Introduction to Taekwondo

1.What is Taekwondo?
2. Disciplines of Taekwondo
3. Objectives of Taekwondo
4. Taekwondo for kids
5. is Taekwondo dangerous?

What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a modern martial art, characterized by it's fast, high and spinning kicks. Taekwondo by far has superior kicks compared to any other martial art. Taekwondo is the most popular modern martial art in the World.

Disciplines of Taekwondo
Taekwondo has four disciplines which are;
1. Patterns or forms which are a series of movements that are practised until perfected. A new pattern is learnt for each new belt level
2. Sparring
3. self-defence
4. board breaking
It is the combination of these four disciplines that makes the art called Taekwondo.

Objectives of Taekwondo

1. to develop an appreciation for Taekwondo as a sport and as an art
2. to achieve physical fitness through positive participation
3. to improve mental discipline and emotional equanimity
4. to learn self-defense skills
5. to develop a sense of responsibility for one self and others.

Taekwondo for kids
Taekwondo students can start as early as age 4 and is a very good sport for children. They learn fast reactions through games, learn to respect others and learn to know their abilities and disabilities. Competition rules are a bit different for children then they are for adults. Although children wear full body protection only kicks and punches to the body are allowed, no kicks to the head.

Is Taekwondo dangerous?
Although WTF Taekwondo is a full contact sport(only for black belts, colored belts sparring is controlled)where it is allowed to kick to the head(punches to the head are not allowed), it is not dangerous to practise Taekwondo. During training, there is no need to win so contact is light and controlled at all times. During competition, full protective equipment is worn to protect competitiors.