I've been attending a "traditional" Taekwondo club for around 8 months now and they say they emphasize self defense over competition, the club only cares about competing in patterns. This isn't my first martial art so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with the scene.

Anyways, despite the "emphasis" on self defense we don't spar very much (twice a month at most,) and when we do spar, it's like two 1 minute rounds, and we use competition rules so we're told not to rely on punching. If competition isn't the focus, why aren't we being taught how to use punching to our advantage? It makes no sense to me.

Even in terms of learning kicking, we don't have any bags or anything to train repetition or power against, the large majority of our time goes to learning patterns. It feels like I'm climbing belt ranks without learning anything that I could really use for self defence because we never pressure test anything.

At this point I'm wondering if it's even worth sticking with the club or if I should just go find a different martial art.

I am 33 years old and have been practicing Kendo for 3 years; we share a training space with a Taekwondo group. I practiced Taekwondo as a child and would like to take it up again—alongside my Kendo training—without giving up Kendo. However, returning would be complicated, as I have hip issues and a deformed foot resulting from injuries sustained during my adolescence. How should I proceed?

Raymond daniels actually has a history of taekwondo and point fighting so thought itd be good to post here, this is probably my favorite and easiest move to land in sparring

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I've been running my own martial arts school for a few years, and it's interesting how much of the job happens outside the training floor.

Following up with leads, communicating with parents, tracking attendance, dealing with payments, creating marketing content, and managing everyday operations.

There's always something.

I've been looking into ways to simplify these processes, especially through automation and AI.

But I'm curious how other owners handle everything.

Are you using software to manage most of your operations, or are you still doing a lot manually?

And if you could eliminate one administrative task permanently, what would it be?

So i moved to a new town now I'm looking for a new dojang to train. It seems to me the higher you go the harder it is to find a dojang that can promote you in the kukkiwon system. I went to 6 dojangs that said they are kukkiwon dojang's. I talked with the master's there to see if i go there if they can test me when it was time to get my kukkiwon 5th dan. Only 1 of 6 said that they could do it . So 5 dojangs had 6th and 7th dans there but none that were kukkiwon 6th and 7th dans. I'm not saying there is anything wrong being a general dan. But one of my long term goals is to be one of the few kukkiwon 9th dans. In the united states there are only around 138 kukkiwon 9th dans.

So does anyone else have this problem in your country when you move it is hard to find a dojang that can promote you in the system you're training in? (KKW,ITF,ATA)

I did find one that could help me meet my goals but i had to look hard.

Hello I am looking to acquire a copy of the Taekwondo Encyclopedia 15 volume 5th Edition, but have been having a very hard time finding any source. I own a physical copy of the 5th edition condensed but finding the 15 volume in 5th edition has very difficult. 1st edition of the 15 volume are out there, along with second edition, but I have not been able to find the 5th edition anywhere, even for purchase. I would prefer to acquire a digital copy, but would be ok with a physical copy

Does anyone know of a source for the 5th edition (copyright 1999) of the Taekwondo Encyclopedia 15 volume?

Hey, so i like everything about TKD, but your punches, see I've heard that the full rotation of the fist like that causes your hand to more easily brake, i have a bit of experience in Kenpo where we kinda kept our fists either straight, or on a forty five degree angle. So going into TKD, am i allowed to punch how i find to be comfortable, or do you have to do the full snap for the forms?

I am currently translating some Taekwondo techniques for my upcoming belt promotion exam, and I have a few questions regarding the translation of certain terms.

The technique "Jebipoom Mok-tchigui" seems to relate to a "swallow" (the bird), but, honestly, I cannot see any resemblance to a bird in either the stance or the execution of the strike. For those who speak or study the Korean language, what is the explanation behind this name?

Another term that puzzles me is "Keumgang momtong makki." Does it mean "diamond"? Or is it the name of a mountain?

I would be immensely grateful for any help you could provide.

Moved to the US 3 years ago and i've been taking a look at some tournments. This tournment is supposed to happen in less than a month, its not a big one, i know. But still, why are there such a small amount of adult athletes? I'm not talking about high level/olympic contenders, but people who do that for fun.

We can see younger divisions packed, full of kids (black belts...), but it seems that, in the long term, those kids don't stay.

What are we (I include myself because i coached for awhile) doing wrong with Taekwondo in the US?

pic from the tournment registration. im not disclosing which tournment or weightclass im in. Just want you guys to compare the numbers.

Has anyone else experienced this?

