ITF Radix Seminar
Isfjorden, Åndalsnes – February 14th, 2026
On Saturday February 14th, 2026, 40 dedicated practitioners gathered in Isfjorden for the annual ITF Radix seminar hosted by Åndalsnes Taekwon-Do club. Participants traveled from clubs in Åndalsnes, Molde, Hustadvika, Haram, Harøy, Ålesund and Volda, creating a strong regional gathering rooted in shared curiosity and a willingness to explore the deeper layers of the ITF patterns.
The atmosphere throughout the day was focused, open and energetic. From color belts to senior grades, everyone came prepared to work, question and test.
First Session – Tuning In
Master Robert Boer opened the seminar with a structured questionnaire. The purpose was simple but powerful: to tune people in.
Instead of jumping straight into movement, the first hour challenged participants to reflect:
What do we actually see in the patterns
Where is the clinch
Where is the release
Where is the off balancing
By engaging the analytical mind first, Robert set the tone for the day. ITF Radix is about uncovering what is already in the ITF system.
Releasing Techniques from the Patterns
The second hour was led by Roy Rolstad and focused on releasing techniques extracted from various patterns. The emphasis was on:
Wrist releases
Arm controls
Rotational escapes
Using sine wave as structural power rather than aesthetic movement
Participants worked in pairs, gradually increasing resistance. The goal was functional realism while maintaining the integrity of the original movements.
Clinching Strategies
Robert returned for the third hour, diving into clinching strategies hidden inside the patterns. Many traditional movements that are often interpreted as blocks or strikes were reframed as:
Neck controls
Arm drags
Body positioning entries
Close range striking options
The group quickly realized how much of the ITF curriculum naturally lives in the clinch range once distance is removed.
Social Lunch
After three intense hours, everyone enjoyed a relaxed and social lunch together. These breaks are an important part of the seminar culture. Conversations continued around the lunch table, building friendships across clubs and strengthening the regional Taekwon-Do community.
Takedowns from the Patterns
After lunch, Roy led a session on takedowns derived directly from pattern movements. The focus was on:
Off balancing before execution
Rotational mechanics
Using stepping patterns to generate leverage
Safe and controlled finishing
Participants practiced how seemingly simple stepping sequences can become powerful entries for throws and sweeps when understood correctly.
Hubut Drills and Ground Work
Robert then introduced hubut drills as a bridge between pattern application and spontaneous exchange. The drills emphasized:
Sensitivity
Flow
Reaction under pressure
Transition from standing to ground
Some controlled ground work followed, connecting clinch entries and takedowns to positional control.
Final Hour – Hubut and Sonmuk Sul
The final hour brought the day together. Roy followed up on the hubut drills and connected them with sonmuk sul principles. Wrist manipulations, rotational controls and structural breaks were layered into the flow drills, giving participants a practical framework for integrating release, clinch, takedown and control into one continuous chain.
By the end of the day, the red thread was clear:
The patterns are a complete fighting system when we dare to explore them honestly.
Gratitude
A sincere thank you to everyone at Åndalsnes Taekwon-Do club for taking the initiative to organize these annual seminars year after year. Events like this strengthen not only technical understanding but also community and leadership across clubs.
A special thank you to Volker and Sabine for your warm hospitality. Your generosity and commitment make Åndalsnes feel like a second home for many of us.
We look forward to returning next year and continuing the exploration of the roots.
