A Brief History of Taekwondo

By Ronald A. Southwick

The name Taekwondo is derived from the Korean word "Tae" meaning foot, "Kwon" meaning fist and "Do" meaning way of. So, literally Taekwondo means "the way of the foot and fist". The name Taekwondo, however, has only been used since 1955 while the arts' roots began 2,300 years ago in Korea. Known as a martial art and way of life, the evolution of Taekwondo was a direct result of the happenings in Korea long ago, and knowledge of the history is an important step in understanding Taekwondo.

Basic Taekwondo Kicks

By: Maeve Rich Being able to perform basic taekwondo kicks is essential to progressing in the martial art. Here are some basic taekwondo kicks and what you need to know to be able to perform them: Front Kick The front kick is the most basic taekwondo kick and the basis for many other types of kicks. To do it, start in the guarding position, with your hands by your face, and raise your feet until you are on their balls. Now pick your knee up, making sure your knee is higher than your hip. Point your toes downward and kick your leg out quickly. Back Kick Start in the guarding position, your kicking leg back. Make sure you keep your hands by your face for protection. Spin away from your target, pivoting on your non-kicking foot. Bring your kicking leg up to your chest then kick out at your target, making contact with your heel. Return to the starting position. Side Kick This is the most powerful of the basic kicks. Start facing sideways, with your rear foot facing backwards.

Pull your knee up to your chest, keeping your heel and knee parallel to the ground. Kick out, pausing for a moment at the point of extension, then return to your starting position. Reverse Side Kick The reverse side kick is one of the more difficult basic kicks to learn, but once you are familiar with the movements it's much easier to do. To begin, get in your guarding stance, keeping your hands near your face for protection. With your left foot step up (to the right) and spin. Bring your right leg up with your knee to your chest. When you're facing your opponent, kick out, making contact with your heel. Then return your leg to its starting position. Roundhouse Kick To do a roundhouse kick, stand on your non-kicking leg. Keep your kicking let up at a 90 degree angle. Your arms should be up in preparation of an attack. Turn, with your hips leading, toward your opponent. Your waist will lead your body. You will swing your leg at your opponent in a circular motion. Kick outward with your kicking leg, making contact with the top of your foot, then return to your defensive position.

KIM'S TAE KWON DO SCHOOL Introduction of Tae Kwon Do Rules and Regulations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. No talking while class is in session. Talking is permitted only if a student has a question or a problem. Students should tell the instructor of any physical problems. Tae Kwon Do uniform must be clean and white with the school patches on it. No food or drink is allowed in the Do-Jang. Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed, and no jewelry is allowed during exercise. Students must have instructor's approval to represent the school in a martial arts championship tournament. Tae Kwon Do students cannot teach Tae Kwon Do to others without instructor's approval. Tae Kwon Do students cannot demonstrate any Tae Kwon Do techniques to others without instructor's approval. Tuition fees must be paid on time and promotion fees must be paid in advance. Tae Kwon Do students may visit any other martial arts school, but they cannot participate in sparring without instructor's approval. Tae Kwon Do students cannot take more than one promotion test at a time. Tae Kwon Do should be adopted by students as a lifetime exercise program. Lowest ranked students are required to sweep the Do-Jang after every practice. When talking to instructors, Tae Kwon Do students must address them as "Sabum-Nim" or "Sir/Ma'am." Tae Kwon Do students must be helpful to the community. Tae Kwon Do skills are not to be used for hurting or killing people, but can be used in life and death situations. Respect your instructor and never betray instructor's trust. Be willing to exercise hard and try to enjoy Tae Kwon Do. Never miss Tae Kwon Do daily exercise. Tae Kwon Do philosophy encourages students to become honorable human beings with perfect character and physical condition. Tae Kwon Do students must always act and think in a positive manner.

