Participation and Belt Testing Requirements
The ATA Black Belt Academy of Petoskey and Harbor Springs offers all students the opportunity to train three times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). The class schedule is posted at the school, and the school is only closed on or around holidays and when weather prohibits safe travel.
ATA Songham Taekwondo belt advancement requirements are posted at the school, on the Internet, and ATA DVD's and written materials are available for purchase. Advancement requirements are patterned after this very popular and ancient Korean martial art; however, ATA instruction is much more user friendly and logically progressive.
There are ten color belt levels to master before becoming eligible to test for 1st Degree Black Belt. Belt advancement tests are scheduled five times per year or approximately every ten weeks. ATA students must commit to an average of at least two training sessions per week (20 sessions per testing period) to become eligible to test. More importantly, however, a commitment to regular training allows for good physical conditioning as well as students developing confidence in their knowledge of the art.
Every ATA student has the goal of earning their 1st Degree Black Belt, and as they progress through the color belt ranks, the material becomes more complicated and rigorous. Black Belt testing requires a demonstration of all lower belt material, and regular practice outside of class becomes necessary to retain knowledge of all lower belt material. If students don't show up regularly and do not practice on their own, they forget old/new material, and a "backslide" effect takes place. That is difficult and emotionally frustrating for students, and it works against effective teaching.
It is normal for some students, who have a variety of other sports, academic and/or family commitments, to take periods of time off throughout the year. Then when they return they can throw themselves back into Taekwondo more fully. Their commitment to embracing the martial arts philosophy, the physical training and the mastery of the material allows them to successfully qualify to test for 1st Degree Black Belt.
Although not a requirement for advancement, students are encouraged to attend regional competitions which are held in lower Michigan and neighboring states. This allows students to compete against others at their same belt levels and in their same age range. ATA competitions are only held for its membership, and there are opportunities for state, regional and national ranking at both color belt and black belt levels.
Every ATA student has the goal of earning their 1st Degree Black Belt, and as they progress through the color belt ranks, the material becomes more complicated and rigorous. Black Belt testing requires a demonstration of all lower belt material, and regular practice outside of class becomes necessary to retain knowledge of all lower belt material. If students don't show up regularly and do not practice on their own, they forget old/new material, and a "backslide" effect takes place. That is difficult and emotionally frustrating for students, and it works against effective teaching.
It is normal for some students, who have a variety of other sports, academic and/or family commitments, to take periods of time off throughout the year. Then when they return they can throw themselves back into Taekwondo more fully. Their commitment to embracing the martial arts philosophy, the physical training and the mastery of the material allows them to successfully qualify to test for 1st Degree Black Belt.
Although not a requirement for advancement, students are encouraged to attend regional competitions which are held in lower Michigan and neighboring states. This allows students to compete against others at their same belt levels and in their same age range. ATA competitions are only held for its membership, and there are opportunities for state, regional and national ranking at both color belt and black belt levels.
