Hello,
If you don't mind Mr. B I'll go ahead and answer a few of these -I have 25 years experience in the Songahm, Chang Hon, and Hwa-Rang styles of Taekwondo. And I also have experience in Judo, Largo Mano Escrima and Modern Arnis
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Originally Posted by Mike Brewer
Matt,
You've been doing Tae Kwon Do for a while now, so I thought I'd ask you a couple questions that other people have when they just start out. Maybe your experiences can help them:
What's your favorite thing about the martial arts? What do you like most of all?
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What I love about TKD is that anyone can do it. At least in the styles that I have studied. It's an all inclusive art. You don't have to be some super athlete to practice it. Now in the Olympic style of TKD that may be a bit different but I have never really enjoyed the sport side of TKD.
As for martial arts, in general they teach Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, Humility, how to deal with others, Self Defense - all points are key to a successful life.
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Originally Posted by Mike Brewer
What techniques do you like?
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I love teaching. The technique of passing on information has been the most rewarding technique that I have ever had to practice. There is so much difference in teaching a 3 year old, then a 10 year old, then a 15 year old, then a 30 year old, and finally a 60 year old....it is such a challenge.
As for physical techniques I love hook kicks and side kicks. There are a bunch of variations from multiple kicks to aerial kicks to combos with hands - those two kicks alone are tops in my book.
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Originally Posted by Mike Brewer
What techniques do you dislike?
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The twist kick, some like it others don't. It's a messy kick to teach and can cause serious knee problems if not taught correctly. Also spear hands, in a real situation would one really use it? Not I.
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Originally Posted by Mike Brewer
Do you prefer punching or kicking?
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I like both, and in an ATA or ITF based system you will use both, a bunch. I can't speak for a WTF based system - but from what I see they tend to kick more. If I'm on the inside I punch, the outside I kick.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Brewer
Do you like forms or sparring more? Why?
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Yes, I do prefer forms over sparring. The ATA forms (Songahm) are outstanding forms, the Chang Hun Ryu (ITF) forms are good till Black Belt then they are great at Black Belt, look up the form Moon Moo on Youtube if you have a chance it's a 4th Dan form - just a great form. And I can't say anything about the WTF color belt forms but the Black Belt forms are not all that bad at first but as you become higher rank - they do start to lack in technique a bit.
Why do I like forms over sparring? I just do. I love forms.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Brewer
Anyone else, please feel free to jump in on this topic as well. We see a lot of threads from beginners asking for input, and some of these questions (and their answers) are major areas of interest.
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Hope my answers help a bit. You can see that I'm a big ITF/ATA fan when it comes to TKD technique, not to say anything bad about the WTF but I just don't have ay interest in sport style martial arts.