In today's Parade magazine in the newspaper, James Brady discusses the Korean War. Included is a picture of S. Korean troops training at a DMZ outpost. In the foregorund a soldier punches a heavy bag; in the rear, seven soldiers in two lines, wearing fatigues, practice a front kick together.
R
RCastillo
Guest
I saw that as well. About as hard core as you'll ever see, no doubt! Live, and breath TKD 24-7!
However, I found it interesting that to qualify for U.S. duty there, one has to be proficient in TKD as well? Surely, they would accept others regardless of style, don't you think?
DAC..florida
Purple Belt
I think you may have been involved in a dojo that is more focused on the sparing than the self defence.
TKD is a great art and can be used for self defence, I work in law enforcement and have had to use it a few times.
Another great style for self defence is hapkido and is very similiar to TKD as far as movements and the strikes and blocks.
Good luck in your search:asian:
M
MartialArtist
Guest
Well, the US Marines started a martial arts program (which is currently the best the US military has to offer other than that LINES crap or what the elite forces train in). It isn't some watered-down thing where they only teach techniques and not principles of phsycs/biomechanics/whatever (which are the foundations of all techniques). One of the people who came up with the idea got the idea from the South Koreans practicing TKD during the Vietnam War. And it wasn't some high kick demo either. It actually helped the ROK Marines win the battle of Hoi An.
I had a job at one time , for 5 years were i had to use my Tae Kwon-Do skills to save my rear a # of times, and i survived very well. If you feel it wont work for you , Then check out other tkd school's. In my opinion it's the instructors fault if he has a curriculum that is lacking in self defense skills Not the system. Maybe the training in this school is going for sport and not self defense. If that is the case then choose another TKD school . There are a lot of different systems of TKD. And thy focus on self defense and they (GASP !!!!!!! ) work a lot of hand tech. too, plus sweeps, throws ,joint controls etc. Hope you find a school for you !!!!!! MITHIOS
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Abbax8
Guest
My brother was in Vietnam on a Destroyer doing Carrier escort duty. One of the stories he told me was of the South Korean Rangers in Vietnam. When they were being transported on US ships they would sometimes give H2H lessons. My brother was not easily scared or impressed back then or now, but he made it clear NEVER get these guys ticked off.
Peace
Dennis
Peace
Dennis
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angrywhitepajamas
Guest
While I have never trained in TKD, I have gone up against people who have cross trained in it. They are very Scary once they learn to shake off a few punches, and cope with people trying to get in close. When kicks are done properly you can't see them (at least I can't).
Aside from that The art that you practice is only as effective as how you train, and examine it.
As my Mother always says, "you make the art an expression of what is inside of you as well as your intentions."
Aside from that The art that you practice is only as effective as how you train, and examine it.
As my Mother always says, "you make the art an expression of what is inside of you as well as your intentions."
hardheadjarhead
Senior Master
I've been in TKD for 27 years of the 30 I've been in the martial arts...and I have to agree that there indeed a lot of schools out there that aren't worth the paper of the contract they get you to sign. Its downright embarrassing.
Let's look at the art separate from that issue.
TKD has some glaring weaknesses when it comes to self-defense. The kicks and punches...if drilled properly...can be part of a good stand up game. There is no ground work, no effective work against weapons, and no work WITH weapons. Note that I am using absolute statements there. OF COURSE some of the schools out there have cross training or have enlightened instructors who have addressed those issues. I think it safe to say most don't. Thus I use the absolutes for emphasis...it is hyperbole, of course, but intentionally so to make a point.
Is TKD an effective form of self defense, as currently taught in the mainstream? NO. Not taken alone. If one cross trains with other systems, TKD can offer a great deal of value. I can say the same for Judo, Aikido, and Hapkido...and other arts as well. I heard it said that no one art has more than 15% of the information that is out there. That's an overstatement, given the number of arts. Bottom line...ALL martial artists interested in self defense need to cross train. Many are. I go to Modern Arnis seminars and I see Kenpo people and Tae Kwon Do people there. I go to Sayoc seminars and I see grapplers there. People are cross training in order to fill in gaps and augment what they already know.
On another note...
Some call TKD a martial sport, not a martial art. This is a matter of semantics. It is a martial art and a martial sport. Some of us define it as an art, practice it as an art, ergo, it is an art. Some practice it as a sport. Get a thread going asking "What is a martial art?" and see the variety of responses you get.
Regards,
Steve Scott
Let's look at the art separate from that issue.
TKD has some glaring weaknesses when it comes to self-defense. The kicks and punches...if drilled properly...can be part of a good stand up game. There is no ground work, no effective work against weapons, and no work WITH weapons. Note that I am using absolute statements there. OF COURSE some of the schools out there have cross training or have enlightened instructors who have addressed those issues. I think it safe to say most don't. Thus I use the absolutes for emphasis...it is hyperbole, of course, but intentionally so to make a point.
