Report from the ITF Radix Seminar at Jessheim Taekwon-Do Club

by Roy Rolstad, ITF Radix

This Monday, I had the pleasure of teaching an ITF Radix seminar at Jessheim Taekwon-Do Club. The event was a grading preparation session for all levels, and it was clear from the moment we began that this club has something special: dedicated students, supportive instructors, and a strong community spirit.

The evening was divided into two sessions:

• Children’s groups from 18:00–19:30

• Teens and adults from 19:30–21:30

We focused on patterns, self-defense, and free sparring, giving everyone a solid foundation as they head toward their next belt test.

Free Sparring: The Heart of Realistic Taekwon-Do

The main topic of the seminar was free sparring. And I said it straight:

“You cannot become a good fighter without free sparring. Period.”

To some, this may seem obvious, but it still needs to be said, especially to senior students who prefer to stay in the safe territory of patterns. Patterns are essential, they teach us structure, movement, and power generation. But without sparring, you won’t develop timing, hand-eye coordination, footwork, distancing, stress control, or adaptability. These are the tools that actually help you defend yourself in real-life situations.

Free sparring is where theory meets pressure. It’s where you learn to read your opponent, to improvise, and to make decisions in real time. If you want your techniques to work when it matters, sparring is not optional, it’s crucial.

A Grateful Thank You

Thank you to everyone at Jessheim Taekwon-Do Club for your warm welcome and great attitude throughout the evening. I was genuinely impressed by the spirit and focus of both the children and the adult groups. It’s always rewarding to see students eager to grow, not just in skill, but in understanding.

Keep training hard, keep asking questions, and keep sparring. That’s how we evolve as martial artists, and that’s the essence of ITF Radix.

See you next time,

-Roy

PS: Don’t forget your sparring gear next time, and don’t forget why we train: to be ready, for ourselves and for others.