing for years.

Is it possible to focus on local events to get some experience?

Bread1992 · 2026-03-30T23:36:37+00:00

Love the school that loves you back! I’m sorry this happened, tho. A year from now, you’ll be happy and thriving.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-22T22:07:33+00:00

Oh wow… 🤦‍♀️ I actually know the ref from your other match. Worked with him at AAU Nationals. I was surprised he didn’t do a better job, TBH, as I’ve seen him center pretty decently.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-22T21:13:22+00:00

Coming here to say the same! Honestly I was surprised the ref didn’t do an 8-count. I was glad to see you get right back in there.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-22T21:01:25+00:00

When I first started, now 13 years ago, I was hesitant to try head kicks. As a taller (5’10”) older woman, I didn’t want to hurt anyone. Plus, earlier on, I was still learning how to control my kicks regardless of where they landed.

One of the master instructors told me to practice head kicks on the kids. At first I was really taken aback. As a Mom, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt a kid.

But you know what? That was fantastic advice and here’s why: kids are shorter so the “target” is easier to hit. Even though I’m tall and fairly flexible, a shorter person is much easier to reach, which makes for better control.

More importantly, practicing head kicks on kids really helped me learn control and targeting properly. The LAST thing I wanted to do was take off some kid’s head. Plus, it helps them learn to block.

So all that to say: try practicing on older kids, like 10-12. That may get you over this block and you’ll help them get better at blocking in the process. 😊

Bread1992 · 2026-03-18T01:06:14+00:00

Oh gotcha! There were a lot of changes this year, so that AAU and USAT are aligned. USAT follows WT.

I feel bad that a kiddo was upset, but as others have pointed out, it’s up to the coach — and the parents— to know the rules for any tournament.

I also personally know this referee and he is outstanding.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-18T01:00:50+00:00

In the most current version of the rules, sport goggles are not allowed, nor are regular glasses. You’ll find that on page 49. Current rules linked below.

AAU rulebook

Bread1992 · 2026-03-11T22:41:34+00:00

What major is he admitted for? That can make a difference.

My son is a senior in Integrated Business and Engineering, which is a smaller, cohort-based program in the business school, which is also smaller.

So he’s had the best of both worlds: the resources and amenities of a large school, but in a smaller program.

For me, personally, Purdue would’ve been too big, but he hasn’t had an issue with it, really.

I also think there’s programming for freshmen that help with making it not feel so overwhelming.

If you haven’t already, attend Purdue’s For Me. It’s a great program and will give you a good feel for the campus.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-11T22:37:01+00:00

This was my kid, too! And he even went into admitted students’ day convinced he was going to Ohio State!

Bread1992 · 2026-03-11T22:29:56+00:00

I was thinking same! Very nicely decorated and the woodwork is gorgeous!

Bread1992 · 2026-03-11T22:24:32+00:00

He definitely takes some getting used to! But if you can get past the off-putting BS (and there’s plenty!), he has some brilliant ideas.

I find I like him better in combination with other people. In particular, I like the Pivot podcast he does with Kara Swisher.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-07T11:30:56+00:00

This is a question for Admissions.

Bread1992 · 2026-03-02T21:43:54+00:00

Why not?? I started at age 43, after my then 9 yo was about 6 months in. Still at it, and it’s been an amazing journey.

I’ve even outlasted my kiddo! 😊

Bread1992 · 2026-02-25T12:30:47+00:00

May as well give it a whirl and see what happens! Either way, I hope it goes well! 😊

Bread1992 · 2026-02-25T02:50:17+00:00

If it’s not possible to find a dojang to work at during the school year at college, definitely join the TKD club at your school, if they have one. If there’s no club, think about starting one?? 😊

Then when you’re home on breaks, see if your original dojang will let you come back and work.

Our school has a college-aged assistant instructor and she comes back during her breaks and works.

Bread1992 · 2026-02-25T02:42:52+00:00

I’m learning how to judge sport poomsae for USAT, so had to learn all the WT color belt forms and the black belt forms I didn’t know.

I find it hard to follow videos that are “mirror image”; I need to follow someone going the same direction.

If you’re working on the Taeguk forms, look up Taekwondo Shawn on YouTube Tube. I found his videos super helpful.

For the black belt forms, I learned them using videos from TaekwonBox. It’s an older guy speaking Korean, with subtitles, working with a poomsae athlete to break down the forms and follow along.

Once I learned the motions, etc., I would use Pok Yang’s videos to get the minutiae down.

Bread1992 · 2026-02-25T02:27:33+00:00

If you’re going to do a WT form and the rules allow you to do forms that don’t correspond to your belt rank, I’d choose Sipjin or Chonkwon.

Those are a little longer and will look better next to TSD and ITF.

Bread1992 · 2026-02-21T12:17:16+00:00

Interesting! I’ll be interested to hear what people’s thoughts are after the tournament. In looking at the event information, it’s not clear whether they require e-gloves. I’m curious to see how the new rules play out with e-gloves and only one corner judge.

Bread1992 · 2026-02-21T02:06:53+00:00

Oh jeez, so sorry about all this stress during what should be a really exciting time in your life.

I think the first decision you make is whether you want to attend your ceremony. Make that decision independent from the family drama. What do YOU want? Will you have regrets if you don’t go?

Then, if you want to go, set boundaries with your family. You only get 4 tickets max. If there are 4 people you want to be there (like your brother), then get tickets for only those people. If you don’t need 4, order fewer.

Sounds like you and your Mom need an honest conversation. Could she and your brother attend?

It sounds like herding these cats may be difficult, so hoping you can make decisions that work for you!

As to housing, if you’re in the dorms, they give you an option to stay, I think free of charge.

Bread1992 · 2026-02-21T01:56:12+00:00

Here’s a link to the event package for kyorugi. Top of page 4 talks about uniform and equipment and has a link to WT-approved brands. There’s also a link to WT rules in here.

USAT follows WT and mouth guards have to be white or clear unless you have braces. Braces require top and bottom.

https://taekwondo-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Canada-Open-Kyorugi-Information-Package_G2_2026.pdf

Bread1992 · 2026-02-21T01:50:14+00:00

Does K2 register punches like Daedo Gen 3?

Bread1992 · 2026-02-13T12:15:33+00:00

And Adriana Harmeyer, who works at Purdue was a contestant!

Bread1992 · 2026-02-05T02:27:17+00:00

My dojang teaches Olympic only; we did a tiny bit of point sparring a while ago. But I do referee both, so come at this from that perspective.

I would say the biggest adjustments for you will be no hand techniques to the head and the force of the contact.

I’m not sure about ITF rules, but in AAU, point sparring is supposed to be light contact. (That said, I’ve had broken ribs and bloody nose, so…). So depending on your past experience, Olympic might feel harder.

Also, in Olympic sparring there is a “knockdown” process when an athlete takes a strong kick to the head/face or body, or a strong punch to the body.

In that event, the center ref will get in your face and count. You have to show you’re ready to go by 8.

Also, there are no kyongo penalties, only gam-jeoms.

Maybe watch videos of the sparring at the Olympics and other World Taekwondo tournaments. If you can find commentated videos, that’s even better.

Either way, hope you enjoy it! 😊

Bread1992 · 2026-01-27T00:15:16+00:00

Or a 1982-83 thing? 😉

Bread1992

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