My six-year-old has been in tae kwon do for a year and she is obsessed. She’s at the point where she’s in sparring classes and needs her own sparring gear but I have no idea where to buy it if anyone has any recommendations

Is Old School Style still viable against Modern Style Sparring? I am coming from a general and vague understanding of TKD history but from what I've seen there are some differences in how TKD is played out between the eras. I know that there is a chance for the Old School TKD to be devastating, but when compared to the modern ruleset for TKD, I don't hear conversation about the two clashing and if there is I haven't been looking hard or long enough.

Idk, I might be coming from an oblivious standpoint but it's something that I can't think about. Thoughts, ideas?

In every TKD school I've trained in, black uniforms have been reserved for black belts, or even a degree of black belt. It's something that's generally held in high esteem.

I'm currently cross-training BJJ. In that gym, everyone wears black, even if you're a white belt. I think black works much better for hard workouts where you're sweating a lot. It doesn't get yellow over time, it doesn't show pit stains, it doesn't become translucent when wet like white does. It also "hides your sins" better (if you're fat, you don't look as fat).

I'm getting ready to open my own TKD school. Originally I was thinking of going with the traditional dobok progression of: white gi for color belts, black trim for black belts, black uniform for 2nd degree, and so on. But now I'm wondering if "everyone wears black" might be a better call.

I’m looking to improve my special technique for an upcoming tournament and was wondering if anyone had tips for getting better at it?

Hey There! I am looking for any old school Tkd Tips to make my sparring better, I mean aggresive and fun to watch. I want to replicate old school taekwondo, to give you some background, Yes my school still teaches the old way and a mix of modern too, however, modern training or almost no pain and no intense matches makes it a little difficult to spar like pure old school. Earlier this day, I competed and won at a local tornument, I managed to land a few powerful RH kicks, a back kick multiple times and a tornado kick that did not score and thats all it.. My oponent was slower but I still managed to struggle due to the fact that we are aggresive, I utilized my footwork, but it was still not enough, my stamina needs improvement, By the first few seconds and minutes I am agile, fast and powerful, but overtime I became slower and it became more difficult to kick, any tips?

I took Taekwondo as a child, but I quit right before I got my Green Belt because I had to choose between that and softball (I was an All-Star in softball). I will be 44 next month, and I have many physical and mental health problems. I think this sport can truly help me in many ways. I just found out yesterday that there is a Taekwondo Dojang one mile from my house. I took that as a sign, and I e-mailed them ti see what the pricing is for the classes and uniforms. Do they also charge you to test, when you want to advance in belt rankings? And, do you have to travel a lot to test? We did when I was younger. I cannot wait to become a student. My dream is to become a Black Belt. Keep your 🤞, everyone. GOD BLESS YOU. 🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋

Hi guys, I've been doing Taekwondo for 20 years, and been an instructor for 4 years with the TAGB. I've recently left the TAGB because I want to teach in a way that's more practical and less like a sport, and one of the things I would look at getting rid of would be the belt system for a myriad of reasons (mainly, I personally are it as a way instructors make more money out of students while trying to hold them back. But I'm curious on everyone else's thoughts on the belt system? Do you like or dislike it? And why?

I’ve heard a few people say that turning kicks to the body are easier to land in open stance. I’ve also found the back fist becomes a much better option in open stance.

What techniques do you find get easier or harder to land in open or closed stance?

Hello,

I will be in Seoul this week until next friday so I would love to be in touch with taekwondo there.

I wont be able to go to Taekwondowon but I have a couple of questions:

-Is the kukkiwon worth it to visit? If so, is there any museum inside or some recommendations? I saw that there are exhibitions on Saturday but I dont know if I am right or not

-Buying taekwondo dobok. Where to buy and which are special of Korea. Maybe a Motoo one.

