Misconceptions About Taekwondo
About misconceptions
There are many misconceptions about Taekwondo. One reason for this is because there are so many sub styles. Taekwondo was created jointly by masters of different Korean styles, and, while it is theoretically a unified system, the training will vary somewhat according to each instructor's background. However, the primary reason for these misconceptions has to do with the South Korean ranking system.
While most Americans tend to think a black belt is the ultimate rank attainable in the martial arts; that is not true for Taekwondo. A first degree black belt in Taekwondo means the holder is accomplished enough in the basics to begin serious training. Even second and third degree black belts only signify levels of skill in advanced training, not mastery of Taekwondo. In South Korea, you must be a fourth degree to be considered an instructor and a fifth degree to be considered a master instructor. Most of the information about Taekwondo comes from people who have studied it; unfortunately, most of them did not achieve the rank of black belt, so most of the information comes from people who have not even received sufficient basic training, much less advanced teachings.
The following are some common misconceptions.
Taekwondo is a safe sport
While it is true that compared to other contact sports, Taekwondo is relatively safe to perform, especially when compared to football or soccer, but it is still a contact sport, and as such, bad thing may happen. There have been serious injuries and deaths over the years. This video clip is of a December 2005 death that occurred during a competition in Poland.
Taekwondo is good for fitness training
To improve your general fitness you need a steady, moderate level of exercise that lasts for at least 30 minutes, such as running, swimming, cycling, etc. While Taekwondo do is an excellent form of exercise, by itself it is not effective in increasing overall fitness. Just look at the many pot gutted black belts who have trained for years and display excellent techniques but are physical slugs. Taekwondo, like most martial arts, consists of moments of intense exertion punctuated by long periods of basically standing around.
Taekwondo patterns are recent creations, are simple to execute, and are forever changing; therefore, they have no merit
While is true that Taekwondo patterns are fairly new, many are incarnations of older Karate patterns, and that they have been revised occasionally, this does not mean they are inferior or possess no merit. Most modern Taekwondo patterns are designed to show actual fighting techniques.
Although many of the movements in patterns are simple to execute, they are effective self-defense maneuvers. Most experienced martial artists agree that the most effective fighting techniques are those which are the least complex. A form that shows an exotic defense against a horse-mounted warrior wielding a double-headed spear may have been practical at one time, but it has extremely limited application in today's world, which is why Taekwondo patterns are occasionally modified. In fact, the patterns of most martial arts have been changed or modified over time to reflect the changing conditions of the world.
The techniques in patterns may be useful for self-defense, but that is not their only purpose. Patterns are an exercise in disciple. They are used to train the body to perform in a predefined manner, such as when playing a musical score. Patterns are a repository of perfect form, where techniques are performed in a precise manner to preserve perfect form.
Taekwondo is an ancient Korean martial art
Taekwondo was created in 1955, hardly ancient, although I was created before 1955 and I am ancient. There is evidence to suggest that martial arts existed in Korea 2,000 years ago, but Taekwondo is a blend of Karate and several of Korean martial art styles that did not evolve until just after World War II.
Taekwondo is a Japanese influenced martial art
It is true that Korea was occupied by Japanese troops for about 40 years prior to 1945 and that many of its founders studied Japanese Karate. Early Taekwondo patterns and techniques were definitely influenced by the Karate background of the founders. However, Taekwondo's roots are in the native Korean styles practiced for over 2,000 years. In centuries past, Korea conquered and occupied many parts of Japan, so it could be argued that Korean styles first influenced the Japanese martial arts.
Some past or present Taekwondo master got everything right so there is no need for change
No one master has, or ever had, everything right. Changing a movement in a traditional pattern will not make the pattern useless. As technology, medicine, and research advance, we learn things we never knew before. Taekwondo should reflect this new knowledge.
{Slide=Taekwondo is a martial "sport," not a martial "art"}
As described in other topics in TKDTutor, Taekwondo has evolved into two main types, one more a martial art, and one more a sport. Taekwondo is a constantly evolving entity with many different versions being practiced, so it is not fair to judge Taekwondo as a whole based upon observations of a few parts.
{Slide=Taekwondo's high, flashy kicks have little self-defense value}
While Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art and, while high, spinning, "flashy" kicks are part of the Taekwondo arsenal, they are not recommended for self-defense purposes. Basic, quick, powerful kicks to targets below the midsection are taught for self-defense purposes.
Some people are always talking about the applicability particular martial arts to self-defense. Although self-defense is a key part of all martial arts, most people are not concerned with self-defense and most people will never need to defend themselves. Contrary to popular belief, people who live ordinary lives are not living in fear of attack because they are never around places where most attacks occur or around people who draw attacks. Most people stay in martial arts because of camaraderie that develops through training with people of like interests. If you are a person who feels the need to "defend" constantly, it is probably because you are personally offensive. There are martial arts that cater do these types of persons; Taekwondo is not one of them.
