Taekwondo Southwick

While not intending to be in any way ageist, Taekwondo can be quite physical and is generally more appropriate for younger people in Southwick, it's especially good for children who will learn to be self-disciplined and respecting of others. Older adults trying Taekwondo for the first time often find it too challenging, unless they have kept themselves active. People in Southwick who take up Taekwondo when they may be young find it simple to continue when they become older. Something a bit less strenuous like Tai Chi might be more suitable for the less nimble of you.

The name Taekwondo has only been used since the 1950's, although the discipline started life in Korea in 1945. A group of Korean martial arts fanatics in Seoul established some new schools called "kwans", where they practiced a combination of martial arts techniques. This eventually became known as Taekwondo and the main emphasis of the discipline was on kicking manoeuvres, especially rapid kicking methods, head-height kicks and turning/jumping kicks.Today Southwick Taekwondo classes follow this tradition.

With over sixty million individuals engaged in Taekwondo sessions all around the globe, this has unquestionably become a popular pastime, and if you become really expert at the martial art you may even one day be eligible for the Olympic Games, of which it has been a part ever since the Sydney Games in the year 2000.

In these days of ever-increasing violence, it's little surprise that people in places like Southwick are attending self-defence classes like Taekwondo to help them feel safer in their local environment. The self-defence element is one of the primary factors of Taekwondo but at the same time it also promotes self-restraint and a respect for other individuals, which are traits that are often absent in modern day life.

These self-defence techniques may sooner or later come in useful in your day to day life, although it is more likely you'll solely be using them within a controlled class environment. Nevertheless it is an amazing feeling knowing that you'll always be in a position to defend yourself when you have to.

Your First Lesson

If you've never had a go at Taekwondo previously, you might be a bit anxious as to what should be expected on your first class. This may vary from club to club but will typically involve some or all of these. A 15-20 minute warm up to increase heart rate and loosen up muscles, some practical training including learning some kicks, hand attacks, stances and blocking techniques, studying some forms (or Poomse), an overview of sparring which will include the timing of attacks, movement and timing, and finally a warm down to relax and stretch tired muscles.

The governing official body for Taekwondo in Britain is British Taekwondo and anybody wanting to join a Taekwondo class in Southwick has to also register with British Taekwondo. By visiting British Taekwondo's official website you will be able to obtain details on equality and safeguarding, coaching courses, news, first aid, health and safety, starting a new club, events, members and clubs, coaches and referees, and a lot more Taekwondo related facts.

Taekwondo Kicks

Kicks play a significant role in the art of Taekwondo, here are a selection of the more basic ones: Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Whip or Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi). Taekwondo Blocks: To fend off the many hand attacks and kicks there are an equally diverse assortment of "blocks". They're held in specific positions and engage the hand with different areas of the arm. Each type of attack calls for a particular type of block, counter-attacks can be created by combining a block with another punch or kick. The most used blocks include: Rising Block, Low Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Single Forearm Block, Palm Block, Knife Hand Block, Nine Block, Upper Block and Double Forearm Block.

Taekwondo Forms

Forms are a pivotal element of Taekwondo and are crucial if you're going to master this fascinating martial art. Some basic Taekwondo forms need to be grasped from the outset and more complex forms must be mastered so as to move through the various ranks. A Taekwondo form is characterized by various variables such as technique, stance and direction.

Tournaments

Tournaments and competitions are an important aspect of the overall Taekwondo legacy, and all the various styles all over the world stage contests where Taekwondo masters gather together to compete. Hard contact is rarely allowed in any of these tournaments which mainly incorporate patterns, breaking and sparring. Sparring only is allowed in Olympic and World Taekwondo tournaments, whilst certain hand attacks are permitted in ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) events.

Taekwondo Safety Gear

Competitions governed by British Taekwondo guidelines require various items of protective gear to be used, these include: forearm protectors, a groin guard, a gum shield, a red/blue head protector, shin protectors, hand guards and red/blue trunk armour (hogu). This is necessary on account of the formidable kicking moves being employed.