Tae Kwon Do is a true martial art, originating over 2000 years ago, with its roots in ancient Korea. Today, it is
the world's most widely practice martial art. As the name implies, Tae Kwon Do is more than a sport, it is a
way of life. Tae Kwon Do is a modern martial art, characterized by its fast, high and spinning kicks. Tae Kwon
Do is now of course, an official Olympic sport.
A cornerstone of Tae Kwon Do is the forms that are used to practice elements of fighting.
Tae Kwon Do is not just kicking (like many people believe). Yes, Tae Kwon Do does mostly involve kicks but
one must also learn some things with fists and also how to block.
Tae kwon do is an incredible mixture of stretching muscles to their limits while stressing them to their limits
anaerobically. However, the tremendous physical training is only part of the ultimate goal of Tae Kwon Do
training. Training in Tae Kwon-do involves both individual and group activities which also help develop
communication skills.
Tae Kwon Do is an excellent means of fitness training. Whether you're looking to improve your confidence,
improve your fitness, meet new people, or just to take up a new past-time, Tae Kwon Do is for everyone. Of
course, you will also have a lot of fun as you improve your fitness, gain self-defense skills and learn the
exciting Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do training provides students with a positive way of life.
Tae Kwon Do is indeed an art form. The literal translation of Tae Kwon Do is "The Way of Kicking and
Punching. While Tae Kwon Do is a fighting art, it does not encourage violent living. Tae Kwon Do, a highly
disciplined activity, is used both as a form of self-defense and exercise. It is an effective and great way to unify
the mind and body. Tae Kwon Do is a traditional Korean martial art designed to provide the ultimate in
unarmed self-defense.
The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder
what the difference between these two martial arts is. This is especially the case for those who are just
starting to look around for a martial arts studio. After all, most practitioners in both karate and tae kwon do
seem to wear the same type of white gi uniforms with various colored belts.
Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from
Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as
Japanese martial arts today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate
practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor
levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was
developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae
kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with
a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do. Today, there are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the
International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Many tae
kwon do schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often
seen in schools affiliated with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. There are also older Korean styles
including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized karate and tae kwon do schools
also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue in addition to the traditional white.
It can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or
blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or
katas of karate which are set routines which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial
arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40%
hands and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in
karate. Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while
executing kicking techniques. The tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex
than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its
curriculum as well.
In North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and
tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both
karate and tae kwon do competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will
have separate forms divisions for Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do competitors but the fighting or
sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts in tae kwon do end up studying karate as well
and the opposite has been true too. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its
introduction as an Olympic sport. The style and rules used for the Olympic version of tae kwon do fighting
comes from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). Both karate and tae kwon do are considered as hard
style martial arts in North America today (as opposed to soft styles such as the many versions of Chinese
kung fu).
Tae Kwon Do is perhaps the most commonly practiced martial art in the world today. Developed in Korea, it
is a combination of combat technique, self defense, exercise, sport, entertainment and philosophy. It is the
national sport of Korea and an Olympic sporting event.
Tae Kwon Do sparring is generally divided into two forms: one-step sparring and free sparring.
One-step Tae Kwon Do sparring involves prearranged movements performed by two participants in concert.
One of the participants employs punching and kicking techniques while the other uses various combinations
of blocking and counterattacking techniques.
One-step sparring helps familiarize the students with the fundamentals of kicking, punching, and blocking
movements. The students will learn to develop and manage their reaction time for accurate counterattacks.
One-step sparring is essential in preparation for free Tae Kwon Do sparring.
Free sparring in Tae Kwon Do is the practical application of self defense techniques. The points of contact
include the belt and above.
Typically, full contact is not permitted in free Tae Kwon Do sparring for safety reasons. Students are only
allowed to strike specific target areas. Hand techniques, for example, may only be used on the front and side
of the body from the belt to the shoulder. This also means that no hand technique may be delivered to the
face or head.
Foot techniques may only be executed on the front and sides of the body from the belt to the head. Intentional
kicks to the back and back of the head are strongly illegal. Also, there should be no throwing, knee attacks,
head butts, or elbows are allowed. These rules are generally maintained by the World Tae Kwon Do
Federation (WTF).
Taekwondo sparring tournaments consist of three rounds, each of which is three minutes, with a one minute
rest period between rounds. In competition, matches are held in an 8x8 meter contest area in the center of a
12x12 meter competition area. A referee controls the match and enforces compliance with the rules. The
event is judged by four corner judges who award the scores.