-Any recommendations besides these ones? I will be training in a Dojang from Monday to Friday as well

Thanks to all of you

https://reddit.com/link/1h2b7tl/video/qc96yy24zq3e1/player

I am a blue belt in tkd and my next test is in about a week but i am super scared, and usually when i have anxiety i mess up things like doing a kick when i wasn't supposed to. Does anyone have tips to calm myself down?

I started less then a year ago. A few from where I train just came back from the panamerican tournament last weekend in Puerto Rico. They say they won medals. I found a list of participants and results on https://data.taekwondo-itf.com/event/31729/7720 ,although that website is not user friendly.

Is there a YouTube channel or Instagram page or something to watch videos of the comps?

Hi community, (5th Kup TAGB student)

I am interested in receiving a broader sparring experience and possibly trying out some different competitions. is it possible to attend some of the ITF and WTF ones by still being apart of thew TAGB federation. I understand the style and scoring is slightly different but any experience and new opponents would be fun and a great learning experience?

Here's my summary of the most recent and first ever international kukkiwon self defense instructor course in Chicago. This may come off as harsh. I think the kukkiwon is great, but I am disappointed in the quality both mental and physical of the majority of attending Masters at the seminar.

Day 1 morning. The morning consisted of explaining the concepts behind the self defense curriculum. Simplicity, effectiveness, and no limitations in technique or application, amongst others. Really basic concepts. There are a couple specific stances used to help optimize the ease of defense. Techniques from these positions are simple and broken down into strikes, blocks, and weaves, all of or at least most of which should be familiar to any experienced martial artist. Especially those of jidokwan or self defense based lineages. The goal felt like was not to impart techniques, and instead teach core principals which can then be used to develop their own curriculums. I think for those who knew what to look for, this was effective and a good idea. Knowing the "why to do" instead of the "how to do" allows me personally for more effective and intuitive customization and application.

Day 1 Afternoon The afternoon session was more disappointing for me. What was intended to cover break falls, rolls, and other basic injury prevention (again all of which is very very basic) the instructors had to stop and go back to re-teach and correct people in things such as backwards break falls repeatedly. This meant that we did not get to completely cover the core principals. For those who knew what to look for and take from it, I think it was good, however the remedial level needed and repeated correction and lack of ability to learn from a large amount of the attending Masters was really really disappointing to me. This left me frustrated that we missed some aspects and selfishly, I was frustrated that my own education was hindered by the lack of effort/ability of those around me.

Day 1 Evening This final session covered some "train to the test" choreography for pre-developed self defense routines, not a ton, just enough to give insight into how to apply the core principals , and also some fun stuff just to make sure we were enjoying it and breaking up the stress.There was a lot of potential here for having some fun with the core concepts and principals but again the instructors had to back pedal quite a bit and spent several hours on one or two specific techniques instead. At this point I was quite frustrated. Partially because we were assigned to work with a partner who would be training with us up to and during the test. My partner was quite young and inexperienced in the self defense side of things, and for a Master ranked individual their age, the approximate skill level was that of a color belt. I had to spend a lot of my extra after dinner time helping the en with basic punch or kick execution because their performance affected my test results on the final practical. The fact that they showed up an hour late to the scheduled extra practice likely added to the annoyance.

Late to bed. Early to rise.

Day 2 morning. What was intended to be a quick half hour review of the topics of the day before turned into a whole morning practice. While the textbook given to us had breakfall instructions, and we had access to the training room with padded floors to practice all night, many masters who needed the extra work chose not to, and during the forward breakfall review a few injured their wrists or ankles.

The rest of the morning was intended to be spent learning weapons use translations of the original concepts, however that was delayed until the afternoon and very very simplified. Leaving a lot to be desired.

Day 2 afternoon This ended up being a much simplified introduction into how to take the taekwondo principles and apply them to weapons. Again for jidokwan and combat taekwondo individuals this was very familiar. But it was also clear that many had never really applied this mindset before. This made more sense to me as many of the art focus purely on the sport side or empty hand applications. And when weapons are trained, it's often as a different art entirely such as gumdo. So I didn't mind the very slow and careful approach. Again, nothing new learned here for me, but a fun way to break up the stress and I think a lot of people enjoyed it.

