Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy

Rayners lane Taekwon-do Academy was started in April 1999. It is an independant school of Taekwon-do that adheres
to the original I.T.F. syllabus of Taekwon-do. This syllabus has been expanded in order to develop students
capabilities in all ranges of self defence, in order to make each student as capable as possible in all areas once they
obtain their 1st degree black belts.

The academy teaches all the major aspects of Taekwon-do as taught in the large federations, patterns, sparring &
destruction, but we also teach areas that are sadly neglected in some schools. These areas include pattern
interpretation (patterns contain strikes, locks, throws & pressure point techniques), pattern application (teaching the correct methods of applying the techniques found within the patterns) & street smart self defence, although I see Taekwon-do as an art of self defence & dislike the fact that people refer to specific parts as self defence rather than Taekwon-do as a whole.

The path from 10th kup (white belt) to 1st degree (black belt) will see the students become capable in all ranges of fighting. From kicking & punching, to sweeping & throwing, to wrist, arm & leg locks, to chokes, strangles & verticle grappling, to throwing techniques & (although not part of the original syllabus) ground fighting techniques. This is coupled with a comprehensive self protection syllabus, that runs along side the main grading syllabus.

A student of the Academy has the following benefits:
          : Full training by an experienced instructor up to & beyond the coverted black belt
          : Instruction in all areas of Taekwon-do & more
          : Recognition and Insurance by the largest multistyles martial arts organisation in the UK, the AMA
          : Free membership into the International Alliance Of Martial Art Schools (worldwide training)
          : Coloured belt gradings under an Independant Board of Examiners
          : Black belt gradings under an Independant Examination board
          : Access to courses, either through the Academy or through the AMA
          : Access to pure Taekwon-do competitions
          : Access to multistyle competitions
          : Access to Inter-club, National & International Competitions
          : Access to an extensive martial arts video library
          : Comprehensive coaching on the sporting element of Taekwon-do by experienced competitors including World Championship medallists
          : A full Self Protection Syllabus & specialised Self Protection courses
          : 5 Training session available per week catering for all ages & all experience from beginner to black belt & above
          : Specialised childrens classes
          : A fully equipped dojang with plenty of mats, focus pads, kick shields, floppy targets, hogu`s, skipping ropes etc
          : Kick bags, floor to ceiling ball & makiwaras permanently mounted on the walls
          : FREE Training anywhere in the world via the International Alliance of Martial Arts Schools
          : Covering all areas of Taekwon-do (Patterns, Sparring, Destruction, Self Defence, Locks, Chokes, Throws, Grappling, Pressure Points,
            & Groundwork. Plus Martial Spirit & other mental disciplines
          : Monthly membership (no yearly contracts)
          : Full Colour Monthly News Letters for each and every student
          : Yearly Christmas Magazine
          : Monthly and Yearly Student Awards

Since the Academys humble beginnings in April 1999 a lot of things have happened. Students have continually entered competitions and brought home gold, silver & bronze medals in all areas of Taekwon-do, earning the nickname `Rayners Lane Tigers` (after the Korean Infantry Division).

In 2000 the Academy celebrated its 1st Anniversary with two demonstrations (one by students & one by instructors) which was critically acclaimed by all who saw it, as one of the best Taekwon-do demonstrations they have ever seen. Details of the which can be found in the reports section.

In September 2000, the Instructor took four students to the `1st Open World Martial Arts Championships`` that were hosted by renowned Taekwon-do Grandmaster, Hee Il Cho. Not only did the students experience competition at a world class level, but they also brought back a gold, 2 silvers and a bronze medal and the instructor won a gold & silver medal himself.

In 2001 the Academy is hosted its first tournament called `Taekwon-do explosion 2001` to celebrate its 2nd Anniversary. This tournament included patterns, continuous sparring, black belt points sparring & a special technical destruction division, all of which is different
from the usual Taekwon-do tournaments held in the UK. Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy has featured in numerous
Martial Arts magazines.

The Academy has been running a few years now & and has many senior grades regularly in attendence. Their skills in Taekwon-do are very visible as senior students are fluent in not just kicking & striking, but also, throwing, choking, sweeping, takedown & locking techniques as well.

In September 2002, the Academies instructors founded the International Alliance Of Martial Art Schools, a free, world wide collaberation of martial arts schools that allow students from any member school to train, free of charge, at their schools, clubs & academies in a multitude of countries around the globe, a truely unique thing, which continues to grow every day.

In 2004 seven students of the Academy became world champions in their own right, two became double world gold medalists and many other students from the Academy placed in silver & gold medal positions. This success continues in virtually every competition the Academies students enter. Videos of their many encounters can be viewed via the video section of this site.

Consistant standards, consistant results, and consistantly happy & accomplished students, togethor with top class instructors make Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy what it is.

THE AIMS OF RAYNERS LANE TAEKWON-DO ACADEMY

This Academy aims to produce competent martial artists, in both the mental & physical aspects of the martial arts, regardless of age, race, sex, creed or colour. As the instructor it is my responsibility to give each student the best training I can offer.

Taekwon-do can influence people on many levels, but if all you want to learn is how to punch & kick your friends, there are other, less in-depth sports you could do. Taekwon-do is an art, a sport, a science & eventually becomes a way of life. It is my sincere hope that through teaching Taekwon-do I can bring out the good qualities of each individual student that may never have been allowed to shine. For example honesty, courtesy,
, integrity, respect, honour, confidence plus a whole lot more. Hopefully, through training in Taekwon-do, each person may realise & reach their true potential in life.

For the student who wants to learn & puts in the efforts, the rewards are plentiful & limitless. Remember, you only get out what you put in !

New students often enjoy the physical aspects of Taekwon-do & as they mature come to understand the mental aspects as well, which serve them well in life. New students start with the physical & gain from the mental as well.

KUP GRADINGS

Kup or Coloured Belt Gradings are available for students to take every 3 or 6 months and are performed in front of an
independant panel of examiners. Students may only grade if they have put the required amount of training time in,
learnt the complete syllabus for their current grade and if the instructor feels they are ready. Junior grades (white to
green belts) can grade every 3 months if they are ready, senior grades (blue & red belts) can grade every 6 months
unless they obtain an `A` level pass at their previous grading.

Standards are very high with regards to gradings. If you are accepted to grade (ie. the instructor feels you are ready)
you can still fail on the day if you dont make the required standard. This is how we maintain our high levels. Whilst
some issue pass and fails or continually promote students with top marks, Rayners Lane Acacdemy is the opposite
and uses a marking system that provided the student that passes with a proper refection of how they did overal. If
they pass, they receive an L, O, O+ or an A. O is the average pass mark, O+ is above average and A is excellant.
As a note on our standards, only two students have ever recieved an 'A' level pass in the Academys history - it is
indeed an exeptional pass mark.

DAN GRADINGS

Dan gradings are avaialable to students who have reached the required level, which is usually
between 4 to 6 years of consistant training. As with the Kup gradings, standards are extremly
high, as an example of what is expected, please click here. Merit and Distinction passes are
not issued at a whim, they are very much earnt.

Dan gradings are marked over 5 areas (which are split into further areas):

- Terminology
- Patterns
- Sparring
- Self defence
- Destruction

In each area students must receive a pass mark of at least 60%

For those that pass, results are issued in the following way:
Standard Pass: meaning the student has acheived at least 60% overall and 60% in each section
Merit Pass: meaning the student has achieved over 70% overall, with at least and 60% in each section
Distinction Pass: meaning the student has achieved over 80% overall, with at least and 70% in each section

Though our standards are high this is how we train our students. When you are ready and eligable to take your dan grade under the Academy, you will be prepared and you will earn it. And when you pass, you will know you have earnt it and reach a level rarely asked for in todays quick culture society.

A black belt is still worth something at Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy

Awards

Rayners Lane also has both monthly and yearly awards that can be earnt by a student of any grade or level

Read what renowned Korean martial arts instructor, Yi Yun Wook has to say about Rayners Lane Academy