How different isTSD from TKD?

[amolao]

Also would you guys go to a Korean instructor or an American? I have options but from I noticed the Korean charges more for class than the American dojo, were the American dojo trains 6 days a week and the Korean dojo does not. any input would be appreciated.

[IcemanSK]

Also would you guys go to a Korean instructor or an American? I have options but from I noticed the Korean charges more for class than the American dojo, were the American dojo trains 6 days a week and the Korean dojo does not. any input would be appreciated.

A very broad answer to the question "how different are the two?" is TSD is more like Shotokan Karate (deeper stances, more hand techniques) and TKD emphasizes kicking more. If it's ITF (Chang Hon style) TKD, there will be a bit less emphasis on kicking than Kukkiwon (WTF style) TKD would be. I'm speaking in broad terms, but this is usually the case. Whether the instructor is Korean or American does not matter as to the quality of instruction. Naturally, you want to choose a good instructor; ethnicity does not matter.

My best in your search.

[wagnerk]

Also would you guys go to a Korean instructor or an American?

To be honest, the better question would be which association and instructor would I go it. There are very good asian instructor and there are bad ones, just like any other race/ethnicity. Try out both and make an informed decision.

I have options but from I noticed the Korean charges more for class than the American dojo, were the American dojo trains 6 days a week and the Korean dojo does not. any input would be appreciated.

Like the answers already given, check them both out. What you don't want to do it start training at a "McDojang" where you basically throw your money at something that isn't worth it (and that in turn will give a bad rep for the art).

As for what is the differences between TKD and TSD, it depends on the association and implementation. One mate of mine, said it was totally different (forms, sparring, etc), While another mate who trained elsewhere with another TKD association said that it was very similar apart from the forms.

I currently do TSD and I have to agree, it is very similar to Shotokan karate - but different enough to keep me interested

[bushido_man96]

Also would you guys go to a Korean instructor or an American? I have options but from I noticed the Korean charges more for class than the American dojo, were the American dojo trains 6 days a week and the Korean dojo does not. any input would be appreciated.

A very broad answer to the question "how different are the two?" is TSD is more like Shotokan Karate (deeper stances, more hand techniques) and TKD emphasizes kicking more. If it's ITF (Chang Hon style) TKD, there will be a bit less emphasis on kicking than Kukkiwon (WTF style) TKD would be. I'm speaking in broad terms, but this is usually the case. Whether the instructor is Korean or American does not matter as to the quality of instruction. Naturally, you want to choose a good instructor; ethnicity does not matter.

My best in your search.

This pretty well sums it up. Good post, Iceman! Personally, I would look into the school that has 6 days a week open as on option, because you will likely be able to work it into your schedule more flexibly, all other things being equal (school quality, course offerings, etc). Let us know what you decide, and keep us posted.

[Luther unleashed]

I took itf tae Kwon do when I was 17 and did it a few years on and off. I also did tae Kwon do "wtf" more recently and I currently do "basically" a tang soo do/shotokan mixture. Almost no difference other then stances so I essentially learn both.

As to the question, it's the same but different. Ways to throw blocks, punches, are different in many ways. Kicks are very similar as they are Korean based, and Koreans are noted for using hips we'll to generate power in kicks. Actually only kick that's different that I can think of is front snap kick. Tang soo do is more of a push while leaning back and thrusting hips forward, tkd is more common kick which essentially is just thrown in an upward motion with little hip involvement.

Forms are forms and they all feel like forms, but again different techniques, directions, and pace. The thing I enjoy about tang soo do forms (actually hated forms until learning tang soo do) is they have a jumbled rhythm. They don't have a set rhythm like tkd, they have slow parts, and very often explosive parts, which to me symbolizes yin/yang or (balance) in the forms movements. I enjoy tang soo do much more then tkd!

Same BUT different.

[KyungYet]

When the Korean government wanted a unified national style that could be taught to the military, the important masters of the time worked together to create Tae Kwon Do. One of the influential contributing styles to this amalgam was Tang Soo Do. Thus, TSD is one of TKD's progenitor's, and both styles share many characteristics.