Day 3 evening. Practical and written tests followed by pictures and awards.

Over all, I enjoyed the concepts, and while to many they seemed new, in truth these are the old self defense aspects of 30+ years ago and it was a very good introduction and return to form for practical taekwondo and for those who have never learned these concepts.

I was also reminded that I was very very lucky to have an instructor who ground these concepts into me at a young age and it was very easy to see and adapt to the current instruction methods. Not everyone was as lucky, prepared, or focused, but I hope it will give them some ideas to work with.

I am also again reminded as I was when I went to the poom/Dan and masters seminars in 2022, that the quality of masters in the US who represent the kukkiwon vary wildly, and many do not uphold even moderate color belt technical skill or even an understanding of the technical. And this is amongst people of moderate still athletic age. Not those who may have been hindered by age or injury.

Lastly the lack of respect from masters to other masters was disgraceful as a whole. Each one was so used to being in charge of their own little kingdom that they couldn't remember how to bow correctly or respond to someone who was in charge of the seminar without getting their teeth in annoyance or answering correctly. Humility was just missing from many. One grand master sat down uninvited at the head table during closing ceremonies and was un-ceremoniously told he wasn't wanted at the table and to sit with the other attendees. His assumption was that because he was a high dan like the organizers clearly he was permitted. It also didn't help that he was a loud and beligerant, bossy and generally rude person during the whole seminar.

In my opinion, and obviously everyone's opinion may vary or be considered wrong by lots of others. But I feel that US Kukkiwon members really really need to step up their game, presentation, skill, etiquette, self discipline and art wise if we want to be respected as actual martial artists.

There were some phenomenal athletes and martial artists there this time, but it was a dramatic minority, and amongst the rest, I would say more than half were below average on what I consider the appropriate skill or knowledge for any level of black belt.

I loved the seminar, though I was selfishly frustrated at the feeling of being held back by what I believe should be basic concepts all "masters" should know such as breakfalls or appropriate knuckle contact on punches or just good etiquette.

I think the course and curriculum has value for the kukkiwon and martial artists as a whole and as a combat based martial artist first and foremost, this was a great start.

But as always, I feel like there needs to be some kukkiwon instructor seminars that require some sort of application process to demonstrate a mandatory minimum level of skill or at least technical understanding before attending so that others are not held back by the inability of those around them

As a "Master" if you have the book, step by step instructions, access to a padded training space, people willing to help you, and 12 hours plus between the end of day 1 and the beginning of day 2, while I may be willing to help you because my willingness to help is a reflection of me, I think your unwillingness to put in even the smallest amount of effort on your own is disgraceful.

How can we expect to teach self discipline and hard work to our potential students if we aren't willing to do it ourselves.

I have a free standing kick bag in my room is there any good workout kicks to do on the kick bag that helps with speed and strength please tell me.

Hi y’all, with tournaments right around the corner, I wanted to ask how your school deals with the fees.

Do you have a fixed coaches fee? Or are you expected to pay extra besides registration/athlete fee? Also what are the steps with out of state tournaments?

My son earned his 1st degree belt yesterday and was interested in keeping his broken brick for "memory's sake." He's 15yo.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions for turning 2 pieces of pinkish-red brick into a keepsake?

So far, we've been toying with the idea of using a metallic marker for highlighting it with the date and belt, and his master's name.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

In the general sense and How can you tell a talented beginner without a background of sports and athletics?

I recently watched a video where the speaker argued that Taekwondo is more of a game than a real fight. The speaker emphasized that modern Taekwondo, especially in competitions, has evolved into a real life game.
I think it's stupid to watch it as a game when is real fight, it's a martial art, not a game! My blows can break ribs, how can people watch it as a game?! it is for people like him that now everyone sees taekwondo as a useless martial art bringing shame to the art!

