New Jersey Martial Arts Association
United States Taekwondo Federation
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What is the NJMAA
The New Jersey Martial Arts Association was formed to unite the independant schools in N.J.
and enable the instructors to enhance their programs by networking with fellow school owners.
This will increase the comraderie at tournaments, and provide the student with numerous
seminars, camps, and activities to attend throughout the year. Instructors can train together
and share their expertise with one another. This will ensure a constant flow of new material
for the instructor to share with their school. The NJMAA has both Black Belt Certification,
and Instructor Certification available to its members on a state and national level. The NJMAA
provides national certification through its affiliation with the (USTF) United States Taekwondo
Federation. The USTF is led by 8th Degree Black Belt, Master Scott McNeely. Master McNeely
is world known for his most impressive technique, and developing world class athletes.
How can the NJMAA / USTF help you?
Instructors will find that NJMAA / USTF has a system for teaching in general as well as a
system for teaching individual technique. This system has enabled the NJMAA / USTF
to develop numerous world class athletes, and to emerge the USTF as one of the top
organizations in the country.
Instructor Training Program
The NJMAA / USTF has a program for guiding Black Belts into the initial stages of the
Instructor program. The Trainee program provides a Head Instructor with the tools to
develop an apprentice. The Trainee later takes an exam that will enable
him to become a certified Assistant Instructor. The duties and
responsibilities of the Assistant Instructor grow with the training that the Black Belt
receives. After completing the study guide, attending all required seminars and a minimum
of 300 hours of apprenticeship, the Assistant Instructor may be approved to take the
Certified Instructor exam.
This exam includes four areas:
Upon successful completion, the Black Belt
will be issued the coveted Certified Instructor rating. This program not only creates
incentive for Black Belts to gain more knowledge and recognition but provides qualified
assistants within the school. The opportunity for expansion within the individual school
becomes great. For the school owner now has a solid sytem to share with his Black Belts.
This program will also be responsible for how the martial arts are passed on to the next
generation. This will create a consistency in your program that is especially useful to
young Instructors, or schools with multiple Instructors on staff. By examining the
manuals you will be able to compare your program with what is emerging as a National
standard.
Curriculum
Within the Instructor manuals contain the suggested teaching
blocks. This is simply a guideline to teach from, to create a consistancy to the program
that is especially useful to young Instructors, or more than one Instructor on staff, or to
compare your program with what is emerging as a National standard.
Competition
The NJMAA sanctions between 2 to 5 USTF tournaments a year in the state.
This enables you to test your skills against those students of a similar rank from other
schools. The NJMAA also supports the WWTA sanctioned events. There are always exciting events at
the tournaments which are also fun to watch,such as special demonstrations and the
competition in the Black Belt divisions.
The NJMAA is also affiliated with
the World Wide Taekwon-Do Alliance (WWTA) and the United States Taekwondo Federation (USTF)
which enables its members to participate in National level competition. Students of all ages
can compete in the WWTA World Championships.
USTF Competition
The USTF sanctions between 24 to 30 tournaments a year around the country.
These tournaments adhere to a specific and consistent set of rules and procedures that are
designed to compliment the classroom curriculum. In addition, these tournaments are very
concerned with safety, camaraderie, and quality technique. The “family” atmosphere is one
of festive yet competitive surroundings. These tournament results are monitored by the USTF
headquarters and are published bi-monthly. At the end of the season a special competition
jacket is awarded to the top competitor of each division. These tournaments are rated on a
regional, national, and international basis. There are over 23 rated black belt divisions to
compete within, for all ages and skill levels.
In addition to the excellent motivation and training that goes with competition, black belts may
try out for USA Taekwon-Do teams, both men and women. These teams are selected and trained to
compete in world class competition within various parts of the world.
The juniors also have an opportunity to compete in world class competition since the
new “Junior World League” has been created. Juniors between the ages 13-16 may try out
and prepare for competition around the world. There are 101 other countries involved within this
international network of competition.
Networking With Instructors
Many Instructors around the country are finding out that no
man is an island by reaping the rewards of networking motivation, business information,
training information, and teaching short cuts. The advantage of this information highway is
second to the lasting relationships created within a special fraternity such as the New Jersey Martial
Arts Association.
Certified Authentication
Authentic credentials are very important
to the serious professional martial arts Instructor. NJMAA / USTF Instructors
take great pride in achieving the various levels of proficiency
that are represented on their national certificate. The most honored
position is that of Instructor - one who gives his/her time and
effort to pass knowledge, skills, and moral values to the next
generation. Before deciding to enter the Trainee Instructor Program,
the trainee must indicate his/her desire to become a leader. History
shows that only civilizations which have good education systems
continue to have strength and growth. They protect teachers rights
and expand numbers of teachers.
For this reason, the NJMAA / USTF must
give opportunities to dedicated students to enter the Trainee
Instructor Program. The NJMAA / USTF also offers the trainee training
camps, business seminars, and other special training programs.
These are necessary for our teachers to become better Instructors,
socially respected and financially secure.
The Instructorship Program is difficult. It must be difficult to
have real meaning. Having already proven to be a competent student
of Taekwondo and having studied for at least two years before
reaching the level of Trainee Instructor, the trainee now will
study teaching methods to develop a new level of Taekwondo skills.
High standards of teaching are necessary to the continued strength
and unity of the NJMAA / USTF. An Instructor may not always understand
the reasons behind the methods taught. Therefore, Instructors
are encouraged to consult with their own instructor, the Regional
Director, or the NJMAA Headquarters if questions should arise.
With the abundance of paper factories on the market distributing
certificates for a price, it is even more special to have earned
authentic ranking through a certified traditional Taekwondo authority.
