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Essay Library

ITKD Essay LibraryWelcome to the International Taekwon-Do New Zealand Essay Library

This library contains a selection of the essays and theses written by Taekwon-Do black belts since 1990 as a requirement for their gradings.

Please feel free to share, but always credit ITFNZ as the source and please ask permission before re-publishing.

Check out the latest additions to the Essay Library listed under the year written in each category.

Recommended- Highly recommended by the Chief Examiner PDF- PDF Document Instructors Only- Instructors Only - New upload


Administration

2021:

The teachings of Taekwon-Do: A foundation for Business - Murray Greig

2020:

Complex Systems - Samantha Young

Digitising the colour belt grading Recommended - Kane Raukura

2018:

Funding retirement for professional instructrors RecommendedInstructors Only - Mark Banicevich

2016:

Digital Strategy basics for TKD Clubs - Trevor Topfer
Today’s Technological Age - Kristy Leong

2015:

How modern technology can assist learning Taekwon-Do, - Duane Meek
events, administration and management

Older essays

Managing the Books - Barbara Inglis
Taekwon-Do Club Structure Recommended Instructors Only - Kris Herbison
What makes for a successful Taekwon-Do Club - Gwyn Brown
Starting and running your own club


Demonstrations

Older essays

Performing Demonstrations - Daniel Jackson
SIBUM The Knowledge and Advantages of the Taekwon-Do Demonstration - Steve McQuillan
The Auckland Demonstration Team - Amanda Insull


Gradings

2018:

16 easy points before you even grade - Jackie Bebbington

2016:

Anxious About Grading - Fran Marshall

2014:

Climbing that mountain towards 3rd Degree - Sean Carver

2013:

6 Months to Black Belt Grading Success - Paul McPhail

A look at the other side (ITF WTF Grading comparison) - Sean Freeman

Call the Marshal - Brett Kimberley

Older essays

Are you ready for black??? - Glenis Gummer
Basic Hints for the White Belt Syllabus - Arthur Atutahi
Fitness Test - Evan Impson
How do Gradings Measure up? - Christine Young
ITFNZ Grading Syllabus Recommended Instructors Only - Neill Livingstone
Leaping the Hurdle - overcoming the transition from junior to senior - Anna Hall
Marshalling - An essential skill required by all ITFNZ Black Belts - Rebecca Doogan
Preparation for Black Belt Grading - Suzzane Main
Tips for Grading Preparation - Lousie Chan


General / Other

2023:

The future of ITF Taekwon-Do - Hayden Breese

2022:

Taekwon-Do - A way of life - Dion Bennett

2021:

Parent, Practitoner and Instructor - Wei Ren

The difference between TKD in NZ and Malaysia - Ronnie Lee

2020:

A Discussion on the Retention of Taekwon-Do Black Belt Students - Peter Cossey

2019:

Taekwon-Do and why we enjoy training - Glen Harding
Taekwon-Do - Are the Sacrifices Worth it? - Connor Mitchell

2016:

Taekwon-Do Journey as a Korean - Baik Soo Kim

2015:

Dealing with Asperger’s Syndrome and Taekwon-Do - Juan de Dios Dougnac

2014:

What can we learn from National Taekwon-Do Norway? - Brice Valles

2012:

Technology in Taekwon-Do - Scott Sutherland

Is it ‘Party’ time for ITKD - Rana Moanaroa

2011:

Why International Taekwon-Do is the Martial Art of My Choice - Clint King
South Island Family Participation in Taekwon-Do
- Lorraine Eade
NCEA Level 3 Year 13 Physical education Instructors Only - Tim Couling

2009:

Community Development in Taekwon-Do - Chanthie Thach
Teenagers and Taekwon-Do - Melissa Timperley
White to Black in Black & White Instructors Only Recommended- Brett Kraiger

