Anyone here do Tae Kwon Do?

[Arterion]

Ever since I left uni and my Jitsu club behind I've been looking for something new to try and Tae Kwon Do caught my eye (specifically http://www.btkd.co.uk/), and was wondering if anyone had any comments on this martial art or this company in particular, anything I should know, general stuff really any input would be much appreciated!

Cheers

 

[panthro]

I do (or did since leaving the UK), Bytomic are a good school, based on ITF Taekwon-do. Fought against them in a lot of competitions and their standard is good. Was a few years ago so not sure what direction they have gone, but just go down there and check it out, its the only way to find out if you enjoy it or not. Pretty sure you will though, one of the main reasons TKD is so popular, is that its really enjoyable overall.
Im being completely biased but you should look at ITF style Taekwon-do schools. Without going into too much detail to cause an argument, WTF is the Olympic sport; sparring isnt continuous and you cant use your hands to attack.
Noticed you're from Reading, you should also check out http://themartialartsschool.co.uk/about.htm
They offer a lot of different styles, loads of classes and theyre a good bunch of people.

 

[Stewy]

Really tempted to give this a shout at uni as well so i can beat up random chavs on my walk home

 

[panthro]

Really tempted to give this a shout at uni as well so i can beat up random chavs on my walk home

Just go down and check it out. You never know till you try
Id refrain from beating up chavs though. You should always do your best to avoid finding yourself in a compromising situation.

 

[SteveOBHave]

I do (or did since leaving the UK), Bytomic are a good school, based on ITF Taekwon-do. Fought against them in a lot of competitions and their standard is good. Was a few years ago so not sure what direction they have gone, but just go down there and check it out, its the only way to find out if you enjoy it or not. Pretty sure you will though, one of the main reasons TKD is so popular, is that its really enjoyable overall.
Im being completely biased but you should look at ITF style Taekwon-do schools. Without going into too much detail to cause an argument, WTF is the Olympic sport; sparring isnt continuous and you cant use your hands to attack.
Noticed you're from Reading, you should also check out http://themartialartsschool.co.uk/about.htm
They offer a lot of different styles, loads of classes and theyre a good bunch of people.

Eh - I did WTF standard TKD for 8 years and was Ranked second in the country mens heavyweight (New Zealand) and also North Island Champ Mens heavyweight and Middleweight (not at the same time of course). My sister is a 3rd Dan internationally ranked fighter also.

ITF varies greatly depending on what version you do and what the local governing body defines as the tournament rules and regs. It also has differing forms to WTF (interestingly we always found the ITF forms to be significantly better looking and more flowing than the WTF forms).

WTF is full contact however as Panthro pointed out it is much more governed - where in ITF you can punch to the head and leg sweep, WTF you cannot. You can kick full to the head and punch to the body as long as the contact area is not the back but you cannot strike below the waist nor punch to the head. Personally I did not like the way WTF TKD was represented at the Olympics as it was full of indicating, gesturing and all sorts of unsportsman like behavior. It made me embarrassed to be associated with the sport.

I would look into it - go to some classes and a tournament if you can and see for yourself. Enjoyment and what you get from it can depend quite a bit on your instructor and your classmates. I was very lucky in that our instructor did not see TKD as being the be all and end all of martial arts and frequently bought in other instructors of differing disciplines (Kickboxing, Aikido, Karate etc) and exposed us to those. Others can be quite insular, the best way to find out is to sample it. IMO of course

 

[Inquisitor]

Really tempted to give this a shout at uni as well so i can beat up random chavs on my walk home

There are better martial arts for beating people up than TKD, not that you should ever want to do so of course. As panthro says, you should always try to avoid having to use it in the first place

 

[Arterion]

There are better martial arts for beating people up than TKD, not that you should ever want to do so of course

Like what, out of curiosity?

 

[Inquisitor]

Like what, out of curiosity?

Something like Krav Maga would be ideal, if learnt to its fullest extent. I guess it's not really a TMA though. Something that focuses more on hand and elbow strikes like Muay Thai would also be effective. Personally, I love Muay Thai

It really depends on what you want, though. TKD is a great sport, as is Muay Thai, while Krav Maga is purely a self-defence system (in a civilian context at least). As I said, Muay Thai is probably better suited to self-defence than TKD.

 

[Arterion]

Ah yeah, I've heard of that if only because it's what Sam Fisher will be using in the new Splinter Cell game lol.

 

[panthro]

Eh - I did WTF standard TKD for 8 years and was Ranked second in the country mens heavyweight (New Zealand) and also North Island Champ Mens heavyweight and Middleweight (not at the same time of course). My sister is a 3rd Dan internationally ranked fighter also.

