Trained by the Master

On 26–27 September 2015, another training seminar for instructors and higher-ranking competitors was held in Częstochowa. It was led by Don Dalton, 8th dan (Ireland), president of ITF Union.

16 people from Krakowskie Centrum Taekwon-do trained under the Master’s guidance in sport fighting techniques and patterns. The Master also conducted ITF umpire training.

We asked several people from our club who participated in the training to briefly share what impressions this year’s seminar gave them and how they assessed the training.

Adam Wargal: The seminar was nice, but it did not particularly surprise me. There were a few new things. It only reminded me of ITF, which we trained long ago with coach Piotr Adamski. Master Dalton led it quite well, and it must be admitted that he has great skills.

Dobrochna Dolicka: After last year’s seminar with Don Dalton, I was very pleased; I liked the presented target-pad system and the completely different approach to patterns. Therefore, I did not hesitate when information about another one appeared. This time, the target-pad system was expanded with additional techniques, which showed that everyone still had something to work on. The sparring training sessions provided many new exercises to implement at the club. The only drawback was that the patterns were discussed rather quickly, which resulted from fatigue after the earlier fighting training sessions.

Jakub Włodarz: Generally, I assess the seminar as well prepared, concise and substantive. Compared with previous seminars organized by PUT (e.g. with CK Choi or James Lim), this seminar was the most practical for competitors. Don Dalton teaches a fighting system, thanks to which the trainee is not doomed to try to be “just like their coach” and to “fight only in the way their coach fought,” but instead receives “tools” and considerable freedom in using them. I have the impression that he did not show us many new things or techniques (it was a reminder and deepening of the knowledge from the first seminar); however, for me it was a necessary experience—it is good to see how someone who has specialized in them performs their techniques, as then it is much easier to master them correctly oneself. In addition, he shared a few of his words of wisdom and coaching experiences with us, which is also not insignificant.