Can WTF taeguk poosaes (TKD) be effectively applied on the street?

What do you guys think?

Arre th ecombinations of blocks and strikes in forms good for real self defense situations?

"Can WTF taeguk poosaes be effectively applied on the street?"

Forms are mostly ment to train your techniques,balance,and coordination. While stringthining your body and getting it used to the movements. In that respect forms can help you in a street fight, however please know that fights are not fought in a set pattern. I would not recomend using the taeguk forms in a street fight. Just trust your instincts and strike when necessary. Do not fight in a formal pattern when you are in a street fight! However never underestimate the true value of the forms,and continue to practice them as they are essential to training in Taekwondo.

I actually disagree with that, mostly. I don't think there are any "real" applications to TKD Poomse.

I am a firm believer in the effectiveness of all arts if they are understood (and more to the point if real combat is understood), However...

The korean forefathers of tkd were taught a non-application based shotokan with many ideas about techniques and kata that we now laugh at with disdain and wonder how so many karateka went so long without questioning them.

TKD's effectiveness came from the solid contact based training of basic techniques that are not all listed in its forms. TKD is a modern art that was transmitted not through kata but through basics and sparring.

Add to this void of kata knowledge the fact that the Taeguks were created not to teach combat but as a means of seperating TKD from the Conformity device of the japanese invaders (aka karate) and you have a bunch of forms that mean next to nothing as far as actual fighting goes.

On the other hand... next to nothing is still something (hence the "mostly" disagree)...

Perhaps I am just biased because I studied Shotokan forms before I studied Taeguks. If u break down and practice the taeguk forms with a view to fighting then you will fight with them; they are just karate basics and so they work as well as karate basics do (all though a number of the combinations are questionable). My gripe is just that they lack the same depth mainly because of how obviously they try to get away from their ancestry. TKD really comes into its own when it fights as a modern art as opposed to attempting to relieve a history that isn't there.

Just a thought...

I've always that korean poomsae's while not exactly applicable, can be modified to be applicable. But this is with any other katas for any other MA.

Of course, it would be senseless and stupid to try to fight move for move, pattern for pattern and completely try to replicate a poomsae duirng a fight.

But the combinations of blocks and strikes practiced in poomsae, I believe can be use din real life.

I was just curious as to what other people thought of TKD poomsae.

What you say is true of many martial arts including your own shotokan karate. The true purpose of martial arts is to make one stronger physicaly,mentaly,and spiritualy while protecting ones mind,body, and soul. You achive this through dicipline and extremely hard training both physical and mental. While they do help you defend your self their true purpose is far more important. In truth almost no form or pattern is effective in a fight. Anything can be effective if used correctly. I am a blackbelt in TKD and have studyed shotokan Karate I find them both excellent. Please note that tkd came from many Korean martial arts as well as karate and is its own martial art.

I study the taeguk forms and find them very excellent. You should also look up the palgwe forms of WTF taekwondo as they are also good but diffrent than the taeguk forms

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In truth almost no form or pattern is effective in a fight.

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And here is where you and I disagree. To older MA's forms are far more than just physical/mental training, they are the handbook of the art in question. If you don't understand the form you don't understand the style. There are many arts that teach almost exclusively from their forms (until they get over to the west anyway).

Your view of forms as just training exercises is precisely my view when discussing TKD Poomse, hence my disdain for it.

Also please dont get me wrong I am a strong supporter of TKD as its own modern art and a firm believer in its effectiveness. I very much prise the knowledge and ability I've gained from TKD.

As for TKD being derived from many korean arts and other MA besides karate, I have often heard this said but I have never heard anything concrete to support this. I only ask out of curiosity but do you know which other arts were involved in TKDs creation?

Actually, I did notice one particular point with the Pal-Gwe forms. In looking at the palgwe themselves, I noticed that some of the forms could be adapted to the use of a bayonet equipped rifle! Also, some of the kicks were more akin to someone who was wearing combat boots. A similar application would be to use a 3ft baton in place of a rifle.

At one time when I initially made this observation, I asked a ROK Marine I knew if what I saw was possible. He told me that yes, it was true. That some of the older forms often possessed a direct application to a weapon.

Yes, I do know a few of the Korean MAs that were a part of TKDs creation. Taekkyon,Kwon byup,Hwarangdo, and many other Korean kwans(styles) were included in the creation of the Korean art of Taekwondo(The art of kicking and punching). If you had done more reasearch on Taekwondo's history you can find all the evidence you need! If Shotokan was the only influence then why does TKD have many more kicking techniques that shotokan never had? Shotokan and Taekwondo are two diffrent arts TKD has long since evolved and been modified to become its own martial art, with its own forms, techniques, and selfdefence ways. You should also note that there are now many styles of Taekwondo such as Kukkiwon style, Chun do kwan, mu duk kwan, and songahm plus many more. You should have done more reasearch before you acted like an expert on the history of TKD!