TKD in real life situations?

[kaster]

I've only seen TKD in Youtube videos, and from what I saw, TKD doesn't use much defense. I've only seen it in tournaments though(Youtube not real life).

But, I've read some comments say that TKD as a sport doesn't show the real TKD. Anyway, it seems that other I can learn Okinawan, TKD, or Muay Thai. When I think that TKD mostly uses kicks and doesn't have much for defense, I think that I won't have much use for it, especially in places that are too small and can't perform a spinning kick in.

So, is it like in the TKD sport? or is there more to TKD when used as self-defense?

[DWx]

TKD has a lot of self defense. It just depends on who teaches you and what their focus is. And it isn't really all just legs... at least in the style I study, I woul say its more a 60/40 split towards hands with regards to the number of techniques of hand and foot and what you find in the forms. Plus the reasoning behind the legs is that they are longer and more powerful.. thats just how TKD does things.

If you want TKD self defense, try searching for "Hosin Sul". I've always found anything by the ITF NK demo team to be quite good.

(SD at 1:29, 3:05, 5:23, 7:54 & 8:50)

[Truestar]

Plus the reasoning behind the legs is that they are longer and more powerful.. thats just how TKD does things.

That's a prime focus of Tae Kwon Do. The legs have a longer reach and can be used with more power.

A TKD school that teaches strictly the high flying kicks with no core martial arts, fitness, or hand technique is not reflecting Tae Kwon Do. It's reflecting a sort of "Rex Kwon Do", a fake art.

Not every school teaches the same aspects as others. Some schools do it better than others in terms of form, some schools do better with things such as sparring. Finding a well rounded school is going to take patience, your assertiveness, and determination.

As a TKD practitioner, our school I think is well rounded. We have physical fitness tests, we perform our hyungs both individually and as a group. we spar, grapple, and practice various take downs and self defense tactics.

But that's not all. I'm lucky to have a realistic sabomnim, and in our school we are told applications and appropriateness. Levels of fighting such as avoidance to deadly physical force and the mediums. We are shown applications of our hyungs and are always encouraged to come in for Saturdays for a bit of a "harder" grappling workout.

Most martial arts, especially Tae Kwon Do due to its popularity are misrepresented in society today. Tae Kwon Do if taught correctly can be just as deadly or useful in a defense situation as Krav Maga. It's all based on you as the practitioner and the school you go to.

[joesteph]

TKD has a lot of self defense. It just depends on who teaches you and what their focus is. And it isn't really all just legs... at least in the style I study, I woul say its more a 60/40 split towards hands with regards to the number of techniques of hand and foot and what you find in the forms.

In my Korean art, Soo Bahk Do, it's called Ho Sin Sool, but it's the same concept, that of self-defense techniques in given situations, particularly if grabbed. There's also one-step sparring, which often involves block-punch and even block-punch-kick combinations. My instructor makes certain to include a variety, meaning with takedowns and joint locks, for well-roundedness. (She's even brought in a bit of grappling.)

A lot depends on the instructor, Kaster; there's just no getting away from that. What the lesson is for the class, what the drills/exercises are, they all come from the lesson plans of the instructor. Does your instructor emphasize hand techniques? Self-defense? If not, ask about them. Instructors want to know what their students are interested in or concerned about.

Now I will say that when we spar, despite the many hand techniques my instructor spends class time on, the students themselves tend to rely on kicking. I remember one class that was conducted by my instructor's teacher, who called out "No right leg kicks" because she just felt too many students were relying on that leg while sparring.

I am certain that there are self-defense techniques, not just sports/tournament ones, which you can use in TKD, but they have to be emphasized in order to attain a measure of proficiency. DWx refers "a 60/40 split towards hands," and I'm sure she's right. If you have a concern, examine what you're taught/what's emphasized by your instructor, and what's done in the dojang when sparring with fellow students.

And keep your hands up to guard your face. I've actually "speedbagged" two sparring partners, annoying my instructor because we're not supposed to be boxing, but I told her when alone that it's their own fault, that they leave their faces wide open. Interestingly, the last adult class I had was dominated by blocks and punches, two different but related ways, with a rhythm occurring as we went back-and-forth in pairs.

[bushido_man96]

The above advise is good. I too feel that if you have the right instructor, that TKD can be a very good self-defense art.

You have to look at the instructor's methods. Is he a tournament guy? If so, he may focus more on sparring. That doesn't mean he wouldn't spend any time on self-defense. Your best bet is to visit a class, and see what it entails. Also, you should ask about class schedules, because the instructor may have specialized classes on sparring and self-defense.

[kaster]

That's cool then.

In fact, I don't care about winning in tournaments. I just want to have good self-defense techniques and also attacks, so that I can protect myself. I'll be going back to my homeland (Philippines) in a year and many things happen there. I also don't wanna get bullied anymore. I'm just a peace loving 14 yr old, that is weak right now, but I hope to become stronger.

EDIT: About tournaments, it's not entirely true. I think I just care more about mastering TKD and applying it than winning a tournament

[Truestar]

Then Martial Arts, especially Tae Kwon Do is for you. TKD is based around peaceful resolution but using necessary power in order to disable an opponent if needed.

Good luck.

[bushido_man96]

Just out of curiosity, when you return to the Philippines, why not check into some Arnis/Escrima styles? I would love to do one, and they are very directly applicable to self-defense.

[xTaekwondox]

Tae Kwon Do can be used for self defense, Who ever said it cant be?

TKD is strictly hands and feet, no weapons.

Though it is still a good martial art to start for self defense.

[Norbert]

TKD teaches a lot of self defense. But beside teaching, one of the major advantage that I realized is, that I feel much more secure. My self esteem has much increased. I know, I can defend myself if I need to. This is already a very important thing.