Taekwondo Digest

The distance game in Taekwondo

2011-11-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

In Taekwondo, knowing your distance is really important. It is at this point you will know when you should do the right techniques at the situation. Based on this, we will also be able to know what kind of techniques we should train and re-discover the ability we can achieve besides polishing up our basic skills.

One illustration that can be mentioned is the technique of one step stretching backthrust. The purpose of doing the one step is to actually feint the opponent and extend the backthrust almost immediately with more stretch so that you can cover more distance and you should know how far you can cover to reach the target also. If you do not know your own distance, it is pretty much understood that you may not get your target.

By now, you will also see that knowing your distance is not adequate but also your opponent's distance. This is something more subjective as your opponent may surprise you with great stretching ability. In a short time this is where the challenge is which is to know how your opponent work his/her distance quickly. The interesting point to know here however is also that actually knowing your distance really well can also mean you understand your opponent's distance too.

Commencing Taekwondo training

2011-08-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

It is time. To start training again to sharpen up those techniques and postures. Before commencing training, it is always good to warm up with footwork as mentioned before. While beginning with the slow jog, follow by stretching, footwork and some kicking in the air do it all at your own pace with the correct breathing techniques. Keep your pace, remember the every single moves and breathe with them.

It has often been for some including myself before who will tend to kick all out right at the beginning. It is fine but we need to ensure our body is warmed up. I have remember times where I did not managed to have proper warm up and later on needed to rest more than I could train.

Start with kicking lightly first and feel that the muscle can handle more, but do not be too relax. We need to prepare our mind for the training. Continue to kick faster and harder when the muscle is warmed up and more ready for the training. Once in the condition where the body is ready, keep bouncing, maintain the tempo, add some movement or footwork and kick at best every time. Breathe in nicely at all times and drink water during break time to keep the body with adequate fluids to continue. Stretch whenever necessary during break time to keep the body condition at its optimum.

The internal energy "Ki" in Taekwondo

2011-07-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

Much have been emphasized on the techniques of Taekwondo. There is however one aspect of Taekwondo that is behind or rather blend with these techniques mentioned. The "ki" which is the internal energy, often seen in martial art "Kung fu" films that with this energy they called it as "Qi" when summoned emits great strength, it is the same in a way when practising Taekwondo, we should also uses this "ki".

This is why we shout when we kick. Every time when we shout and kick, we train up our "ki". It does affects the strength of the kick. The energy emitted is much more when combined together with our body movement that is the hip power. It has to be focus, very focus on the target and when we kicked out, the shout will help channeled the energy from our body or to be specific our abdomen area and emits out via our kicking technique.

There are various ways of shouting and training of the "ki" in Taekwondo. These can posted later on. Of course, "ki" is not only channeled via shout but also without shout but requires the correct breathing. It is thus not necessary to shout but shouting does gives not only the explosion but more that affects the sport of Taekwondo. The Taekwondo "ki" is something important that we should consider when practising and training.

Ready. Not be ready for Taekwondo.

2011-07-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people will be saying. "be ready". But time will come when you want to be ready, you are one step slower. Ready is faster. By saying it one can already discern which is faster. The mentality of one person when training and in sparring is really important and we do not really need an expert to tell us. We can find it out ourselves. The purpose of training hard sometimes is to discover who we really are and what we really want.

Every training has to be a self-discovery of what we are doing and when we spar there is not much to think about, we are just ready. Go for it.

When commencing training, the state of mind is important. Ready. That is faster.

Taekwondo footwork training as warm up

2011-07-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

Whenever I reach the training ground or "Dojan" early, there is one thing that I would do to facilitate the training later. That is to do some footwork training. Footwork to me is always an important factor in sparring. Yes, we can kick fast, with strength and accuracy but the footwork is the "launch pad" to a kicking technique. How we move to get our distance, catch our opponent and to dodge an attack or counter-attack is all about our footwork we do.

The more nimble and quick our footwork is, the faster we can actually become. Footwork training make us agile and our opponent to move with us. Taekwondo is an individual game. It is also a game with your opponent. It is how we want the opponent to move which is another level of the game. Speed is key. But controlling the game gives us a greater advantage as we do not need to be as fast to score a point.

In the other perspective of course, with speed we can be able to react faster in the game thus less easy to be "moved" by the opponent. Even this speed we are talking about is the fruit of a good Taekwondo footwork training. To begin mastering our footwork, it is perhaps time to start moving around as warm up. Besides the benefit for training to be fast, it does works as a good warm up without being too intensive before the training begins.

