The Tae Kwon Do Thread... Your thoughts.

[Ghost]

Yes i mean i cant say i am a fan of these things that dilute systems.

I can understand that kids should wear pads but im against it for adults i mean just look at TKD i expect it would improve quickly if they removed the padding.

If they dont want to block it shows they have weak kicks.

I think stuff like this should be got rid of.

I know someone will quote me on the last sentence but i dont care.

I really think it should be got rid of, the whole sytem, or brought back to reality.

Its disgusting.

[falcon3624]

Originally posted by Ghost
I really think it should be got rid of, the whole sytem, or brought back to reality.

Its disgusting.

I agree.

[Ghost]

BIIAAAATCH

[eXcessiveForce]

I have no idea where you are all coming from now. I don't block a lot because I don't get hit much the better the foot work the less blocking. The more attacking the less blocking.

Blocking is defensive and therefore really a waste of time. You need to know how to do it well but if you block more than once or twice in a row that means you aren't thowing anything offensive which means you are going to get beat.

I prefer to move rather than block. It is proactive. Now I like to stand in there and shin block but that stopped working on my high ranks long ago. Still fun to do at other schools and against lousy instructors.

Pads do not protect the target they protect the striker. Like boxing gloves.

From your train of logic these boxers are pussies because they wear gloves. They should just go bare fisted right


Pads are more psychological than anything. But they do keep little johnny from coming home with bruises all over his hands and feet. I am not a big fan of chest protectors. We use them only for students who want to go against an instructor at a high level of contact. Still doesn't help them much. We never use hogus because they are worthless. We do use a FIST suit for self defense work though.

I learned to spar without gear. Many insurance companies will not give you insurance if you do not require sparring gear. Not a big deal for a small hole in the wall school like most. But some of these schools bringing in over a million a year it is a big deal.

[falcon3624]

Spoken like a true TKD practitioner.....Good job wussy!!!!

Just messin' with ya.......no, not really.....

[Ghost]

What the hell do you mean shin blocks dont work on higher ranks?

And since when have shin blocks been part of TKD and your idea of blocking being a waste of time just proves my point, If each kick to your ribs was hard enough to nearly draw blood then you would block.

[Tom Yum]

What he means is that more experienced fighters, whether TKD or MT will feint kick to see how you react and then use that to exploit an opening.

But then again, experienced MT fighters have enough shin conditioning to where its less of a flat out block, but rather a shin check while using simultaneous footwork to reposition themselves.

[falcon3624]

Yea, let me give you one roundhouse to the ribs and I guarantee you are gonna start blocking.....I have lifted people off the ground and put them down with one roundhouse before, even had some that received broken ribs from my roundhouse (the right one, left does not have as much power by far). Blocking is an essential part of sparring or fighting. Trying to move out of the way of my roundhouse is only going to make it worse because when someone tries to move out of the way it makes me think they are scared and I turn into a blood thirsty pitbull .

[Ghost]

Yes not blocking is just stupid, whats the point in getting hit if you can block it??

[Tom Yum]

Originally posted by falcon3624
Yea, let me give you one roundhouse to the ribs and I guarantee you are gonna start blocking.....I have lifted people off the ground and put them down with one roundhouse before, even had some that received broken ribs from my roundhouse (the right one, left does not have as much power by far). Blocking is an essential part of sparring or fighting. Trying to move out of the way of my roundhouse is only going to make it worse because when someone tries to move out of the way it makes me think they are scared and I turn into a blood thirsty pitbull .

No one is going to block into your kick- maybe a karate guy will. They will move with it and check it.

[Ghost]

WHAT???

[Tom Yum]

Ghost,

A Thai round kick comes from the side and swings into its target. Since the kick has someones full weight behind it, you won't just stand there and throw a downward block - many a American kikcboxer got their arms broken and battered doing this karate style block in Thailand.

Instead you roll with it, by stepping out with the kick and checking it with your shin, knee or elbow. Or if you can help it, step just outside the kicks arc.

[Ghost]

Sorry i thought you were talking about shin blocks for some reason

[Great Sage]

Not blocking or having a defensive strategy is an unrealistic approach to fighting. It's wishful thinking to believe that you will not get hit, because as we all know even the best guys will get hit.

On a side note, I have seen Muay Thai guys use padding for sparring. In fact, many MT seminars and some gyms for the matter are starting to use the same pads found in TKD. The reason being, new interest in MT has brought an onrush of members, many of whom just want to learn it but are not quite suited. Perhaps it's a sign of watering down, but I have seen Thai sparring where TKD pads were in use and the Instructor explained this to the crowd.

[Ghost]

No MT amatuer is padded up but aloows knees and elbows to head.
Most do this in their first 6 months only.