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Flaunt Those Taekwondo Belt Colors

January 29th, 2012
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In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

Most of the time, the colored belt around a Taekwondo practitioner?s waist seems to hold many presumptions for people. Those who see someone with a yellow belt, think that the bearer of the belt lacks ability. This is not true.

On the same note, many believe that a black belt is the ultimate in martial art achievement. In reality, it is just another step in the learning process.

Taekwondo belt colors were only implemented after the martial arts developed.

There is even a myth behind the origin of the colored Taekwondo belts. Some say that originally, students would begin with a white belt, as is common today, but they are not given new colored belts.

Students were not permitted to wash their belts. And so as they trained, the belts would get darker and darker from perspiration and soon it would become black showing everyone how hard they worked.

The most popularly accepted one is that the Judo founder Professor Jigoro Kano, had implemented a belt system derived from a ranking system used in Japanese schools. The colors are a way of allowing an individual to see how they progress, step by step, and give them something to work hard towards.

When someone move up in the ranks, they begin to realize that it is not the belt they are striving for, but the knowledge which they have gained to achieve the belt.

Many martial arts have different belt rankings and some do not use belts at all.
The following descriptions of the belts are the meanings behind the colors and how they represent development in the student.

1. White.

White is the traditional color of the Korean dobok. New students wear this as their first belt.
This color represents honor, purity, virtue, and innocence. White signifies innocence as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of taekwondo.

2. Yellow.

Yellow is the second belt color of taekwondo. It is the color of honor, wealth, royalty and well-being.

Yellow signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Tae Kwon Do foundation is being laid.

3. Green.

Green is the third belt color in martial arts. The first of the intermediate colors, it is here that practitioners will realize how much there is to learn and how far there is to go.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

Green signifies the plant’s growth as taekwondo skill begins to develop.

4. Blue.

Blue is the fourth belt color.

Blue denotes authority, truth, loyalty, and mystery. It also symbolizes quality.

To wear a blue belt is to start to learn the vast history, philosophy and mysteries of taekwondo.

Blue signifies the Heaven, towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in taekwondo progresses.

5. Red.

Red is the last color belt before black belt.

Red evokes excitement, anger, and intensity. Red orders attention. There is great joy and passion in red.

It signifies danger, teaches the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.

6. Black.

Black is the color most people link with martial arts.

To a non-martial artist, to have a black belt is to have mastered the art.

To a student, it symbolizes just beginning true learning of the art.

Black is the color of wisdom, silence and eternity. To have a black belt is to have the sum of all knowledge from prior belt levels, and to move on to new levels.

Black is the opposite of white, therefore, signifying the maturity and proficiency in taekwondo. It also indicates the wearer’s immunity to darkness and fear.

You can’t predict when knowing something extra about Taekwondo will come in handy. If you learned anything new about Taekwondo in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.

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Taekwondo

The Essence of Taekwondo Moves

January 27th, 2012
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When you think about Taekwondo, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Taekwondo are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

The body movements of taekwondo dwells with the laws of physics and human nature. The moves must be both stable and balanced. The mind shifts the body in space as well the energy within the body frame.

In time, strength is developed slowly but safely.

Taekwondo sparring moves has various structured drills that kindles internal energy and can evolve into impulsive or ordinary boxing.

Players learn how to relax and lower their center of gravity. Slight shifts in balance and tension are felt from the constant contact. Players learn to absorb and counter force instead of resisting it. To meet hard (Yang) with soft (Yin).

The more receptive and relaxed you are, the harder it is for others to find your center. Push hands makes you more centered and relaxed, like the ideal person who stays calm and patient, even if stress is great.

Taekwondo moves develop sensitivity. The aptitude to listen to energy. Listening energy can receive force, which is the first step towards being able to counteract that force.

The player who is more relaxed and alert can receive force and use that force to load up the legs and waist to return it.

Practicing these moves over time will result in the ability to move incoming force and stay calm and balanced. The appearance of effortlessness comes from relaxing to support the flow of natural energy.