Taekwondo has few hand techniques so a Taekwondo stylist is helpless once you penetrate inside the kicking range
Legs and feet are normally only used only for locomotion, but in Taekwondo they are used as weapons, so much training is expended to them effective as weapons. Most people are proficient in using their arms and hands, so not nearly as much time is needed on hand techniques. Beginners learn both hand and foot techniques, but kicking is stressed more than hands. Once a student is skilled at defending and attacking with primarily the legs, hand techniques are honed. Advanced Taekwondo stylists are skilled with both hands and feet. Traditional Taekwondo stylists use their hands as much as they do their feet. SportTaekwondo has evolved until its practitioners rarely use their hands.
Taekwondo is best suited for young, athletically inclined people because of its emphasis on flashy kicking techniques
It is true some of the Taekwondo kicks are difficult to master for older persons, but that does not mean they cannot be proficient in Taekwondo. Taekwondo is not just about kicks, a proficient puncher is highly effective at blocking kicks and counterattacking with hand and foot techniques. Flashy kicks are fine for those who can perform them and have already perfected the basic power kicks, but they are not required for rank advancement. Practitioners need to have knowledge of each technique and be able to perform the movements properly. One person may perform a perfect side kick to the head, another only to the knee, both can advance in rank since both kicks were technically perfect and both were at the limits of the person's physical capabilities. Taekwondo recognizes and rewards effort and inner spirit, not just physical ability.
All Taekwondo training is the same, regardless of the school
This is no truer of Taekwondo than of any other martial art. Although all Taekwondo schools may operate under the banner of Taekwondo, there are different styles of Taekwondo that differ in key ways, such as the way they perform the hallmark of Taekwondo, the side thrust kick. Also, each instructor is different in his or her way of performing the kick, depending on his or her background and experience. I train and instruct within the Taekwondo America organization. Most Taekwondo America instructors have studied Taekwondo from a young age and have not been exposed to other styles. Many of them studied under the same masters during their early years. Therefore, their training techniques and philosophies are similar. However, some have been exposed to different styles of Taekwondo and other martial arts. Although they conform to Taekwondo America standards when they instruct, their backgrounds and experience still comes through in their instructing. This is true of all instructors.
{Slide=Taekwondo is the most effective martial art or Taekwondo is the least effective martial art}
Some say that Taekwondo's high, jumping, spinning kicks have little self-defense value. Most Taekwondo practitioners agree, so they would not use them or recommend their use under those circumstances. All sports have their stunts and tricks that are performed for fun and to break the monotony of practicing the same thing day-after-day, Taekwondo is no exception. But, when it comes to competition or a self-defense situation, Taekwondo stylists know it is time for business, not play.
All practitioners think their style is the best, but some like to put down other styles. Some people like to play flag football, while others think it is whippy and that the only real football is full-contact football. Some people like to play football; others like to play baseball or basketball. All the games are team sports that use a ball, one is not "better" than the other, just different. Due to physical size, strength, age, etc. differences, people are more suited to certain martial art styles. Since most people will never need to defend themselves, the question as to which art is more effective is moot. The key factors are: does the style suit you, can you perform it, and do enjoy it.
It takes decades to understand Taekwondo
Master Funakoshi, the founder of modern Karate, is said to have stated "I have practiced reverse punch for over forty years, and I think that I am just beginning to understand it." Others have made similar statements through the years. If it takes you this long to understand such a minor concept as a punch, then you have a learning disability. It takes less time than this to become a brain surgeon. You may wait 40 years before you actually start to think about what makes a reverse punch work, but once you start, if you concentrate on it, you may understand and perfect it in a few days. Contrary to what many "masters" would like you to think, the martial arts only involve simple body movements and the brain's conscious and unconscious control of those movements. In the United States, Taekwondo is controlled by a small group of Korean Americans
At its beginning in the United States, Taekwondo was taught by mostly Korean immigrants. Therefore, the first Taekwondo organizations were founded and managed by Korean Americans. As in any new business endeavor, there were power struggles as school owners and practitioners differed as to how Taekwondo would be practiced and controlled. Many times the Korean America masters prevailed. Many non-Korean instructors have not forgotten these struggles, and have passed their prejudices on to their students who perpetuate them.
Taekwondo is a national art in Korean, taught in the schools, in the military, and as a college degree. As Taekwondo gained in popularity in the United States, many Korean masters came to America, not as a part of some conspiracy to control Taekwondo in the United States, but because they, like immigrants from other countries, saw an opportunity to better their lives. As the art has grown in popularity, there are now numerous Taekwondo organizations, controlled by masters of many national origins.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the misconceptions people have about Taekwondo. Taekwondo is not the only martial art that suffers from widespread misinformation. As martial artists, we need to accept that there are different ways to accomplish the same thing. One way is not necessarily better than the other ways. However, contrary to the current philosophy of accepting diversity and not being judgmental, there is a right and wrong way to do things. If something is wrong, it is wrong, no matter who supports it. However, one must be careful in making judgments. You must be able to justify your judgments with facts, not with only opinions or rumors.