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Kicking, striking and blocking drillsThe first part of almost every class includes kicking, striking or blocking drills. The drills are varied and sometimes involve a 'game' element to keep them interesting and fun. Striking or kicking pads, shield pads, focus pads and Wavemasters® are frequently used for these drills. Students kicking, striking and blocking skills are expected to improve continuously for as long as they are practicing Tae Kwon Do. While they are not tested independently at belt tests, they are an integral part of many other tested elements, such as forms, step sparring and sparring. Knife hand and elbow techniquesAt yellow belt level, students are expected to expand their striking techniques beyond just punches. To progress to the next belt level, students are expected to correctly execute three different knife-hand (chopping) strikes and three different elbow strikes. They will usually practice these strikes with a partner and simulate striking them, but they are also practiced with striking pads in the same way as punches and kicks are practiced. Jump kicksFrom green belt onwards, correct execution of jump kicks are required for every belt test. Students are allowed to chose their favorite jump kicks to perform during belt tests. As students advance, the required number of jump kicks as well as the skill level increases. Step sparring routines
Pressure points
Wrist and clothing techniquesThese core curriculum skills are adopted from the Korean martial art Hapkido. To practice wrist and clothing techniques, students work in pairs. One student will simulate an attack on the other student by grabbing hold of their wrist or by grabbing hold of their clothing (such as their sleeve). The student who is being attacked defends by executing a wrist lock or arm lock on the attacking student. These techniques are taught to and practiced by advanced students and are a required part of the black belt tests.
Key Benefits of the Skills and Drills Taught
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Tae Kwon Do is, of course, a striking and kicking martial art style and each
class includes drills and routines that develop those, and a few other skills. A
wide variety of methods are used and, compared to many other martial arts
schools, a wide variety of skills are taught. The skills practiced may only need
to be performed at specific belt level tests, but students are expected to
continuously improve throughout their Tae Kwon Do training. The following
categories of skills are taught and practiced regularly at Evergreen Martial
Arts Academy's Tae Kwon Do
classes. 
Correct execution of step sparring routines is required for every belt test.
Step sparring routines involve students working in pairs. One student steps
forward and simulates an attack on the other student (usually, a simulated punch
to the face). The student who is being attacked defends with one or more blocks
and then simulates a counterattack on the attacking student. For the beginner,
the routines are fairly easy, but as students progress, they are expected to
learn and execute a greater number and more demanding routines. When testing for
first or second degree black belt, the students must 'invent' their own step
sparring routines. Take a look at the 
Pressure points are places on the body that are particularly sensitive and
would cause pain if they were pressed hard or struck. Knowledge of the
location of pressure points is an important part of any martial art. This
knowledge allows the martial artist to inflict pain on an assailant without
causing them any serious injury. Students are required to learn the location of
pressure points and how to exploit them in self defense situations. Although
students are only required to demonstrate their knowledge of pressure points for
some belt tests, they are expected to accumulate their knowledge of them
throughout their training. The