If you are thinking of choosing a taekwondo school or other martial arts school, you’ll have a number of things to think about. You’ll have many choices to make so be prepared to ask questions. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and teaches self-defense. Physical fitness is a pre-requisite for self-defense. A complete taekwondo curriculum includes: philosophy, meditation, basics, forms, self-defense, sparring, breaking, stretching, leadership skills and fitness.

Taekwondo America (TA) is a national organization with member schools located across the United States and the nation’s leader in martial arts education. All the schools adhere to the same principles, standards, and procedures that guide the curriculum the schools teach, the way they teach, the rank requirements, and the way the schools and their students project their image and reputation within the community.

The Taekwondo America National Board of Examiners developed and certified a comprehensive training and fitness curriculum for instructors and students to follow. This enables children and adults to progress at their own pace and ensures that Taekwondo America schools are able to meet the needs of all students.

Over the years, Taekwondo America has built a reputation based upon its maintenance of a high standard of excellence. The organization has strict training and promotion standards and does not allow any negative, aggressive behavior or any misuse of taekwondo in any manner. All Taekwondo America instructors are certified by the Taekwondo America National Board of Examiners through a rigorous training and testing process. Instructors must maintain their teaching skills and be recertified every three years to retain their teaching credentials.

The Taekwondo America program is especially strong in the area of children. The structured classes, discipline, and respect that are reinforced each day give younger students tools that they may use throughout their lives, regardless of their technical skill or physical abilities. The children's program has produced positive results, such as longer attention spans, greater focus, increased respect for others, improved physical fitness, and general behavioral improvement.

Coppell Taekwondo America is a member school of Taekwondo America and Kevin Nevels, owner and chief instructor, shared some important and frequently asked questions:

What is the difference between karate and taekwondo?
Taekwondo is the Korean version of karate. The techniques are very similar. Most “karate” schools in the U.S. are actually teaching taekwondo.

Who can do taekwondo?
Just about anyone can participate in taekwondo — children, teens, and adults. You don’t need to get in shape first or have a background in martial arts to start. It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise or workout program.

Am I too old to start taekwondo?
Probably not, in fact taekwondo can help you feel years younger. We work on the very things that health professionals recommend to fight aging: flexibility, strength, and aerobic conditioning. We work with each student at their own pace so that you will never feel overwhelmed.

My child is not good at other sports or not athletic. Can he/she be good at taekwondo?
Definitely. Many children choose taekwondo because it is a great activity for children who are not competitive in team sports. We teach each child at his/her own pace and they are not measured against each other. There is no “second string” or “alternate” players and no one sits on the bench.

My child is in baseball, basketball, soccer, etc. Can he take taekwondo classes too?
Yes, many of our students are here to enhance their training for team sports. Most sports require excellent focus, agility, balance, and coordination, but they don’t adequately teach these skills during team practice. We teach these skills on a level that they will never get in their team practice. If you make taekwondo your children’s core activity, they will have a serious advantage over other players. Our flexible schedule allows the athlete to train around his team’s practice schedule.

Will participating in taekwondo teach my child to become more violent?
We typically find the opposite to be true, for a number of reasons. Our goal for Taekwondo America students include:

• Improving self-discipline to help them make better choices and try to avoid conflicts
• Developing the self-control to resolve problems as peacefully as possible
• Increasing their self-confidence
• Understanding and living the values of the Tenets of Taekwondo and the Student Oath

Can my child learn how to defend himself against bullies?
Yes, your child will learn effective self defense skills. More importantly, we will teach your child how to avoid physical conflicts and give him/her the confidence that makes him/her an undesirable target of bullies.

What are the benefits of becoming a taekwondo student?
Taekwondo can help students academically by teaching them to be focused and more self-disciplined, as well as helping them develop the positive character traits to become strong leaders. For all students workouts can also help with aerobic/cardio and strength training, weight control, difficulty sleeping, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.

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Coppell Taekwondo America is one of our 60 Reasons to Shop Coppell and has been proudly serving the Coppell community since 2010. Owner Kevin Nevels took his first taekwondo class at age 9 in Vicksburg, MS, and made it to the rank of Green Belt. His family moved to Coppell in 1997 where he attended Coppell High School and graduated in the class of 2001. In the summer of 2002, Mr. Nevels decided to train in taekwondo again under the instruction of Mr. Chuck Schmidtke at Coppell Taekwondo Center. In 2004 Kevin Nevels achieved a lifetime goal and earned his 1st Degree Black Belt. Mr. Nevels later decided to become a Taekwondo America Certified Instructor. After CTC closed its doors, Mr. Nevels transferred to Flower Mound Taekwondo where he trained for 6 years earning his 2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belt. After leading the Flower Mound Taekwondo Demo Team for several successful seasons, including 2nd place at the Taekwondo America National Demo Team Competition, Mr. Nevels decided to open his own school back where he started his training in Coppell. He is a 4th Degree Black Belt and Level 4 Instructor.

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