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Tae Kwon-Do
What is Tae Kwon-Do?
Tae Kwon-Do comes from Korea and was developed by
Major General Choi Hong Hi (9th Degree Black Belt).
Unfortunately the Major passed away a short while
ago in 2002. However, before he died he saw Tae
Kwon-Do reach every corner of the planet, not bad
when you think that Tae Kwon-Do in its present form
was only inaugurated on 11th April 1955, and was
first seen in the UK in 1967. Tae Kwon-Do can
however be traced back many hundreds of years, to
its roots, which come from Taek-Kyon, an unarmed
self defence system seen in Korea around 50BC.
Translated from Korean, "Tae" means -to jump, kick
or smash with the foot, "Kwon" means -a fist, to
punch or destroy with the hand, and "Do" means -art,
way or method. Tae Kwon-Do uses techniques of
unarmed combat for self defence, involving blocking,
evading, punching and kicking using just the hands
and feet to rapidly destroy an opponent.
To the Korean people Tae Kwon-Do is more than a mere
use of skilled movements for the defence of oneself,
it is also a way of life and thinking, particularly
in instilling a concept of spirit and self imposed
discipline with the idea of moral re-arrangement.
In today's society which is plagued with violence
and intimidation it enables the student to posses a
fine weapon for defence of themselves and others,
when Tae Kwon-Do is wrongly applied it can be a
deadly weapon.
The
History of Tae Kwon-Do
57 BC - 3 kingdoms
existed in Korea Koguryo, Paekje and Silla.
Strong rivalry between them led to a focus on the development of
effective fighting techniques.
50 BC - Tomb paintings have
been found from this time of men in fighting stances practicing
Taek-Kyon. This was just one of the many fighting
styles around at the time, used against wild animals and
developed from the study of their defensive and offensive
movements.
668 AD - Silla won
against its 2 rivals Koguryo and Paekje and
united the 3 kingdoms. Influential in its victory was the
Hwa Rang Do, a group of young men who practiced various
forms of Martial Arts and were devoted in serving their kingdom.
The honour code of the Hwa Rang Do was to form the
philisophical background of Tae Kwon-Do.
936 AD - The Silla
dynasty came to an end and with it the kingdom. Wang Kon founded
the Koryo dynasty in its place as an attempt at a rival
of the Koguryo dynasty. The Martial Art of Soo Bakh
Do was founded as a military training method, using mainly
hands and feet as weapons. This was to be the precursor of
Tae Kwon-Do.
1492 - Despite its
effectiveness and popularity, Soo Bakh Do had nearly
disappeared by this stage. This was partly due to the
replacement of Buddhism with Confucianism as the state religion.
The teachings of Confucius came from the culture of China, and
taught that Martial Arts were for the low class or inferior men.
The honour code of the Hwa Rang Do and the effective
moves of the Soo Bakh Do remained alive though in the
isolated areas of Korea still clinging to their culture.
1919 - Korea was invaded by
Japan, who tried to erase all Korean culture, including Martial
Arts, replacing them with Karate. Tae Kwon-Do
would not have developed free of influence from legacy left
behind by the army of Japanese occupation; and indeed many moves
in Tae Kwon-Do became characterised by the same
straight line movements as found in Karate.
1945 - At the end of World
War II when Korea regained its independence, several different
fighting styles emerged. These were Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk
Kwan, Yun Moo Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, Oh Do Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, Chi
Do Kwan and Song Moo Kwan.
1955 - These fighting styles
were all united under the same name of Tae Soo Do.
Also, General Choi Hong Hi founded Tae Kwon-Do this
year, naming it because of its similarity to Taek Kyon.
He required all his soldiers to train in the Art; they were the
first students of Tae Kwon-Do, which was also adopted
later by the Police and Air Force.
1957 - Several Martial Arts
masters had adopted the name Tae Kwon-Do for their form
of Martial Art.
1961 - The Korean Tae
Kwon-Do Union (KTU) with General Choi as their president
arose from the Soo Bakh Do and Tae Soo Do
Associations. Then, following the overthrow of the southern
government of Korea, General Choi left for the United States.
1962 - The Korean Amateur
Sports Association acknowledged the KTU.
1963 - General Choi
established the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (ITF)
as a seperate entity.
1965 - The name KTU
was changed to Korean Tae Kwon-Do Association (KTA).
1967 - Tae Kwon-Do
was introduced to the UK.
1980 - The World Tae
Kwon-Do Federation (WTF) was founded, incorporating
different National Governing Bodies for Tae Kwon-Do in
different countries. The WTF was recognised by the
International Olympic Committee making it a demonstration
sport in the Olympic Games.