Certification can be earned in the areas of rank proficiency by
testing before a State NJMAA committee, and the National USTF committee
in the areas of certified Instructor ratings and referee certification.
National promotional testings are held at least three times per year in order
to serve you with both incentive and convenience. Association members
become entitled to all privileges of membership.
The annual dues are $25, and are initially paid at the time of
your first testing. In order to maintain high standards, the NJMAA / USTF
certifies the results of all testings of its member schools and,
upon determining that you meet its requirements for promotion,
will award you a certificate indicating your new rank. All certified
and assistant Instructors must attend NJMAA / USTF sponsored training
classes and pass examinations to make sure that you receive the
best instruction possible. The training covers many different
areas and continues even after an Instructor is certified.
NJMAA History
Mr. Serdinsky is the Chief Instructor and President of Martial Arts America with over 740 active students.
Mr. Serdinsky is a fifth degree Black Belt and a National Director for the USTF. He combines over 25 years of Martial arts
experience in every class. Mr. Serdinsky is nationally certified by the USTF
United States Taekwondo Federation and The Choong Sil Kwon Taekwondo Federation. He
is also Internationally certified by Grand Master Park Jung Tae, the President of the
Global Taekwondo Federation. Mr. Serdinsky is a nationally certified coach and referee by the
(AAU) Amateur Athletic Union. These credentials insure you that he is committed to
excellence and continued training.
Mr. Serdinsky is a sought after speaker / Instructor at martial
arts seminars. He has developed business systems that help the school owner maximize
their potential. His high energy martial arts seminars are extremely motivating and cutting edge. They will surely
bring out the best in you. Mr. Serdinsky is also the founder and director of the
NJMAA New Jersey Martial Arts Association
which helps schools and instructors throughout the state become the best that they can be.
Mr. Serdinsky is the creator of the Master Kick Martial Arts Academy Franchise. He developed
Master Kick for his Black Belts who desire to own and operate their own academy.
Mr. Serdinsky is a member of the Team USA National Taekwondo Competition Team. Mr. Serdinsky
returned home from the 2003 World Championships with 5 medals. Three of which were gold, 1
silver, and 1 bronze.
Mr. Serdinsky is also a winner of numerous state, regional, national, and international tournaments
which has helped give him his nickname of “Trainer of Champions.” Mr. Serdinsky helped coach the
Team USA Junior Girls winning a Gold Medal at the 2002 GTF World Championships. Mr. Serdinsky not only
trains in Taekwondo, he cross trains in Jui - Jitsu, Muay Thai, and numerous weapons styles including:
Escrima, nunchuku, jo-staff, tonfa, and knife fighting. Mr. Serdinsky is the director for the
Seton Hall University Martial Arts Program, and has personally trained his Black Belt Instructors
that teach the program for Seton Hall.
When Mr. Serdinsky is not kicking, punching or body building he can be found in the mountains
hunting and fishing. He enjoys the solitude of the outdoors and prefers to spend his “non conditioning time”
fly fishing in a cool river or stream. He is an avid cyclist and uses it to help his cardio
endurance for martial arts. Mr. Serdinsky was voted the USTF Instructor
of the year in 2003, for his outstanding dedication and leadership to his students.
One can’t help but to be motivated by his presence. He brings out
the best in each and every one of his students.
USTF History
Founded in 1981, The United States Taekwon-Do Federation is a traditional Taekwon-Do
organization based on values and progressive ideals. It is led by
8th Degree Black Belt, Master Scott McNeely whose headquarters are in Hot Springs,
Arkansas, USTF began with a simple goal: To provide the best Taekwon-Do training and
support for its member Black Belt Instructors. In the beginning, the USTF was a strong
regional organization with a close knit “family” approach to supporting its members.
As time passed, the systematic approach to training Instructors how to teach has worked
very well for the USTF with over 150 schools to date and continued growth since its
beginning more than twenty years ago. The USTF is developing a national network of
traditional Taekwon-Do Instructors that are interested in being involved with a high
quality organization to maintain the quality of this art for the generations to follow.
Philosophy
The Taekwondo system practiced is based on the philosophy of Constant and Never Ending Improvement.
Just as in the beginning of Taekwondo, there were many different schools or gyms, so too has recent
history shown that due to philosophical differences it has become necessary to identify our
approach toward training. The use of a term which best describes the uniqueness of the
NJMAA / USTF's method of Taekwondo is Constant and Never Ending Improvement or "CANI Warrior".
The purpose of this style is to develop a strong work ethic that is neccessary in bringing
out the best in every student. Continued growth is essential to not only Black Belt Instructors
but students of all levels. The NJMAA / USTF will focus on martial arts only, both business,
and training, and will never allow politics or favoritism to arise. You can be confident
that you will be treated like family and your input is welcome.
Review The Many Benefits
Some of the many benefits to a traditional, yet progressive Taekwondo
organization are:
The NJMAA / USTF Taekwondo family respects this ideal and
understands that this if the natural cycle of life and learning. Training is a very important
aspect of the martial arts. Within the NJMAA / USTF everyone trains regularly, including the most
senior Instructors. This is what people mean when they say Walking the Walk. Not only is
every Instructor encouraged to be very active with their training development, there is also a
regular series of training sessions that include monthly workouts in the regions for Black
Belts, summer training camps, and personal one-on-one training sessions with the most
senior Instructors available. These Instructors are committed to excellence and are willing
to work with those who share the same ideals.
Through the years it is an accepted tradition that
in order to move forward one must learn from what has already happened in the past .
This is known as experience and in the martial arts is revered with respect. Masters stand on
the shoulders of other Masters. It is the duty of a Senior Black Belt to pass along the
knowledge and experience to his Juniors. The Juniors with time and training, become the
next generation of Seniors. It is now their time to give knowledge and experience to the
next generation of Juniors.