Sports have long been considered a wholesome outlet for competitive, warlike instincts. The playing field in team sports represents the battle for turf. But in taekwondo, the players move with rhythm. Every taekwondo move has its intention.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

When another person is ?in your face? or too close for comfort, tension rises. When you push hands, you must stay relaxed, but aware while in constant, close contact with another individual. With experience, you can feel their whole posture from a light touch.

Students can develop and compare roots, relaxation and understanding of form by pushing each other. When you are both equally relaxed and rooted, whoever can keep receiving force without tightening up will be the winner.

This is opposite of our previously held notions about winning in which the most forceful person will prevail.

Taekwondo moves work in life; also with people and events. Life is a steady flow of changes. Flowing with those changes, without resisting or trying to control, is a rare feat and a huge ability.

The most basic human instinct of self-preservation in the skilled practitioner has reformatted at a higher level. The realization that ones own survival is intricately connected with the preservation of all life is analogous to Buddha?s compassion on a physical plane.

Like the inner dialogue of the artist, the interaction of the brain?s hemispheres between technique and imagination, there integrates layers of information to develop a coherent whole.

This wholeness is developed by separating the mind from the body, so that they may reconvene on a higher level.

Encountering no resistance, it dissipates. It dissolves into the void, released from the chain of events by the superior individual. It exhausts itself with repeated attempts to find somewhere to bang against, dissolving in tears of frustration, or peals of laughter.

Appearances are deceptive. Some taekwondo moves may look funny, focusing on feelings over aesthetics, but do not laughing just yet. There is a beauty in their simplicity, sincerity and focus.

Now you can be a confident expert on Taekwondo. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Taekwondo.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

Taekwondo

Mastering Taekwondo and Its Philosophy

January 17th, 2012
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Do you ever feel like you know just enough about Taekwondo to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from Taekwondo experts.

Every time you practice taekwondo, you will realize that you keep on learning more about the principles and philosophies behind the martial art.

You may encounter repetitious hand movements, blocks, kicks, drills, and warm up exercises, that performing those drills and exercises over and over and over again start to get dull.

But after you start to reflect on the intricacies of taekwondo practice, you will soon start to hone your body movements and take notice of the position of you arms, legs, hands, feet, head, etc. while performing each movement. It is only after recognizing and contemplating your body position that you will get to see the philosophy why taekwondo is a true martial art.

There is no other way around it. Tae kwon do is a way of life. Once you commit to taekwondo and get past the basics, you will start associating the philosophies you have learned in taekwondo with your everyday life.

Motivating yourself to go to class is the same as motivating yourself to go to work. Doing push-ups, sit-ups, and other exercises is like performing other day-to-day rituals.

And pushing yourself to do more push-ups, sit-ups, and other exercises is like pushing yourself to learn more about your job and to handle more stress in your life.

This way taekwondo transcends a typical workout and starts to become a link between what you are now and what you want to become.

The sooner you realize you can push yourself physically to do those 5 extra push-ups or 20 extra kicks, the sooner you will realize you have the power to do whatever it is you want with your life.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

At first, it is difficult to associate taekwondo and taekwondo practice movements and techniques with art. How can you consider a punch or a kick or mountain block a form of art?

The answer becomes clear the first time you see someone perform a taekwondo form artistically; taking care to make sure every movement is performed with exactness. Sloppy movements do not look artistic. Crisp, meaningful movements look artistic.

So what is a crisp, meaningful movement? When performing taekwondo or any movement in taekwondo, you need to think about every single body position in the form or movement.

Where should your head be, where should your eyes be looking, when do you snap, how should your feet be positioned?

These are questions that must be considered before and during a movement. The more you practice, the more the movements become ingrained and the less you actually have to think about them.

When you perform a front stance inside block, the line of your back leg and the forearm of the arm performing the inside block should both be on the same “line”, parallel to each other.

This type of thinking and care is what makes taekwondo an art. When you position your body with “mathematical exactness” so that every line in your body is straight and every angle looks purposeful, you are creating art, with your body.