Thats good, NZ is a small place though

ITF varies greatly depending on what version you do and what the local governing body defines as the tournament rules and regs. It also has differing forms to WTF (interestingly we always found the ITF forms to be significantly better looking and more flowing than the WTF forms).

This is true, however the differences are minimal and all fundamental sparring rules are the same.

WTF is full contact however as Panthro pointed out it is much more governed - where in ITF you can punch to the head and leg sweep, WTF you cannot.

You cant leg sweep in ITF, under any of the 3 governing bodies. It is also continuous and not stopped after every point. ITF is light contact, but there is still a high chance of being KO'd from a well executed strike or combinations of strikes that can/will lose you the match if you cant continue.

You can kick full to the head and punch to the body as long as the contact area is not the back but you cannot strike below the waist nor punch to the head. Personally I did not like the way WTF TKD was represented at the Olympics as it was full of indicating, gesturing and all sorts of unsportsman like behavior. It made me embarrassed to be associated with the sport.

Agreed, I always ensure anyone I talk to knows Ive got nothing to do with WTF TKD. As you have stated, its a sport. ITF is much more self defence orientated, with the sporting aspect of competition sparring.

I would look into it - go to some classes and a tournament if you can and see for yourself. Enjoyment and what you get from it can depend quite a bit on your instructor and your classmates.

Good advice.

 

[SteveOBHave]

Thats good, NZ is a small place though

Small yes but there were enough people doing TKD in NZ for there to be 4 rings running continuously for two days and to have to get through around 5 fights to get to a final. It was never easy.

This is true, however the differences are minimal and all fundamental sparring rules are the same.

You cant leg sweep in ITF, under any of the 3 governing bodies. It is also continuous and not stopped after every point. ITF is light contact, but there is still a high chance of being KO'd from a well executed strike or combinations of strikes that can/will lose you the match if you cant continue.

Interesting, my bad - I always thought you could do sweeps followed by a ground strike. ITF was always quite different to how we'd compete in NZ altho we kept our tournaments open to other martial arts as long as they agreed to fight under WTF rules. We'd get ITF and Mixed Martial Arts bods in - ITF always did really well in forms, extremely crisp.

Agreed, I always ensure anyone I talk to knows Ive got nothing to do with WTF TKD. As you have stated, its a sport. ITF is much more self defence orientated, with the sporting aspect of competition sparring.

It's a shame because when properly applied the WTF TKD can be quite devistating - I hate the dilution of it into a 'sport' when in actuality it is so much more. I will not be going back to it, I've always wanted to take up Kung Fu mainly because it's one of the most balanced martial arts out there - that and I love the forms - they're stunning when done well.

 

[Arterion]

I think I'll give the Bytomic guys a shot and see how I like it, a mate of mine trains with them and reckons they're a good bunch. Thanks for all the info though, your conversation has been most interesting

 

[Xordium]

Really tempted to give this a shout at uni as well so i can beat up random chavs on my walk home

As already hinted TKD is not really what you would want for this. And why would you want to beat them up anyway? You get hit once in a fight then you still got hit. Don't get in the fight come away completely unharmed and therefore the winner. Quite simple.

 

[Arterion]

Good philosophy, although you seem to be hinting that TKD isn't as useful as a self defence tool?

 

[Morgoth]

I done TKD when I was younger, got up to green belt with blue stripes until I packed it in. Learning patterns became a bit of a bore for me.

 

[Xordium]

Good philosophy, although you seem to be hinting that TKD isn't as useful as a self defence tool?

Well its going to be better than nothing but a great number of martial arts are pretty useless on the street so as to speak. I mean you rarely are one vs one - its normally a group picking on one and then you can be blackbelt in whatever you want and you are not going to come out looking pretty. In fact I have a mate who is a BB in TKD and he went down to the first punch in a pub-fight - kept his hands down didn't he the fool.

Everyone because of MMA loves BJJ but would you really want to take a street fight to the ground. Muay Thai - yer right get someone in a clinch whilst their mate hits you around the head with a bottle. I am not criticising these forms which I myself practice its just there is no I-win martial art (and this includes the current darling KM).

I am a 5ft 8 healthy bloke with an extensive martial arts hobby stretching through many styles for the best part of 25 years. If I come against an unskilled average 6ft 2 - 20 stone chap I lose if I stand with them. If I come up against 2 x 6ft chaps a bit bigger than me I lose. The best strategy is to get the **** out of there asap or even better where I live in Birmingham - avoid Broad St late at night. Yer I am sure complete strangers have called me a pussy for walking away in fact I know they have but their opinion means nothing to me. If I rolled with them or got them in the ring well then that would be a different story.

Another facet is that unless you aggressively spar, which is not really something you do in the sport styled martial arts such as TKD and in the main karate, then the first time you really take and I mean really take a hit you are just stunned.

