First weapon

[MasterH]

Hey,

Now that I've earned my 5th Dan (TKD), I thought it would be a good change in pace to start studying a weapon. Where should I start? Which would complement ITF style of TKD?

As I'm sure you know, ITF TKD uses no weapons, nor is the system designed to use weapons, so what weapon would compliment is isn't a factor. My suggestion would be to seek out a system such as Okinawan or Japanese, that uses weapons as a part of their system and start at white belt until you get to the level that they start teaching weapons. Being a 5th Dan in one system does not automatically qualify you to start right in learning weapons IMHO.

That, or you can do what many TKD people I have seen do, and teach yourself bad technique and habits, and pass those down to your students.

This was not intended to flame you, just stating my opinions to your question. Learn from a legitimate instructor that knows the weapons, don't just pick something up and start playing with them. You will do youself no justice by doing that, and you will not learn anything of value.

Thank you. And you're correct the ITF style does not use weapons. My mom is a ATA instructor and teaches that weapons curriculum. I'm not a fan. I can get the basics from her, but the forms and such, I could not pass on being that I'm not ATA anymore.

[isshinryu5toforever]

The X-treme Martial artsis affiliated with the ATA isn't it? That is the ATA owns the rights to the XMA label. This is a bit of a subject change I know, but is that the weapons curriculum they teach, or do they have a more traditional one? If they teach the XMA weapons curriculum, then yeah, I'd look for something else definitely. If you can't find Gumdo or another Korean sword art close, then the next best thing would be to look for a traditional Okinawan Karate school. They will have a curriculum probably including the bo, sai, and tuifa (tonfa) possibly the Eku (oar), and very few have it, but some could have the short spear and shield, much different than any other Okinawan weapon. They will probably want you to go through a ranking process, or at least learn some of their kata before they put a weapon in your hands though. I know my dojo would.

[MasterH]

The X-treme Martial artsis affiliated with the ATA isn't it? That is the ATA owns the rights to the XMA label. This is a bit of a subject change I know, but is that the weapons curriculum they teach, or do they have a more traditional one? If they teach the XMA weapons curriculum, then yeah, I'd look for something else definitely. If you can't find Gumdo or another Korean sword art close, then the next best thing would be to look for a traditional Okinawan Karate school. They will have a curriculum probably including the bo, sai, and tuifa (tonfa) possibly the Eku (oar), and very few have it, but some could have the short spear and shield, much different than any other Okinawan weapon. They will probably want you to go through a ranking process, or at least learn some of their kata before they put a weapon in your hands though. I know my dojo would.

Yes, I've just had this conversation with someone else on another forum. It's under the label "ATA Xtreme" and it's the same. Before XMA, ATA had another weapons program she still teaches that, and I'm not a fan of either. We'll see what I do, I may watch some vids, see what I like and go from there.

[ProjectJanus]

I do Gumdo and have a blue belt in it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Sure, how about a bit of history, is this a bambo with armor sport or an actual bladed weapon (both). From what I've googled it does not seem to be main stream. I appreciate any info you can share.

Well, there was a link provided with a background on Gumdo, so I will go to your next question. During class, in our school atleast, the white through orange belt uses a wooden mok-gum sword. During this period you usually learn forms 1-4. Once you get your green belt you are required to purchase an imitation Korean long sword, which was $150. Once you get your red belt, you are required to purchase another sword which is very light, and has a slight edge. This sword is used to focus on technique and is also used for cutting fruit for demonstrations. Once you have gotten your black belt, you may purchase a fully functionable sword, which I am not too sure of the price.

I think that the terminology is relatively easy. As you are a 5th Dan, I am assuming you know how to count to ten, which is also frequently used in Gumdo. The forms for white through thered belt are all labled Ssang Soo Gumbup- then the name. An example would be Ssang Soo Gumbup Chilbon. Then from the red belt to the black belt, they are called Shim Sang Gumbup. Then depending on what rank of black belt you are, forms may be named Yedo Gumbup, Bon Guk Gumbup, Jang Baek Gumbup, Haidong Gumbup, Um Yang Gumbup, or Ssang Gumbup.

To get into the basic stance, stand with your feet together, and pivot on your heels so your feet make a 'V' shape, then pivot on your toes, so your heels are shoulder-width apart with toes pointing slightly in. Pivot on your heels again so your toes are facing out, heels slightly more than shoulder width apart. Then pivot again on your toes so your heels are facing out, toes in, about double shoulder-width apart. The easy way to remember this is saying the syllables of Haidong Gumdo along with the movement. So Hai- then you enter the 'V' stance, then 'dong'- toes in, heels out, and ecetera. From there, bend your knees inward, towards eachother. Keep only about the space of two fists allowed in between your knees.

The basic cuts are the center (Jung Myun Begi), left and right cuts (Jua Wu Begi),triple cuts (Sahm Dan Begi),accross the waist (Hury Begi), and 45 degree angles, over the shoulder. There are also other basic stances such as Dae Do Se, Dok-lip Se, Ja Yuon Se, So Do Se, Jo Chun Se, and Ji Hah Se.

Don't be too worried about learning the names right away, they should say the name of the stance and repeat the stance over, and over, and over again. A few lessons and you should remember them.

Gumdo is NOT based on point-based sparring. Sparring is a part of Gumdo, but not a large one. Sparring armor is quite costly, and looks just like Kendo armor, and uses wooden Shinai, like Kendo.

Also, along with each form, there is what I call a "one-step form". These usually emphasise important movements of the form.

Well, sorry for making this such a long post. Hopefully you learned what you were looking for. If tought right, Gumdo can be a very great looking art, along with a powerful one. Another art that goes along with Gumdo is Sword Dancing, a very flowing, beautiful art.

[ProjectJanus]

Well, looks like I answered most questions.

[MasterH]

Well, looks like I answered most questions.

Yes, thank you. I'm just getting caught up with my Email. I'll PM you with any more questions.

On another note, I like the dancing taco!

[unknownstyle]

learn bo first it is a very good way to learn fundimentals

[Zaine]

Bo, it is a very versitle weapon, `

[Why_Worry]

I have heard of Gumdo except it has been kumdo by my friends who do it. I would join them but it would be a little awkward because it is run by the korean church in the town i live in and i am neither korean nor christian so they probably wouldnt mind if i joined, but it would be a little wierd so i choose to stick to karate, but it is a cool art in my opinion and it is korean so i would recomend that if you dont mind learning a sword art. Since tkd has alot of kicking it probably wouldnt go bad with a sword since once you get good you can kick inbetween swings just so long as you can still get the power without loosing your center when trying to swing.