The artistic philosophy of tae kwon do is just an extension of the fact that taekwondo is a way of life. The more time you take to think about your movements in tae kwon do and to perform those movements with an exact, artistic intention, the more likely you are to take care when making decisions in your real life.

Once you begin to understand and master this philosophy of tae kwon do, you can start applying that understanding to your everyday life.

That’s the latest from the Taekwondo authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

Taekwondo

Taekwondo Shoes You Wish You Have

January 15th, 2012
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Current info about Taekwondo is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Taekwondo info available.

Each taekwondo shoe is a three part deal; the upper, midsole and outsole. While all three components contribute to the overall performance of the shoe, the midsole is probably the most crucial.

Why is this so? Simply because it is the cushion between your foot and the cold, hard and unforgiving floor. If you skimp on the midsole your knees, shins, ankles, feet pick up the tab.

Wearing specially-designed taekwondo shoes help a student in a number of different ways. Most martial arts students make the mistake of practicing at home or at the gym using regular workout shoes that have thick soles.

These practically force the foot into an improper kicking position while the thick ties can cause incorrect roundhouse kicks.

Wearing the proper martial art clothing is very important, especially when a student is starting or is in the midst of training. Achieving proper balance and learning the best way to complete drills is best done wearing the right martial arts uniform and footwear.

Because taekwondo uses a number of kicking techniques, a martial arts student would do better to purchase the proper taekwondo shoes than use their normal workout gear.

Taekwondo shoe design.

A good example of this shoe style is the Adidas TKD-2000 shoes. They are made of leather with a tongue of elastic, allowing for them to be slipped over the foot easily and comfortably.

There are no laces to deal with and the upper foot area is flat to allow full contact when practicing kicks.

Flex grooves are embedded into the sides of this taekwondo shoes to allow for full mobility of the toes. They are lighter than your average gym shoes and allow a lot of freedom and balance. They also protect the foot from calluses and strained toe bones.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of Taekwondo is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about Taekwondo.

Most modern-day martial arts shoes have a special pivot point designed into the sole on the medial ball of the foot.

This is because karate and taekwondo emphasize movements from the ball of the foot, where these arts tend to focus their pivot and power.

In contrast, Chinese styles tend to be more “heel” based, so that pivot point does not really help the person wearing it.

The kind of taekwondo shoe that is perfect for a practitioner should have superior design to suit the demand of the sport.

It should also be suitable for training and all kinds of indoor sports. Having rigid rubber sole can help stop movement more easily when stepping backward.

The pivot point should increase speed and mobility when turning. During sparring, the midsole should also add softness and stability

Work out on a soft floor and wear good taekwondo shoes.

Practicing high-impact drills on a hard floor is one of the worst things you can do to your body. The high impact wears the cartilage in your joints down to nothing, and the damage is irreversible.

Only invasive surgery can fix it. The best way to prevent this is to play on a soft surface and wear fully cushioned shoes that have arch support.

Unfortunately, shoes are not allowed in most traditional Do Jangs, and if shoes are allowed they are only the Taekwondo shoes that have no arch support or cushioning in the soles.

However, you can control your personal workouts, so at least take good care of your feet in those workouts.

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Taekwondo

Wannabe a Tae Kwon Do Blue Belt

January 12th, 2012
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There are different types of tae kwon doo belts and before you reach the highest, you will have to undergo different forms and other belts. Before you learn the forms to be a blue belt, you need to learn Kibons. This is designed to be a warm up exercise that makes use of some techniques that come out of the forms, which is also called the poomsae.

There are actually six different Kibbons overall, and each of them are learned and mastered at different ranks. If you want to master blue belt, you need to learn all six Kibbons. You need to get familiarized with it so that you will be promoted as a blue belter.

In addition, when you have already reached the rank of a yellow belt, you will be able to learn the first form of the pattern. Every student learn a lot in the different ranks that they undergo. They need it to become a blue belt. The Kykkiwon system teaches the students Tae Guk System.

