TaeKwondo is a Korean martial art founded by General Choi April 11th, 1955. It is based on the ancient Korean martial art of TaeKyon and the Japanese art of Shotokan Karate. Tae = foot, Kwon = hand, Do = way, Taekwondo translated means the way of kicking, jumping & striking with the foot and punching, blocking the striking with the hands. Of course we do not just punch & kick. TKD uses the whole mind, body & spirit in its techniques. We use knees, elbows, feet, hands, head, and forearms in this Korean art of self defense. Taekwondo is best known for its powerful, dynamic kicking techniques, which when preformed flawlessly have artistic beauty and tremendous power second to none. But don't stereotype TKD as not being realistic or having poor punching ability. A balanced Taekwondo practitioner can use both their feet and hands with extreme accuracy, precision & power. There truly is no better kicking system than Taekwondo. All martial art styles are not the same. Even instructors within their own system have different talents & abilities. Each style has its own strengths & weaknesses. The strength of Taekwondo is of course its powerful defensive, offensive and varied kicking techniques. In our USA Moo Sool Taekwondo class, not only do we practice various kicking drills & techniques but we also practice sweeps, throws, boxing techniques, ground defense, falling, joint locking & grappling. Our goal is to make the individual student a well rounded martial artist. We are not a World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) school and we do not teach their style of tournament sport fighting. Our focus is a more traditional, self defense, approach and we teach you the theory and science behind the techniques so you can apply them to real world situations.
Different Taekwondo organizations (ATA, ITF, WTF, USTF, USITF, ITA) have different colors for their belts. Our system set forth by the I.T.F. follows the original ITF style of TKD. There are 18 belt ranks in all, 9 Gup Ranks (Color Belt Ranks) and 9 Dan Ranks (Black Belt Ranks). The colors we use for Gup ranks, are in progression, White, Low Yellow, High Yellow, Low Green, High Green, Low Blue, High Blue, Low Red, High Red, and recommended 1st degree black belt denoted by a half red belt and half black belt. The Dan Ranks are 1st dan, 2nd dan, 3rd dan, 4th dan, 5th dan, 6th dan, 7th dan, 8th dan, and 9th dan. The low color ranks are denoted by a white stripe running thru the length of the belt. The Dan ranks are denoted on the black belt by gold bars on the belt tip or by Roman numerals. To see the rank chart click here.
It depends on how often you train. If you train 3 times a week it will take around 3 or 4 years to achieve your black belt. Broken down into hours you are looking at around 550 class hours of training (for teens / adults) to achieve a 1st degree black belt. Keep in mind 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree black belts are considered novice/beginning instructors. 4th, 5th and 6th degrees are considered expert instructors and 7th, 8th and 9th degrees are considered master instructors. To see an average progression of rank based on time in rank, number of class hours, and minimum active training time (M.A.T.T.), click here. Please note that some students take longer to achieve a first degree black belt and that there is no mandatory set time to achieve this. It is common to ask the black belts "What degree are you?" but a better question is to ask..."How long have you been actively training in the martial arts?"
Simple, your instructor will let you know. Not that great of an answer is it! How does your instructor measure this? One of the best ways to measure this is when you are able to handle yourself against other black belts (from other systems) of the same size, skill and rank. It does not mean you are perfect or incapable of being hit. It does not mean you win every time but then again you don't lose every time either. Other ways are through self-defense ability, fighting spirit, good power in most of your techniques, balance, better timing etc. Some things you can only get through experience and experience takes time. As time goes by, your skill goes up. Black belts are achieved and forged thru hard work, dedication, patience, tolerance, repetition, courage, adaptability and focus.
There are several different styles of Karate. The general public tends to think anyone who wears a white outfit and throws a few kicks and punches is practicing Karate. Saying you practice karate is like saying you drive a car. What make, model, features etc? Karate is a Japanese martial art. Traditional karate stylists are heavy into kata. Karate-ka (karate students) are known for their powerful reverse punches, back fists, deep stances & low sweep techniques. They utilize basically four different kicks (front snap kick, side kick, roundhouse kick and back kick) and rarely throw any kicks higher than stomach level. The mental mindset is one strike-one kill attitude (put your opponent down with one strike). Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. Taekwondoists (students of TKD) are known for their many varied styles of kicking techniques. Jumping, spinning, flying. two stepping, thrusting over snapping, multiple kicking, high kicking etc. If you have seen kicking techniques on tv (Chuck Norris - Walker Texas Ranger) or in a movie, then chances are those are Korean kicking techniques because they are flashy, fun and dynamic. But don't think they are not realistic. If you can kick high then think how much faster, natural and more powerful your kick to a persons knee would be if you had to defend yourself in a self defense situation. The dynamic kicking often overshadows the powerful hand techniques of Taekwondo but Taekwondo has the same hand techniques of karate. Why? Because the founder of Taekwondo, General Choi, was a 2nd degree black belt in Japanese karate and incorporated those hand techniques into the martial art we know as Taekwondo today Taekwondo fighters are often more mobile and their stances are often higher than their karate counterparts, allowing them to move & respond faster. Taekwondo is also known for its stunning breaking demonstrations often breaking and smashing several boards or bricks with their hands or feet. Another difference is that TKD students spend more time stretching their legs than a lot of other styles of martial arts to improve speed, flexibility & power. The mental & moral code of a Taekwondo student is based on the Five Tenets of Taekwondo - Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control & Indomitable Spirit. The Taekwondo student will never quit until the goal is achieved.
Is there any age requirement to practice Taekwondo?
Students may start at any age. Usually instructors will not take students younger than four years old. Adults, regardless of age can study Taekwondo. We have had students of all ages! 4 to 64! Taekwondo is a great way to stay in shape, keep and build muscle, maintain & increase range of motion, flexibility, strength, reduce stress etc. All things everyone needs! In our school we offer a very friendly and supportive atmosphere where anyone regardless of age, weight, handicap etc is encouraged! Click here to see list of classes.
The instructor will call the class to order & everyone bows in. Students will then do warm up exercises, followed by stretching. The class will then focus on hand techniques such as blocking or punching techniques. Following this you will work on various kicking techniques, maybe use the heavy bag, target mitt, or do line or partner drills. After this the class may split up to do Taekwondo Forms and then usually toward the end of class may do various sparring drills with a partner or do free fighting / free sparring. Of course there is no such thing as "typical" in Taekwondo. We may work on self defense, ground fighting, joint locks, sweeps, weapons, board breaking, one steps, boxing skills, etc. It is always slightly different and always challenging! Click here to see list of classes.
As with any physical sport, hobby or personal endeavor there will be certain items that will be required for advancement and training in our martial art program. All approved items will be available for purchase from the class instructor. It takes approximately 3 - 4 years to go from white to black belt. By the time you get to black belt you will have required all the necessary gear & physical & mental skills to meet our requirements for the first degree black belt test. Below is a list of what you will need to purchase as you advance in rank.
White Belt - USA Moo Sool Class Uniform, Approved nunchaku, TKD Kick target.
Low Yellow - Complete set of our approved sparring gear. Head, Hands, Feet, Shin Guards, Chest Protector, Mouth guard & Groin cup for males.
Yellow - (2) Arnis rattan sticks & (1) Padded Arnis training stick.
Low Green - Hockey or Lacrosse Gloves.
Green (1) Rubber, wooden or metal training knife. (1) Arnis Helmet/Head gear.
Low Blue (1) Re-breakable Board
Blue (1) Filipino Training Sword
Low Red (1) Hand held power kicking shield
Red
Red/Black
Black