How to Learn Taekwondo
Whether it’s for action movie stunts or an international competition, taekwondo is a very versatile fighting style. Taekwondo is a fast-paced, effective art that emphasizes striking ability, agility, and peak physical conditioning. If you want to learn how to practice taekwondo, here are ways that you can get yourself started.
What is Taekwondo?
The history of taekwondo traces itself back to Korean martial arts, fighting styles from neighboring China, and karate techniques introduced during the Japanese occupation. In Hanggul (the language of Korea), the word “taekwondo” means “the way of the hand and the foot.” Taekwondo was innovated when the Koreans have developed a very effective, fast-paced fighting style that incorporated the best features of the martial arts available to them.
Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on kicks. Taekwondo takes advantage of the leverage, reach, speed, and power provided by the legs. A person who studies and practices taekwondo is called a jin. Taekwondo is very popular sport, and is internationally recognized as a competition sport. Taekwondo sparring is also included in the Olympic Games.
Taekwondo Skills
All the techniques and skills in taekwondo are meant to maximize force, power, speed, and forward momentum. Here are some of the important skills and techniques that you should learn in taekwondo:
Stances. Taekwondo incorporates many stances to position strikes and to properly defend against attacks. Each stance in taekwondo puts the body in the best position to land a well-placed kick.
Kicks. Taekwondo maximizes and emphasizes kicking techniques. A kick may be a snappy move that disorients the opponent, or powerful enough to knock the opponent unconscious. Most kicks in taekwondo are done on the ground, but some jin can go airborne to land a powerful, effective kick.
Hand strikes. Hand strikes in taekwondo are fast attacks done with an open hand or a closed fist. There are powerful hand strikes in the fighting style, although most hand strikes are used to set the opponent up for a powerful follow-up kick.
Blocks and parries. Offense is highly emphasized in taekwondo, and many techniques have been developed to block or parry a strike with stances, parries, or the flowing movement of another offensive strike.
Throws in taekwondo include joint locks, compression holds, strangleholds, and takedowns. Some of these techniques were developed within taekwondo, although many of the grappling maneuvers used in the sport are adapted from other fighting styles and martial arts.
Breaking. Demonstrations are an important part of taekwondo. Many jin showcase their talents and skills by breaking boards, cinder blocks, and tiles. Breaking can also help improve the strength, power, and agility of a jin.
Taekwondo Schools
Taekwondo is sometimes taught in schools and universities, although the best way to learn taekwondo is to study it under the instruction of a high-ranked and highly-regarded taekwondo master. Dojang (the Korean equivalent to a dojo) are fairly common in many cities and suburbs, and many taekwondo teams sponsor training camps for beginners and advanced jin alike.
If you want a fast-paced, action-packed fighting technique that you can use for self-defense, you can’t get anything more impressive and exciting as taekwondo. With these tips, you’re well on your way to get a real kick out of one of the world’s most popular martial arts.