The Tae Guk System is very popular and common because the movements look into the goals and the philosophy of the Kukkiwon. This is centered in the methods knows as the modern methods of training and sparring rules.

Students taking tae kwon do blue belt sometimes ask about the nature of the forms. Forms are the integral part of martial art because they are thought of as the art aspect.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Taekwondo. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

The tae kwon do blue belt represents the color of youth, grown and ambition of a student. This also means that the seedling is reaching for the blue sky. It signifies that the blue sky as the plant will continue to grow and reach it. If a student is a tae kwon do blue belt, his rank will go higher just like the plant. Their growth combines and matches with each other.

The light feeds the plant so that it will be able to grow up. The same is for a tae kwon do blue belt student as he is nourished with knowledge and wisdom for the mind to develop and continue learning.

If you want to be like your master, you need to take the steps and training seriously. You need to have good balance, breathing, stances power and the control to your mind and body. These are the key factors to perform the take won do blue belt training properly.

You need to get a focus and concentration so you can execute the exercises confidently. You can master tae kwon do blue belt by repeating the practices and you need to have particular emphasis on the technical details of the movement. You also need to understand the importance of every technique and why it is being used. If you have mastered all the techniques, you will never have a difficulty in the next training and the next level of the martial art.

You need to keep your mind away from being boring because you will not be able to make it through properly. Always think positive and always be positive in learning. If you get bored too soon, tae kwon do blue belt may not be just right for you. Keep in mind that practice does not make it perfect. What makes it perfect is perfect practice, which is done all over and over again.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, now offering the host then profit baby plan for only $1 over at Host Then Profit

Taekwondo

The Enigma Behind Taekwondo Uniforms

January 1st, 2012
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The following paragraphs summarize the work of Taekwondo experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Taekwondo. Heed their advice to avoid any Taekwondo surprises.

Not many people know that the principle behind taekwondo is even followed in the construction of the training uniform or tobok.

It can be noted that many Eastern philosophic doctrines are the basis behind the principles of Taekwondo. In their concepts the harmony in human life is very important. They input the same ideas in the creation of their taekwondo uniform.

The Tobok is said to be taken from the national Korean costume. The three geometrical shapes are combined in it:

1. Square in the sleeves and trousers,

2. Circle in the belt around the waist.

3. Triangle in the V-neck and tights.

According to the Yin and Yang theory, the three main components of the universe and the geometrical shapes of tobok have their significance – the trousers symbolize the Earth, the belt stands for man and the upper garment represents heaven.

The endless form of the belt, a circle, symbolizes the course of human life among heaven and earth. The white color is the purity of consciousness and peace.

The belt is a non-separable part of the Taekwondo uniform. It stands for the rank of degree of the practitioner.

There are five colors of belts – white, yellow, blue, red and black one.

There are 9 ranks of degree for students (gup) from white belt to the red one, and 9 masters (dan) – all of them black belts. The ultimate number in the decimal system is 9. So the initial degree is the 9th gup and the highest one is the 9th dan.

Takewondo uniforms are distinguished according to grades.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Taekwondo. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

For colored grades:

A white traditional uniform is the only accepted uniform for all colored belt grades. The belts are plain colored belts as designated by each dojo. Exceptions are allowed if the style does not use traditional attire.

For black belt levels:

No red shall is worn by anyone below the fourth degree black belt level. Since various martial art styles vary in uniform color configuration, patches worn, etc., it is suggested that there be some simple organized standard.

Other suggested taekwondo uniform recommendations are:

1. Provisional First Degree Black or Regular First Degree Black

This is the separation between the second, third and fourth degree. Black belts are used here. A traditional white top with black bottom should go with the belt, with no trim or other identifying decoration.

The belt is plain, with no bars or other marks, and the belt for the Provisional First Degree should have 1/4 inch white stripe sewed in the center around the entire belt or as a large tip.

2. Second Degree Black or Third Degree Black

These degree levels are of greatly matured levels compared to the First Degree and could be distinguished with a trim uniform, of different color, or different colored bottoms, bars on the belts, etc.