Not saying this is gospel fact just my own opinion.

 

[Lowe]

Well its going to be better than nothing but a great number of martial arts are pretty useless on the street so as to speak. I mean you rarely are one vs one - its normally a group picking on one and then you can be blackbelt in whatever you want and you are not going to come out looking pretty. In fact I have a mate who is a BB in TKD and he went down to the first punch in a pub-fight - kept his hands down didn't he the fool.

Everyone because of MMA loves BJJ but would you really want to take a street fight to the ground. Muay Thai - yer right get someone in a clinch whilst their mate hits you around the head with a bottle. I am not criticising these forms which I myself practice its just there is no I-win martial art (and this includes the current darling KM).

I am a 5ft 8 healthy bloke with an extensive martial arts hobby stretching through many styles for the best part of 25 years. If I come against an unskilled average 6ft 2 - 20 stone chap I lose if I stand with them. If I come up against 2 x 6ft chaps a bit bigger than me I lose. The best strategy is to get the **** out of there asap or even better where I live in Birmingham - avoid Broad St late at night. Yer I am sure complete strangers have called me a pussy for walking away in fact I know they have but their opinion means nothing to me. If I rolled with them or got them in the ring well then that would be a different story.

Another facet is that unless you aggressively spar, which is not really something you do in the sport styled martial arts such as TKD and in the main karate, then the first time you really take and I mean really take a hit you are just stunned.

Not saying this is gospel fact just my own opinion.

You speak a lot of sense and I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Microwave]

I do ITF taekwondo at university and I'm going for my red tag at the moment (grading in a few weeks) and I love it. Starting it at uni was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's great fun and good exercise too.

The relevance of any martial art to street fighting is always very relative and depends on the person.

I've found that learning the basics of how to properly punch and effectively kick to be very reassuring but I still think that the real world is different to how anyone is taught.

I also think it's important to know your limits - balance, the reach of your arm/leg. That stuff counts in the real world...

 

[panthro]

I do ITF taekwondo at university and I'm going for my red tag at the moment (grading in a few weeks) and I love it. Starting it at uni was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's great fun and good exercise too.

The relevance of any martial art to street fighting is always very relative and depends on the person.

I've found that learning the basics of how to properly punch and effectively kick to be very reassuring but I still think that the real world is different to how anyone is taught.

I also think it's important to know your limits - balance, the reach of your arm/leg. That stuff counts in the real world...

I like this comment. So many people start a martial art and will hear things like "omg this is so crap for street fighting, pub brawls etc". You dont start a martial art to protect you in all situations. You can if you want, but choose a specific style geared towards that.

Those who dont practice TKD will always have a lot of comments saying how its no good for defense etc. It may be the case, but you learn a lot of fundamentals about defending yourself. Those critics also forget the other purpose it serves; its great fun, great for fitness and helps you realise your potential

 

[Inquisitor]

Well its going to be better than nothing but a great number of martial arts are pretty useless on the street so as to speak. I mean you rarely are one vs one - its normally a group picking on one and then you can be blackbelt in whatever you want and you are not going to come out looking pretty. In fact I have a mate who is a BB in TKD and he went down to the first punch in a pub-fight - kept his hands down didn't he the fool.

Everyone because of MMA loves BJJ but would you really want to take a street fight to the ground. Muay Thai - yer right get someone in a clinch whilst their mate hits you around the head with a bottle. I am not criticising these forms which I myself practice its just there is no I-win martial art (and this includes the current darling KM).

I am a 5ft 8 healthy bloke with an extensive martial arts hobby stretching through many styles for the best part of 25 years. If I come against an unskilled average 6ft 2 - 20 stone chap I lose if I stand with them. If I come up against 2 x 6ft chaps a bit bigger than me I lose. The best strategy is to get the **** out of there asap or even better where I live in Birmingham - avoid Broad St late at night. Yer I am sure complete strangers have called me a pussy for walking away in fact I know they have but their opinion means nothing to me. If I rolled with them or got them in the ring well then that would be a different story.

Another facet is that unless you aggressively spar, which is not really something you do in the sport styled martial arts such as TKD and in the main karate, then the first time you really take and I mean really take a hit you are just stunned.

Not saying this is gospel fact just my own opinion.

I agree with this. While some martial arts are better than others for self-defence, and anything is better than nothing, there is no system that can guarantee to keep you safe.

At the end of the day, most attackers aren't going to do anything unless they're pretty sure they can win, which usually means they'll use the element of surprise (and maybe a weapon as well) or a whole load of mates (usually the latter). No martial art is going to protect you from a gang of 5 attackers.

The first line of defence is always just not to get yourself into a situation where you need to defend yourself in the first place.