1983 - The Tae Kwon-Do
Association of Great Britain (TAGB) was founded, on the
basis of running on principles far more democratic than was
permitted by the 2 governing bodies of the time (the ITF
and WTF), which after many attempts, still could
not unite.
1988 - The British Tae
Kwon-Do Council (BTC) was founded by the TAGB,
incorporating 11 organisations across the UK. This is the only
body recognised by the UK Sports Council.
1993 - Tae Kwon-Do
International (TKDI) was founded, incorporating ITF
and WTF styles across the globe.
Our Belt System
As a beginner you will start off as a White Belt and
progress through various colours of belt until you reach Black Belt. Below is a
description of the journey that you will take as a coloured belt, what you will
be taught, and the ability you can expect to have gained at each level of
progression. The time frames mentioned are only a guideline, students progress
at their own rate and are never rushed into a grading that they are likely to
fail. However, this minimum time is usually adequate, and a hardworking student
can earn a Black Belt in just 3+1/2 years. Once you have achieved your Black
Belt you can continue to grade; the levels of Black
Belt are as follows: 1st degree (or Dan) ,
2nd degree, 3rd degree, etc., all the way up
to 9th degree.
White Belt - This is the grade you start at as a
beginner. For your first grading you are taught 2 basic blocks and a punch,
which you are
asked to perform moving forwards and backwards, as well as in a four
directional exercise known as Sajo Jirugi. You will also be taught a kick used
to stretch the hamstring muscles (enabling greater
flexibility with the legs) and will be asked to
perform 10 press-ups to strengthen the arms..
3 months later...
White Belt Yellow Tag - A Tag (or "Stripe")
indicates that you are half way between full belts; here it shows that you are
half way to earning a yellow belt. Now that you have mastered some of the basics
you are introduced to a few variations, as well as 1 new kick and 1 new strike.
You are also taught the first pattern in Tae Kwon-Do, testing your ability to
string techniques together in a fluid motion.
3 months later...
Yellow Belt - After accomplishing your yellow belt
you are taught several new blocks and 1 new kick. For your next grading you will
be tested on your ability to string kicks and simple hand techniques
together. You will also be taught the 2nd pattern in Tae Kwon-Do, (which is
slightly more difficult,) and will be asked to perform a few simple moves against
a partner in basic 3 step set sparring.
3 months later...
Yellow Belt Green Tag
- Here you are introduced to a couple more complex strikes and blocks, as well
as the infamous side kick. Your new pattern combines a greater variety of
techniques and will test your rotational ability and balance with its 360° spin
after a release move. In 3 step set sparring you will be asked to perform more
techniques against a partner, with greater emphasis on your distancing ability.
3 months later...
Green Belt - Again at this grade
you will find the blocks and strikes become more complicated, and you will be
taught your first spinning kick, the reverse side kick. You will have to master
more complicated combinations and will show improved balance with the bending
stance in your pattern, which is held on one leg. You will learn the last of the
3 step set sparring, and will start on 3 step semi-free sparring, testing your
ability to apply appropriate blocks of your choice to a sequence of known
techniques performed by a partner.
3 months later...
Green Belt Blue Tag - Your pattern consists of a
much greater variety of moves than in any previous pattern and will introduce
you to your first jump, testing your control and balance. At your grading you
will be asked for the first time to perform patterns from previous grades as
well as your own, assessing your advancement and understanding of the more technical details
of basic moves. Techniques performed in line will come mostly from your grade
pattern, but will also include your second spinning kick, the reverse turning
kick. In semi-free sparring you will be expected to choose appropriate block for
an unknown sequence of basic kicks performed by a partner. You will also
advance to 2 step set sparring, more complicated and effective than the 3 step
set sparring, teaching you useful attack and defence combinations and testing
your distancing ability further. For the first time you will also be asked to
perform semi-contact (light contact) free sparring with a variety of partners, wearing of course a complete
set of padded sparring equipment for safety.
3 months later...
Blue
Belt - Wen you have reached this grade you
will be considered a senior colour belt (as apposed to a junior colour belt),
and will need to show an increased advancement not only in technical ability but
also speed and power. You pattern is more complex with more detailed
combinations, including changes into new and obscure stances which need
particular emphasis, and your second release move which challenges your natural
instinct to pull away when grabbed. You will also learn your first posture movement, performed
in slow motion. Like your last grading, you will be asked to perform patterns
for previous grades as well, to test your advancement in these. You will also be
asked to perform the last of the 2 step sparring, consisting of more complicated
combinations; and advanced level 3 step semi-free sparring, where you will need
to perform appropriate blocks quickly and powerfully against a sequence of unknown attack
techniques from both hands and feet. This will teach you to read your opponent's
moves better, helping you also in your free sparring; which again you will also
have to perform..
