Training key to Taekwondo

Taekwondo comes from Korea, and translated it means “hand - foot art”. This definition illustrates the belief in this particular martial art form that both the hands and the feet, the left and the right, shall be equal in the defense of the body.

Techniques that are prevalent within Taekwondo revolve around the variety of stances, strikes, blocks, and attacks that are aggressive while defending first, then attacking any weaknesses which are found.

Stances are critical in Taekwondo because nearly all of them promote a type of balance which in turn promotes an attack or a defense. Sitting stances are equal in balance and strength, while front stances are heavy toward the target or enemy. Back stances appear to be defensive, but they promote a counter-attack as the artist first defends, then maximizes the weakness that defense exposes.

Other more cosmetic stances are cat-stances and closed stances, as they are used while exercising “forms”, but have little value while defending or attacking.

Blocking is also a tremendous technique promoted by Taekwondo in that all blocks are aggressive in nature, and in one way or another, promotes a counter by the student being attacked. Low and high blocks, are meant to divert the energy of an attack, while outside and inside blocks, as well as pressing blocks, are meant to literally break and arm of the attacker. Hooking blocks are meant to grasp an attackers punch, holding on while a student counter attacks. Double-knife hand blocks are more cosmetic, and do not serve the purpose of the previous blocks, and are usually used while competing and doing forms.

Kicks are very powerful in Taekwondo, as break bones if not blocked properly. Front kicks, side kicks, round kicks, and hook kicks are all equal and popular in the Taekwondo martial art form. All of these kicks are taught very early on, and are worked on and perfected throughout the career of the student.

Balance is the center of nearly all work done within Taekwondo. Even while punching or kicking, the student is told to always be in balance, as it promotes the aforementioned philosophy of attacking while defending.

Other, more advanced techniques promoted within Taekwondo are knife-hand strikes, X-blocks, spin kicks, jump kicks, and jump-spin kicks. While most of these are devastating, they are also difficult to land properly due to their difficulty in setting up. Combinations while fighting promotes the use of all techniques, and, like a chess match, one move or block sets up another.