3. Fourth Degree Black, Fifth Degree Black, Sixth Degree Black, Seventh Degree Black. Eighth Degree Black, Positional Ranks

These are considered Master’s Ranks. The practitioners in this degree have the liberty to wear any respectable uniform design, color configuration, or trim.

Master’s belts are traditionally either extra wide black belts with a 1/2 inch red stripe around the center, or either red and black checkered or red and white checkered, and in some cases one will see a wide solid red belt with a 1/2 inch black stripe around the center.

About the Author
John Cane is a health care enthuaist writer who writes for health care companies around the country. To find out more about one of the companies he endorses go to michigan health insurance quote,health insurance quote,small business health insurance quote

Taekwondo

Karate vs Taekwondo – Which one to choose

December 26th, 2011
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The two most common martial arts being practiced in the US are taekwondo and karate.

Ever since, people have been wondering on what is the difference between these two. This poses a problem especially for those who are just looking around for a martial art school or studio.

The fact that both karate and taekwondo seem to be wearing the same style of uniforms with different belt colors does not make help either.

The development of Karate.

Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts.

In fact, there are different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese martial arts today. The colored belt system was developed to show the different ranks of karate practitioners.

White depicting novices and black belts representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between.

The development of Taekwondo.

Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Sometimes, taekwondo is referred to as Korean karate.

The Koreans adopted the same white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for taekwondo.
Today, there are two major styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Taekwondo. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Many tae kwon do schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.

There are also older Korean styles including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized karate and taekwondo schools also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue. This is in addition to the traditional white.

It can be noted that in karate, arms or hands are used 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking is just around 40%.

This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate, which are set routines that simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques.

The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is more stress on higher kicks to the head level than in karate.

Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.

In the US as well as other parts of the world, there are separate conventional competitions for karate and tae kwon do.

However, the open martial arts tournaments often have competitors from both karate and tae kwon do competing together.

Some of the larger open martial arts competition events even have separate forms divisions for Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions is usually combined.

Many black belts in taekwondo end up studying karate and vice versa.

Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport. But both karate and taekwondo are considered as hard style martial arts today.

Those who only know one or two facts about Taekwondo can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you’re learning here.

About the Author
John Cane is a health care enthuaist writer who writes for health care companies around the country. To find out more about one of the companies he endorses go to michigan health insurance quote,health insurance quote,small business health insurance quote

Taekwondo

The History of Taekwondo Unfolded

December 24th, 2011
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The earliest recorded indication of martial arts in Korea was discovered in the ceiling murals of the Muyong-Chong burial tomb discovered in 1935.

This tomb was dug up in the ancient Koguryo capital of Tungku. Because Tungku was the capital only until 427AD so it can be concluded that the tomb was constructed between 3AD ~ 427AD.

The murals on the ceiling of the tomb showed two men practicing an early form of Taekwondo and other decorations. Other tombs in the area have murals with similar images.

In the Sambo-chong tomb, there appeared a picture of a man wearing a costume similar to today’s Taekwondo uniform; loose trousers and a jacket held together with a belt tied around the mid-section. The man was depicted in a stance characteristic of Taekwondo with one hand blocking high and the other low.

The fact that these figures appear in such tomb paintings proves that Taekwondo may already be established during this time and may also be a popular activity.

The various murals also show that the practice of the early forms of Taekwondo was not limited to noblemen or warriors but was also practiced by peasants and farmers.

Historical records indicate that the format and judgment of martial arts contests became fairly standardized with elements of sparring (kyorugi) and breaking (kyokpa) competition.

Many examples shown in historical documents tell of impressive feats of skill and strength during such competitions. The kings of Koryo dynasty showed great interest in Taekwondo, encouraging its’ development and supporting the contests.

Accordingly, Taekwondo became popular among the general population also.

However, as the military became more reliant on gunpowder and new weapons, the support for this early form of Taekwondo subsided and the martial art maintained its’ existence through the contests and games held by the general public between villages and provinces.

