FAQs
What is the history of Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a martial art originating from the days of tribal communities on the Korean Peninsula. It was developed amongst the tribes as a means of preserving their own life and race as well as building both physical and mental strength.
What does Taekwondo mean?
Literally translated Tae Kwon Do means ‘the way of the fist and foot.’ The most important part of the word is ‘Do’ as this translated means ‘the correct way.’ Learning to kick and punch are only physical attributes. By practicing Do and the principles of Taekwondo, students become overall martial artists both physically and mentally.
How is Taekwondo different to Karate and other martial arts?
Like Karate practitioners, Taekwondo students perform a lot of upper body techniques like punching, blocking and striking. What distinguishes Taekwondo from other martial arts is its superior kicking techniques. In Taekwondo students can learn to perform multiple kicks while flying and jumping in the air.
How is Taekwondo different to Hapkido?
Taekwondo and Hapkido are both Koreaean martial arts and have some similar kicking techniques. However Hapkido focuses on more close combat self defence techniques such as defending against locks and grabs and break falling, whilst Taekwondo is more punching, blocking and kicking techniques. There is however self defence techniques in Taekwondo as well and the two are often combined as they compliment each other.
What is the belt system in Taekwondo?
Depending on your club there are either 9 or 10 belts to black belt 1st Dan. Every beginner is known as a white belt, they then have to grade (do a physical examination)
in front of high Dan grades who then decide if the student is good enough to pass. The belt system is generally the same, however some clubs may vary. White belt then yellow belt (some clubs is Greece) then blue belt then red belt then black belt. In between students Normally have tags on their belts to indicate which colour they are trying to be promoted to next.
What happens when you reach black belt?
When you achieve your black belt you automatically become a 1st Dan. To qualify for second Dan you must train hard for a minimum of two years your instructor then decides if you are ready to apply for your 2nd Dan promotion. You may have to wait longer if you have missed training for any reason or if your instructor does not think you are ready.
For 3rd Dan you have to train for an additional 3 years after achieving your 2nd Dan, the same rules apply, an additional 4 years for 4th Dan, 5 years training for 5th Dan and so on.
When do you reach Master grade?
In Taekwondo terms you are technically classed as a master when you reach 4th Dan. In theory by the time you reach this point you should have been training a minimum of 12 years. However it is very egotistical for someone to demand that they are called Master at this point as very few students can ever be a true master of the martial arts, it is a lifelong process that not many people achieve.
What is the history of Tae Kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do is a martial art originating from the days of tribal communities on the Korean Peninsula. It was developed amongst the tribes as a means of preserving their own life and race as well as building both physical and mental strength.
What does Tae Kwon Do mean?
Literally translated Tae Kwon Do means ‘the way of the fist and foot.’ The most important part of the word is ‘Do’ as this translated means ‘the correct way.’ Learning to kick and punch are only physical attributes. By practicing Do and the principles of Tae Kwon Do, students become overall martial artists both physically and mentally.
How is Tae Kwon Do different to Karate and other martial arts?
Like Karate practitioners, Tae Kwon Do students perform a lot of upper body techniques like punching, blocking and striking. What distinguishes Tae Kwon Do from other martial arts is its superior kicking techniques. In Tae Kwon Do students can learn to perform multiple kicks while flying and jumping in the air.
How is Tae Kwon Do different to Hapkido?
Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido are both Korean martial arts and have some similar kicking techniques. However Hapkido focuses on more close combat self defence techniques such as defending against locks and grabs and break falling, whilst Tae Kwon Do is more punching, blocking and kicking techniques. There is however self defence techniques in Tae Kwon Do as well and the two are often combined as they compliment each other.
How is the belt system structured in Tae Kwon Do?
There are 10 belts levels to black belt 1st Dan. Every beginner is known as a white belt, they then have to grade (do a physical examination)
in front of high Dan grades who then decide if the student is good enough to pass. The belt system starts at white belt, then yellow belt, then blue belt, then red belt and then black belt. On these belts there are stripes to indicate which level of that coloured belt they have achieved.
What happens when you reach black belt?
When you achieve your black belt you then must train for a minimum of one year to grade for 1st Dan. To qualify for second Dan you must train hard for a minimum of two years; you are then eligible to grade for your 2nd Dan. You may have to wait longer if you have missed training for any reason or if your instructor does not think you are ready.
For 3rd Dan you have to train for an additional 3 years after achieving your 2nd Dan and the same rules apply for further gradings; an additional 4 years training for 4th Dan, 5 years training for 5th Dan and so on.
When do you reach Master grade?
In Tae Kwon Do terms you are technically classed as a master when you reach 6th Dan. In theory by the time you reach this point you should have been training a minimum of 24 years. However it is very egotistical for someone to demand that they are called Master at this point, as very few students can ever be a true master of the martial arts, it is a lifelong process that many people find hard to achieve.
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