Taekwondo forms, boring?

[joesteph]

I practice Soo Bahk Do, a Korean art related to Tae Kwon Do. When I was younger and attended a few local tournaments, the forms competition couldn't hold my attention. Now, I'll watch the forms of others if the time presents, but it's more that I appreciate the work that they're doing, putting into it, than that the form itself is holding my attention.

However . . . Once I've started doing forms beyond the three basics (necessary for someone like me, particularly for balance), I like doing the forms that I once watched others do, and analyzing them for bunkai. The new forms, in order of my introduction to them, are Pyung Ahn Cho Dan, Chil Sung E Ro Hyung, and Pyung Ahn E Dan. I've approached my teacher more than one time with a "discovery." It's not that we're not told of bunkai within the form, it's that everything can't be said (information overload), especially if one movement can open up two or three possibilities.

For me, the fun is in the doing and either finding something within, or knowing/picturing where a move or moves lead.

[Tiger1962]

Any form is boring if the person performing it presents it that way. A beginning form like Do San can rock if you have sharp stances, snappy punches and kicks, great intensity and know how to sell it to the judges.

Exactly. You and Truestar put it succinctly !

[pegasi]

I agree with most posts, if one treats the form as if one is simply "going through the motions" then it's as boring as watching paint dry.

If one were to do even the beginning forms with the snap and precision and fire that one puts into the more complex advanced forms, it turns them into something to watch.

Isn't the purpose of forms to demonstrate the techniques as if defending onself? So, even the most basic should be done with the spark and fire an imagined battle. Isn't that what one brings into play in one's mind when executing the more advanced techniques?

[bushido_man96]

I agree. A black belt should look like a black belt when doing the white belt form. All that has been learned through the years should be seen in the low rank forms, too.

[Truestar]

I can definitely see where the article is coming from.

Last weekend I was at the Colgate Martial Arts tournament. Although I may be somewhat biased because I did not place I found that our schools forms did not generally rank very high with the judges.

The tournament is a mix of different martial arts, so a majority of styles went against each other. The forms that ranked higher often included movements that "waved" more with their hands. Karate style forms...

They also included a yell and kiai nearly every move, which I think is a little unjust to grade in that way. I don't mean to sound like a poor sport, but enthusiasm is gradable material, but shouldn't be number one on the list. Hard and precise technique comes first, then comes the yelling.

I think next tournament I'll be trying Po-Eun hyung, a more Karate style, yet TKD based form. If I can work on it enough I think it will be interesting to see where I place next tournament later this month. I'll definitely post some video somewhere of the Colgate tourney though, a couple very cool forms by the executive black belts.

[bushido_man96]

Truestar, I think some of the problem comes from what the judges are experienced in, too. If they have Karate experience, I think that it plays a small part in how they judge. I don't know that it leads to a bias, but when you see something that you identify with as familiar, and are comfortable with it, I think that leads to some bias.

Po-Eun is a good form, but is short. You might think about trying Se-Jong as well, if you have done that one yet. It is a lot of hand techniques, and it doesn't repeat hardly at all. I have always liked it, and can really power it out.

[Truestar]

Po-Eun is about as far as I've gotten. There's so much to learn, and the way it's supposed to be performed (at least by our schools standards) it's going to be awhile before I move on. I'm very excited.

[bushido_man96]

Enjoy your time with it. Even though it is a short form, there are a lot of nuances to it. I enjoy doing it, and I am not totally winded when I get done....

[sensei8]

Boring? Hhhmmmm!

I took TKD for one year when I was in high school and I found the forms fun and exciting. Albeit, very different from the Kata's I've learnt in Karate. Now, I've been a karateka for over 4 decades, having said that, the only thing that I don't like about TKD forms is the lack and/or the complete void of Bunkai/applications.

To me, TKD forms are lacking the main ingredient...applications. Why is this and why is that being performed in any given TKD form? Surely, TKD forms aren't just a bunch of movements lumped together between two bows.

[ninjanurse]

We look at the Solutions (bunkai) to all the Taeguek forms when teaching/learning them. I guess it is just up to the school/style as to what they emphasize...or not. Personally I can't imagine skipping this important aspect of any form!