TAE KWON DO TECHNIQUES!
GENERAL TIPS ON SPARRING
Remember not to always spar the same opponent because if you do you will fall into the trap of fighting everyone the same
way. Also remember not to always fight lesser opponents because this is a trap many people set for them selves as well.
Fighting opponents who are shorter; taller; faster; slower; weaker; stronger and all combination of attributes will prepare you to
meet almost any opponent. Fighting a faster opponent or someone who has traits you would like to bring to your game is also
an aewsome opportunity and face stronge opponents at least as much or more than weaker ones. It will increase your
competitive level and make you a better fighter. At the St.Peter's club you had 2 or 3 black belts there on some fight night's.
Although it was scary at times this was a great opportunity to face the fears that we all have to over come.
Simple attacks and attack by combination
1 Jab, Cross, Front Hand Hook
2 Jab, Cross, Front Hand Hook to body Front Hand Hook to head
3 Jab, Cross, Front Hand Elbow, Rear hand Elbow (no elbows in tkd sparring! For the street!
4 Jab, Cross, Front Hand Elbow, Spinning Back fist
5 Jab, Cross, Bichigi (Or Round Kick)
6 Jab, Cross, Front leg Drop Kick
7 Jab, Cross, bichigi, back kick, Bichigi
8 Bichigi, Cross
9 (Open stance)Bichigi, Back Kick, Bichigi ( can also use Round Kick)used to chase fleeing opponent
10 Switch, Bichigi (Switches can be used with all tkd kicks (not comfortable with spinning hook kick or hook kick
11 Push Kick, Back Kick
12 Bichigi, Spinning Hook Kick ( A variation is to throw bichigi and not drop leg then from one leg throw spinning hook kick)
13 (closed stance)Double Bichigi, Back kick( For Double and Triple Bichigi you must be careful of the stop hit artist.)
14 (closed stance)Triple Bichigi, Back kick
15 (open stance)Edan Bichigi
16 (open stance)Edan Bichigi, Bichigi, Back kick or drop kick or round kick
17 Side Kick, running step push kick
18 Angle in, rear leg side kick
19 (close in )punching range, throw counter back kick or jump away back kick.
20 Angle in double bichigi, add back kick ( simple one step foot work)
The angle in attack is very useful against the stop hit artist or some one with longer legs because if you do not find a way in it
will be very difficult to beat this type of opponent.
21 bichigi, back kick, bichigi
22 bichigi, round kick, bichigi
23 bichigi, back kick, round kick
24 bichigi, spinning hook kick, bichigi
25 bichigi, round kick, bichigi ( remember not to turn non kicking foot completely over except for last kick.
26 Round kick ( hit or miss), spinning bichigi ( this is a good follow up technique if opponent moves straight back and you need
to gain a lot of distance to catch him.)
27 After back kick, double bichigi ( with the back kick if you hit opp will be moving away and is in good position to get hit with
bichigi so why not double when you are less vulnerable to the stop-hit)
28 Bichigi, back kick, double bichigi, back kick ( 5 kick combo)
29 Edan Round kick ( When attacking with this kick it is very important if you miss to make sure you follow up with another
kick or back off. Do not stand in range where you opponent can hit you.
29(b) Edan round kick, push kick or side kick.(same leg with side kick)
( Make the side kick more like a non- spinning back kick to increase power.
With a direct attack with out faking you must be very careful of the stop-hit and side step counters and be ready to move and
return the favor if your opponent attempts one of these strategies. For direct attack you must usually be faster than your
opponent if your opponent is faster with foot work and counter's you will likely be hit and your technique made useless. Also
be careful of jamming techniques. Knowing distance is incredibly important to this and every other facet of the Tae Kwon Do
game.
30 You: Switch stance(with out gaining distance) angle in bichigi, back kick.
31 (a) You: Double bichigi, Back Kick ( if opponent does not move back)
(b) You: Double bichigi, spinning bichigi, back kick ( if opponent moves straight back after double.
(c) You: Double bichigi, spinning bichigi, round kick.
(d) You: Switch, round kick follow up with a side kick on spot to control the distance.
