Welcome to an inside look at the remarkable journey of Angus Rogers, Chief Instructor of Heads of the Valleys Tang Soo Do! From overcoming personal challenges to establishing thriving Martial Arts communities, Angus’ passion for Tang Soo Do and dedication to his students shine through every step of his story.
In this Q&A, Angus opens up about his beginnings in Martial Arts, the inspiration behind his teaching and the philosophy that drives his success. He shares memorable moments, unique teaching approaches and the incredible evolution of his club, which has become a vibrant hub for Tang Soo Do enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
Whether you’re a Martial Arts veteran or a curious beginner, this session is packed with inspiration, practical tips and fascinating insights. Get ready to be motivated by Angus’ commitment to making lives better through the power of Tang Soo Do.
Background in Martial Arts
Let’s start with you! Share a brief summary about yourself and your journey.
I have been training in Tang Soo Do since 1995. I have trained in many other Martial Arts but, my passion is with TSD. I received my Black Belt in 1999. I then left the art as my instructor stopped teaching. I then ran into an old training partner who persuaded me to come back in 2006. I then went on to opening my own club in 2010 and then securing my own place in 2016. My goal is to make people’s lives better through Martial Arts.
The Beginning: How did you first get involved in the wonderful world of Martial Arts?
When I was 2 years old, I suffered brain damage and as a result I had poor coordination and dyspraxia. I first tried Martial Arts when I was 6 but, the club was not very constructive and my memories from it are just fighting and no learning. Cut to 7 years later when my younger brother was old enough to try it out. We were in a new town and it was very different. The instructor was called Chris Long and he was amazing. I tell people all time that it wasn’t the art that drew me in. It was the teacher and the club atmosphere. It was the first time in my life I realised that, if I worked really hard at something, I could improve and succeed.
Inspiration: What inspired you to take the leap and become a Martial Arts instructor?
My inspiration growing up were films I watched with my dad, stars like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Sonny Chiba. My original teacher has always inspired me. I wanted to be as good as him and teach and make students feel the way I did when I was training.
Your Journey: Can you share a bit about your training journey and any certifications you’ve proudly obtained?
My journey has been incredible and there have been so many achievements large and small. One of my proudest achievements was coach of the year 2019 from South Wales Argus paper. Little achievements, I try to test myself by challenging different kicks, especially jump kicks. I have a YouTube channel and on it I’m trying to create a Kicktionary of 100’s of different kicks and to be able to perform them on both sides.
Teaching Experience
Teaching Timeline: How long have you been sharing your passion for Tang Soo Do and teaching as an instructor?
I have been teaching since 2010. It started off with 5 students the first year and one class a week. Then in 2016, my leisure centre room became too small for my club so, we moved to a unit up the road. In 2019, I had so many students and classes I had to quit my day job and teach Tang Soo Do full time. In 2022, we grew to a second unit and now this month, two of our black belt instructors have opened up their own club eight miles from us. It just keeps growing and growing, and I am so grateful.
Rewards of Teaching: What do you find most rewarding about teaching Tang Soo Do to your students?
It’s always the same. There will be something they can’t do or find difficult and, then we will work for as long as it takes. Then, there will be a lesson where they have improved or absolutely smashed it and, I will see the look of triumph in their face. That’s what it is all about. I love putting the new belts on them after they grade as, I truly believe that they gain a kind of super power with every belt and they are stronger, more flexible with a new skill. Like completing a level in a computer game where the life bar goes up.
Memorable Moments: Can you describe a memorable experience you’ve had as an instructor that still makes you smile?
There are too many to think of but, a tradition that I’m very proud of is that after every testing when we hand the belts out, we take a whole week off syllabus. This is so we can let off steam which has been known as the FUN CLASS. These are very popular with the students and if you want to check them out, there are many examples on YouTube.
Philosophy and Approach
Teaching Philosophy: How would you describe your approach to teaching Tang Soo Do?
I am always the biggest kid in the classroom so, I try and pass on my enthusiasm for the art with my students. I always want to design a lesson that if a student missed it, they would be gutted. I always give a hard warm up and then lots of learning. I want all my students to walk away from the class knowing they have learnt something (no matter how small). Then at the end of the class it is important to reward them with a treat in some sort of activity, like a sparring game, pressure test, kicking contest or group activity.
Tang Soo Do’s Uniqueness: In your opinion, what sets Tang Soo Do apart from other Martial Arts?
