🥋 Why "Fall 7 Times, Get Up 8" Is the Motto of Middleton U.S. Taekwondo

🌱 The Question Every Parent Asks

"Can Taekwondo really help my child become stronger — not just physically, but mentally?"

At Middleton U.S. Taekwondo, our answer is simple:

"Your child will learn to rise — every time they fall."

That's why our motto is "Fall 7 Times, Get Up 8." (七顚八起)

This timeless phrase isn't just painted on our wall. It represents a way of life — the mindset we build in every student who steps onto our floor.

💡 The Connection Between "Fall 7 Times" and Grit

Psychologist Angela Duckworth, author of GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, discovered that what predicts long-term success is not talent, luck, or IQ — but grit: the combination of passion and perseverance toward long-term goals.

"Success is never overnight. It's passion and perseverance over years." — Angela Duckworth, GRIT (2016)

At Middleton U.S. Taekwondo, we see this truth every day. Each class is designed to help students face challenges, learn from failure, and build the strength to keep going — no matter what.

🏋️ The Power of Jump Rope — Building "Grit" in Every Sparring Class

Every sparring session at our school begins with jump-rope training — a powerful routine that sharpens focus, rhythm, stamina, and mental toughness. All of our students — whether they are young beginners or advanced teens — take on this challenge together.

Typically, students aged 10 and up aim for 1,000 jumps within 10 minutes, while younger students strive for 30 double-unders. But these numbers are only the starting point.

Even many students under ten have achieved 1,000 jumps in 10 minutes, and it's common to see younger ones complete 20 or more double-unders without stopping. One extraordinary student even performed 254 consecutive jumps without a single miss — a record that continues to motivate everyone in the dojang.

These aren't just physical feats. They're living examples of grit in action — moments when effort and persistence outshine talent.

As Duckworth reminds us:

"Effort counts twice — once for skill and once for achievement." — Angela Duckworth, GRIT (2016)

When our students push through fatigue, frustration, and self-doubt, they're not only strengthening their legs — they're training their minds to never give up.

🥇 Competing and Traveling — Turning Challenges Into Growth

Another powerful way our students develop grit is through competition and travel. At Middleton U.S. Taekwondo, we believe that real confidence is built through real experiences.

Our students regularly participate in:

• Local and state Taekwondo tournaments
• National championship events
• The Tri-School Sparring League (Middleton, Lynn, Beverly)
• JV and Varsity Travel Teams

These experiences expose students to both victory and defeat — and teach that neither defines them. What matters most is how they respond.

As Duckworth explains:

"Failure is not a permanent condition. It's a stepping stone toward mastery." — Angela Duckworth, GRIT (2016)

Through travel and competition, our students learn courage, adaptability, and teamwork. They discover that progress doesn't come from avoiding discomfort, but from facing it head-on with perseverance and heart.

💪 Our Core Educational Principles

At Middleton U.S. Taekwondo, "Fall 7 Times, Get Up 8" comes alive through four key principles:

1. Resilience — Learning to recover quickly from setbacks.
2. Perseverance — Building the habit of consistent effort.
3. Growth Mindset — Believing "I can't do it yet, but I will."
4. Challenge & Discipline — Strengthening body and mind through jump-rope training, sparring, and real competition.

Together, these principles create what Angela Duckworth calls "the psychology of effort." Our students don't chase perfection — they chase progress.

❤️ What Parents Notice Most

Parents tell us the transformation goes beyond the dojang:

"My child doesn't give up anymore." "They show more patience and confidence, even in school."

These changes show that Taekwondo is not just physical training — it's character education through movement. Our dojang gives children a safe, structured space to struggle, learn, and rise again. That's what real confidence is built on.

🌟 The Real Meaning of "Fall 7 Times, Get Up 8"

Every jump, every sparring match, every competition — they all teach the same lesson: Never quit. Never stop growing.

Fall 7 times, get up 8. That's how true grit is built.

From the jump rope to the tournament floor, our students discover that falling is never failure — it's simply the first step toward becoming stronger.

📚 References

1. Duckworth, A. L. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.
2. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.
3. Ericsson, A., & Pool, R. (2016). Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.