Taekwondo Burgess Hill

While people of all ages in Burgess Hill can obviously participate in Taekwondo, it is especially suited to the younger generation since it can be rather physically demanding, children can especially benefit from its teachings of self-discipline and the respect of others. It can sometimes be too tough for seniors unless they are exceptionally active and fit. However those in Burgess Hill who get involved in Taekwondo at an early age, will find that carrying it on into older adulthood is not difficult. Something a bit softer like Tai Chi might be more suitable for the less nimble of you.

Taekwondo is one of the more recently developed of the martial arts, with its beginnings in Korea in 1945. This combination of various martial arts techniques were practiced in some new schools in Seoul called "kwans", founded by a group of Korean martial artists. Kicking manoeuvres, especially rapid kicking methods, jumping/spinning kicks and head-height kicks are the main emphasis of Taekwondo, as it eventually became known.

Now an Olympic sport, Taekwondo has over sixty million enthusiasts all around the world, and while you might not have any ambitions to be an Olympic Games medalist, you're still able to sign up for a Taekwondo club or class to learn what will no doubt turn out to be a worthwhile and intriguing activity.

A key element of Taekwondo is self-defence, and doubtless this is one of the primary reasons that folks in Burgess Hill join classes and take up the sport. There's been a worrying increase in violent behaviour over the last few years and this is especially rampant in town and city centres throughout West Sussex and Britain as a whole. The good thing about Taekwondo though, is that it also teaches self-discipline and a deep respect for others, not such familiar attributes in Burgess Hill nowadays.

While its good to know they're there when you need them, with luck you will not ever have the need to use your newly discovered Taekwondo techniques for defending yourself outside of your local club environment.

Your First Class

Different Taekwondo schools in the Burgess Hill area will have different guidelines for what pupils should be covering on their very first lesson, however to give you an understanding of what you should expect most first Taekwondo classes will include a warm-up, a bit of sparring, learning simple Poomse (forms), an introduction to stances, hand attacks, blocking techniques and kicks (technical training) and a warm-down to relax tired muscles and return the body to a state of harmony.

British Taekwondo is the regulating body of the sport within the United Kingdom, and membership of this organisation is mandatory should you wish to sign up with any Taekwondo club in Burgess Hill or nearby. You will be able to get plenty of details on first aid, news, coaching courses, safe practices, beginning a new Taekwondo club, members and clubs, events, equality and safeguarding, coaches and referees, and more, by viewing the British Taekwondo website.

The Basic Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is probably most recognized for its nimble-footed kicking, here are a handful of the fundamental kicks that you'll learn as a beginner: Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Whip or Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi). Blocks: To fend off the numerous hand attacks and kicks there are an equally diverse range of blocks (Makgi). Employing the hand and different parts of the arm, they're held in specific positions. Specific attacks necessitate particular blocks, but "blocks" can also be changed into counter-attacks by linking retaliatory punches or kicks. The principal blocks include: Nine Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Palm Block, Single Forearm Block, Low Block, Knife Hand Block, Double Forearm Block, Upper Block and Rising Block.

Taekwondo Belts (Ranking)

In terms of belts, ranking and promotion there's not actually any uniformity in Taekwondo, since there are many different styles of Taekwondo each of which has their own specific arrangement. There are however analogies and they usually comprise two groups of belts "seniors" and "juniors" symbolized by black and coloured belts respectively, . The senior levels generally have nine ranks and the junior, between 8 and 12 tiers.

Taekwondo for Beginners

As with any activity or sport we have to start somewhere, and Taekwondo is not any different. Even the the best of the Burgess Hill Taekwondo masters were total rookies at one point. So, exactly what can you expect as a complete novice at Taekwondo? Beginner classes should give their students ample training to give them the basics and allow them to develop self-confidence as they move forward. A perfect beginners class should be enjoyable as well as instructional, when people are enjoying themselves they're a lot more committed and will learn faster.

Taekwondo Safety Gear

Safety equipment like forearm protectors, a groin protector, a mouth protector, blue or red trunk armour, shin pads, hand protectors and a blue/red head guard must be worn in all competitions overseen by British Taekwondo. Protection from injuries is required thanks to the vigorous kicking that's part and parcel of this sport.