Taekwondo Thelwall

Owing to its more physical aspects, Taekwondo is possibly more appropriate for the younger person in Thelwall and is particularly suited to children as it's wonderful for developing respect for others and self-discipline. Older adults could find it a bit too demanding unless they're particularly active and fit. However, those who persue Taekwondo in Thelwall at a young age will discover that they can easily continue with it when they're older. The less nimble of you could consider something gentler like Tai Chi.

Taekwondo is one of the more recently developed of the martial arts, with its beginnings in Korea in 1945. This combination of various martial arts techniques were practiced in some new schools in Seoul called "kwans", founded by a group of Korean martial artists. The emphasis of the discipline was on kicking manoeuvres, especially head kicks, rapid kicking methods and jumping/turning kicks, and it was later given the name; Taekwondo, meaning "the way of the foot and fist".Today Thelwall Taekwondo classes follow this tradition.

With over 60 million practitioners worldwide and quite a few in Thelwall, Taekwondo has become very popular. This sport has even featured in the Olympic Games since 2000, and if you want to get involved, joining a local Thelwall Taekwondo club or class is a good place to start. There is no reason why you cannot become a master of this exciting martial art, even if you do not aspire to Olympic competition.

In these days of escalating violence, it's hardly surprising that individuals in areas like Thelwall are attending self-defence classes like Taekwondo to enable them to feel safer and more secure in their everyday life. The self-defence element is one of the primary factors of Taekwondo but at the same time it also promotes self-restraint and a deep respect for those around us, which are disciplines that are frequently lacking in modern day life.

Your newly mastered Taekwondo skills will more than likely never need to be tested outside of an organised Taekwondo class, however being aware of the fact that you've got them will give you peace of mind.

Your First Thelwall Taekwondo Class

If you have booked your first class but have never tried Taekwondo before, you might be wondering what to expect. The following will give you a good idea, but this will vary from school to school. A 15-20 minute warm up to loosen the muscles and increase your heart rate, a little technical training comprising some stances, blocking techniques, kicks and hand attacks, an introduction to patterns or forms, a look at sparring including timing, movement and the targeting of attacks, and last but not least a warm down to relax and stretch muscles.

The regulating body for Taekwondo in the United Kingdom is British Taekwondo and anybody wanting to join a Taekwondo class in Thelwall has to also register with British Taekwondo. You'll be able to learn about news, members and clubs, events, referees and coaching, health and safety, coaching courses, starting a new Taekwondo club, safeguarding and equality, first aid, and more on British Taekwondo's website, and get the latest Taekwondo news reports on their Facebook or Twitter page.

Taekwondo Belts (Rank)

The belt and ranking system can get somewhat complicated in Taekwondo since there's no standardized system across the various Taekwondo disciplines. Similarities do exist however, and normally there are two separate belt groups, represented as "seniors" (black belts) and "juniors" (colours). The number of ranks in the junior section varies over the disciplines but is normally between eight and twelve belts, while the senior's group generally has 9 belts or dans.

Rankings in Taekwondo in the UK are represented by what are called "Kup". The top rank is 1st Kup and the lowest rank (beginners) is 10th Kup. As with most of the martial arts, the Taekwondo belt order is denoted by a number of different colours, so that the ranks are easily recognised. These colours are white, yellow, green, blue and red, with transitional belts with stripes in-between, namely - white with a yellow stripe, yellow with a green stripe, green with a blue stripe, blue with a red stripe and red with a black stripe. Students in Thelwall starting out in Taekwondo will begin with the White Belt (10th Kup), and progress through the colours until they accomplish the 1st Kup (Red With Black Stripe Belt).

Taekwondo students in Thelwall are considered to be "black belt candidates" once they've succeeded with this challenge, and they'll then be faced with moving through an additional 9 ranks (or Dans) if they aim to achieve the ultimate distinction Taekwondo Black Belt. So, Junior Belt, Senior Belt and Black Belt are the 3 principal groups in the Taekwondo belt order. The Taekwondo Belts in the Junior group comprise; 10th (White), 9th (White With Yellow Stripe), 8th (Yellow), and 7th (Yellow With Green Stripe). The Taekwondo Belts in the Senior group comprise; 6th (Green), 5th (Green With Blue Stripe), 4th (Blue), 3rd ( Blue With Red Stripe), 2nd (Red), and 1st (Red With Black Stripe). The Taekwondo Belts in the Black group go from 1st to 9th Dan, a process that will take many years. (Tags: Belt Order Taekwondo, Taekwondo Ranks Thelwall, Taekwondo Belts Thelwall, Taekwondo Belt Order).

The 8 Basic Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is possibly best known for its spectacular kicking manoeuvres, here are a handful of the basic kicks you will be taught as a novice: Hook or Whip Kick (Huryeo Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi). Blocks: Taekwondo "blocks", that are used to fend off the different attacking movements, are called Makgi. Held in particular positions, they engage the hands and different parts of the arm. Certain attacks call for specified "blocks", but "blocks" can also be transformed into counter-attacking movements by linking retaliatory kicks or punches. The most important Taekwondo blocks include: Palm Block, Knife Hand Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Rising Block, Upper Block, Low Block, Single Forearm Block, Double Forearm Block and Nine Block.

Safety Gear

Competitions governed by British Taekwondo rules demand that certain items of protective gear be used, these include: a red/blue body protector (hogu), a groin guard, forearm guards, hand guards, shin pads, a blue/red head protector and a gum shield. This is vital on account of the potent kicking moves being employed.

Tournaments

Contests are a significant aspect of the Taekwondo legacy, and all the various styles all over the world stage competitions and tournaments where Taekwondo exponents gather together to compete. Hard contact is hardly ever allowed in any of these competitions which primarily comprise breaking, patterns (forms) and sparring. Sparring only is permitted in Olympic and World Taekwondo tournaments, whilst specified hand attacks are permitted in ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) events.

Taekwondo Forms (Patterns)

Mastering Taekwondo calls for getting to grips with many techniques and one of the pivotal aspects of Taekwondo is its forms (also called patterns or Poomse). These are sequences of stance, direction and technique which need to be mastered in order for participants to move through the various dans (grades/belts).