The information about Taekwondo presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Taekwondo or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea, colonial rule tightened its’ grip on the Korean economy and the people. Japanese businesses were given preferential treatment and took advantage of Korea’s natural resources.

Local Korean customs, particularly the practice and teaching of any form of martial arts were banned although many still practiced Taekwondo in secret.

During this period the Japanese took some of the Korean masters to Japan and made them teach techniques to the Japanese military. A number of Taekwondo techniques were introduced and incorporated into the Japanese martial art of Karate.

Later, in 1943, after suppressing Korea’s own martial art, the Japanese introduced Karate to Korea and allowed the teaching and practice of this martial art to the Korean people.

Following the end of the second World War, Japan also, at last surrendered unconditionally and on August 15, 1945, Korea was finally liberated from Japanese colonial rule.

Because of the suddenness of Korea’s liberation from the harsh rule of Japan the people were unprepared for immediate self-government. Divisions of ideology existed between pro-democratic and pro-Communist groups.

Then Soviet Union invaded Korea from the north and this was followed by U.S. forces landing at Inchon and stationing troops throughout Seoul and the southern half of the peninsula. Thus the country became divided.

Many Koreans tried to revitalize interest in the traditional martial art of Subak (Taekwondo) and in 1946 a conference was held to discuss the development of the art and the integration of the various ‘kwans’ or schools.

Taekwondo gymnasiums began opening throughout Korea and once again the martial art found popularity.

The Korean Taekwondo Association was officially formed in 1961 and many Masters traveled to foreign countries in order to promote Taekwondo internationally.

After appearing as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, and the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Taekwondo was accepted as an official Olympic sport in September 1994 and makes its’ debut as an official sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

Taekwondo

Working That Taekwondo Technique

December 5th, 2011
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Some of the Taekwondo techniques and how they work:

1.Build-up technique.

This works in a circle of at least four. One person begins with any single Taekwondo technique, normally intended for at the person on the immediate left or right.

This technique travels around the circle, with each person accomplishing the move, until it returns to the originator of the move.

When that person repeats the move, the next person in the circle does the first technique and adds another to it. Now the two-move combination travels around the circle until it is added-to by the next person along.

This continues until the combination of moves becomes long enough to confuse the most senior belt in the group.

The purpose of build-up technique is to practice focus and controlled attacks on multiple opponents.
In order to achieve a fluid combination, a variety of hand, foot, knee and elbow attacks that flow easily in a sensible combination are used. It is best to carry on adding techniques until everyone in the circle has been ‘dealt with’.

2. One-step sparring.

Persons are teamed in pairs in this Taekwondo technique. Then they each take turn to attack with a right lunge punch. The opponent blocks the punch and counters.

The purpose is to practice blocking or evasion and to build up a fluid and effective combination.

3.One-step semi-free sparring.

This Taekwondo technique is similar to basic one-step, but the attacker measures off and steps back into a forearm-guarding block. When the opponent is ready, they also step back with a forearm-guarding block.

When this happens, the attacker can perform one single attack: hand, foot, knee or elbow.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Taekwondo than you may have first thought.

4.Circle-sparring.

In a circle of at least five, one or two person is chosen to lead off. These persons start in the center of the circle, select an opponent from the circle, face off with that person and perform a single attack.

That person blocks, counters and then swaps places with the attacker, thus entering the circle and beginning the process again.

‘Sneak’ attacks are encouraged. Face off with one person, then attack another or chase your attacker to the opposite side of the circle with a barrage of counter-attacks then immediately send an attack into someone else.

This Taekwondo technique can only be done in official training sessions with a black-belt instructor present.

5. Snapping turning kicks.

With a partner, practice head-high turning kicks that stop just short of your target.

If the target is your partner?s head, do not kick too closely until you know you have the control to stop short.

For beginners, it may be wise to practice on a focus mitt, slapping the leather as fast and lightly as possible. When you have mastered fast and controlled turning kicks, you can work them into combinations.