Is TKD an effective form of self defense, as currently taught in the mainstream? NO. Not taken alone. If one cross trains with other systems, TKD can offer a great deal of value. I can say the same for Judo, Aikido, and Hapkido...and other arts as well. I heard it said that no one art has more than 15% of the information that is out there. That's an overstatement, given the number of arts. Bottom line...ALL martial artists interested in self defense need to cross train. Many are. I go to Modern Arnis seminars and I see Kenpo people and Tae Kwon Do people there. I go to Sayoc seminars and I see grapplers there. People are cross training in order to fill in gaps and augment what they already know.
On another note...
Some call TKD a martial sport, not a martial art. This is a matter of semantics. It is a martial art and a martial sport. Some of us define it as an art, practice it as an art, ergo, it is an art. Some practice it as a sport. Get a thread going asking "What is a martial art?" and see the variety of responses you get.
Regards,
Steve Scott
Doesn't it all come down to the purpose the teacher trains the students for.
If you have a teacher training people for the olympics would he really teach how to fight for your life.
I suppose it is also how the were trained.
btw tkd is a martial art to me even if it is for sport or combat or in movies or what ever else. Think about it isnt it still the martial art just with a differnt reason
If you have a teacher training people for the olympics would he really teach how to fight for your life.
I suppose it is also how the were trained.
btw tkd is a martial art to me even if it is for sport or combat or in movies or what ever else. Think about it isnt it still the martial art just with a differnt reason
T
the_kicking_fiend
Guest
you make it what it is and you only get what you give
hardheadjarhead
Senior Master
Yes, it does depend on the instructor's emphasis. I emphasize self defense. But I also hit on forms for the aesthetic value. We spar, too...but not Olympic style. We do hand contact to the head...and the TKD black belts will fight the Jun Fan and Muay Thai and CSW guys.
In nearly thirty years of TKD training and teaching I haven't seen too many instructors teach self defense at a functional level. Much of what is taught is good for incorporating into one's "bag of tricks" for self defense...but the approaches are lacking. Some of the stuff taught is just silly.
I could say that for any art, though. All of them have weak areas. Cross train, and you come up with some pretty strong stuff.
People always oppose the arts...they're synergistic...not oppositional.
Regards,
Steve Scott
In nearly thirty years of TKD training and teaching I haven't seen too many instructors teach self defense at a functional level. Much of what is taught is good for incorporating into one's "bag of tricks" for self defense...but the approaches are lacking. Some of the stuff taught is just silly.
I could say that for any art, though. All of them have weak areas. Cross train, and you come up with some pretty strong stuff.
People always oppose the arts...they're synergistic...not oppositional.
Regards,
Steve Scott
Eldritch Knight
Blue Belt
Exactly. I did 7 years of TKD and now I decided to switch arts and learn about a few others. Did a year of kendo, and now I'm trying out kung fu and taido. My TKD training is really helping me with kicks and coordination, but IMHO, kung fu is definetely a better all rounded art for defense (plus the forms look prettier). Point is, though, that I'd never have known that without TKD, and though I'm not the best 2nd dan in TKD, I was better than most at my dojang, and my abilities have given me a good edge over the other white belts. I'd never use TKD, pure and simple, in a fight; especially against a weapon wielder - I'd use a mix of TKD and kung fu. I believe that cross-training is the ONLY way that one can excel at the arts.
Train as an art, compete as a sport, that and Bruce Lee's comment that there is no superior art; only superior practitioners, when I was taught, the emphasis was on 'useful' technique and physical conditioning, with TKD becoming an Olympic sport the emphasis switched to pure tournament technique. I agree that there are too many belt factories out there, it is all about the dollar these days.
Is taekwondo useful?
Sure. Know what you want out of it. Then find the school that will deliver. Ask around and do your research. Just like you would for any other product. Nobody buys high end electronics without doing research. You don't need to be an audio engineer or television tech to be able to effectively find out what's good and what isn't. Or to find out what will meet your needs and what won't.
Most schools will give you a good overall flavor of the art, so if you aren't sure what you're after, go for a reputable school known for quality training. At least then you'll get a quality product. If it turns out to be not quite what you were after, you will at least have a good foundation upon which to build.
Daniel
Sure. Know what you want out of it. Then find the school that will deliver. Ask around and do your research. Just like you would for any other product. Nobody buys high end electronics without doing research. You don't need to be an audio engineer or television tech to be able to effectively find out what's good and what isn't. Or to find out what will meet your needs and what won't.
Most schools will give you a good overall flavor of the art, so if you aren't sure what you're after, go for a reputable school known for quality training. At least then you'll get a quality product. If it turns out to be not quite what you were after, you will at least have a good foundation upon which to build.
Daniel
It was fermenting.
Daniel
Daniel
Alright I have to ask. What is Sarky????