Older essays

Junior's Growth - Mark Trotter
ITFNZ - Past, Present And Future - Peter Graham
Improving ITFNZ for Juniors in Taekwon-Do - Mark Trotter
Japan International Taekwon-Do Federation - the history, management and training style - Kosuke Yamamoto
My Personal Journey with Martial Arts - John Matsuoka
Nam Wah Pai Kung Fu and beginning Taekwon-Do as a black belt - Devon Pittman
On Taekwon-Do in New Zealand and Community Service - Ben Wylie-van Eerd
The Laughing Policeman - Shaun Skedwell
Taekwon-Do as a stress relief, coping strategy - Rodney Thistoll
Taekwon Do, Me and the Thrill of a Challenge - Nikki Galpin
The Pressures of Taekwon-Do - Ross Campbell
Why People Join Taekwon-Do - Toni Moki
Without order there is only chaos - Duncan Head


Health & Fitness

2023:

Cutting weight - Suzzanne Patterson

2021:

How does human anatomy contribute to one's ability to perform Taekwon-Do techniques? - Graham Walshe

2020:

Breathe less to perform better - Carl van Roon

Visual Performance and Visual Aids in Taekwon-Do - Kishan Mistry

A Discussion on Muscle Structure and Muscle Building Exercises for Taekwon-Do - Daniel Cossey
Core stability training in Taekwon-Do - Morgan Bowler-Parkin

2019:

Training with Anxiety - Fiona Simmonds
Unexpected item on the Dojang - Brian Ricketts
Relearning the Basics - Retraining Muscle Memory - Pip Henry
Nutrition to fuel training in Taekwon-Do - Duane Meek
Eating and Training - Anna Symes
Health Benefits of Taekwon-Do - Fran Marshall

2018:

Tabata at Dragon’s Spirit - Phil Moore
Fitness & Energy over 50 - Murray Greig
Neural Plasticity in Adolescents and the positive effects of Taekwon-Do - Simon Lloyd-Evans

2017:

Health & Saftey for our organisation - Peter Gudsell
How important is core strength in Taekwon-Do? - Courtney Meleisea

2016:

Health and Safety - Helen Caley
A guide for training pregnant & post-natal students - Angela Oliver

2013:

Sleep - The most important part of training? - Angela Oliver

2012:

The Plank - Mitchell Leong

How Taekwon-Do can benefit those that may have a disability and building confidence - Kristy Leong

Why should Taekwon-Do practitioners be under Chiropractic care? - Courtney Meleisea

2011:

Concussion management by coaches of Taekwon-Do - Alex Couling

2010:

The Physical and Physiological Differences between Adults and Children - Richard Lavin
Adult ADHD1 and Taekwon-Do, a weakness or a strength– a personal viewpoint - Dennis Burns
The Importance of Proper Breathing in Taekwon-Do - Seida Scholl-Latour

2009:

Asthma - Considerations for the Instructor - Ian Leitch

Older essays

A Different View on Health and Performance for the TKD Practitioner - Cameron Snelling
Conditioning and Strength Training - Ross Campbell
Dehydration in Taekwon-Do - Grant Evans
Exercise Without Injury - Graeme Insull
Meditation for the Martial Artists - Stephen Pallant
Nothing Can be Compared to Good Health - Ian Campbell
Pain - Grant Evans
Stretch-Shorten Cycle - Russell Stuart
Taekwon-Do First Aid And Injury Management - Thu Thach
Yoga, flexibility and Taekwon-Do - Cameron Snelling


History/Theory

2022:

History behind the Patterns - Mark Davies

2021:

Yin & Yang - and the oriental theory of creation - Evan Davison

2019:

Yi Soon Sin - Rosemary Pettit

2016:

Composition of Taekwon-Do what it means for us? - Shane Rogers

2014:

Functional Anatomy of Vital Spots in Martial Arts Instructors Only - Roman Scholl-Latour

An elaboration of Taekwon-Do Jungshin - Bjarne Morris
Based on cultural and historical interpretation

2012:

History of Taekwon-Do the issues I see concerning this Martial Art Recommended - Evan Davidson

Eui-Am - James Simpson

2011:

Won-Hyo: Why the meaning of the pattern is not enough - Dane Canton
Taekwon-Do - A Broken Family? - David Lo

2010:

Taekwon-Do Patterns in the context of Korean History - Roman Scholl-Latour

Older essays

Admiral Yi Soon-Sin - Alisdair Hamblyn
A Plain English explanation of the ITF Student Oath (with help from Calvin and Hobbes) - Grant Eccles
History of Mt Albert Taekwon-Do 1998 - 2001 - Francis Fong
History of Southern Clubs - Kris Herbison
Korean Culture, An Overview - Mahesh Bhana
Reaction Force - Matthew Bates
Taekwon-Do in Literature - Haydn Cain
The Korean Language - Andrew Niven
Translation of the Chang Hon pattern set into Taekwon-Do terminology in Korean, including an English-Korean/Korean-English Taekwon-Do dictionary Recommended - Mark Banicevich
The History and Development of Taekwon-Do - Krishna Reddy
What the heck is Neo-Confucianism? - Sean Maguire


Instructing

2021:

Behaviour, Motivation, and the Retention of Junior Black Belts - Britany Young

How does Taekwon-Do provide leadership qualities for youth? What do you do in your club specifically to develop leadership and what ideas do you have to further develop leadership in your club or the organisation?

In 2021 our seniors were ask this question as a topic for their grading essay. Here are their essays

Helen Caley | Shaun Tolley | Sonya Robinson| Alois Vogt | Brendan Doogan | Matthew Davey | Richard Burr | Shane Rogers | Nick Lee

In 2022 our seniors were ask this question as a topic for their grading essay. Here are their essays

Kris Herbison | Brett Kraiger | Mike Lowe

In 2019 our seniors were ask this question as a topic for their grading essay. Here are their essays

Simon Mallinson | Mark Trotter | Richard Iotua



2020:

The Instructors Eclipse - Bjarne Morris

Giving back in your own way - Joy Mackenzie

Teaching Taekwon-Do to Gen Z - Synopsis - Christine Young

2017:

Old School: Tried and tested, but is it better? - Samantha Young

2016:

Leadership in Taekwon-Do - Toni Rouse
Ages and Stages of Children’s Development - Tracey Rouse
Teaching Taekwon-Do to Children with Special Needs - Shannon Ryan

2015:

Breaking Down a Sparring Drill - Chris Broughton
The application of the art through observing, practicing and teaching - Stepehen Martin

2014:

A Teaching Essay From A Different Perspective - Kishan Mystry

2013:

A club based Instructor Development Program - Chanthie Thach
A Framework for Building Quality Instruction - Sheryl Chase

2011:

Keeping Interest. To Help Reduce the loss of Students. - Kevin Cale
Recruitment and retention of students for Taekwon-Do clubs - Nicola Tse
What makes an Outstanding Instructor? - Greg Dyson

2010:

Instructing Taekwon-Do by way of Part Practice - Richard Rogers
The Life of an Instructor - Matt Davey

Older essays

Are we protected? - Lena Walton
Childrens' Motivation and Reward Programme Recommended - Brett Kraiger
Competency and Learning in Taekwon-Do - Brett Kraiger
Games your students will enjoy Instructors Only - Peter Chapman
Instructing a Class - James Rimmer
ITFNZ Techniques Handbook Expanded Instructors Only - George Konia
My Experience with Children and Taekwon-Do - Rose Cherrington
How Instructors Approach New Members Recommended - Gwyn Brown
Role Taekwon-Do Plays in Young Learners - Peter Laio
So You Want To Start A Club - Peter Graham
Significance of Social Interactions Among Club Members - Lawrence Mantjika
Teaching Terminology - an Integrated Approach - Shirley Pygott
Teaching the art of Self Defence - Ryan van Heerden
The Bond between Instructor and Student - Richard Iotua
Tips for Taekwon-Do Training and instruction - Terry Woods
Thoughts on Teaching Patterns - Royston Lim
Training Children - Arthur Atutahi
Understanding the ideals of being a better Teacher (Juniors) - Andrew Niven
Ways to make training more fun - Ian Walton
What Makes A Good Instructor - Haydn Cain


Marketing & Sponsorship

2021:

