tae kwon do

[dukemushroom]

ok...well I just started my 3rd week of tae kwon do...it's not my first choice but it's the only thing where I live. I know I want to study other forms, is it recomended that i stick with one until I progress through the belts. I like TKD I have already started to become more flexible through the stretching and kicks but I would also like to learn more punches and grappling techniques. Oh and I also have an interest in maybe competing in tournaments some day...any suggestions?

[ShiivA]

hey, great to meet you
ive been doing TKD for just over 2 years now, ill be getting my black belt at the end of this year. I also recommend you study other arts, im also studying gung fu at the moment. Tournaments are good if thats your kind of thing, become a bit more experienced you get that medal.

[dukemushroom]

I will continue with my TKD through this semester, after that I move back to my home town. I'm just not sure if I should stay with the TKD through the 3 month break or if I should try something else for 3 months and then get back into TKD when I move back to school. What would be recomended?

[ShiivA]

i say you could try other styles and see what suits you best, otherwise if you really enjoy TKD and by all means continue

[rkcann01]

hey duke,

I have taken TKD for 10 years, and I have also studied with kung-fu and aikido practicioners. It's not really the style that will make you great, its your own determination. All martial arts have great qualities and all styles have weaknesess. Example, TKD is much weaker in hand-to-hand combat then nearly all styles, but I promiss you this, from two feet away, I can stop the fight with a spinning heal kick before it even starts. I fought against my friend who takes kung-fu from shoalin-do(he has taken for 8 years) and I caught him with every kick because he isn't use to high, quick and powerfull kicks. Alot of people on this site knock TKD as ineffective, but in reality, the true application of TKD is deadly, and as much, if not more effective then any style out there. So, stick with it!

[ShiivA]

so does this mean, as you learn TKD you should concentrate more on your hands?, but of course not forgetting the legs

[rkcann01]

Tae Kwon Do does work on it's hands....we practice plenty of moves in hand to hand situations, but many TKD students fail to apply thier hand trainning. In free sparring I always follow a kick or two with at least one hand technique, and though you can't hit to the face, a ridge hand or punch to the solar plex is very effective.