Training seminar for instructors in Częstochowa

On 21 February, a training seminar for instructors leading children’s groups was held in Częstochowa, attended by seven instructors from our club. The full-day training provided a large amount of practical knowledge in sports psychology and training methodology.

On 21 February, seven instructors from KCT took part in a training seminar. The seminar was organised by ZS PUT. Krakowskie Centrum Taekwon-do was represented by: Mikołaj Kotowicz, Jakub Włodarz, Dobrochna Dolicka, Rafał Żelazko, Aneta Żurek, Magdalena Kotowicz and Michał Krupa. The training seminar consisted of a theoretical and a practical part.
Łukasz Rewieński, founder and coach of Opolski Klub Taekwon-do, presented the use of a coordination ladder in taekwondo training. This was the practical part of the training, during which each participant could perform the exercises independently.

Next, Dr Krzysztof Wrześniewski, a psychologist working daily at AWF in Kraków, conducted two thematic sessions on sports psychology. The first concerned stress and methods of coping with stress using relaxation training. An interesting introduction to the lecture was an overview of professional burnout among instructors working with children and methods of coping in such a situation. The subject of the second session was working with difficult behaviour in children based on cognitive-behavioural methods. Behavioural techniques are among the most effective methods of working with athletes. They work very well when working with children and produce a tangible effect. During the lecture, Mr Krzysztof explained to the participants the importance of introducing a system of rewards and punishments, positive reinforcement, establishing rules and observing them in the training hall.

Marcin Dziliński, founder and instructor of Klub Sportowy „Gladius” Ostróda, and author of the „Gladius Kids” training programme for children, led three training sessions. The first concerned training children’s groups. This was followed by a demonstration training session with exercises focused on teaching the semi-contact fighting format to children aged 5–8. Children who train daily at KS „Orient” Częstochowa took part in it. During this part of the training, Coach Marcin showed how elements of stance, punches, kicks, evasions and attacks needed in semi-contact fights can be incorporated through games and activities in an interesting way. The training participants received a large sample package of practical games and activities to use, and saw how interestingly children’s training sessions can be diversified. During the demonstration training, the children had a good time and willingly followed Coach Marcin’s instructions.
At the very end of the intensive training, Coach Marcin demonstrated the use of functional training elements in the physical preparation of athletes. Participants could try their hand at special bands, ropes, belts, weights and medicine balls, as well as exercise with kettlebells.

The training was attended by 24 instructors from all over Poland. There is no doubt that the knowledge acquired during the training will help improve and diversify training systems in clubs. It will make it possible to teach children elements of semi-contact fighting in an interesting way through games and activities.