Marketing_Your_TKD_Club - Trevor Topfer

Older essays

Advertising Design and Taekwon-Do [excerpt only] - James Buchan
How to create a massive Taekwon-Do School Instructors Only - Hayden Breese
How to Raise Money for Taekwon-Do through Sponsorship Instructors Only - Carl Matthews
Marketing your Taekwon-Do Club Instructors Only - David Ballard
Maintaining a WebSite - Gray Patterson
Participation Motivation in ITFNZ Taekwon-Do Recommended - Hayden Breese
Retention of Taekwon-Do Students Instructors Only - Craig Evans
So, you want some money for your Taekwon-Do club - David Lo
How to open a club with 100 students on the floor - Paul McPhail


Motivational

2022:

Overcoming the fear in free sparring - Carmen Yip

2020:

Taekwon-Do - Are the Sacrifices Worth it? - Connor Mitchell
My Future and Journey through Taekwon-Do - Kazzeus Ruaporo Ngatuakana
My Life Saver - Wedaad Waja

Motivation for students over 60 years - Peter Graham

2018:

My Taekwon-Do Journey - Alex Petrovich

2017:

Acting, Taekwon-Do and Success - Jacqueline Geurts

2016:

My Instructor and I - Matt Bowden
Benefits of Taekwon-Do for the Student-Athlete - Melissa Timperley
Motivation - Dennis Burns
Ramblings of a third dan - Matt Davey

2015:

A Plan Changer - dealing with a major injury - Kara Timmer

2012:

Benefits of Growing up with Taekwon-do - Robert Meleisea

2010:

The story begins back in 1967 in Vietnam - Hung Nguyen

2009:

Taekwon-Do and the Mature Student - Sonya Robinson
Taekwon-Do, A Way of Life - Greg Christie

Older essays

A guide to getting from white to black Recommended - Hayden Breese
Mature Student's Journey in TKD - Florinda Petterson
Females in Taekwon-Do Recommended - Kirsten Lingstone
From one Black Belt to Another - Murray Smith
How did Taekwon-Do influence your life - Marlene Lee
Mind Power In Taekwon-Do Training - Ms Christine Young
My Pregnancy and Taekwon-Do - Kirsten Livingstone
My Story so far - Wayne Ebert
My Taekwon-Do Career - by Max Hana - Beryl Pimblott
Success and Taekwon-Do Recommended - Vince Pygott
Taekwon-Do as a "Way of Life" during the formative years - Anthea Markstein
Taekwon-Do Under Fire - Ali Gul Ali
The Mountains we Climb - Kane Raukura
The Psychology of Success - Sean Carver


Organising Events

Older essays

2012:

Planning & Organising a Taekwon-Do World Champs - Craig Hannah
(Financials removed)

Organising an ITFNZ Taekwon-Do Tournament Recommended - Mark Banicevich Info on hosting here
Organising your first Seminar - Nathan McKendrick
ITFNZ Camp Toolkit Recommended - Melina Wilcox
Black Belt Grading - how to organise - Suzzie Ponting


Philosophy

2022:

The secret source to champion Indomitable Spirit - Andy Wong

2021:

Like not Is misses the Why - Simon Williams

2020:

The Tenets of Taekwon-do: What they have done for me - Tamara Ruaporo Ngatuakana

2019:

Tenets and Tikanga - Hine-Anahera Nolan

2018:

Integrity - RMichael Onland

2015:

An exploration of the ‘Do’ of Taekwon-Do - Richard Forder

2014:

Does Physical Ability matter?
Those testing for 5th & 6th dan in October 2014 were asked to write on the subject of physical availability - and it that really matters in Taekwon-Do. These are their essays.

Mark Trotter | Brendan Doogan | Simon Mallinson

 

2013:

Loyalty
Those testing for 5th & 6th dan in November 2013 were asked to write on the subject of loyality. These are their essays.

Ian Campbell | Peter Graham | Kevin Joe | John Matsuoka | Vince Pygott | Kane Raukura | Christine Young | Jake Pearson

 

2011:

Teaching the Do
Those testing for 5th and 6th dan in December 2011 were asked to write on the subject of the Do. These are their essays.
- Matthew Breen - Mark Banicevich - Lawrence Mantjika - Hayden Breese - Gwyn Brown

Living The Tenets - Florinda Petterson

Moral Culture - Louise Chan

Older essays

An Artistic Interpretation of the Patterns Recommended - Matthew Breen
Children - Attitudes and their life - Helen Kettings
"Do" in Taekwon-Do - Rene Kunz
I shall Build a More Peaceful World - Dave Ballard

Loyalty
Those testing for 4th and 5th dan in February 2007 were asked to write on the subject of loyality. These are their essays.
- Dave Ballard, Lawrence Mantjika, Ian Campbell, Shaun Tolley, Hayden Breese, Cameron Snelling, Mark Trotter and Gwyn Brown.