World Taekwondo Championship 2011 female 49kg

2011-06-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of the more interesting semi-final matches and it features World Champion cum Olympic gold medalist. Her style of play in this tournament has changed slightly. She is famous for her slamming kick which she had used it to score many points at the last Olympic. This time round, instead of slamming kick she used more pushing or thrust kicks probably to achieve the same effect in terms of score but in a different manner as more are aware of her slamming kick.

Now she just have to thrust it out and at the same use it to defend herself, catch the right timing and make the oppponent off guard. Watch out for the last few seconds kick she performed and that won her the final placing. Though now a touch is adequate to score some points which has pros and cons to that but for a sport, it is fine. It is still an exciting moment for the entire match.

The men's match, on the contrary seems to be less exciting again this round on the whole. The team match was fine though which will be posted later. But that is not included as one of the main events it seems.

Taekwondon Punch Continues

2011-05-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

Continuing from the previous post on Taekwondo punch, besides the few main points to take note, the other point to note just like for kicking techniques, is the use of the hip. When we throw a punch just like when we kick, it is not just about the hand or the kicking foot but it is the combination together with the hip.

It is important that we deliver a punch in with the twist, we will twist our hip throwing it forward too. That is where the force can be generated. Next of course depending on the situation, we will not always be able to throw our punch together with our body or hip in. We need to retract it back so as to continue or follow up with more punches, kicks or to leave some room for not being too slow or prone to a counter.

Of course, punches can come in many different styles. But to generate a punch with a maximum force, the body and hip is an important ingredient.

Taekwondo punch

2011-04-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

A punch is one very basic thing that a Taekwondo practitioner will start doing. Horse riding stance and start to punch. In all the grading pattern, there are also punches but yet punches are the less often being used in Sparring. What is the reason for that? It is harder to score a point is what some will say. The kick is easier and to certain extent that is true.

In Taekwondo sport, scoring is part of the game and to win one need to score more. Or rather, more training is done to perfect the technique of kicking which is easier to score points. But at least, one should not neglect the technique of punching. It will come in handy also.

But a punch itself has many kind of styles, all in its own way is effective. For a Taekwondo punch, there are actually a few parts to it. Today we shall talk about twisting of your hand at the right moment.

It is important to note that when you throw a punch, 1. make sure that you should not clench tightly when you are throwing a punch, 2. at the point of contact to your target, twist the wrist the fastest you can and clench your fist tightly.

Note the point of contact and that the arm should not locked.

Application of low block in Taekwondo sparrring

2011-04-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

In Taekwondo sparring for example where the applications of our techniques are used practically, do we actually do a low block in our poomsae? Yes and no. This depends on the speed of you and your opponent. In a fast game we probably do not block like the way we did in poomsae.

Instead of lifting up to the shoulder, probably applying the technique of deflection which is twisting the hand at the moment of contact would be an effective way. More importantly, you must remember to twist your hand fast and not just leave it there. There are incidences where some broke their forearm even when wearing guards after being kicked by their opponents using a single turning kick. Yes, the force can be great especially when it is on the right spot and the forearm is there not moving.

The other important thing to note is something depending on individuals. Some clenched their fist some do not. If you are able to block properly with your twisting forearm then it seems alright not clenching the fist. However, it will be better to do so in case your fingers were kicked.

Remember, move your body, twist your forearm when you sense a kick is coming and there is no time to react such as dodging or counter but blocking.

Stay sharp.

Taekwondo low block

2011-03-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Taekwondo low block is one of the most basic and effective blocks used. It was part of the basic training when someone begins Taekwondo. Usually in Poomsae, the exponent is supposed to lift his or her arm to the shoulder level and then cut down to block a kick or punch.

The motion is pretty straight forward but the key lies in the twisting at the moment of contacting the opponent's attack. The twisting has to be done fast and that's where our twisting muscle comes in. That's where practioners need to take note that why learning martial art is different and what does the training entails.

In blocking, the twisting is key because of the technique of deflection that we are learning. The Taekwondo low block is effective is sparring also and it is often used. The blocks in Poomsae are often known to be impractical and it is for show but it has its use when it comes to the practical part just that there may be some slight changes. We will come to this at a later post.

