TaekwondoIf you read my about me page, you will know that I did TKD for about four years in the early 90's and earned a black belt in it. Techniques TKD has a heavy emphasis in kicking techniques, especially kicks above the height of the waist. The main philosophy behind the emphasis on kicking techniques is that the legs are able to generate more power than the arms and that the legs are longer, thus more effective at keeping an opponent at a distance. Although, at a concept level this is true, there are many factors that make kicking risky in a street situation. For example, being less balanced while kicking or accidently slipping if the surface is wet or slippery. A traditional style TKD is what I would consider as a traditional martial arts style. It has a traditional uniform, gradings, belt ranking system and practices set patterns of techniques. It has two main governing bodies, being the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). The WTF rules are followed in the Olympic event of TKD. Taekwondo Uniform TKD practitioners wear a traditional white uniform. One of the distinguishing features from other martial arts uniforms is the use of a v-style neck. As Teakwondo does not have many grappling techniques, where uniforms can be forcefully gripped and pulled, the uniform is light weight and can be relatively thin. Belt System A belt ranking system exists that starts at white belt and progresses to black belt, with additional 'dan' rankings. Different schools will have slightly different coloured belts in between white and black. From my experience it can take between 3-5 years to earn a TKD black belt. Obviously, this time frame will vary according to how often you are able to train, your skill level and the club of which you are part of. Patterns Prearranged sets of techniques are practiced in TKD. They are called 'Poomsae'. In terms of training method, these are the same as the practicing of 'kata' in Japanese karate styles. TKD patterns are linear and non-flowing. By this, I mean the techniques are performed individually, almost with a brief pause between each stance and strike. This is not necessarily a negative thing, just an observation. The non-flowing nature of the TKD patterns are in contrast to some Chinese martial arts styles, where movements tend to flow into one another. Breaking Techniques One of the most exciting things about TKD is the training of techniques to break objects such as wooden boards, tiles and bottles. Many martial artists argue the relevance of such feats to a real life self defense situation. However, what cannot be ignored is the level of skill that is required to pull off some of the techniques. Remember, martial arts is not just about fighting. Accuracy, timing, speed, and strength are just some of the attributes that have to be developed to a very high level to perform some of the breaking techniques. Competitions For those interested in competing in organised competitions and tournaments, Taekwondo offers excellent opportunities to compete at local, state, national and international level. If you are good enough, it is one of the few martial arts where you can have the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. If this is a possible goal for you I would recommend training with a club that is registered with the WTF as it's rules are applied to the Olympic event. Self Defense Personally, I would not recommend TKD to someone interested in learning practical street self defense. Like many traditional martial arts styles, the set patterns and training methods do not adequately prepare someone for a real life violent encounter. Click here for more information on my views on self defense and martial arts. A word about flexibility As mentioned, Taekwondo has a large focus on kicking techniques above the height of the waist. These techniques require considerable flexibility in the hip and leg muscles. If you are considering starting TKD as a martial art but have always lacked flexibility in general, I would suggest you consider another style of martial art. Enhancing kicking range and footwork For experienced martial artists who are looking at improving their kicking skills and techniques, TKD will be worth exploring. Due to the fast pace nature of Taekwondo-style sparring, excellent footwork is naturally developed. For more detailed information about Taekwondo, check out the Taekwondo-network.com Back to Martial Arts Styles Page
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