What do you guys think of TKD?

[bloodinbloodout]

I am a senior and my fraternity brother is the captain of the team, so I started going out to practices. I box a little recreationally and used to wrestle so this is very different for me (for those that don't know TKD is mostly kicks.) Anyway, I'm picking it up pretty fast, it's very hard to get the forms down. Most of the kids in the class with the exception of a few are black belts and very good. I will be competing in a BIg East Tournament on April 2 so I am training hard.

What do you guys think of the sport?

 

[MikeMartial]

What do you guys think of the sport?

What do I think of the "sport" of TKD? I think it sucks ass.

The martial art of TKD on the other hand, is excellent. Unfourtunately, with the inclusion of TKD into the olympics, and the political chaos of ITF/WTF, it's rep has taken a beating.

That aside, it just all depends on what you are looking for. Just like any martial art, it has it's pros and cons. If you enjoyed the class, then stick with it. If not, then move on.

 

[Kane Fan]

very true
the sport could be fun and get you in good shape tho
in a fight it isn't necessarily a good idea to try to send kicks to the other guys head...
what did you mean tho, how good it was for combat or for getting you in shape?

 

[AEKDB]

If you enjoy it I think TKD can be a very good entry point to martial arts. You will learn the basics, build flexability and get in shape.

 

[Spanky11]

IMO, TKD doesn't really have alot to offer - i see it more as a tai bo thing. Great for fitness, and flexibility and children, but not for young men.

there are always exceptions, and it depends greatly on your instructor....try kyokushin karate instead, if there is a dojo in your area.

 

[Judo Tom]

it really depends on what your looking for but for you right now it sounds great.. your friend is on the team your having fun and your learning cool stuff.. sounds really good..

if you have already done some wrestling and some boxing then i think that doing some tkd will help you form a good well rounded base that you can build on..

obviously there are limitations in this art but that also helps in some ways too.. tkd spends all the time kicking/punching which makes you have great kicks but poor submissions/grappling.. but the same thing is true about bjj/judo/sambo great subs but poor striking..

good luck

 

[Kane Fan]

yah to be a well rounded fighter you should cross train
but if you just want to get in shape a singleminded type class is fine and TKD is a good choice (who knows you could turn out to have talent and go to the olympics)

 

[BOSSDAWG]

well in todays world modern tkd is mcdojoish. Now if u can find Hwarangdo that would be a better option. Now days tkd has become " Karate Dancers" but alot things are now . What i serouis dislike is no applications of katas.In my opinion when i check out a school and they go through a kata for exercise with no applications i write that school off. The truth is why mma is doing well is because of alotta peeps teaching '' Do'' not combat or bunkai.

 

[casualbb]

Yeah, if you can find real TKD that would be better.

But a lot of what TKD teaches, in my experience and opinion, is not combat practical. Like... punches from the side and kicks above the waist. These only work in sport combat when the rules prevent grappling.

 

[bloodinbloodout]

yea, i understand a lot of people do the "form" or dancing around kind of shit. Personally I am there to fight and at the easiest venue possible. It's right down the street from my house here at school and basically we train to be fighters. The kid, my friend, who is the captain has fought in over 150 fights and has studied in Korea to earn his Black. We don't bullshit, it's stretch, condition, drillin and then live fighting. What I like about the club I am in is that most of the kids have been doing it for years so it is very competitive. I would like eventually to join a BJJ club or start training at a serious boxing gym. Who knows though, for right now it's convenient and free, and I am getting fight experience. Thanks for all the comments guys best of luck

 

[Judo Tom]

cool sounds good..

best of luck!

 

[Kane Fan]

well in todays world modern tkd is mcdojoish. Now if u can find Hwarangdo that would be a better option. Now days tkd has become " Karate Dancers" but alot things are now . What i serouis dislike is no applications of katas.In my opinion when i check out a school and they go through a kata for exercise with no applications i write that school off. The truth is why mma is doing well is because of alotta peeps teaching '' Do'' not combat or bunkai.

what is bunkai?

 

[shamrock11]

Ok! tkd is a good art if you find the right instructor. It is not all kicks either. There is more than one kind you have traditional and it 80% kicks then you have the open style, which is more blended with about fifty fifty kicks and punches. I have a second degree in tkd and I can apply it well to the streets. No one art is better at street fight than another period. The only difference is the person using the art and how smart he uses it.