|
Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do History
| The roots of Tae Kwon Do begin approximately
1300 years ago in what is referred to in the West as Korea (but which
natives refer to as "Choson"). This peninsula was split into three
kingdoms: Silla, Paekche and Koguryo. The kingdom of Silla (the smallest
of the three) conquered Paekche in 660 AD and Koguryo in 668 AD; this
was done with the support of the Chinese, who were then driven out
in 676. This was the first time that the peninsula was controlled
by a single indigenous ruling power.
Instrumental in this unification were the Hwarang -- societies of
young Silla aristocratic men who followed the Hwarang-Do. This was
a military and philosophical code that emphasized not only martial
skills but also academics, including art and music. Hwarang-Do means
"way of the flower of manhood". The martial art associated with the
Hwarang was known as Tae Kyon and involved both armed and unarmed
combat techniques.
The unification of the three kingdoms in the 7th century marked the
beginning of the Silla dynasty, which lasted until 935 AD. It was
followed by the Koryo dynasty, the name of which is the root of the
modern name "Korea". It was during the fall of the Silla dynasty that
Hwarang-Do began its decline.
The Koryo dynasty was followed in 1392 by the Choson dynasty, which
continued until 1910; it is also called the Yi dynasty after the name
of the ruling family. By the end of this period, Hwarang-Do had almost
ceased to exist. The Japanese occupied Korea from 1910 to the end
of World War II in 1945; during this occupation, martial arts such
as Tae Kyon were banned, though they were still practiced secretly.
In 1945, when Korea was liberated, Second Lieutenant Choi Hang Hi
was released from prison camp and began teaching Tae Kyon to his soldiers.
The art grew very rapidly and in 1955 was named Tae Kwon Do. It was
soon brought to the United States and other countries, and today is
the most widely practiced martial art. It is important to note that,
like the Hwarang-Do, Tae Kwon Do involves more than just physical
fighting skills. |
Ranks and Belts
A student's rank is indicated by the color
of his or her belt. Each solid color has a symbolic meaning; the stripe
belts indicate an intermediate level. Various federations use various
color schemes; here are the colors used by the World Tae Kwon-Do Alliance:
 White, representing the
innocence of the beginner.
 Yellow stripe
 Yellow, representing
the Earth from which the plant sprouts as Tae Kwon-Do skill develops
under the heat of the sun.
 Green, signifying the
plant's growth and development.
 Blue stripe
 Blue, representing the
Heavens toward which the maturing plant grows.
 Red stripe
 Red, warning the student
to master self-control, and opponents to stay away.
 Black stripe
 Black, the opposite of
white, signifying maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon-Do. It
indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.
In some cases, students are allowed to perform double tests, which
generally involves skipping a stripe belt and going directly to the
next solid color. However, this involves learning two new patterns
instead of one, and requires a greater level of skill and knowledge.
The first black belt rank is first degree black belt, or first dan;
starting with this rank, the student's name and a single gold stripe
is embroidered on the belt. Each successive degree will be indicated
by an additional gold stripe. |
Techniques
- Stance
- Walking stance
One leg is forward with the knee bent; the other leg is back
and straight. The shoulders and both feet face directly forward.
- L-stance
The shoulders face 90 degrees to the side, while the head
faces directly forward. Both knees are bent; the front foot
points directly forward, while the back foot points to the
side.
- Sitting stance
Also known as horse stance. The shoulders face directly forward,
with the body vertical (not leaning forward); the feet point
directly forward, separated by two shoulder widths and with
the knees bent.
- X-stance
- Closed stance
The feet are together and the legs are straight; the shoulders
face directly forward.
- Ready stance
- Parallel ready stance
- Fighting stance
This is a case of the L-stance. The front arm is bent, with
the fist facing outward at about chin level; the elbow protects
the ribs. The back arm is also bent, with the fist facing
upward in front of the abdomen.
- Kick
- Front kick
Executed from a walking stance. The kicking leg is brought
up and bends at the knee, then is straightened with a snap.
Contact is made with the ball of the foot, with the toes bent
upward.
- Side kick
Executed from an L-stance. The rear leg is brought up and
bends at the knee while the body is turned on the other leg.
As the body completes a 180 degree turn, then kicking leg
is pushed forward with a snap. Contact is made with the heel
and outside edge of the foot (not the sole or instep).
- Roundhouse kick
Executed from an L-stance. Similar to a side kick, except
that as the body completes the 180-degree turn, the leg is
snapped around in the same direction, striking the target
from the side instead of from the front. Contact is made with
the ball of the foot, with the toes bent upward.
- Back kick
Executed from a walking stance.
