Self Defense in TKD...

[psycho-kaz]

hi, i hav been doing taekwondo for two years and i am a green belt, i am sad to say i stopped attending my classes, as the pace required in the adult class was too much for me, but i do intend on returning to the art when i finish uni, maybe even whilst i am at uni, because taekwondo for me is a passion, i do odd little kicks without even knowing

anyway nice to meet everyone

[john55]

Originally Posted by psycho-kaz

hi, i hav been doing taekwondo for two years and i am a green belt, i am sad to say i stopped attending my classes, as the pace required in the adult class was too much for me, but i do intend on returning to the art when i finish uni, maybe even whilst i am at uni, because taekwondo for me is a passion, i do odd little kicks without even knowing

anyway nice to meet everyone

Welcome to the boards.

Ive been reading through the last few pages and the one thing I dont get, which is probably why TKD isnt the best method of self defense is that so many of its moves are NOT practical or made for self defense. I mean, every punch requires a chamber, then when we spar, we are told not to chamber. We work on stances that one would never use in a fight. We practice kicks without keeping our hands near our face. In fact, we dont work on protecting our face unless its a outer forearm block or something. (these could just be from my school but i think its the majority as I have been to several)

Basically we practice things that arent used to fight, and never practice things used to fight except maybe some steps, which are usually just one or two strikes which supposedly end the fight but no one has ever them tried out. The funny thing is, when I do steps, I sometimes say, hey wouldnt it be better to try X or if they moved a bit different wouldnt you do X, and I just get dirty looks because people just want to practice the steps to pass the test.

I think the one argument I love is that most TKD practice like this and there is always the one school that doesnt and those people will argue these points to death. But the fact remains that probably over 90% of the schools dont train people to fight.

It just like teaching someone to shoot a basketball over and over again and then putting them out on the court and saying: PLAY BALL.

[SirokiFighter]

Originally Posted by john55

Welcome to the boards.

Ive been reading through the last few pages and the one thing I dont get, which is probably why TKD isnt the best method of self defense is that so many of its moves are NOT practical or made for self defense. I mean, every punch requires a chamber, then when we spar, we are told not to chamber. We work on stances that one would never use in a fight. We practice kicks without keeping our hands near our face. In fact, we dont work on protecting our face unless its a outer forearm block or something. (these could just be from my school but i think its the majority as I have been to several)

Basically we practice things that arent used to fight, and never practice things used to fight except maybe some steps, which are usually just one or two strikes which supposedly end the fight but no one has ever them tried out. The funny thing is, when I do steps, I sometimes say, hey wouldnt it be better to try X or if they moved a bit different wouldnt you do X, and I just get dirty looks because people just want to practice the steps to pass the test.

I think the one argument I love is that most TKD practice like this and there is always the one school that doesnt and those people will argue these points to death. But the fact remains that probably over 90% of the schools dont train people to fight.

It just like teaching someone to shoot a basketball over and over again and then putting them out on the court and saying: PLAY BALL.

well thats becasue you say tkd is not practicle for defense, when it is.
what is tkd anyway? in its simplest form it is striking.kicking,punching,elbowing,kneeing,and takedowns, nothing more,which these things are effective arnt they?

ive been in this forum for about 3 weeks, and i must say this whole tkd thing, and people try and put it down, and such, iss annoying me to death. if you dont like it dont take it, theres no need to talk trash about it. keep your trash talk to yourself(everyone). We all know about how bad tkd is nowadays, so i dont think we need to hear again and again.

[john55]

Originally Posted by SirokiFighter

well thats becasue you say tkd is not practicle for defense, when it is.
what is tkd anyway? in its simplest form it is striking.kicking,punching,elbowing,kneeing,and takedowns, nothing more,which these things are effective arnt they?

ive been in this forum for about 3 weeks, and i must say this whole tkd thing, and people try and put it down, and such, iss annoying me to death. if you dont like it dont take it, theres no need to talk trash about it. keep your trash talk to yourself(everyone). We all know about how bad tkd is nowadays, so i dont think we need to hear again and again.

YOu are probably right, there is too much trash talk. I think I am just venting my own frustrations. TKD does have some good application and is the best martial art for a lot of people. I enjoy certain aspects of it as well. I am also frustrated by some of them as well which is probably why I vent on the forum and this is the perfect place for us to talk, vent, and argue. I generally learn a lot by our discussions as I am not expert. Another reason for the bashing I think is due to the whole question that has been in martial arts since the UFC 'what is the best martial?' or 'is this art effective on the street or in mma' i think a lot of the TMAs have been taking a hit and since TKD is the most popular art, its taking the biggest one. Any art in the spotlight will take a lot of criticism. If you look around, you see quite a few bjj and mma bashers out there as well.

[WC_Lun]

There is NO BEST ART. There is training that is applicable for street self-defense, there is sport training, and there is training that isn't much use to either. You will fight how you train. If you are unhappy with your training, seek training elswhere.

[Chapel]

Originally Posted by john55

We practice kicks without keeping our hands near our face. In fact, we dont work on protecting our face unless its a outer forearm block or something. (these could just be from my school but i think its the majority as I have been to several)

Not knowing what school you are talking about specifically, but that part right there is very sport TKD. At that point keeping your hands down helps because it will block points.

[SirokiFighter]

Originally Posted by john55

YOu are probably right, there is too much trash talk. I think I am just venting my own frustrations. TKD does have some good application and is the best martial art for a lot of people. I enjoy certain aspects of it as well. I am also frustrated by some of them as well which is probably why I vent on the forum and this is the perfect place for us to talk, vent, and argue. I generally learn a lot by our discussions as I am not expert. Another reason for the bashing I think is due to the whole question that has been in martial arts since the UFC 'what is the best martial?' or 'is this art effective on the street or in mma' i think a lot of the TMAs have been taking a hit and since TKD is the most popular art, its taking the biggest one. Any art in the spotlight will take a lot of criticism. If you look around, you see quite a few bjj and mma bashers out there as well.

well there willl be bashers for everything. but my point is why bash? what are people trying to accomplish by bashing another art.
and i understand what you mean.

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by psycho-kaz

hi, i hav been doing taekwondo for two years and i am a green belt, i am sad to say i stopped attending my classes, as the pace required in the adult class was too much for me, but i do intend on returning to the art when i finish uni, maybe even whilst i am at uni, because taekwondo for me is a passion, i do odd little kicks without even knowing

anyway nice to meet everyone

Welcome aboard

[Sake Sipper]

Originally Posted by WC_Lun

There is NO BEST ART (except for wrestling).

That's a very good point!

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by WC_Lun

There is NO BEST ART. There is training that is applicable for street self-defense, there is sport training, and there is training that isn't much use to either. You will fight how you train. If you are unhappy with your training, seek training elswhere.

Originally Posted by SirokiFighter

well there willl be bashers for everything. but my point is why bash? what are people trying to accomplish by bashing another art.
and i understand what you mean.

Great points and the thread is bunny-gized....