Because Tang Soo Do isn’t a sport, it is free to develop in many ways. It is known as a kicking art but, we incorporate many areas of Martial Arts including boxing strikes, grappling, form applications and weapons. So, it is a very well-rounded art with unlimited potential to grow and develop. You will never run out of things to learn in our system. This also makes it very accessible for all walks of life!
Balanced Classes: How do you keep your classes fun and accessible for beginners while challenging more advanced students?
When I started teaching, we had two classes a week and this was for all students and it was 2 hours long. When we moved to our own unit, I immediately split the classes so the teaching could be more focused. We started with just a beginner (first two belts) and senior (advanced students) class. Since then, it has grown and now we have so many classes including a red belt and above class, adults only, Tiny Tigers (4-7 yrs), Little Valleys Samurais (8 – 12 yrs), autism specific classes and ladies only.
We also have instructors with lots of different skill sets, even one particular teacher who has a full BSL degree. We regularly have a ‘Dan grade’ class monthly where, the higher grades get to spend a few hours on advanced techniques and syllabus. Often our higher grades will also attend the junior belt and open belt classes so that they are assisting in the classes to support and reaffirm their own teachings and learnings. It also gives them a challenge on how to explain a certain technique or kick in a way that a younger belt could understand. As well as these classes, we still offer many open belt classes where everyone trains together and this allows families to train together. Something I have always been a big advocate of.
Martial Arts Techniques and Training
Tang Soo Do Fundamentals: What are the key principles of Tang Soo Do that every beginner should embrace?
We have a primary syllabus that everyone follows. Fitness/flexibility, striking, blocking, kicking and jump kicking. We have forms, single attacks and self defence. This builds with every grade and everything we do is pressure tested so the student knows if it works or not.
In essence, TSD is a balance of mind, body and soul. We try to encourage this throughout all of our sessions and, support all our students to learn in their own time. It’s their journey, their belt. Nothing is rushed or forced. Each individual, whether it’s child or adult, is able to learn and develop in their own time.
Training Evolution: How does Tang Soo Do training evolve as one progresses from a novice to an advanced level?
Every grade, there will be new techniques to learn and master. We have a solid colour and tag belt system through the grades to ensure that techniques have been learnt and developed over a 6 month to year time period. There is a new form for each grade level alongside applications and pressure test. So, the student fully understands their form and they can use it to defend themselves. Also at green belt level, a student starts using weapons. The weapons we use are short stick, staff, knife, sword and cane.
Preparation Practices: Are there any specific conditioning or mental preparation practices you recommend to your students for peak performance?
I always encourage my students to work on their fitness and flexibility between training sessions so, they will improve their basics and overall technique. We work a lot on balance and leg dexterity. At the higher levels we condition our knuckles, arms and core to be able to absorb and inflict damage. We also take time for a small meditation before the start and end of each class.
Often students will tell me, whether they’re a child or adult, that when they come to the class it’s like switching off from the outside world and focusing solely on themselves. This kind of mental well-being is something that we wholeheartedly encourage throughout all of our classes.
Club and Community
Your Club: Tell us about the Martial Arts club you run. How long has it been a hub for Tang Soo Do enthusiasts?
We run two Dojangs (Studios). A large one for main classes and one half the size for smaller classes and private sessions. We are a very inclusive and welcoming club that is open 6 days a week with 20 classes to choose from. We have students who train from once a week to four times a week. Every month there will be an extra special event, such as seminar, tournament or grading.
Community Building: How do you foster a sense of community and camaraderie within your club?
As mentioned earlier, we quite often have a fun class and this is usually after grading. But, we do try and do fun events throughout the summer holidays and half terms which, the kids really enjoy and the adults too.
We always like to get involved with local events. For example, every year we run a food bank for families who struggle over Christmas and we consistently collect the most food because our club is very large and generous. We go and visit schools and other institutions offering free self defence sessions and anti-bullying workshops.
We love to be involved with school fetes and other events where we perform demos and workshops. We have a good relationship with special need charities like Bernardo’s, 12 plus, Sparkle and GAVO and will often attend events for them. And of course every year, we have a big club Christmas party which is just so much fun! It’s really interesting to see how the students interact outside a training environment where they’re relaxed. Quite often, you get people who don’t recognise each other because they’re not in their training suits. We have a disco, awards, dancing and a very good time!
