Toddington Tae Kwon Do

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Training

Is Tae-Kwon-Do Dangerous?

Tae-Kwon-Do is a full contact combat sport and techniques taught and practiced could, if used aggressively, cause serious injury or be potentially lethal. However, it is not particularly dangerous to practice Tae-Kwon-Do. Normal lessons never allow full contact sparring and in the light contact sparring that is used in training, there is no ‘winner’ simply an opportunity to rehearse in a more realistic situation.

 Only those students that are interested in competition will ever have to enter into full contact matches and even then these are run under very strict rules and supervision. Safety equipment is compulsory in these matches as, although punches are not allowed on or at the head kicks to the head are allowed.

 No student will ever be asked to enter into any form of actual combat (either semi-contact or full-contact) against their wishes and some students prefer to simply practice the techniques in isolation as a form of fitness training.

What Happens in the Lessons?

There are four disciplines in Tae-Kwon-Do

• Patterns (Poomse)
• Sparring
• Self-defence

• Destruction

 Patterns (Poomse)

Patterns, known as Poomse, are set sequences designed to allow the practice and demonstration of hand and foot techniques, changes of stance, balance and fitness. Poomse are also used to develop co-ordination and concentration as well as cultivating the spirit of the martial arts.

Lessons will start with warm up exercises to prepare the body for the training session ahead. The bulk of the training session will be used to explain, demonstrate, imitate and practice the basic techniques and stances of Tae-Kwon-Do. These basic techniques form the basis of the Poomse and students will be introduced to the first of these (known as Il-Jang) as soon as possible.

Sparring

Students will participate in sparring sessions which take three forms:-

Three Step Sparring – controlled sparring where a single technique is used to counter a three step attack

One Step Sparring – Similar to three step sparring, but the counter attack is immediate

Free Sparring – practicing all techniques in a free combat situation. These sessions are non-contact or very light contact

Self Defence

As well as the traditional stances and techniques that are utilised in the sport of Tae-Kwon-do, students will be taught self defence methods and techniques that are designed to be more appropriate in a realistic situation. It is not always appropriate or possible (due to location, clothes worn etc…) to use techniques like high spinning kicks in a real life setting. The self defence techniques are designed to teach students methods to quickly incapacitate and take control of an attacker whilst being aware of the confinements or limitations of their surroundings. These are the techniques often referred to in other disciplines as ‘Street fighting’.

Destruction

Destruction gives students the opportunity to demonstrate total mastery of their techniques by breaking various items such as wooden boards, bricks and tiles using their bare hands and feet. Destruction techniques or ‘breaktests’ are a compulsory element of the more advanced gradings.

Towards the end of the lesson, students will be required to take part in strength, flexibility and stamina exercises before warming down to finish.

A normal lesson lasts for 1 hour.

Lessons are conducted in a very disciplined manner from the outset. Students are expected to maintain focus, to listen and to obey their instructors at all times. There will be absolutely no tolerance of bad or unruly behaviour which will be dealt with in a highly disciplined manner. Students (and parents of junior students) should be aware that instructors raising their voice is more the norm than the exception in an average training session – be prepared!