TKDCat

I must agree TSDMGK_K40. While TKD has more "fancy" and some of the classes may focus more on kicking, depending on your instructor TSD may be the same, or it may not be. I have been taking WTF Tae-Kwon-Do since I was itty-bitty, recently I was forced to join a Tang Soo Do class. The insturctor I am under, doesn't do as much advanced kicking as I am used too, but there have been times where the whole class has been doing kicks. But I will say that using your arms is also a big part of the sport as well. I am having to get used to using them. It basically comes down to the fact that Tae-Kwon-Do has become more sport oriantated(sp?), whereas Tang Soo Do is still traditional. It also has a lot to do with your insturctor as well. The only real differences to me is that the students in the TSD class are at a much lower level than where they should be, with technic and such, and the forms are very different. The only one that is the same, as far as I know of is the first basic form. From an experience this past weekend I have found though, that Tang Soo Do masters do not really like Tae-Kwon-Do. I went to a semanar run by Grand Master J. Joon Kim. Many of his masters, espically his son were very rude to me, which I found strange, because all of the students were very kind to me, and introduced themselves graciously. I probably won't be going again, though.

I have ran into sexism more then racism. An adult male black belt was a 2nd Dan, just as I was. I was 14-15 around the time. When he came into our class he completely tried taking over it. He didn't know what the heck he was doing, he was awful at the art, he had no respect for anyone, besides the master, but he didn't really even respect the master seeing that he didn't respect his teachings enough to go by them. He always complained that "This isn't how it's done in the military and/or at my old school." Even more so he was completely disrespectful to any female, no matter the rank. I had been in Tae-Kwon-Do much longer then he, and had my rank for a longer amount of time, also I had been at the school for a longer amount of time. He changed his own rules to keep me from being higher ranking ten him. One of his rules was, 'If you come in late you stay at the back of the class until break. Once the break is over with then you can resume your spot at the head of the class.' Well one day I came in just as class was starting, I took my place at the back of the class in a respectful manner, and readily continued with the rest of the class. Once we took break I got a drink of water, and then went out onto the floor. I went to take my place at the head of the class and he said, "You were late, stay at the back of the class." Well the next time he was late, he expected to be put in his 'rightful' place after we took break. I took this up wtih our master, and when my master addressed the guy, he told the master the I was just a racist female(he was colored). This made my mother extremely mad, and I've had further problems with the guy. He couldn't stand that I was younger, and better then him.

I am originally from Tae-Kwon-Do, but my master left. Being in a small town there isn't much here, so I coudln't just switch to another Tae-Kwon-Do school. I'm going to be 16 in about 48 days...along with getting my lisence! Watch out! Anyway, I got into Tang-Soo-Do in March? Something like that. I don't know a lot of the forms or anything. I'm starting in the basics with my friend who is starting completely from scratch. I don't believe my master is wanting to teach me the Mudikwan(sp? Sorry if that isn't spelled right!) style of forms, because I'm originally a Tae-Kwon-Do student with the rank of 2nd Dan. I did ask him about him teaching them to me. I don't believe there will be any good TKD masters coming around here anytime soon, which I don't have a problem with. I like TSD, because it uses more punching then TKD does. I'm also teaching my new master about the "new" sparring style, he is very interested in it. All of his students are amazed with me, because of my kicks and speed. I think that he is also hoping that I will help to encourage the process of speed and technique in the dojang. I am more than happy to do this. I love to art, and if I can help others love it just as much, I will do what I can! I'm hoping that I can learn the new forms that are there for me to learn, and add my "grace" to them. That's what I've heard from many people about my forms and kicks. Who knows! At my school we don't have certian self defense one-steps. The Master shows us more and more with almost every class, but they are not numbered. Whereas in TKD, we had 30 one steps. My new master has probably showed me 30 or more NEW ones. He is very educated in the one steps, and knows a lot of them, and has even encouraged me using ones I know, and mixing them up into new ones. He has also spent time teaching me one steps that I use my kicks in, since that is my speciality. I think that I like the more traditional style, compared to the sport style. I do miss sparring though. Nothing can replace that feeling! I am learning more of the Korean terms with a Hesipanic(sp?) Master then I did with a true Korean master. I think that's a but messed up, but oh well.

TaeKwonDo is now an Olympic sport, so now we have to take more cautions to look more professional. Go to tournaments, they don't care how hard you hit!

I have been taking Tae-Kwon-Do since I was eight years old. I am seven years into taking the art, and a second degree black belt. I have gone to several state competitions, and two national competitions. TheTae-Kwon-Do and the tournaments have become to regular to me. My master up and left to somewhere. Poof! Gone. Hasn't returned any calls or anything. His school happened to be the only Tae-Kwon-Do school in no where town. I was really hurt, and didn't want anything to do with martial arts of any type until wondered into a YMCA around my town after about two months. I saw a girl practicing, though not what I was used too, I could easily "overtake" her? I guess, dunno what a good word for that would be. But I got a competitive streak in me, and decided to try it out again. I found out that the form at this school was Tang Soo Do. So far I have done pretty well. The only thing I'm having trouble with is learning how to use my hands and arms more. The forms also look interesting, though somewhat easy from the first few forms that I've seen. I have been taken completely out of sparring, because the insturctor doesn't know the whole olympic style sparring. He is very happy to have me, and is hoping to start teaching his other students.. who are all low-ranks, slow moving, and not very competitive, so I'm having a hardtime trying to keep out my endurence that is needed for a straight two minute sparring match. I am still wanting to compete and advance in Tae-Kwon-Do, but no tournaments seem to be posted on the internet anymore, it seems, and USTU doesn't send notices for tournaments in the area around me. I doubt that there is really any point in asking this, but does anyone have any tips on where I can find tournament, and get the pre-registertion and info on them? Even more, help keep myself fit for tournaments and sparring, since I cannot have a regular weekly time for sparring matches against pupils? To anyone that can give help, thanks a bunch! And to anyone who can help me with my profile, too! Can I change the little thing that says I'm a white belt? If so, how? It's driving me nuts that I can't figure it out.