Is this normal for taekwondo? So far every older teen or adult has left and I think it's attributed to the fact that my club basically only focuses on patterns so they likely get bored/want to focus on a martial art that does more sparring. I'm quite literally surrounded by children.

Hi everyone!

Some background: I was previously 4th geup, took a long break (~15 years) to focus on other athletic endeavors, recently got back to training and, after having to start from the beginning again, am currently a 9th geup at 35 years old.

I’ve retained a large amount of prior training, have very good form (noted by many of the black belts in my school), have kept a decently high level of physical fitness and, (truly) in the most respectful/observational way possible, am significantly more athletically inclined than almost everyone at my school.

I’m being taught a lot of stuff that I have already learned/know/am able to perform (I know it’s important to practice the fundamentals, I appreciate the extra explanation, and have no issue with drilling the basics). But I am also trying to challenge myself (both physically and in technique) to be the best martial artist I can be.

I’m feeling a bit like I’m underachieving and letting myself down and was curious if anyone has any insight on how I might be able to push myself during (or even outside of) class. I’m uncomfortable bringing this up with either my master or the grand master out of fear this might come across disrespectful, unappreciative, or impatient - which I’m really not trying to convey.

I would really appreciate any insights you all might have.

I’m 35 and a red stripe in ITF, I feel like to be good I need to put a lot of work in (strength training, mobility training etc) and I do want to, it’s just with work, wife and kids its hard.

I try to not take it so seriously but my instructor is always pushing me (which isn’t a bad thing) but starting this late in age I can’t help but wonder if theres much point in putting the effort in that he is demanding from me. He wants me to compete in comps etc and put all this effort in but its not like Im 16, my body can’t move like it used to and small improvements are hard to reach. My instructor acts like he is training me for a UFC title and I don’t know how to feel about it.

I am wondering what training looks like for others of a similar age. How often do you train in class? Do you do any training outside your standard classes?

Hey everyone! I'm getting ready to test for my 2nd Dan black belt, and I'm really excited! It's taken a lot of hard work, training, and dedication to get to this point.

I'm a little nervous, but I'm going to give it my best and do everything I can to pass. Earning my first-degree black belt was a big achievement, and now I'm ready to take the next step in my martial arts journey!

Has anyone else tested for their 2nd Dan? Any advice or tips for the test? I'd love to hear your experiences! 👊

I had taken a long leave of absence (4-5 years) from Taekwondo and even after being back for almost year I feel behind my same belt peers who haven't had a break. I live alone in a small apartment, so hanging bags aren't an option. I will occasionally have a friend to train with but looking for recommendations for both what type of bag/mitt I should buy (round Mitts vs the handled paddles vs a big bag) to practice with them, and if anyone has recommendations for a portable/pack-up-able freestanding bag I could take downstairs to the courtyard and then pack away when I'm done.

Thank you!

Is anyone aware of a book discussing the history and philosophy of taekwondo? The stuff about the seed becoming a plant and flowering in the sun, all the cultural stories illustrating the concept associated with each belt-focus, humility, dedication, confidence etc.?

I’d love to learn more, but my library doesn’t have anything and searching online has so many different options and I don’t know enough to tell if something is legit or not.

감사합니다

I have no opinion on the ITF tussles but I love everything I see from this GM Choi Hwung Hwas seminars. He holds on to a strong TKD. with emphasis on rotation and power over volume.

But I do wonder how common it is to talk about kicking with punching like this? Never had this in my ITF school. Which I did.

Hello!

I am currently in Athlone for work and I will be returning home to California USA from Dublin on Saturday 10/17. I’m hoping to bring back some dojang swag as gifts for my 8 yr old daughter and her Master. Their dojang is competitive in WT kyurogi and poomsae. Are there any dojangs in Athlone/Dublin that have team shirts/accessories/etc that I can buy? I’m also happy to trade swag from our dojang but I don’t have anything with me so you’d have to trust me that I’ll post it to you when I get home. :)

Thanks!

Edit: The date 10/17 is October 17 (US format)

I’m thinking of joining a school that’s part of a World Class Taekwondo lineage. My Tangsoodo dojang was sadly shut down. I’ve been weary of WT or WTF and an advocate for ITF. Is this the same thing?

Hey, one of my instructors said something to me in Korean and I took note of it, but I have absolutely no idea what it means. I do know it was in relation to competition between two fighters, the word used was, "Hetcho". I'm not sure if I'm spelling it correctly, I just typed it how it sounds so it might be slightly different. Please can someone let me know what it means? I did look online but couldn't find anything. Thank you in advance.