Safety First: What safety measures do you implement to ensure a secure and positive training environment?
Our Dojang is fully matted and we use appropriate safety equipment for all activities. We use full sparring gear and, even use foam sticks for our weapon training where we want to go faster and with more intention.
Advice and Perspectives
Starting Tang Soo Do: What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting Tang Soo Do and might need a little encouragement?
Our club motto is ‘Master The Enemy Within and All Others Cease To Be’. The idea is that whatever it is you want to achieve in your life, we want you to use this Martial Art as a metaphor for building confidence and overcoming adversity. We believe that everyone should be fit and healthy. They should feel part of a positive community and they should have the opportunity to achieve goals whether they be large and small.
Future of Tang Soo Do: How do you see the future of Tang Soo Do evolving within the Martial Arts community?
My ultimate goal is making people aware of our art and let people experience the beauty of it. Our club wants to go on adventures and through hard work and dedication achieve things that we never thought possible. For example, I never thought that I would have my own studio and be a full time instructor.
So many wonderful things have happened for myself and my club through this amazing journey. I just want to continue and see where it goes next. I am currently writing a book of our syllabus to share ideas with other Martial Artists. I’m hoping its’ universal enough that it can help arts outside TSD and give a structured syllabus from white to black belt; and how to protect yourself using our colour belt forms as a template.
Equipment and Supplier
Essential Gear: What type of equipment is essential for someone just starting their Tang Soo Do journey?
When they start with our club, all they need is comfortable clothes so they can move. When they join our association, students can then buy a suit which ultimately leads them to grading. They can buy protective gear at any time (hand, foot and head guards). We are also lucky enough to have spare kit for students to borrow during classes. But once they have been training for more than a year, they become a senior and need to buy full sparring gear and later weapons for appropriate grades.
Choosing Blitz: Why did you choose Blitz as your equipment supplier for the club? Are there any particular products from Blitz that you highly recommend for Tang Soo Do training?
Blitz is the most reliable supplier we have used and the quality of their items is much higher also. Products that I would recommend is their dipped foam sparring gear and paddles. We have always used them and have never found better.
Beyond the Belt
If you could train with any Martial Artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
That is a very tough question as there are so many! I think I would like to train with the pirate Chinto (JinDo) who has a form named after him. There is a story about how the form was made and I would love to know if it was true or not. Plus, in this form, there are no basic moves which must have meant he was a very good fighter.
Have you ever used Tang Soo Do in a real-life situation? If so, can you tell us what happened?
I have had to use my Tang Soo Do on three occasions, all a long time ago now. Twice was in school. I once stopped a bully from attacking a younger child. I told the bully that if he wanted to hit someone, he could hit me in the stomach. He didn’t hurt me so he left the other lad alone. The other time was on a school trip where two older boys wanted to attack me and I defended myself.
The third time was at a pub for a friend’s birthday. I was in my early 20s where three guys started on my friend. I stood in front of him to try and diffuse the situation but, unfortunately that particular lad was desperate to carry on fighting in front of his friends. So unfortunately as he hit me, I struck him back after blocking the attack. He fell to the floor but, the rest of his friends hadn’t even bothered to wait around and left him on his own.
Where’s the most unusual, unexpected or surreal place you’ve ever practiced Tang Soo Do?
My first thought was on zoom for a year and a half over lockdown. But that’s a boring answer. When I went to America in August to test for my 4th Dan, I performed the form Nai Han Chi Cho Dan on the plane flying over, that was pretty surreal!
Stay Connected and Get Involved with Heads of the Valleys Tang Soo Do
We hope you’ve enjoyed diving into this Q&A with Angus Rogers! His remarkable journey, from overcoming challenges to leading a thriving Tang Soo Do community, is a true testament to the resilience, passion and positive impact of Martial Arts. Angus’ commitment to empowering his students and fostering a supportive environment is nothing short of inspiring.
Curious to learn more or eager to join the Tang Soo Do adventure? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Visit Heads of the Valleys Tang Soo Do’s website, follow them on social media or even better, step into the Dojang and experience the vibrant, inclusive atmosphere firsthand. Whether you’re a seasoned Martial Artist or taking your very first class, there’s a place for you in this incredible community. Let’s keep supporting Angus and his team as they continue to grow, inspire and make a difference!
Heads of the Valleys Tang Soo Do
Official Website: www.hovtsd.com
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Instagram: @tiggertsd