Philosophy and Principles of 3 Martial Arts - Suzanne Main
Societies View of a Martial Artist - A Personnel Approach - By Rodney Thistoll
The Juche idea - Beryl Pimblott
Juche & Ko-Dang - A brief History - Helen Miller
The Five Tenets - the soul of Taekwon-Do - Bob Markstein
Taekwon-Do : Sport, Art, Science or Philosophy? - Sandi Galpin
The Importance of Respect in Taekwon-Do - Jeremy Hanna
Sport or Martial Art - Christine Young
Sport vs Art - Toni Moki
The way - Neil Kettings


Self Defence

2020:

Is Taekwon-Do practical for street Self Defence? How do you know?

Those testing for 5th & 6th dan in 2020 were asked this question. This is what they said.

Kerry McEvoy | Thu Nguyen | David Lo

Those testing for 5th & 6th dan in 2018 and 2019 were asked this question. This is what they said.

Richard Iotua | Hung Nguyen | Brett Kimberley | Tim Couling | Craig Hannah | Brice Valles | Kevin Joe | John Matsuoka | Debbie Hart

 

Is my training effective in a real self-defence situation? - Ian Campbell

 

Stick and Knife Defence - Sean Carver

2014:

How to teach Ground Self-defence to 1st Degree Black Belts - Debbie Hart

2013:

Thoughts on Self Defence Training Recommended - Shaun Skedgwell

A Guide to Basic Stick Self Defence - Alois Vogt

Teaching Taekwon-Do in a club: It’s not just all-about the student - Hung Tri Nguyen
Club Instructor protocol for parents

Teaching children en masse - Sonya Robinson

Application and effectiveness of Taekwon-Do
in the face of modern combat techniques and styles - Tomonori Shibata

2011:

Adding Realism to Coloured Belt Self Defence Syllabus - Carl Robinson

2010:

Self Defence - Alois Vogt

2009:

Self Defence - What is it? - Mark Turner
Self Defence and Competition Sparring - Brett Kimberley

Older essays

Dallyon: Conditioning for Self Defence - Richard Lavin
A Guide to the ITFNZ Self Defence Syllabus Recommended - Chris Fitzgerald
Effective Self Defence - Graeme Insull
Taekwon-Do and the Law of New Zealand - Mark Banicevich
Taekwon-Do Patterns and Sparring as a Form of Self-Defence - Mark Hanna
Taekwon-Do Self Defence and the Law - Graeme Flemming
What Self Defence in the club doesn't teach you - Kane Raukura


Techniques

2021:

The Lost Pattern and The Replaced Pattern - Kees Hooper-Whiti

2019:

Breaking Down Breaking - Kara Timmer
A Study of Side Piercing Kicks - Dane Canton

2018:

Coaching Mnemonics for Patterns Chon-Ji to Ge-Baek Recommended - Matthew Breen

Intermediate Positions - Scott Sutherland

2016:

How To Improve Your Side Kick - Dean Jenkins
Exploring the Purpose of Crossing and Pulling Hand in Defense Techniques - Tomonori Shibata
Range of Motion Conditioning Just for Kicks - Nick Lee

Sinewave
Those testing for 5th & 6th dan in 2016 and 2017 were asked to write on their understanding of sinewave. These are their essays.

Darren Andrews | Grant Eccles | Michael Lowe | Brett Kraiger | Darren Ward | Hayden Breese | Rene Kunz | Kris Herbison | Suzanne Patterson | Ian Walton | Gwyn Brown


2014:

Trying to understand the concept of breath control and sine wave - Seida School-Latour

Power Required to Break Boards Recommended - Richard Burr

2013:

TKD Movement Fundamentals 101 - Nick Lee

Taekwon-Do and Movement - Shane Rogers

Intermediate Positions Recommended - Peter Gudsell

2012:

Quantitatively measuring power – Reaction Force, A pilot study - Ben Wylie-van Eerd
"...the result was that a punch with reaction force was, on average,
35% more powerful than a punch with no reaction force..."

