Taekwondo Animals Blog

Taekwondo Blog on Facebook

2011-05-27T05:47:00.000-04:00

I have moved my Taekwondo blog over to my Facebook wall. Hope you visit me there!

Will
TaekwondoAnimals.com

P.S. Facebook (in my case) generates more traffic and interaction than blogger.

Taekwondo TV Show

2011-04-09T18:03:00.000-04:00

The Human Weapon TV series was an interesting show (from a few years ago) that covered various martial arts styles. I have added the episodes (via YouTube) where it covered Taekwondo's unique style and history.

At a minimum, you should watch the final part of the show (part 5) where the hosts (two martial arts enthusiasts) get either knocked out by a Taekwondo Master or wimp out with an injury.

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-human-weapon.asp

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Taekwondo & Jumping Rope

2011-04-02T08:54:00.001-04:00

If you want a great and inexpensive workout to help your Taekwondo endurance, try jumping rope. For less than $20 and a little open space, you can easily and quickly work on boosting your stamina and overall cardiovascular fitness. It is also great for working on problematic leg areas... such as calves!!! :)

For more information, you should read this Wall Street Journal article because it reviews various exercise routines, the health benefits of jumping rope, different types of jump ropes and much more - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471904576228552383246110.html

For an idea of the huge variety and cost of jump ropes, please visit the jump rope section on Amazon.

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Taekwondo Calf Injury

2011-04-01T21:42:00.006-04:00

Since I have injuried my calf, I have created a torn calf muscle page to hopefully help other Taekwondo students with this type of injury. You will find my "symptoms", recovery information, etc.

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-torn-calf.asp

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Kung Fu Panda 2 Movie

2011-03-18T23:14:00.000-04:00

Since this is a kid friendly site, I have justed added a Kung Fu Panda 2 page to my website - http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-kung-fu-panda.asp

You will find the movie plot, latest movie trailers & more.

Question of the day - Do you think this movie will be better or worse than original Kung Fu Panda movie?

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

P.S. You have to like the dragon "pooping" out the wolf in the trailer. :)

Taekwondo Weapons

2011-03-12T13:50:00.003-05:00

One of my guests asked for some pages devoted to bo staff training. Therefore I have created a weapons page - http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-weapons.asp

I have added some basic staff training videos and a number of staff demonstration videos... even a Star Wars staff battle. :)

I will work on the other sections (i.e. swords and nunchukas) when I get a chance.

Hope you find this useful.

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Martial Arts Jobs

2011-03-06T05:39:00.000-05:00

Since I would LOVE to be a martial arts instructor (maybe when I retire), I have just added a martial arts job board to Taekwondo Animals.

http://taekwondo.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs

You can search for "normal"jobs too. :)

This martial arts job board covers categories such as Taekwondo, Mixed Martial Arts, Martial Arts, Karate and Judo.

Hope you find this useful! See if you can find a new job... or a new career!

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Taekwondo Stretching Videos

2011-03-01T03:57:00.000-05:00

I have added a large number of Taekwondo stretching videos to our stretching page. Watch black belts and/or exercise instructors teach you a wide variety of useful stretches. They should help you to get more flexible & to avoid potential Taekwondo injuries (i.e. hamstring pulls).

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-stretching.asp#Videos

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Kung Fu Panda 2 - New Movie

2011-02-27T03:00:00.000-05:00

For all of you with kids who love Taekwondo & the martial arts, the movie Kung Fu Panda 2 is scheduled to hit the movie theaters in May 26, 2011.

Here is the official Kung Fu Panda 2 movie trailer:

* Click here for the original Kung Fu Panda movie.

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Martial Arts Blog Posts from around the Web

2011-02-22T14:54:00.000-05:00

While websites such as Twitter are exploding in popularity, they seem to provide very little information. Type in Taekwondo as a Twitter search and you get commentary such as "I was in the bathroom doing my nails before I picked up the kids from Taekwondo". Generally inane posts.

Therefore, I have created a page that posts recent Taekwondo & martial arts blog posts. You seem to get more in-depth articles & information from blogs. I like this page because these blog posts give you some interesting & useful insights on traditional martial arts.

Here is the page - http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-blog-articles.asp

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Taekwondo Games

2011-02-19T06:10:00.004-05:00

Following up on one of my visitor's suggestions (thank you Diana!), I have created a Taekwondo Games page - http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-games.asp

These games can help make your Taekwondo class a little more fun as well as help you teach speed, accuracy, coordination & more.

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Kicking Accuracy

2011-02-12T01:11:00.001-05:00

Speaking of the need for speed, power and accuracy in Taekwondo, I have created a kicking accuracy page.

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-accuracy.asp

It has drills and videos that will help to improve your kicking accuracy.

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Taekwondo Speed Training

2011-02-05T04:05:00.000-05:00

In order to win fights/sparring matches, you need speed as well as power and accuracy. Remember, the quickest gun won the West... not the correct phrase but you know what I mean. :)

Therefore, I am putting together a Taekwondo speed training page.

In addition to talking to my Taekwondo Masters and other black belts, I want to get your suggestions. Please post your speed training tips so I can share them with other Taekwondo students. Thanks!

