Taekwondo Scarborough

Because Taekwondo has fairly high physical demands, it is possibly more suitable for the younger generation in Scarborough. That's not to say that older individuals can't participate in this popular activity, but merely that there could be alternative martial arts which are more suited to the less nimble of us. Tai Chi is a perfect illustration.

Taekwondo is one of the more recently formulated of the martial arts, with its beginnings in Korea, South-East Asia in 1945. A number of Korean martial arts specialists in Seoul established some new schools known as "kwans", merging various martial arts techniques. Taekwondo, which it eventually became known as, largely consists of high-kicking manoeuvres, particularly head kicks, jumping/turning kicks and fast kicking techniques.

Nowadays an Olympic sport, Taekwondo has more than 60 million enthusiasts worldwide, and although you may not have any ambitions to be an Olympic Games medalist, you can still enroll in a Taekwondo class or club to master what will no doubt prove to be a worthwhile and interesting pastime.

A key element of Taekwondo is self-defence, and doubtless this is one of the principal reasons that folks in Scarborough sign up to classes and get involved in the sport. There's been a worrying escalation of violent practices in recent years and this is especially widespread in city and town centres throughout North Yorkshire and Great Britain in general. The fantastic thing about Taekwondo though, is that it also promotes self-discipline and a deep respect for other people, not such familiar qualities in Scarborough nowadays.

There's a pretty decent chance that your newly mastered Taekwondo skills will never see the light of day in your day to day life, but it will most certainly give you self-confidence knowing that they are there should you ever be in need of them.

Your First Scarborough Taekwondo Lesson

If you have made up your mind to learn Taekwondo and are heading to your first class, you will be wondering what will happen. The following will give you an idea, but this may vary from school to school. A fifteen to twenty minute warm up, a bit of technical training including learning some blocking techniques, stances, kicks and hand attacks, an introduction to some forms (Poomse), some ideas on sparring including good timing, movement and targeting attacks, and lastly a warm down to prevent cramping and muscle spasms.

Anybody wanting to join a Taekwondo club in Scarborough has to also become a member of British Taekwondo which is the regulating body of the sport in Great Britain. You'll be able to read about health and safety, news, beginning a new club, coaching courses, first aid, events, coaches and referees, equality and safeguarding, members and clubs, and more on British Taekwondo's website, or find the latest news reports on their Facebook or Twitter page.

Taekwondo Kicks

One of the main elements of Taekwondo is kicking, listed here is a selection of the best known kicks: Back Kick, Crescent Kick, Front Kick, Push Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Axe Kick, Hook or Whip Kick, Side Kick. Blocks: To fend off the many hand attacks and kicks there are an equally diverse selection of "blocks". Using the hand and parts of the arm, they're held in various positions. Each type of attack necessitates a specific sort of block, counter-attacking movements can be produced by combining a block with a retaliatory kick or punch. The most important "blocks" in Taekwondo include: Double Forearm Block, Single Forearm Block, Upper Block, Knife Hand Block, Low Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Palm Block, Rising Block and Nine Block.

Taekwondo Safety Equipment

Contests governed by British Taekwondo policies demand that specific pieces of protective equipment be worn, these include things like: hand guards, a gum shield, shin guards, a red/blue head protector, a groin protector, forearm protectors and a blue or red trunk protector (hogu). This is necessary due to the vigorous kicking moves being practiced.