What's up guys? I am a WTF tkd practicioner. Thats Sports tkd for all you traditionalists. I began in traditional tkd and earned my black belt 4 yrs. later I moved on to sports tkd at a new school. The emphasis on sparring over doing forms was to my liking. Remember guys people think tkd lacks hand techniques, this is incorrect, they may not stress hand strikes as say shotokan or kenpo but just about every tkd school has basic self defense and one-three step sparring. Remember when we say self defense we are not talking about sparring, we are talking about avoiding a situation or getting away from one as quickly as possible. One-three step sparring as many know are pre-determined hand and foot techniques done with a partner or partners. Pretty much the same thing done in almost every other martial arts school. Now the mere fact that when sports tkd practicioners spar with an emphasis on kicking, does not mean they cannot defend themselves in a real altercation vs a different form of martial arts. Some of you may think MMA immediatly. What you need to realize is that MMA/UFC have rules for thier kind of sparring also. Real self defense is not pretty and is limitless. Any 92 yr.old woman has the strength to poke an attacker in the eyes. The reason why she may not do it is because she lacks the propper training and confidence to defend herself. I am 28 yrs. old, I have been dropped by a 7 yr. old student of mines when she kicked me in the groin infront of my entire class. Durring one-step sparring.Embarressing yes, effective HELL YES, did I want retaliate...maybe at first, but I was even more proud of her than anything. Now when it comes down to discussing the pro's and cons of open point sparring vs olympic continuous point sparring. Both forms of sparring have benefits. Open sparring, you get to test your ability vs multiple styles, you gain tons of experiences through exposure, this is not like cross training, infact i believe you should only cross train when you have at least mastered one style, that way you can integrate your new knowledge with your basics. But if you were to just spend 2 months in tkd, 2 months in kenpo, 2 in boxing. Doesn't sound like a well rounded artist to me. Now training for olympic style tkd as certain advantages that no other MA offers. Because sport tkd has become its own unique martial art, I mean everyone a kick is a kick no matter what, but sports tkd have changed thier kicks altogether. Emphasis is no longer on power but on speed, timing and accuracy taking into account distance as well. This is something that rarely any martial art does, because the focus is more on hands. WTF tkd has created new kicks to go along wth its olympic style sparring, kicks not seen anyone where, and probably not very wel known by non tkd stylist. Infact you can pretty much take out modern tkd from the "HARD CORE" style section, because all elite athletes train and practice for avoidnace techniques, unlike the tradtional "hardcore" arts which considers every block an actual attack. This is what makes olyimpic style sparring unique, avoid attacks and counter attack during the attackers weakest point, which just happends to be during the initial attack. Thats right folks, olympic style practicioners train to counter attack before the attackers initial kicking foot hits the ground, cathing the initial attacker at his weakest. Now you must be thinking "thats great, for kicks but what about punches?" The same application and counters used for kicks can be used against punches as well. I myslef tend to watch my opponents shoulders, some people watch the eyes. I watch the shoulders because no matter if he kicks or punchers his upper torso (shoulders)must follow. Now dont get it twisted people EVERY tkd stylist knows not to throw high kicks in real life self defense this is a misconception, practicing high kicks is a good leg work out, because if you can kick high you most certainly can kick low and with more power I might add. Thats why olympic style tkd only awards points for solid kicks landed to the face or chest protector, and dismissed the light punches to the hogu. Unlike open sparring when the main attack is a back fist often lacking power almost like a "tag, your it game" I competed in a open tournament when I was a black belt in traditional tkd, I was going against a kenpo practicioner. The score was 2-2 we were tied and the next point wins. I initiated the attacker with a traditional rear leg axe kick, which can be easily countered by a sports tkd stylist with a counter roundhouse kick ^^, and ways, this kenpo stylist back up and ignored the attack, I followed up with a left rear leg round house kick at the same time he countered with a lead hand back fist. He tapped the top of my head gear making me blink, I nailed him in his stomach knocking him down and taking the wind out of his lungs. Guess who won? Although my attack seemed to me and to many others superior my opponent landed his back fist first. He was given the point while down on the ground. That was a sad, sad, sad day for me. And it just so happends that a few months later I joined the kosho ryu kempo school. And learning about the rules of open sparring I had to agree he won.
Guys I know that sports tkd lacks the emphasis that many other arts place on self defense, but this doesnt mean that it doesnt have it. Also I think everyone often over looks the new innovative kicks and counter techniques that sports tkd has to offer, judging distance and timing, modern tkd has changed the game with its new short stances, and super fast kicking combos. I mean lets look at the fancy skipping round house kick. To a novice this kick looks pretty spectaular and is ofter the first kick people try to emulate. taking a big long jumping step with your rear leg then rotating in the air to attack with your other rear leg. Sports tkd has changed this kick, many elite competitors do not jump, often they jump soly because they are countering back moving backwards and the speed of thier foot work combined with the speed of their turning lifts them off the ground. Remember you are at your weakest when you dont have your legs under you, which is why you are at your weakest when you are attacking, because one or both legs are off the ground making you unbalanced and open to attack. Hmm man I think I fell off subject somewhere along this babbling. guys I'd ove to hear from you, I'm not down for arguing, i'm down for learning and expressing opinions. I dont really like to get into all that historical martial arts crap, but if you wanna chat about techniques or styles of self defense or if you want to inform me on a specific skill that your style emphasises I'm down. Cya
"Do or do not...there is no try" -Yoda
