Am i underestimating Taekwondo? what is so good about it?

[Brokenmace]

American TKD is (mostly) just a money machine turning out passable sport point fighters. Whatever you do, avoid ATA at all costs. If you must choose a north Asian martial art, Shotokan or Kook Sul Wan seem like good choices, primarily because of the way they train. They are both into sparring at full contact (at least the dojos I've seen).

However, try and take out a Korean national champion, and things won't be so very easy. If you can't read kicks well, your looking for a foot through your teeth. Please, try and shoot in . . .

What makes one fighter lethal and another fighter free lunch is the synthesis between proper teaching and proper learning. In other words, a good teacher and a commited student. Having both will get you a good fighter no matter the style.

If you must choose TKD, don't go to one of those national chains. Find a smaller school with a seasoned instructor.

[jmd161]

Good post But...........

Brokenmace,

What is ATA ?


Asian Traditional Arts? or what?

I'm not sure what that means?

Because i've studied traditional kung fu for over 16yrs and would not trade it for any other system.I think any art trained in a traditional manner is very effective.

Meaning.......... A no nonsense sifu/teacher showing appliciation of movements,how to counter movements,flowing non stop movements,etc..........

The problem with most striking arts is that 80% of the people don't know how to apply techniques.They simply were never shown.They were just taught forms of movements not how to apply those movements.The problem with that is you can't fight with a form.The person is not always going to be in front of you on your right side.Your teacher needs to make sure you practice forms on your left side also.most karate/kung fu forms are done on the right side very few people practice this same movement on the left side.

Thus...... when they get into a fight they're lost because they expect the person to line up on the side they learned the form/kata on.

And as we both know that does'nt happen in the real world.

jmd161

[Mr. Miyagi]

JMD, I get your point, good post.

With most Asian Traditional Arts (like that term) there is no federation or governing body to oversee the art and ensure standards on an international level. So you get a brown belt at one school who has been training hard for 10 years and at another school you have a 10 year old kid who has been training for two years wearing a black belt. I could be so bold as to say that over 90% of Asian Traditional Arts schools in the USA are boolsheet.

[Brokenmace]

Oops

Sorry. I thought everyone knew ATA. It means American Taekwondo Association. It is Bill Clark's loot wagon. Fine if you want point sparring and all, useless as a self-defense system. Fortunately, some ATA schools also teach Krav Maga, which for the above-stated purpose (self defense), is better, though wildly overpriced. At least around my area.

I have nothing against asian traditional arts. Every inhabited region of the world has contributed to the art of human combat, even Africa (though some snidely dismiss its importance). I'm particularly fond of polonysian and SE asian martial arts.

And JMD is right about forms training. Personally, I don't see enough full contact sparring in most traditional schools. That's why I like Shotokan (from what I've seen): they believe in hard sparring. Shotokan fighters are some of the best to come out of Japan and America, where Japanese arts are concerned.

While the following list isn't nearly complete, here are the major contributions of the different areas of the world in the martial arts (not just unarmed or even ancient weapons). I'd like to know what you folks think:

Europe: adaptability, pragmatism

Asia: biomechanics, medicinal, discipline, observation (of nature)

SE Asia: integration of man and his tools (a hand is a knife is a stick)

Africa: deception, dynamic grace

The Americas: Freedom from tradition

As I said, not a complete list. It's a start. My point is validity can be found in almost any tradition and any art from any region. It is the fighter that makes the difference.

[jmd161]

I agree with you 100%

Originally posted by Mr. Miyagi
With most Asian Traditional Arts (like that term) there is no federation or governing body to oversee the art and ensure standards on an international level. So you get a brown belt at one school who has been training hard for 10 years and at another school you have a 10 year old kid who has been training for two years wearing a black belt. I could be so bold as to say that over 90% of Asian Traditional Arts schools in the USA are boolsheet.

Mr. Miyagi ,

I agree with you 100% on that.
That's why i'm glad i've been one of the lucky ones.All my kung fu training has been the real deal.My Black Tiger Master is the Chairman of the Black Tiger assoc.In Hong Kong.And he is also the Grandmaster of Black Tiger Style.I feel sorry for all those poor souls that study TKD,Karate,and Kung Fu that are just learning forms not actual combat skill.In my style we have no stun techniques all will hurt you very much even our blocks our created to inflict damage.

We train with a dummy called the "Grinder Dummy"
It's 10ft tall made of cement has two rows of moving arms made of iron and two legs made of iron.we hit these arms and legs full strength with our arms and legs.Muay Thai used to kick trees with their shins.We still use our shins and arms on these iron bars.

I wish all styles went through this type of training then i would'nt have to try and defend the entire world of kung fu and strikers all the time.

But the other 10% of those schools you talked about are no joke!!!

jmd161

[jmd161]

Re: Oops

Originally posted by Brokenmace
And JMD is right about forms training. Personally, I don't see enough full contact sparring in most traditional schools.

My point is validity can be found in almost any tradition and any art from any region. It is the fighter that makes the difference.

Amen Brother Mace!!

We fight full contact.

No gloves,no pads, all i can say is "Ouuuuuuuuuccchhh"

jmd161

[crazyjoe380]

So tkd sucks?? im confused..

[aseepish]

Re: Sport Tae Kwon Do

Originally posted by jmd161
Even though real Tkd has limited hand techniques ,but no one i repeat "No One" can out kick them.There might be styles that develope their legs better Muay Tai,Hung Gar,Black Tiger,Choy Lay Fut,Hung Fut.Etc.........

But none will out kick them.

One word: Savate

T.