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Taekwondo Rib Injuries

2011-02-02T23:44:00.000-05:00

As a follow-up to my Taekwondo rib injuries addition, I have posted a link to a Rocky video (the boxing movie) where he breaks cattle ribs as part of his training regime. So work on your blocking techniques in case you face powerful punchers & kickers. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuJ_20MGok

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Herschel Walker - Victory # 2

2011-01-30T09:35:00.003-05:00

Herschel Walker, Taekwondo black belt and former NFL great, just won his second MMA fight. He has been winning his fights with skill and fantastic endurance (despite being 48 years old). So always work on improving your endurance because many fights/sparring matches are won because the other guy is too tired at the end of the match.

For more on Herschel Walker's latest victory, please read this article - http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/In-his-second-pro-MMA-fight-Herschel-Walker-whi?urn=mma-314174

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Taekwondo Rib Injury

2011-01-29T19:58:00.000-05:00

Because a friend hurt his ribs during sparring, I have added pulled rib muscles and crack/fractured rib sections to our Taekwondo injuries & treatments page.

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-injuries.asp

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Taekwondo Step Behind Side Kick

2011-01-23T20:00:00.001-05:00

I have added a new kick to our Taekwondo kicking page. It shows you how to do a hopping or step behind side kick.

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-kicks.asp

Hope you like it.

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com/

Kung Fu TV Show Video

2011-01-22T15:27:00.005-05:00

Raise your hand if you liked the Kung Fu TV series with David Carradine.

I have to admit that I enjoyed this show when I was a kid... despite the hero's miserable martial arts skills.

In honor of this show, I hope you enjoy the video below and the wisdom of "Fear is the only darkness".

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Taekwondo Mouthguards

2011-01-18T20:28:00.001-05:00

Since my jaw ached for a week after being kicked in the face during sparring, I decided to upgrade my mouthguard... as well as work on my blocking techniques. :)

Here is a quick review of my new mouthguard (which is designed for better jaw protection & used by MMA fighters, etc.) - http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-review-mouth-guard.asp

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Taekwondo & Age of Adult Students

2011-01-17T18:44:00.000-05:00

Beyond the six million kids at our Taekwondo school, we generally have two types of "adults" who attend Taekwondo classes. The older teens who take Taekwondo after school and older adults (like me) who are over 40.

I guess the 21-40 crowd (in my area) are too busy with socializing, living elsewhere (i.e. a fun urban area), working like crazy (as they are early in their career), studying like crazy (as they are in college or graduate school), seriously dating or just finding themselves.

How about your school?

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Sparring Dummies

2011-01-17T14:16:00.001-05:00

My boys are often selected as the "sparring dummies" for our Taekwondo school's black belt test. Part of the test includes a sparring exam. The candidate must spar with one or two kids in order to pass (and my boys are usually the black belt candidate's opponents).

The Masters pick my kids because they are good at sparring, willing to participate during a test that starts at 8 pm on a Friday (when many youngsters are asleep) and because they obey instructions. The last attribute may be the most important criteria because the Masters often tell the boys (in a whisper) to take it easy on a quasi-weak black belt candidate.

My kids, especially the 9 year old, very often beat the kids who are 2-3 years older. However, the Masters do not want to embarrass the black belt candidate in front of his family & friends. Therefore, my son has to semi "throw the match". Nevertheless, he works on his counter kicks and other sparring techniques that I allow him to use against weaker kids. Since he is a happy boy by nature, he doesn't mind "losing" because he wants to help his Taekwondo friends.

How does your school handle the sparring part of your black belt tests (for kids)?

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Taekwondo DVDs

2011-01-16T15:57:00.000-05:00

Just added a page that highlights the most popular Taekwondo instructional DVDs purchased from my site. See what other people are buying & see they are offered in your local library. They will help you with your kicks, forms & sparring.

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-dvds.asp

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Product Reviews

2011-01-08T20:02:00.002-05:00

Just finished a new page where you can read reviews of Taekwondo products that I am either currently using or have used. Hopefully, this will help to make your Taekwondo more enjoyable, prevent injuries, help your techniques and/or save you some money (since you don't have to buy things without someone's opinion regarding a product's "Taekwondo effectiveness").

Here is the page - http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-review.asp

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com

Taekwondo & Mouth Pieces

2011-01-06T21:13:00.003-05:00

Often I see kids (and some adults) sparring without mouthpieces. A big mistake!

During sparring tonight, one of my opponents was a strong but not overly coordinated individual. Rather than aiming for the circles on the sparring vest, he would kick wildly. Unfortunately, he also landed a hard kick to my jaw. FYI - At our Taekwondo school, kids & adults can not allowed to kick at their opponent's head.

If I hadn't had my mouthpiece, I might have lost some teeth.

So parents, please make sure your kids wear their mouthpieces during their Taekwondo sparring. It will save you a trip to the dentist.

Will
http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/

Side Kick's Effectiveness

2011-01-01T07:50:00.001-05:00

A side kick is very effective as a self-defense weapon given its power and accuracy (especially against vulnerable areas such as the knee). However, does anyone find it effective in sparring?

Beyond the standard sparring kicks (i.e. roundhouse and back kicks), I always try to throw in some of the "non-traditional" sparring kicks in order to experiment. Usually costs me a point. :)

However with a side kick, I find that it is "slower" than the traditional sparring kicks. The whole chambering process seems to be slower than other techniques and allows time for your opponent to react.

Any thoughts?

Will
http://www.TaekwondoAnimals.com