6. Fast retraction.

In addition to sending out punches and kicks quickly, it is important to be able to retract them with similar speed. This ensures that your legs are not left out in front of you and that your arms do not get left outstretched, exposing your ribs.

It also reduces an opponent’s chances of catching your limbs and placing you in embarrassing positions.

A useful trick to practice at home is to light a candle and punch at it. Aim in front of the flame and withdraw the punch as fast as you can. With enough speed, the movement will create a vacuum around the flame and snuff it out.

Is there really any information about Taekwondo that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

About the Author
Bob Roberts,ex PE teacher, did not start playing golf until he was well into his 50′s but now plays two to three times a week. He knows the pitfalls a beginner faces and has written two websites targeted mainly at high handicap golfers. For more information about his tips for golf go here===> Start Playing Golf and Tips For Golf

Taekwondo

World Taekwondo Federation – Keeping the Tradition Alive

December 3rd, 2011
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When you think about Taekwondo, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Taekwondo are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

The purpose of organizing the World Taekwondo Federation is to circulate and regulate Taekwondo along with its traditional Taekwondo spirit throughout the world.

The Federation seeks to recognize the ideals, “Swiftly, Powerfully and Accurately” through the medium of Taekwondo competition being held around the world.

The World Taekwondo Federation promotes the principles that the Kukkiwon, or the center of traditional Taekwondo, has to be adopted in respect to Taekwondo philosophy, development of techniques and Dan certification.

Organization and membership.

World Taekwondo Federation membership consists of National Taekwondo Associations representing their respective nations or self-governing territories with the recognition of the federation.

The approval of the Executive Council and the General Assembly of the federation is required for one to be accepted as a member. The National Association applying for the membership of the World Taekwondo Federation are required to present their designated application documents together with a letter of recognition from the pertinent National Olympic Committee.

In addition to that, they are also required to hand over a letter that pledges to send out at least three or more competitors to the World Taekwondo Championships and the World Junior Taekwondo Championships.

After all the requirements are met and accepted, the applicants are admitted as provisional members until their admittance are finally approved. Provisional members have no voting right though, but are able to participate in all international Taekwondo competitions approved or promoted by the World Taekwondo Federation.

The federation shall approve only one association for each nation or each self-governing territory on the condition that its NOC having recognition from the IOC has recognized the association.

All the affiliated member National Associations and regional organizations shall represent their respective statutes strictly in compliance with the principles of the federation Rules and Regulations so as not to break any provisions that may be stated.

The information about Taekwondo presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Taekwondo or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

Any member of the National Association may withdraw its membership from the World Taekwondo Federation.

All members are obligated to send out at least three or more competitors to the World Taekwondo Championships and the World Junior Taekwondo Championships.

The membership status of those who do not take part in those competitions for two consecutive years without justifiable reasons including natural calamities are set to be demoted as provisional members.

The demoted members will no longer be able to exercise voting rights in official meetings, though they still retain the right to compete in all official competitions of the federation.

But their full membership status can be restored when they present a document to the World Taekwondo Federation confirming their impending participation in one of the two Championships together with a letter pledging to dispatch at least three or more competitors to the both Championships in the days to come.

Headquarters and official language.

The headquarters of the World Taekwondo Federation is be located permanently in Seoul, Korea.

The official languages are English, French, German, Spanish and Korean.

In case of disagreement over interpretation or translation, the English language version shall prevail. But in case of disagreement over interpretation of technical matters of Taekwondo, the Korean original version will be the one to prevail.

The members of the World Taekwondo Federation have the right to speak their mother language or any language they are comfortable with. But then, their speech should be translated to the five official languages in behalf of the other members.

About the Author
Bob Roberts,ex PE teacher, did not start playing golf until he was well into his 50′s but now plays two to three times a week. He knows the pitfalls a beginner faces and has written two websites targeted mainly at high handicap golfers. For more information about his tips for golf go here===> Start Playing Golf and Tips For Golf

Taekwondo