Our Curriculum

All the classes we offer at our academy (except the Black Belt classes) count toward a color belt student’s class requirements for belt advancement. Students should attend their forms classes at least once a week, and they are highly encouraged to attend other classes as much as possible to become a well-rounded taekwondo student and experience everything our academy has to offer.

Requirements and students' equipment needs are shown below the course descriptions.

Classes for Color Belt Students

In this class, students new to Songahm taekwondo will learn Songahm 2 (Orange Belt form). As they do, they will learn about strong stances and kicks, proper hand position, good targeting, beginning and ending position, and effective blocks. One-step sparring forms and self-defense techniques along with an introduction to traditional weapons and board breaking will be taught in sessions of this class.

Students in our Basic Program also take this class, but they do not participate in weapon or board-breaking drills.

Intermediate color belt students will learn Songahm 5 (Green Belt form). Not only will students learn this form, but they will improve upon the techniques which they learned as white-, orange, and yellow belt students.

Advanced color belt students will learn Choong Jung 2 (Red Belt form). Continued improvement and perfecting of taekwondo color belt techniques will be stressed. Red belt students will prepare to earn their black belts.

Classes for All Leadership Students

Students can use these classes to enhance their taekwondo education and experience. These classes are open to all Leadership Program students regardless of grade or rank.

Techniques and forms with the single and double ssahng jeol bong (nunchuck) and bahng mahng ee (short stick) will be taught. Students will be introduced to the proper way to pick up, carry, hold, and use their weapons in weapon forms. Also, proper board-breaking techniques will be taught along with the learning of many hand and foot breaks.

Students will learn how to free spar in a safe environment. Effective punching and kicking skills will be introduced and developed as well as offensive and defensive techniques. Control will be emphasized. Some classes will include simulated tournament-style sparring. Weapon (combat) sparring will be done occasionally.

Basic and advanced self-defense skills will be developed, from using one’s voice to draw attention to the attacker to simple and complex breakaways for all ages. Ground fighting techniques will be taught. Techniques from other martial-art disciplines will also be explored here.

Classes for Black Belt Students

These classes are specifically for those who have achieved the rank of black belt or will be testing for it soon.

In this course, new and soon-to-be black belt students will be introduced to the next phase of their training. The first-degree black belt form will be taught, and recommended first-degree black (i.e., red/black) belt students will learn the first half of the first-degree form for black belt testing. The differences between color belt and black belt techniques will be illustrated. Standard black belt weapon forms from first-, second-, and third-degree coursework will be learned by students in this class. Students will also gain additional knowledge of sparring and self-defense techniques.

Second- and third-degree black belt students will continue to learn, sharpen, and refine their black belt skills. Their coursework will include techniques common to all black belt forms as well as specific, targeted instruction for their form. All students will also learn the weapon forms and board breaks for black belt testing.

Advanced Classes

All the classes below may count toward a color belt student’s class requirements for belt advancement. These courses are open to all grades and ranks with additional requirements listed.

This course will have students further sharpening their forms, sparring techniques, and use of weapons. Attendees of this class should expect to get a more physical workout than in their other classes.

Sparring techniques and sparring against other students of varying sizes, styles, and abilities will increase this class members’ knowledge of techniques to use against different opponents. This class is also a good place to spar safely against higher-grade and -rank students to learn from them.

Have you ever wondered how to do a butterfly kick or a kip-up? Or how to put some real "oomph" in your form? Do you want to "do your own thing"? Then this class is for you. Students in this class will learn some basic moves and techniques of extreme martial arts (XMA). Our class will also provide inspiration for students to create their own forms so they can compete in the creative and extreme divisions at tournaments. Complex and difficult movements will be broken down into their base components for ease of learning. This is the class where you can let yourself be all you can be!

Our Demonstration Team is the public face of the school. The wholly student-run group performs yearly at one black belt testing event and at other public events such as Lakeville’s Pan-o-Prog festival. Students show off their taekwondo forms and techniques and develop special forms and routines for these events.

Students who wish to learn how to teach as they work toward becoming fully-certified ATA instructors are strongly encouraged take this class. Potential and current instructor trainees in this class will be shown techniques for building rapport with students and parents. Effective teaching and leadership skills will be taught. Current and future classroom techniques, strategies, and issues will be worked upon and discussed as needed.