In short, to perform a low block one has to note that:

1. Relax your hand first and ensure that your fingers which are already in a fist clenching position but facing inwards to your body for maximum effectiveness.

2. Twist the wrist first at the moment of contact and clenched your fist hard.

You may ask why should we relax our hand and fist when it is supposed to be clenched already at first? This will in a way make your block faster when it is more relax and agile making your motion less stiff and less strength is wasted.

Use your strength wisely is another thing we can also learn from our basic techniques.

Taekwondo Far Distance Kicking Technique 3

2011-03-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

The next technique I would like to share is what we called a launch kick. Even this kick have several variations. I will just share one that I used when I participated in tournament. To begin with a launch kick, the kicking leg will be the rear leg in this case. Relax, bounce and throw your rear leg out to get that propelling force and your front leg together with your body will move forward.

Now the question is how do you propel your rear leg out? First you can lift your rear leg up but in a manner whereby your knee is pointing towards your opponent and not upwards then inwards like a usual turning kick. Your shin and feet will seems to be perpendicular to the ground somehow like how you kick a soccer ball.

Then simply throw leg out to perform a turning kick on the target. You will realised you will have a propelling force that will push you forward. Your kick will thus be able to cover the distance and get your target.

Taekwondo Far Distance Kicking technique 2

2011-02-06T05:50:00.000-08:00

Far distance kicking can also be done in another way which requires nimbleness and quickness. The first way mentioned was to take a step in then perform a turning kick technique. The second way now is almost similar except that when the back foot is moved to the front, it kind of crosses the front foot, the body does not move that much compared to the first way. This is like a quicker step, once that back foot is crossed, perform a turning kick immediately.

This technique is also seems to be faster as there is supposed to be less body movement. Once performed fast at the right timing, this technique can almost guarantee a score.

Taekwondo Far distance kicking technique

2010-10-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in sparring we were always told to keep a distance away from the opponent, unless we can cover a longer distance, if not, we are unable to get our opponent too. Since so, how do we ever get our target if we are also a certain distance away?

There are several techniques that we can use. Some are just kicking techniques we can use to cover the distance some involve certain footwork. Whichever technique we will can use, the basics of our kicking should be there. It is important to train up the basic first.

Let's start with an easier technique which requires a basic footwork which is one step in. When bouncing, take a step forward with the back foot moving to the front. Once that is done perform a turning kick immediately. That one step forward will cover some distance to enable you to reach your opponent. Again speed and timing is important to score the point.

Continued moments from the Youth Olympic Games Taekwondo

2010-09-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

Russian Player youngest player at the YOG Taekwondo but had shown nice skills.

Solid counter back thrust which was awarded two points for such technique.

The turning point backhook that gave the Korean player the gold medal.

Well overall, the Koreans have indeed played well. 3 gold medals out of four players. In fact the Koreans made the game interesting to watch. The guys match overall are kind of boring but not when the Koreans are playing. One can see how they move with their nimble footwork and sharpness of the kick that comes with feint or not. I like the footwork best the way they move and understand their players before performing the techniques. One more thing about watching an Olympic game and other games is with the way how the stage is made, it actually makes the game more interesting to watch. A central arena for the players. The environment seems really different.

Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Singapore 2010 - Taekwondo

2010-08-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

It was exciting to watch the Taekwondo games at the Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010. That is the first thing I would say about the YOG as the female players really display good skills at the games. They showed their confidence at the games going for the head kicks whenever the opportunity arises. Although some players showed too much attempt getting the head score but there good attempts and scores which they did.

The opening matches were already exciting therefore entices one to watch further. Although some matches the disparity is too great but at the finals, players have the guts to go get what they want. Once they are ready they will just shoot out. Worawong Pongpanit from Thailand and Touran from Jordan showed that kind of confidence. At the 49kg female match, they showed great kicks and made it to the final. At the final, they made the game exciting and even at the last moment, they strive to go for the points. They had a tie at the last round which made the game even more exciting and at the next round it was Thailand who scored to get the gold medal.

The female under 44kg matches, Romoldanova Iryna from Ukraine and Tuncer Seyma from Turkey showed great confidence when going for their kicks. Iryna just go for slamming at the timing when she is ready. Seyma too but lost to Valueva Anastasia from Russia at the semi finals and when Anastasia met Iryna at the final, Anastasia showed not only speed but also strength when she attacked. Iryna is slightly smaller in size but she still go for head kicks whenever possible but in the end Anastasis had known her techniques and managed to ride on her strength and accuracy to go for the gold medal.

