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Practice
In class, students learn the fundamentals of Taekwondo through forms practice
and depending on their skill level, the breaking of boards (or other materials)
and sparring. They also receive instruction in principles such as courtesy,
integrity, perseverance, and self-control.
Forms
Forms are a prearranged series of 14 to 68 movements designed against
imaginary opponent(s). The practice of forms, which includes striking,
kicking, and blocking in a wide array of directions, brings all of the
preceding types of techniques together. It develops one's coordination,
instinct, balance, timing, breath control, and rhythm, essentially so
that he can apply the techniques effectively, using either side of his
body, in defense and attack. Students start to learn forms as white belts,
and continue onto another form and belt level once they have mastered
a form. The official set of tae kwon do forms recognized by the South
Korean government and World Taekwondo Federation is called "poomse."
The International Taekwon-do Federation, on the other hand, recognizes
a set of forms established by General Choi Hong Hi, called "hyung."
There are a total of twenty-four patterns of hyung to represent the twenty-four
hours in a day.
Forms
(472 kb)
Breaking
(Kyukpa)
Breaking is exactly what its name implies: the breaking of materials such
as tiles, bricks, boards etc. by different parts of the body and specific
techniques. Because it requires a great deal of strength, skill, and concentration
to perform safely, it is only practiced at senior level. Breaking develops
a student's concentration and accuracy in directing hits.
Elbow
Strike (topleft, 473 kb)
Jumping
Front Kick (topright, 474 kb)
Side
Kick (bottom, 474 kb)
Sparring
(Kyoruki)
Sparring also plays an important part in Taekwondo practice since it allows
the students to truly evaluate their skills. In sparring, two partners
practice short, set sequences of attack and counter-attack. Students must
first master the basic techniques and drills before engaging in free sparring,
since it is highly complicated. In some types of sparring, students do
a certain amount of moves each. In arranged free sparring, both opponents/partners
know the moves in advance. Free sparring is the most advanced stage of
sparring practice since students must spontaneously determine which combinations
of techniques to apply. It is important to wear the necessary protective
equipment while free sparring.
Sparring1
(left, 473 kb)
Sparring2
(right, 441 kb)
Putting on the sparring gear
Setting
Taekwondo is practiced in a "dojang," or training hall where
classes, testing, and promotion are held. In the Japanese martial arts,
it is called a "dojo," and in the Chinese martial arts, it is
called a "kwoon." In general, the dojang's furnishings are simple
so that attention can be focused on the instructor and the lesson. Flags
are often hung at the front of the room, representing the country the
art comes from (Korea), the school and the country in which the dojang
is located.
Dojang
(474 kb)
Etiquette
Taekwondo practitioners follow a code of rules that govern their behavior
in school. These rules are meant to help them practice the central tenets
of Taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable
spirit. Here are some ways in which these are expressed:
-
Neat appearance: Uniforms kept clean, jewelry removed from the body, and any long hair tied back from the face. If at any time during a class the uniform becomes untidy, one should only fix it after stopping and turning away from his peers.
- Bowing:
Students must bow to the flag(s) and his superiors (e.g. school president,
teacher and/or high-ranking black belts) before entering and leaving
class and at the beginning and end of class. The heels should be brought
together vigorously during the bow.
Bowing
(473 kb) -
Attention: Conversation should be limited to the learning material, and superiors should be addressed using formal titles (e.g. sir or madam).
Like challenges? Take the Taekwondo Quiz.
