What is Taekwondo's Signature move?

[ThuNder_FoOt]

Which kick would you categorize as Taekwondo's signature move? If you could summarize TKD into one move, what would it be? I realize that TKD isn't limited to only one move, but I'm speaking in terms of recognizing others practicing the art. If you are observing someone practicing, which move identify's TKD for you?

:asian:


ThuNdeR_FoOT
.::FOOT CLAN::.

[Mithios]

People outside Tae Kwon-Do would say the jumping spin kicks. But in TKD i would say the side kick, in partcular the side thrust kick. In my 23 years in TKD i have noticed that korean and other masters will want to see that kick first and will actually judge a person's ability by that kick. I even find myself doing it !! And when i started Hapkido 16 years ago the side kick was the first thing Master Choi wanted to see and that was even before I started training with him. So thats my 2 cents , hope it helps!! MITHIOS

[Galvatron]

The "45" roundhouse.

[celtic bhoy]

For ITF I'd say Flying Split Kick.

[RCastillo]

Since I do ITF, I'll go with the side kick also. It's prevelant in many of the forms.:asian:

[ThuNder_FoOt]

I think I would agree with the side kick. Many people judge you based on how well a side kick can be done. But if I were going to recognize someone practicing TKD, I would have to say the Axe kick would be th giveaway for me. From what I've seen, TKD players throw it a way that is reasily identifiable.:asian:

[Galvatron]

The "45" roundhouse, axe kick, and back kick are definitely the three most thown kicks in (WTF) Taekwondo.

[A.R.K.]

Which kick would you categorize as Taekwondo's signature move?

Charging $500+ for a BB test for an 8yr old...:rofl: :boing2:


Sorry, I've been fighting the urge to post that since this thread was started and I finally gave in. :p

[RCastillo]

Originally posted by A.R.K.
Which kick would you categorize as Taekwondo's signature move?

Charging $500+ for a BB test for an 8yr old...:rofl: :boing2:


Sorry, I've been fighting the urge to post that since this thread was started and I finally gave in. :p

Whoa, back up here. That's WTF, only!!!:)

[A.R.K.]

I don't know what came over me ;)

[Disco]

This is based on WTF competition from my general area. The young guns, 1st and 2nd BB open with an fast moving outside axe kick. Operative word here is fast. Iv'e seen lots of tko's with this opening move. Would I use it in the street? No way!... But were talking tournament fighting.
:asian:

[RCastillo]

Originally posted by A.R.K.
I don't know what came over me ;)

It's ok, stay out of the heat. :)

[TallAdam85]

well it is known for kicks not what type of kicks it is just know for a kicking art thats all i can say

[A.R.K.]

It's ok, stay out of the heat.

I'm trying to, but thats not easy in Florida :D

[ThuNder_FoOt]

Originally posted by RCastillo
It's ok, stay out of the heat. :)

I understand this point. But the thread question was more to the point of " with which kick would you be able to identify TKD?".

[karatekid1975]

I would say the roundhouse. My boyfriend's school, everyone uses it mostly when they spar. But in general, I'd say the spin kicks.

[cali_tkdbruin]

Originally posted by A.R.K.
Which kick would you categorize as Taekwondo's signature move?

Charging $500+ for a BB test for an 8yr old...:rofl: :boing2:


Sorry, I've been fighting the urge to post that since this thread was started and I finally gave in. :p

HAHAHAHAHA :D :rofl: :rofl:

Unfortunately it's true...:o :(

Anyway, back to the subject of kicks, I'd vote for the basic roundhouse kick. IMO it's the most commonly used kick in sparring. Although those flashy, jumping kicks, especially the 360s look a lot cooler.

[Mithios]

In and earlier post i put the side kick. Well since when most people think of tkd these days, they are thinking of the wtf olyimpic (sp ?) version !!! Then for that compitition system i would have to say the semi-round and axe kick. MITHIOS

[TKDman]

Lmao:rofl: , yea the TKD signature move has to be the Round-House or Butterfly Round-House.... just go to a tournament! haha

[arnisador]

A spinning heel kick says TKD to me.

[Cruentus]

Spinning heel or ax kick for sure!

[TallAdam85]

not sure but I know it would be a kick

[Cliarlaoch]

I don't know as there's any ONE kick that is Tae Kwon Do's signature, but I do know that the jumping techniques we do are unique among most arts in the world. Not many other styles utilize jump kicks the way we do, or at least, we do aerial variations of standard kicks like back kick, snap kick, center kick, roundhouse kick, side, etc., all the way down the line of possible kicks. That's one signature.

The other is our tendency to do high-aimed kicks, or kicks that other styles would do to the waist or below, we do to the ribs and head. Not sure if that's wise in a real fight, but it certainly gives credence to the idea of TKD Martial Artists as some of the most flexible in the world!

[Zepp]

For our style of TKD, it's the sidekick for sure.

Don't underestimate high kicks. It's much harder to put power into a high kick than a low kick. So, while you may not have the oppurtunity to safely kick to the head in a real fight, if you've got a sidekick that can knock someone out, you'll have no problem taking out somone's knee. Besides that, what could end a fight faster than a sidekick to the head?

[ob2c]

You actually asked two questions there.


Originally posted by ThuNder_FoOt
Which kick would you categorize as Taekwondo's signature move?

If we are limmited to a kick, I'd have to vote for the one that most often leaves its signature on my bod when I spar a TKD practitioner: the side kick.


If you could summarize TKD into one move, what would it be?...which move identify's TKD for you?

The first one step, in particular the first combined move of that technique, which I think is the most instructional and practical move in the system.

Since I don't know if all TKD schools use the same carriculum, that one step would be: from a challenge (opponent throws a right reverse punch to the face and holds it there), you step into a left front stance with a left outward block, right hand chambers at right hip. Then step your right foot to the right into a left front stance facing the opponent on an oblique. Now deliver a right reverse punch to his face, left hand chambers. Then a left reverse punch to his solar plexus, right hand chambers. Finish with a left reverse punch to his groin, right chambers.

That, to me, summs up TKD!

[Fonixz]

I'm gonna have to go with the jumping spinning kicks, especially my fav, the J.S. cresent! :uhyeah:

[elcajon555]

I would have to say the spin kick. TKD is also known for the power in kicks particulary in the side and spin kicks.

[ShaolinWolf]

I agree that Side Kick is the signiture move. I also say very High kicks in general, but yeah, a especially strong Side Kick. Most people outside of MA think that spin kicks due to all the fancy breaks are the signiture moves in TKD.

[Shu2jack]

Hello all, new to the boards, but seems like a good community.

Personally I think the side kick, spin kick, and high level round kick are TKD's signature moves. When I spar my instructor he always has that mean side kick. Of course, he has thrown a few spin kicks that have floored me, but his side kick is what really hurts.

On the other hand, when I go to tournaments against guys more my own age, it is all jumps, kicking combinations, and spin kicks. It seems like when ever I take a big hit, it was either from a spinning kick or round kick.

[MichiganTKD]

As a Chung Do Kwan student, the CDK signature move is the side kick, especially the sliding side kick. We were always told, if you're going to master one kick, make it this one.
However, I would say the signature Tae Kwon Do technique is the back side kick or back roundhouse, jumping or otherwise. If you see someone doing these techniques, especially if they use full hip rotation, they are either a TKD student or have studied it.