| Proponents of Tae Kwon Do (also Taekwondo, | | | | guards for leg protection. Furthermore, to prevent |
| Taekwon-Do, or Tae Kwon-Do) date its origin to | | | | injury; there is head gear and chest protectors. |
| the Silla dynasty in Korea. In these times a martial | | | | To protect vulnerable areas there is also groin |
| art form was used for combat conditioning by its | | | | protection and mouth guards like in other sports. |
| warriors so they were better able to fight with | | | | All of this equipment is worn in competition and |
| enemies at home and abroad but the form we | | | | often in training as well. |
| recognize around the world today really came into | | | | Like all sports, because protection is worn all the |
| being after the Korean War. It finally came to the | | | | time it removes some of the combat |
| United States in the same way as Karate did, | | | | effectiveness. While this prevents injury, it also |
| through American servicemen who served in the | | | | prevents students from learning how to defend |
| region. It remains a popular combat martial art | | | | themselves in a real life combat situation by |
| around the globe, and is also an Olympic sport and | | | | moving and striking in a way that would normally |
| the national sport of South Korea. | | | | shatter and unconditioned fist or unprotected |
| The sport never replaced the combatives the | | | | groin. While it is a fun and demanding sport, it is |
| United States military was using, but the powerful | | | | just the beginning of your self defense training. |
| kicks were included with training. Unlike Hapkido | | | | In competitions rules prohibit grappling, throws, |
| which is a soft art based on Japanese Jujutsu that | | | | and holding techniques that are seen in combat |
| allows the attacker to make the first move, Tae | | | | sports like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Taekwondo |
| Kwon Do practitioners are taught to attack even | | | | focuses on many different types of kicks including |
| in the combat sport version. While Tae Kwon Do | | | | 45 degree, front, axe, side and a variety of |
| looks impressive in the ring and demonstration, it | | | | jumping and spinning kicks. Though there isn't |
| is completely unsuited for hand-to-hand combat in | | | | much attention paid to grappling, the system has |
| the streets. Typical Tae Kwon Do lacks the basic | | | | a number of blocks, open and closed hand strikes |
| primal self defense tactics necessary to survive. | | | | and depending on what style of Tae Kwon Do |
| While the Koreans had their own martial arts it | | | | you're practicing. Take-downs, throws, and joint |
| wasn't unit they were occupied by the Japanese | | | | locks may also be included with part of the |
| prior to the official outbreak of World War II did | | | | training at the instructor's discretion and |
| Tae Kwon Do begin to develop. The Japanese | | | | experience. |
| were brutal racist conquers who forced their | | | | While the competition might be intense, it only |
| culture on the Korean people and even drafted | | | | happens with full protective gear on the |
| Koreans into their military. One of the few | | | | competitors from head to toe. Like Karate. Tae |
| positives that came out of this period was that | | | | Kwon Do does have a self defense aspect, but |
| the Japanese taught their martial arts to the | | | | the vast majority of people only practice the |
| Koreans and at that time in Japan, Shotokan | | | | competition sports version. |
| Karate was popular. | | | | If you try to use your Tae Kwon Do, kick boxing |
| In the 1950'sGeneral Choi Hong Hi Tae Kwon Do's | | | | or karate in a street fight you will lose and get |
| founder would combine Shotokan with other | | | | hurt. Why? Because those techniques while are |
| martial arts, and the result would be a new | | | | great for a regulated match are useless in a fight |
| standardized martial art for Korea. To set itself | | | | where anything goes. Now I'm sure some of you |
| apart, Tae Kwon Do chose to focus on fast, | | | | know some pretty tough martial artists, but |
| spectacular kicking techniques rather than the | | | | remember a life or death fight is a different |
| powerful straight line kicking and punching of its | | | | animal. If you're interested in learning Tae Kwon |
| Japanese father. | | | | Doe learn from someone who teaches practical |
| Because safety is important in any combat sport | | | | self defense moves along with the combat sport. |
| there is a variety of Tae Kwon Do equipment | | | | While there might be a right and a wrong way |
| designed to keep a student safe. For the hands | | | | when it comes to techniques there is no right and |
| there are hand raps and cloth fist and forearm | | | | wrong in self defense as long as whatever you |
| guards as well as elbow protection. Since kicks are | | | | do works. |
| such a big part of TKD, there are shin and ankle | | | | |