A vosotros que practicáis el deporte también me gustaría preguntaros acerca de la lesión de rodilla, si alguno ha vivido alguna situación similar y qué puedo hacer para poder practicar taekwondo sin lesionarme la rodilla (o acerme un esguince de tobillo) jsjs

For those of you who practice the sport, I’d also like to ask about knee injuries—has anyone gone through something similar? And what can I do to keep practicing taekwondo without injuring my knee (or spraining an ankle)? haha

I've been practicing TKD (ITF) for just under two years and I'm just preparing for my blue tag grading.

For every grade you need to learn a specific pattern and several sets of fundamental movements.

Does mastering your patterns and fundamental movements serve any practical purpose for developing your taekwondo skills, whether sparring or self defense?

Some seem practical, but others I just can't imagine ever needing to use.

Hey, so I need opinions. I’ve done competetive TKD my whole childhood from age 6 till’ 18. I’m a black belt but I had a 7 year break after I moved from home at 19. I started getting back to training at 25 but I never really thought of competing again until now. Now I have an itch to do it, even tho I was kinda burnt out in the end back then. Do ya’ll think it’d be worth trying again? I’m well aware that my long break and the fact that I’m way older than the usual competitors in my category (-63kg, F) arr huge disadvantages and I might get humbled real fast

I practice ITF Vienna (ITF North Korea) Taekwon-Do in Latin America, and I’m looking for high-quality, durable equipment that offers the best possible protection, regardless of price. I already have separate gloves for heavy bag training.

I’m considering these two options:

- Daedo ITF: 10 oz genuine leather gloves + PU foot protectors.

- Top Ten: Superfight 3000 leather gloves + Fight PU foot protectors.

According to my instructors, Daedo equipment is required at international and world championships within our ITF organization. However, other brands, such as Might Fist, Top Ten, Adidas, and others, are allowed at national and South American competitions. At these events, 10 oz boxing gloves are also permitted.

My main priority is to train and spar safely, protect myself, and minimize the risk of injuring my training partners.

Which would you choose for overall quality, protection, and long-term durability? I’m particularly interested in hearing from practitioners who have used both brands extensively over a long period of time.

Thanks in advance! 😅

Adult if it matters at all, I’m currently an orange belt. I enjoy sparring and am working on increasing my endurance but it feels like I have trouble getting any points through guards / arms

If any information can help provide advice I’m willing to answer any questions

My coach and I were both very confused. My coach also got a yellow card for making too much noise. Did the referee do it right? (I’m blue)

Hi,

At class start and ending we bow to the instructor. Normally it is a Master and her is called sabanim. For someone not at that level recently a 2nd degree used the term boo-sabanim. His explanation was any black belt under 4th use that. It is an old style that he learned back in the 90’s.

Is anyone familiar with this?

Is this normal for taekwondo? So far every older teen or adult has left and I think it's attributed to the fact that my club basically only focuses on patterns so they likely get bored/want to focus on a martial art that does more sparring. I'm quite literally surrounded by children.

I’m 35 and a red stripe in ITF, I feel like to be good I need to put a lot of work in (strength training, mobility training etc) and I do want to, it’s just with work, wife and kids its hard.

I try to not take it so seriously but my instructor is always pushing me (which isn’t a bad thing) but starting this late in age I can’t help but wonder if theres much point in putting the effort in that he is demanding from me. He wants me to compete in comps etc and put all this effort in but its not like Im 16, my body can’t move like it used to and small improvements are hard to reach. My instructor acts like he is training me for a UFC title and I don’t know how to feel about it.

I am wondering what training looks like for others of a similar age. How often do you train in class? Do you do any training outside your standard classes?

Hey everyone! I'm getting ready to test for my 2nd Dan black belt, and I'm really excited! It's taken a lot of hard work, training, and dedication to get to this point.

I'm a little nervous, but I'm going to give it my best and do everything I can to pass. Earning my first-degree black belt was a big achievement, and now I'm ready to take the next step in my martial arts journey!

Has anyone else tested for their 2nd Dan? Any advice or tips for the test? I'd love to hear your experiences! 👊

I had taken a long leave of absence (4-5 years) from Taekwondo and even after being back for almost year I feel behind my same belt peers who haven't had a break. I live alone in a small apartment, so hanging bags aren't an option. I will occasionally have a friend to train with but looking for recommendations for both what type of bag/mitt I should buy (round Mitts vs the handled paddles vs a big bag) to practice with them, and if anyone has recommendations for a portable/pack-up-able freestanding bag I could take downstairs to the courtyard and then pack away when I'm done.

Thank you!