BUUUUHH. shame on you!

this is the video...

https://youtu.be/1ngozyfMMiM

If you have anything you want to celebrate with the r/Taekwondo community - here's your chance.

Link to any pictures or videos of you doing cool things, or with cool people or whatever. Publicly shout about your shiny new belt or grade. Share competition clips without asking for feedback, just saying "look how well I did!".

We'd love to celebrate with you, but please keep them to these Kudos threads!

Hey everyone,

I just had my first WT Taekwondo sparring match, and while it was an incredible experience, I ended up losing because I completely ran out of stamina halfway through the match. It was honestly frustrating because I felt like I had the techniques down, but my body just couldn’t keep up.

I’ve got another tournament coming up soon, and I want to make sure I’m better prepared this time. So, I’m here looking for advice on two things: 1. Building Stamina Quickly: I know stamina is something that takes time to build, but I’m wondering if there are any specific exercises, drills, or training routines you’d recommend to help me improve my endurance as quickly as possible. I’m already doing regular training, but I think I need something extra to simulate the intensity of sparring. 2. Cutting Weight Safely: I need to cut around 10kg (22lbs) in 2.5 months for the next tournament, and I want to do it safely without sacrificing my energy or performance. Any tips on diet, hydration, or weight-cutting strategies would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any advice! I’m determined to come back stronger next time.

Cheers!

I've decided to go back to my school after about 10ish years. I got my black belt and now going back at 26 hopefully muscle memory kicks in and that it will be like I never left. But I'm excited to be going back and they are happy to have me back.

How I actually know the best drills, the best training, best conditioning, how I improved my knowledge in sparring, how I know what teaches for my mini athletes, when I introduce new techniques, idk, my master tell me I'm good but I want improve, I don't know study properly

Please tell me I’m not the only one who doesn’t like the fact you have to wear either blue or red protective gear for ITF.

Personally I don’t like because, different color gloves I feel are very nice looking and sleek but I would like to hear other people’s opinions. 😅😄

Hi,

There's a place near me that does taekwondo classes. I'm thinking of giving it a go. I'm a 30 year old man that's not in great shape. Just looking for a new hobby and something to get out the house.

Would you recommend it to someone who has never done martial art or any sport in general? What can I expect from my first class?

Hi everyone, i’m an average joe who has loved martial arts ever since I was a kid. Never got the chance to take any classes due to financial reasons. I think now i’m finally ready to commit plus I ain’t getting any younger as i’m about to enter my 30s. There’s two dojos in my area and i’m trying to pick which one I should go to. What should I be looking for when choosing dojos? What questions should I be asking?

Thank you in advance.

Over on r/martialarts it seems like a lot of people hate on Taekwondo. If you bring up Taekwondo, or recommend it to somebody, you get downvoted, It's not discouraging to me, I just can't seem to get why so many people hate on it, lol.

Thank you

When I spar my classmates there’s this one kid who takes it very personal, like if i land a head kick on him or something he gets angry and tries to like harm you, i’m talking punches and grabbing on to you and tripping you (which i know some of the above are allowed but he doesn’t even kick or try new combos he learnt 😭) and I am not gonna lie this kid is like four inches taller (5’7 or 5’8) and a gazillion pounds (AND HES BUILT LIKE A STICK!! how do you weigh so much and are still so bony #ouch) and sometimes he doesn’t kick high enough and ends up kicking my crotch or calfs and it lowkey hurts (I know i should high key suck it up but it hurts damn it!). His legs are longer but he can’t kick very high, how do I avoid getting totally bruised after sparring with him. Honestly i think the answer might just be for me to get better and not get close to him but i kind of have to since my legs won’t reach him from afar. Why does he get so mad is it a fight or flight response or panic?