The men's match however was kind of disappointing. Some games were alright but they do not seems as confident as the female players. There were some good scores but overall it seems that they were really cautious and sometimes they are just too cautious to even go for the scoring kick at the right timing.

Aim, focus, go

2010-06-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sharpness and accuracy are always important when it comes to sparring and after a long time back not sparring it is time to test whether the technique and skill is there. The technique to be shared today is one that is often useful if one managed to catch the opponent fast enough or the opponent is relatively slower or the opponent's action may be too big.

This technique though is a turning kick but it requires great accuracy, focus and the dynamic confidence to perform fast. Aim at the flank of the opponent, focus on the movement and shoot out when the distance is right. Sometimes it could be that the opponent may be moving in or performing an attack, so once that move is seen, go for the target.

This could be something that can start slow first while training this techique. Practice with a partner with the partner stimulating the attacker and using the steps as mentioned perform the technique then proceed on to a faster level and eventually stimulate as if both players are sparring with one another.

Taekwondo training

2010-05-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a while... sometimes I ponder what is training about after retiring the competition arena... Some said it is for self defense, some said is to keep fit, some said it part of a lifestyle... Well I would like to think it as more to keep fit and it is something enjoyable to do so. After all it is a sport that is pretty interesting. But then again all sports is interesting depending on the beholders.

Again, this sport is something that many may sometimes have the wow factor. I mean in movies there are bound to have actions sometimes and it is these actions that make it exciting even though you may not know how to do it. But it will seems exciting. Taekwondo kicks are in fact the most beautiful kind of kicks in the world but well of course it has incorporated different kinds of other styles in it.

Well anyway, sometime probably training with a purpose will make training more fruitful.

Combination Counter-attack 3

2010-05-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

Moving on to the next technique, in this post we shall talk about punching as a counter-attack technique. I have asked myself have I ever performed a punch in sparring? Yes. How about in an tournament? It seems seldom as I recalled from the matches that I have played before. I was punched on the padding before and returned with a kick. It seems that our training and preparation for tournaments have much emphasis on scoring and we are kind of drilled that kicks are stronger than punches and more importantly kicks are easier to score which this I definitely agree.

However punches in fact come in handy. If ever I have decide to participate in tournament again probably I will really want to try out punching be it that will be a score for it. But the aim is of course is to have great impact on the opponent. This refreshes my thought of how I like one favourite technique which is two punches followed by a kick and that kick usually is a score.

But today, let's talk about punching as an effective counter-attack technique and this technique consists of a slide or another and followed by a punch. This can be applied when the opponent performs an attacking turning kick and before he wants to perform another one that is where the punch comes in.

This technique can be practiced again with a partner simulating the attacking opponent and she/ he can wear double protectors to ensure that power can be well absorbed. However in order to achieve real effectiveness of this technique, the punch must first of all be strong. With regards how to train a strong punch? This probably can be discussed in another post next time.

Interesting Taekwondo moves

2010-04-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have recently found this video and this video has featured some of the very interesting and solid moves. This video is kind of different from other highlights of Taekwondo. In this video, there are some moves that are kind of not seen in other highlights such as the punch.

In fact I like the moves in the video. Effective and powerful. Very clean and sharp especially when the counters are performed. The same theory applies stay there use the distance and once the distance is right performed the technique with speed and power.

Combination Counter-attack 2

2010-04-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

In this post, the combination counter-attack talked about here is the technique of slide back followed by double turning.

This may seems easy but requires great accuracy and timing. There are some who said just kick the body but some times precision during training make a difference in the sound created that will constitute more as a solid point.

To train this, you can have a partner wearing the padding and simulate the exercise. Your partner will move in if possible with a turning kick. Slide back and follow by the double turning kick. Focus on precision to get both kicks on target with impact and sound. Start slow and later on go faster with the kicks. Next, practice on the slide back to the stage where by just a very nimble and short slide as if the opponent misses you by a close distance and go for the double turning.

High kicks in the air at the Taekwondo IVP games

2010-03-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

With the rules changed to three points being awarded to head kicks, there is certainly seems to more high kicking actions at the tournament. In the past, players are more hesitated to do head kicks but now because of the three point system, they probably think it is more worthwhile to take the risk to perform the technique.