- Bubble kick
Also called a crescent kick, "bob" kick, half-moon kick. Executed
from a walking stance.
- Punch
- High punch
- Midsection punch
- Low punch
- Strik
- Knife-hand strike
- Elbow strike
- Backfist
- Thrust
- Block
- Head block (rising block)
Arms are crossed in front of the chest, with fists facing
inward; the blocking arm is closest to the body. The blocking
arm moves up while the fist rotates to face outward; simultaneously,
the other arm moves downward, the elbow moving straight back
and the fist ending up at the side at belt level, facing up.
- Down block - nijunde palmok makgi
- Inside forearm block
- Outside forearm block
- Double forearm block
- Double knife-hand block
- Spreading block
- Swing block
Tenets of Tae Kwon Do
- Courtesy
- Integrity
- Perseverence
- Self-control
- Indomitable spirit
- Community service
- Love
Student's Oath
- I shall observe the tenets of Tae Kwon-Do.
- I shall respect the instructor and seniors.
- I shall never misuse Tae Kwon-Do.
- I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
- I shall build a more peaceful world.
Student's Creed
- To build ourselves physically and mentally.
- To build friendship with one another,
and to be a strong group.
- Never to fight to achieve selfish ends,
but to develop might for right.
Rules of the School
- Bow when entering and leaving the dojang.
- Bowing is done from a standing position,
feet together, arms at the sides, by lowering the head slightly
and bending forward at the waist.
- Bow to your seniors before addressing
them and bow again when the conversation is finished.
- Bow when a black belt, who is your senior,
enters the dojang proper.
- Everybody is responsible for the
appearance of the dojang.
- If a junior displays a lack of knowledge
of a rule or an appropriate technique, it is the responsibility
of the senior to inform, clarify or teach.
- Do not go immediately to Master Han or
the highest senior present unless there is no one else present
who can help you. Seek help from your seniors who are one to four
grades above you in rank.
- You must train and attend classes regularly
before attempting to test. It is impossible to teach one's self
the art or to learn the art properly without group experience.
- No free sparring without permission of
a black belt in the school. If there is no black belt present,
there is to be no free sparring.
- Have a clean uniform at all times, and
neatly folded when leaving.
- No profanity, no loud talking and no horseplay.
- Report all injuries and blisters to the
instructor.
- No food or alcohol in the dojang, refrain
from drug abuse and no chewing gum in the dojang.
- Do not try any techniques until the instructor
has shown them to you.
- Do not face the instructor or your senior
while tying your belt.
- Maintain discipline, know the Tenets of Tae Kwon Do and the
Student's Creed.
- Anyone who cannot follow the rules will
be reduced in rank.
- Tuition payments must be made by the tenth
day of each month.
- Students who wish not to be charged for
tuition because of planned absences from the school must inform
Master Han of the planned absence in advance.
- Students who are more than 30 days late
in payments due to school will not be permitted to train until
their accounts have been made current.
Home Rules for Children
- Must show respect to their parents and family
members at all times.
- Shall greet their parents when they enter
the house and tell them goodbye when they leave.
- Will be truthful at all times.
- Will maintain a good relationship with their
brothers and sisters.
- Must help with household chores.
- Will keep their own rooms neat and clean.
- Must keep their body, hair, and teeth clean
at all times, every day.
- Will not interrup adult conversations.
- Will study their schoolwork at school and
at home.
- Must show respect for teachers and peers
at all times.
Children who do not obey their parents
may be reduced in rank.
The True Student
- Never tires of learning. A good student
can learn anytime, anywhere.
- Must be willing to sacrifice for his art
and instructor. An instructor is not a commodity that the student
can buy.
- Always sets a good example for the lower
ranks.
- Is always loyal and never criticizes the
instructor, the art or the teaching methods.
- Practices and attempts to utilize techniques
taught by the instructor.
- Remembers that his/her conduct outside the
Dojang reflects on the art and the instructor.
- Will discard techniques from other schools
if the instructor disapproves of them.
- Is never disrespectful to the instructor.
Though a student may disagree, he/she must follow the instructor.
- Is always eager to learn and to ask questions.
- Never breaks a trust.
Rules for Performing
Patterns
- Pattern should begin and end at the same
spot.
- Correct posture and facing must be maintained
at all times.
- The muscles of the body should be tensed
or relaxed at the critical moments in the exercise.
- The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic
manner with an absence of stiffness.
- Movement should be accelerated and decelerated
at the appropriate times.
- Each pattern should be perfected before
going on to the next.
- Know the purpose of each movement.
- Perform each movement with realism.
Theory of Power
- Reaction force
- Concentration
- Equilibrium
- Breath control
- Speed
|
|
|
