Tae Kwon Do Or Do Not, There Is No Try

(I help out in Tae Kwon Do classes. In this particular class, it’s one student’s turn at the kicking drills, but he’s playing around. It takes me a moment to get his attention, but finally he comes up to kick.)

Student: “Oh, sorry. I was just choking [Other Student]!”

(I should note that he wasn’t actually threatening the other student, so I kept my response mild.)

Me: “We don’t choke other people, sir.”

Student: “No, I meant I was FORCE choking him!”

Me: “We don’t force choke others, either.”

Student: “No, I mean like in Star Wars!”

Me: “I know what you meant. We still don’t do it here.”

(The boy stares at me in utter astonishment.)

Student: “Wait. You know STAR WARS?!?”

Me: “Yes, but right now we’re kicking. Like this…”

(I demonstrate the kicking drill, which emphasizes maintaining balance.)

Student: “I can’t do that! I’m going to fall!”

Me: “Use the Force to keep your balance… “