At the recent Inter tertiary games, there are more backhooks to be spotted and some are pretty alright and they managed to get their opponents. In fact, there are a handful who did jumping backhooks. Slamming kicks are also used more frequently than usual. Still despite all these high kicking actions, the basic front or turning or some called it the roundhouse kicks are the most prevalent ones. Though they are single points, they are the more direct kicks.

It is important to note however, no matter how attractive those points are, it is still probably better to do kicks that the players are more confident of and to gain some solid points from the usual basic kicks. By doing high jumping kicks, players risked being more exposed and more energy is wasted if they can missing their target. A solid kick regardless whether it is a jumping backhook or turning kick, it is sometimes adequate to make your opponent retreat and be more hesitative, that is where probably you can start to do more fanciful kicks if the players but still, being cautious at all times is important since a single kick can make one lose the game despite leading many points.

A closer view of five times World Champion Steven Lopez final round at the World Taekwondo Championships

2010-03-01T05:55:00.000-08:00

Steven Lopez has won the fifth World Taekwondo Championships title straight in a row and he is the first to win five gold medals consecutively at the World Taekwondo Championships.

At this tournament, Steven Lopez used much of his left leg but given his weight category Welter, he is considered pretty fast. Probably he should use some of his right but maybe he has some injury or he is usually left sided.

In the final of the World Championships, he scored a three point using a half crescent kick. What I mean by half you can actually see the video to find out.

Combination counter-attack 1

2010-02-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

It has been some time since I blog but today I have decided to post on counter-attack techniques. The combination attack techniques are not exhaustive and will probably post some more on them now let's focus on counter-attack techniques. Counter-attack are really important in the game and in fact some are really pure counter-attack players.

One combination counter-attack technique that one can practice is slide back followed by a turning kick to the body and then to the head. The thing about practicing this technique is that the distance of sliding back has to realistic. Some has slide back too less and in actual game, before they can counter they might have already been kicked and therefore not able to counter that easily. The balance has probably been lost therefore may not be able to perform a right technique to score.

Thus to make it more realistic when doing this drill, your partner can do a simulated kick and you slide back then followed with the turning kicks to the body and the head. When aiming for the head, your partner can use a target so that you can perform a strong and fast kick to train the actual kick. If your aim is just the technique probably a light kick to the face level is also alright but you may not be able to train the full speed and power.

Combination attack 4

2010-01-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

In this post, I will be mentioning about the next kind of drill for combination attack that one can do during their training. It will start off the basic as usual. Two turning kicks followed either by a back thrust. The back thrust is a kick that many seems to neglect it. It is one kick that requires effort and time to practice it and it involves another action that is turning your body then kick out. Although there are two actions, it has to done just as fast as the turning kick and the motion has to be just one motion. That is the speed the back thrust has to be if not, it might miss the opponent and in fact allow an opening for scoring.

Therefore doing combination attack 4, the back thrust has to be trained to a certain standard. While doing this combination attack drill, it is also important not to focus too much on the speed that the back thrust becomes just a push in the end with minimal power. Each kick has to fast and relax, then the power will come along with it as well. Each kick has to be light while kicking and heavy when contact with the target.

After doing the drill, another important point is to recover fast after performing the back thrust. Get ready to counter, attack or move back. If the recovery is slow usually it is prone to a counter by the opponent. If one is able to catch the timing well, this technique is especially effective to score a good point and have an impact on the opponent.

Direct TV to review

2010-01-25T10:48:00.000-08:00

So it has been a hard work week, and I am resting on my sofa, with my training gear hung up for the weekend. Yet my head keeps me awake and running, visualizing all the Taekwondo moves I delivered the whole week. How good it would be to have them replayed and viewed in front of me right now and then to analyze for improvements and discuss with a few enlightened ones.

As I am limited in my moves, I too need to review others from several angles, possibly to attempt new techniques and strategies as well. Well, I know I can search for them on DIRECTV on the internet in my state and look into sports channels for my dream when and where I am available.

Fortunately, I chanced upon this DIRECT TV and discover that I may have the right resource to practice new moves and exchange pointers with enthusiasts and analysts alike.

Moreover, with DIRECTTV , my family and I can watch family dramas readily available whenever we settle for it without the need to spend extra time on traveling to cinemas. When we have only an hour of common time we can have a short episode of our popular cartoon and kiss each other good night feeling contented.