2011:

Stances As performed in Patterns Chon-Ji to Choi-Yong - Darren Andrew

2010:

Complete Colour Belt Syllabus (18 meg) sample - Rose Cherrington
Name that Technique - Brendan Doogan
Quick Reference Guide for Patterns 10th Kup to 3rd Dan - Simon Mallinson

Older essays

A Discussion of Commonly Misunderstood and Misused Terminology - Matthew Breen
Biomechanics To Improve Taekwon-Do Technique - Danny Ward
Do You Want To Know A Secret? - Gary Campbell
Jumping Kicks - Daniel Russell
Kinematics and kinetics of the Taekwon-Do turning kick Recommended - Jake Pearson
Side kick Thesis - Ian Campbell
Strategies of Attack and Defence - Lawrence Mantijika
Taekwon-Do Breaking - Mike Horsfall
The Power of One - Greg Dyson


Tournaments

2022:

Developing On-Line Umpire Training - Grant Eccles

Advice for new umpires - Darren Ward

2019:

Strategies on Captaining and Coaching Team Sparring Event - Lawrence Mantjika
Building an effective New Zealand Taekwon-Do Team - - Nathan Bowden

2018:

How my World Championships preparation changed my lifestyle - Jack Watson

2016:

Mental and Physical Preparation for a Taekwon-Do Grading or Competition - Kerry McEvoy

2015:

Getting in the Ring - Phil Webb

2014:

Umpiring Courses - An alternative approach - Richard Rodgers
for conducting iTKD C grade courses

Exploring Methods of Maximising Tournament - Carl Robinson
Participation and Ring Experience Within the New Zealand Setting

Older essays

Beginner's guide to tournaments - Darren Andrews
Competition Power Breaking - Rene Kunz
Compento del Mundo - Ry Goldsmith
Guide for Umpires - Darren Ward
How to Coach a Winning Team - Grant Eccles
My Experience of the National Tournament 2003 in Dunedin - Jonathon Ormsby
My Growing Concern - Dan Jackson
My thoughts on the World Champs - Lawrence Mantjika
Patterns for Tournaments - Thu Thach
Psychological Skills Training for Taekwon-Do Competition - Jake Pearson
Success of International Competition - Darren Ward
Tips for the Novice Coach - Duncan Head
Tournament Sparring - Shane Eade
Tournament Sparring for the Beginner - Shaun Tolley
Tournament Sparring Profiles - Chris Fitzgerald
Training for an ITF World Champs and what to expect - Mark Trotter
Training for an Overseas Event - Gemma Walton
Umpires Sparring Manual - Bruce Harrison
Why some Countries did better at World Champs - Daniel Kerr


Training

Instructor Training

Those testing for 5th & 6th dan in 2023 were asked to write on this topic:

Does being an instructor help or hinder our own training and progression in Taekwon-Do? How do you know? Pros and cons? Advice for others?

Greg Christie | Sheryl Chase | Duane Meek | Dean Jenkins | Craig Hannah

2016:

Effective Stretching for Taekwon-Do - Nicola Tse

2013:

Tul or not to tul - what’s the point of patterns? - Helen Caley

2011:

Exercises for Everyone Instructors Only - Peter Chapman

2009:

Mental Motivation - Dean Jenkins

Older essays

Basic Foot Destructions - Jeanette Joe
Balancing to Perfection - Gwyn Brown
Circle of Composition of Taekwon-Do - Matthew Allan
Plyometrics - Michael Muleta
The Physiological Effects of High Altitude on the Human Body - Grant Eccles
The not so secret training methods of John Matsuoka - John Matsuoka
Training For Your Black Belt - Student Guide - Mahesh Bhana
Training Methods for Improved Jumping Performance in Taekwon-Do - Cameron Snelling
Warming Up And Warming Down - Shau Lai




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