TKD focuses much more on quick, repeated kicks, with a nearly 90:10 ratio of kicks:punches in training. It is the national sport of Korea (and an Olympic sport) and thus is really more of a "sport" than a traditional combative art - at least in terms of it's sparring structure.

TSD is more balanced between kicks:punches, and while it indeed practices point sparring, it is not a sport per se. It is a traditional art, and spends a good deal of time on hyungs, one-steps, and self-defense. In its traditional form, it is weak on grappling and soft self-defense techniques. The "American" forms of TSD associated with Chuck Norris have added in new techniques, lost the Chil Sung forms, added in its own set of forms, and added in a grappling component.

Re: whether or not you need an Asian instructor is really better asked as "do you want the most traditional version of TKD/TSD or can you tolerate some poor pronunciation and additions/subtractions to the style?" That is, some instructors follow the traditional path, and some of those will be Asian. Some instructors are more loosey-goosey, and some of those will be American. But there is no reason to assume this will always be the case.

I personally recommend choosing your school based almost solely upon the quality of instructor/instruction (even ignoring the style being taught). All martial arts can be powerful, depending on whether or not it's taught well.

I hope this (excess!) of information has been helpful!

KY

[Luther unleashed]

When the Korean government wanted a unified national style that could be taught to the military, the important masters of the time worked together to create Tae Kwon Do. One of the influential contributing styles to this amalgam was Tang Soo Do. Thus, TSD is one of TKD's progenitor's, and both styles share many characteristics.

TKD focuses much more on quick, repeated kicks, with a nearly 90:10 ratio of kicks:punches in training. It is the national sport of Korea (and an Olympic sport) and thus is really more of a "sport" than a traditional combative art - at least in terms of it's sparring structure.

TSD is more balanced between kicks:punches, and while it indeed practices point sparring, it is not a sport per se. It is a traditional art, and spends a good deal of time on hyungs, one-steps, and self-defense. In its traditional form, it is weak on grappling and soft self-defense techniques. The "American" forms of TSD associated with Chuck Norris have added in new techniques, lost the Chil Sung forms, added in its own set of forms, and added in a grappling component.

Re: whether or not you need an Asian instructor is really better asked as "do you want the most traditional version of TKD/TSD or can you tolerate some poor pronunciation and additions/subtractions to the style?" That is, some instructors follow the traditional path, and some of those will be Asian. Some instructors are more loosey-goosey, and some of those will be American. But there is no reason to assume this will always be the case.

I personally recommend choosing your school based almost solely upon the quality of instructor/instruction (even ignoring the style being taught). All martial arts can be powerful, depending on whether or not it's taught well.

I hope this (excess!) of information has been helpful!

KY

VERY we'll written, and extremely accurately described.

[bushido_man96]

When the Korean government wanted a unified national style that could be taught to the military, the important masters of the time worked together to create Tae Kwon Do. One of the influential contributing styles to this amalgam was Tang Soo Do. Thus, TSD is one of TKD's progenitor's, and both styles share many characteristics.

I think that Shotokan is more of a progenitor than TSD, which itself is kind of an offshoot from Shotokan as much as TKD is.

TKD focuses much more on quick, repeated kicks, with a nearly 90:10 ratio of kicks:punches in training. It is the national sport of Korea (and an Olympic sport) and thus is really more of a "sport" than a traditional combative art - at least in terms of it's sparring structure.

I think you are generalizing a bit here, referring to Kukki or WTF TKD, which is heavily sport based, at least in sparring. But almost all sparring is, to some extent, sport based. Its what makes it safer to do, whether it be the point sparring of the ATA, or MMA competition.

However, many schools, ITF, WTF, ATA, or others like mine, aren't necessarily geared towards sport, and many have a solid self-defense component. It just depends on the school you find.

[Dani_001]

Just remember, ethnicity has nothing to do with anything. Mas Oyama was Korean, and he became one of the greatest Karateka ever.