Taekwondo is most commonly associated with being a Martial Art, however many people do not understand how the "do" of Taekwondo changes the meaning of "Martial Art" from a mere fighting skill, to a way of life for a warrior. The student of Taekwondo can be a deadly fighter, and formidable opponent in physical combat, however the "art" is equally about the individual character. The basic skills of Taekwondo are to first learn the proper positive attitude, good manners, courtesy, and respect. The beginner student learns some Korean terminology, history, and culture, along with customs, and traditions of the Martial Art. This typically includes bowing at various times to remind one's self of the sanctity of the training hall, and the value of relationship between student and instructor, seniors, juniors, and partners when training. Meditation is a beginning tool that prepares the mind to focus, and learning proper breathing techniques. Some of the primary skills of a Taekwondo student should be introspection (looking inward at one's self to find areas to improve), respect of wisdom, life, and the universe (seeking the value and worth of wise teachings, valuing all life and social interactions with people, and appreciating the importance of universal harmony). A Taekwondo student always seeks the path of just behavior, ideal action, and balance in life. As for the skills of self defense, there too Taekwondo seeks balance. One must be able to adapt to any situation, and prevail with whatever techniques and tactics will succeed. The primary focus of training is to avoid conflict, and when physical aggression becomes inevitable or necessary, then we avoid tactics that will place us further at risk. Therefore, Taekwondo teaches first to keep at a safe distance when possible, evading strikes and grasps, utilizing blocks and parries, and countering with the advantage of reach and strength of the legs with kicks (primarily low to mid section in real-life self defense), and the use of hand, knee, and elbow strikes as powerful secondary weapons. The beginner student learns accuracy, and what are vulnerable targets, then develops speed, timing, and power. When we strike in Taekwondo, we aim to distract, damage, or completely destroy the target at our discretion depending on the circumstances. Our goal is to train to have the capability of powerful destructive blows at any angle, at any range, and while in any compromised position. This way, we do not have to out wrestle a skilled wrestler, but be able to fend off and thwart their attacks while creating openings for the deadly blows that will end the fight quickly. Taekwondo skills must also include a thorough and proficient knowledge of pressure points, joint locks and joint manipulation, throws and takedowns, as well as specialized tactics in ground-fighting defense which is consistent with the theories of Taekwondo combat strategy. Taekwondo is popularly known for its kicks. For this reason, many people mistakenly think that Taekwondo is void of throwing or ground-fighting skills. This is not true. While many improperly run schools, and inadequately trained instructors do not teach the complete or accurate Korean art of self defense, there should be a balance of strikes, throws, and holds - including ground-fighting tactics. In class and at home, students practice stationary techniques for basic learning of skills, then they combine strikes and kicks with stances and free flowing motions. Pre-arranged patterns are used to practice solo, and one-step sparring (also 2 and 3-step) which are performed with a partner using no contact or light controlled contact. Board breaking is occasionally introduced in early ranks, and some sparring might be practiced with control. These are all introductory skills that create the foundation upon which advanced training utilizes to build and hone the art into practical application. Advanced skills of Taekwondo involves a variety of kicks, including skipping, spinning, jumping, jumpspin and flying kicks. The advanced student increases their flexibility, accuracy of strikes, and all other basic skills. Self defense training turns more to real-life scenarios, and street application. Power is increased, and the student is thereby able to demonstrate breaking more difficult targets such as multiple boards, bricks or cement slabs, and at multiple stations, and using more advance techniques.

The higher ranked students also learn ways to deal more efficiently and effectively with multiple opponents, and those armed with various weapons.

Legal Techniques (Duk-jeom) One (1) point shall be awarded for each closed fist or kicking technique delivered accurately and with sufficient power to the entire colored area of the torso protector, in the absence of any violations. Sufficient power in the absence of Electronic sensors is defined as abrupt displacement due to the impact of the strike. Force of impact using electronic sensors in the trunk protector is measured by the level of force by which points are scored varying by weight division and gender. Authorized scoring implements are the forefist and any part of the foot below the ankle. Points shall be awarded for each kicking technique delivered to the all sides of the head above the collarbone, including the facial area. Under Senior (Full-contact) rules for W.T.F. and U.S.A.T. sanctioned tournaments, one (1) point is awarded for legal strikes to the trunk protector, three (3) points are awarded for legal kicks to the head, with (1) additional bonus point awarded for all valid turning kicks (ie. Spin hook, Spin-round kicks/natobaun). No punching to the head or kicking below the belt is allowed. One score will automatically be awarded for legal techniques which result in staggering or a knockdown. A knockdown is defined as an 8-count required by the Referee due to the strike impact of a valid technique, whereupon any part of the body other than the foot touches the ground. In the case of either a knockdown or staggering, a competitor must demonstrate the ability to continue the match safely, or the referee will continue the count to 10, there upon declaring the winner. Scoring techniques shall not be delivered to unauthorized areas including directly to the spine. Foot sweeps and throws are not allowed. When a contestant scores through the use of a prohibited act, the point(s) shall be annulled. PROHIBITED ACTS