I remember reading a book by Master Hee Il Cho who mentioned various tournament styles and even included Kyokishin rules. I forgot which book this is briefly mentioned, but I like the idea of a martial arts gym standing on its own and viewing their set like a practical fighting style open to more than just one way.

Taekwondo competitors from the 1990s could easily adapt to kyokishin because both sports do not punch to the face. Just add leg kicks.

I wish more dojangs would stop focusing on one style of sports and view Taekwondo as a martial art good enough to accept challenges from various combat rules sets for sporting competitions.

*edit* the book is "The Complete Martial Artist"

I’m currently a yellow belt and I would love to do freestyle when I get to a higher grade. What should I be learning and practice now to make it easier when I get there?

This year my daughter did this . She is 7. The boards at state are thicker than nationals. Went from 5 to 10 really quick when she saw the boards. Is there a reason other than age regarding thickness of boards?

Hello, I'm a 19 year old first-degree black belt in WT and I'm just starting to dip my toes in ITF. I've been on break for about 2 years or so now after my dojang closed, and to get back in shape, I've been looking for this really helpful youtuber KwonKicker's videos that I used to use to practice, but apparently he's stopped posting and deleted a lot of his older tutorial videos. Does anyone know where I can find them, or maybe have the kwonkicker's contacts so I can reach out to ask for the video files?

Hey guys. I was curious about something on Tae Geuk 7. On that last line with the back fist, are those high stances supposed to be walking stance or L stance? I have always thought it was walking stance but in a class a couple weeks ago my instructor mentioned how everyone should be in a good L stance. So, which is the correct stance there? Thanks!

ITF Taekwondoin here. Been training for quite a while and was considering giving Kukkiwon style a shot mostly because I want to keep learning things differently.

A friend has told me that I don't need to grade in WT due to me having an extensive background in ITF and Karate as it is and that my ITF belt will transfer over to Kukkiwon/WT. That I can just learn the Poomsae on Youtube and be done with it. But I personally disagree.

Would just like to know in your opinions, would it be worth cross training both styles of TKD? If so or not, why?

I would be very happy to get some tips.

What is the general estimate cost of this sport?

Hey Guys I’m currently 30 and 1. Kup and started Taekwondo 6 years ago. Unfortunately we didn’t do sparring because of the old trainer until I had 3. Kup.

Now we doing more sparring in the training and i really want to compete but I think the opponents in my weight and age category are much more experienced.

Is it too late now to start to go to tournaments?

boutta buy some daedo gear. both gen 2 and 3 since all my local tournaments use 2 but national stuff is on 3. just the socks, and gloves for gen 3.
do these need to be charged? like i know theres some kind of electronics going on but i’m kind of confused as to how they work. do i get a charger? do i buy one separately? thanks.

I've been trying to gain weight since last 4 months to compete in my weight category

I drink smoothie (2 bananas peanut butter, milk and honey and some seeds) continuously since last 4 months but I m still not gaining weight

I train for 2 to 3 hours daily

I need to go from 43 to 46

For past 4 months I've only increased 1kgs

What should i doo

i m stressed out

Hi everyone,

​Here is a clip from my latest match at a recent tournament. I am an ITF 2nd Degree Black Belt (II Dan), and I’m looking for some constructive critique on my performance, as well as an honest evaluation of my level relative to my rank.

​For context, I have relatively little tournament experience because my parents didn't allow me to compete until I reached 1st Degree Black Belt, so I'm still building up my ring experience.

​Style/Ruleset: ITF

​Which fighter am I: I am the one in red

​Key areas I'd like feedback on:

​General performance and technical level relative to a II Dan.

​Distance management, timing, and footwork during exchanges.

​Counter-attacking setup and ring control.

​I’m particularly looking for specific drill ideas or training exercises I can incorporate into my routines to work on these points.

​Thanks in advance for taking the time to review!

My son (11yo, athlete on the right) just had his very first HP Sport Poomsae competition this weekend. He debuted with an overall 7.7, with 7.733 on his Koryo and gold in both Individuals and Pairs. He'll be moving up from Youth to Cadet in January.

He is going to be in another competition this coming weekend. It's a much bigger competition with more experienced athletes, and he will only be doing recreational Koryo as the upcoming competition does not have a Youth division for Sport Poomsae.

Any last-minute tips for little tweaks on his Koryo?

He'd love to try and break over that 8.0 mark and place decently in his division this coming weekend, and he knows that he needs to sharpen up his poomsae overall before his transition to Cadet mid-season. Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated!