FAQ, Expectations, and Assertions

Poomsae Team Captains:
Humza Qazi

What is Poomsae Team?
The IWT Poomsae Team focuses on the “forms” element of Taekwondo. Practices focus on building poomsae skills in a rigorous, advanced training environment. Poomsae Team meets Tuesdays and Thursdays after main practice.

What are the goals of this Team?
The Poomsae Team Captains intend to coach a group of highly motivated individuals who wish to improve their poomsae according to the WT-style guidelines. The Poomsae Team plays an integral role in inter-collegiate engagement through participation in events and tournaments. The Poomsae Team will also collaborate with the Demo Team throughout the semester to help incorporate poomsae in their various performances.

The Poomsae Team Captains hope to foster a true sense of camaraderie among their team members. Additional “unofficial” practices and team-exclusive social events will be organized throughout the semester.

Who can join? How do they join?
The Special Teams are structured with the assumption that members already have a grasp of intermediate taekwondo techniques, procedures, and customs. Those with previous taekwondo experience (yellow belts and above), as well as a strong determination and enthusiasm to learn, are eligible to try out for the Poomsae Team.

Tryouts occur twice a year, once per semester. First, a sign-up/interest form is released. All who signed up will try out on Sunday, September 10th, directly after main practice. Captains will then make cuts and contact those who made the team.

Discipline – members realize that Poomsae Team practice times are times that members must dedicate to practice, be attentive, and commit to focusing on their instructions.
Practice etiquette is imperative. Repeated violations of this expectation will result in dismissal from the team.
Semester-long commitment. Members of the Poomsae Team should expect to be a part of the team for the whole semester.
Attendance is mandatory! 3 practices can be excused if a captain is contacted.
 4+ unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the team (injured or sick does not count as unexcused)
Practices leading up to a tournament or any other event (2 weeks out) cannot be missed unless specific circumstances are communicated week(s) in advance
1 additional “unofficial” practice must be attended each month
Decorum – Neat uniforms appropriate to one’s status must be worn at practice.
Purchase of a poomsae-specific uniform is not necessary for practice
Safety – While not as accident-prone as sparring or demo, poomsae training can still lead to certain injuries. All team members are expected to know their boundaries, and act accordingly.

Assertions

All members of the Poomsae Team are required to be a member of Illini World Taekwondo. This includes paying dues, filling out the club sports injury waiver, and any other IWT sub-waivers.
Illini World Taekwondo is an organization open to all levels of taekwondo experience. However, the Poomsae Team, as a subset of the IWT instructional apparatus, focuses on higher-order specialization.
 As Taekwondo can generally be physically intensive, injuries are prone to happen- members should be mentally and physically prepared for such occurrences. Poomsae Team Captains will do their best to prevent injuries by letting members know of the possible dangers associated with certain techniques, but it is up to the member to pay attention and practice with the necessary precaution. The club will not be held liable for personal injuries