6 months later...
Blue Belt Red Tag - Yet more emphasis will be placed on the speed and
power of the application of your techniques at this level, helping you to reach
a stage of practical ability in self-defence. Still the technical details of
each movement will also increase, but it is important that once you understand
the moves and can perform them well technically you learn to reduce conscious
thought processes and rely more on muscle memory; this will result in greater
speed and flow. Your pattern contains a greater assortment of moves and
combinations, including your second jump (predictably more difficult than your
first at Blue Tag) and your second posture movement. At your grading you will
again be asked to perform free sparring and semi-free sparring at advanced
level, testing your improvement in reading your opponents movements quickly and
responding with an appropriate block, performed both swiftly and
powerfully, and an effective counter attack. You will also move onto 1 step
sparring basic level, where you have the chance to choose your own block and
sequence of counter attacks to a single punch. This is designed to help a
student learn the effective action of finishing off an opponent with controlled
movements in rapid motion.
6 months later...
Red Belt - Red Belts are generally the most
dangerous of students, this is because they have a lot of power but not enough control
of it. This is not a reason to go lightly though, as at this grade you
will be expected to look more closely at the concepts of power; where it is
created, how it is created, how to maximise it and minimise energy wasted.
Your pattern is relatively simple, but this allows for a lot more power to be
applied to the moves, making it quite an impressive performance piece if done
correctly. It also contains your third release move, a pull-push release. A lot of attention should be paid to detail, especially the target
areas for the techniques, as even a powerful technique will lose most of its
effectiveness if misplaced even by an inch. The techniques you will perform in line will consist
of some interesting combinations of blocks, strikes and kicks, mostly
originating from patterns; it will also contain jumping kicks, including one
jumping spinning kick. These are incredibly hard to perform well at first, but
hard work and a determined attitude will pay off. At your
grading you can expect to be pretty exhausted, as they can ask you to perform
any of the patterns and set sparring that you have learnt in the past, as well
as semi-free sparring and free sparring. It will probably be your first true
test of endurance.
6 months later...
Red Belt Black Tag - Here it is vital
that you learn to demonstrate control of your techniques without
any loss of any power. Good attitude is more important than
ever; you need to remain calm and in control of your emotions as
well as your body, you must not lose your temper or
panic if you make a mistake, you must remain composed at all
times and show enthusiasm and
determination even when exhausted. Your pattern is complicated
and requires precise footwork. It contains your first flying
kick and a difficult jumping 360° spin; it is important that you
can perform both of these gracefully whilst easily maintaining
your balance. Your 1 step sparring needs to show an advancement
as you settle on your preferred style of
self-defence, and the moves you choose must be
sharp, powerful and practical. You must also be able to perform
confidently all of the patterns you have ever learnt,
all of the 3 step, 2 step and semi-free sparring you have ever done,
as they could test you on any of it. Every aspect of
your grading must have adequate and consistent
power. It won't be an
easy grading, that's for sure, but that Black Belt's worth it!
6 months later...
1st Degree Black Belt - This may seem like
the ultimate goal, but really it is only the
beginning. Now that you have proved yourself worthy
you are expected to give back to the Art that made
you strong. As long as you are dedicated to your
training and continue to grade as a Black Belt you
will be trained up to become a competent Umpire,
Referee and eventually even an Instructor, with a
sharp eye for detail and a passion for progression.
As a Black Belt you will now be encouraged to think
for yourself and will look at everything
differently, gaining an understanding of the
versatility and flexibility of the moves in Tae
Kwon-Do. From now on you must learn 3 patterns for
every grading, each containing their own variety of
complicated combinations with variable applications.
Your linework will be broad, variable and demanding.
You will be introduced to some incredible and lethal
techniques and will develop your own self defence
compilations, consisting of many throws, restraints
and chokes, transforming you into a lethal fighting
machine. But now more than ever you will understand
the morality that makes Tae Kwon-Do so much more
than just a fighting system. You will understand the
importance of dignity and loyalty in our world, and
the necessity to always be sensitive, appropriate
and professional in your use of the Art. You will
certainly be faced with many new
challenges, but will find much inspiration from the
incredible figureheads of Tae Kwon-Do and the
T.A.G.B.; people who have dedicated their lives to
enable the progression and success of a traditional
but revolutionary Martial Art. As a Black Belt you
must expect to be pushed physically and
emotionally; even the best will get frustrated, but
those who are persistent and hardworking will always
find fulfilment and success in Tae Kwon-Do.
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