Simple Indirect Attacks ( The adding of fakes and other tricks!)
1 Switch, Back Kick
2 Switch, Switch, Back Kick
3 Pump Side Kick
4 Fake Front kick, Throw Round Kick
5 Body Fake, attack!
6 Switches!
7 (same directions) Opp: Any kick rear leg or spinning.
You: Side step away from kick, to the front of where the opp will be standing after kick, Counter back kick or side kick.
I much rather side stepping with one movement ( shuffle) compared to 2 or 3 step side steps. The problem is by the time You
counter your opponent has moved unless you are much faster than your opponent. The best foot work wll help you to keep
your balnace and allow you to move as quickly as possible with out to many steps.
8 You: step or stomp; stomp; stomp; stomp, hit.
( In this way you set your opponenet's motor system to believe that just a fake or feint is just a fake or feint and not the start of
a attack. " Progressive Indirect Attack"
9 You: angle to opponents front and throw round kick or bichigi to your opponent's kidneys as you fly by.( If you go to your
opponent's back side he can catch you with a counter back kick or spinning kick.
Attack By Draw (BAITING TECHNIQUES) and other counters
1 stop hits!
1 Counter Side kick, back kick, spinning hook kick
2 Counter Bichigi
3 Counter Front kick
4 You: Bichigi to kidneys
opp: Bichigi
You: Counter Back kick
5 You: Bichigi to kidneys
opp: Bichigi
You: Counter side kick
6 You: keep stepping in slowly like a wailing ox opponent thinks he can nail you but then you get your opponent with a stop hit
punch as he throws a predictable tkd attack ( only against lower belts) They will probably throw Bichigi. Then you hit with a
front hand strike!
7 Opponent: bichi gi You: side step, slide in edan drop kick ( blind side opponent)
I really think side step, edan drop kick is going to work really well for me once I test it out a bit and find the right range. If flows
really well and does not disturb my balance and I also can catch my opponent when he has his back turned as he turns toward
you, catch him.
" For a technique to work for you it has to feel as well as work right."
8 Opponent: bichigi to kidneys
You: counter back kick
8 You bichigi to opponents kidneys
Opp: bichigi
You: counter back kick, triple bichi gi, back kick ( flow from offense to defense in one fluid motion)
9 You: Bichigi to kidneys
Opp: fakes bichigi
You: Counter back kick ( misses) ( never sit there like a deer caught with his head in head lights.) So add a push kick if you
miss if you hit go with double bichigi's.
Opp: bichigi
You: counter push kick
10 Be careful if your opponent attacks with a direct bichigi to kidneys, if your opponent know's what he is doing he is likely
trying to draw a bichigi so do not do what your opponent expects. In this case a better option would be to return the favor and
go kidney side on your opponent with a safe hit, a side kick or edan bichigi or push kick ( maybe) Or just back off or fake.Or
counter bichigi ( with switch away)
11 Opp: who attemts double bichigi to kidneys first.
You: Let your opponent have the first hit to kidneys and then throw counter back kick as they are in mid air going for second
bichigi. If you can catch your opp mid air with this technique you will likely put them on their butt.
12 Opp: Bichigi to kidneys
You: Counter bichigi
13 Opp: Kick
You: Step back to avoid and opponent goes off balance
You: Throw edan bichigi as counter ( safe technique)
14 Opp: any kick
You: side step, edan drop kick or crescent kick ( crescent kick may be a better option because it has a more varied range of
error over which it can work.) The trick to side step, edan drop kick seems to be to side step just enough to avoid your
opponents kick because if you side step to much you will likely miss your opponent a very precise counter
15 Opp: any kick
You: side step, round kick as opponent flys pass ( by going to the head you can avoid hitting elbows and catch your opponent
very clean.
15 A counter front kick may be a better option than a counter bichigi!
16 (Opposite directions)
Opp: Bichigi to kidneys
You: Side step, counter bichigi
17 Opp: Bichigi
You: counter back kick.
18 Opp: Attack by combination
You: step backwards and wait till opponent throws a bichigi or round kick technique then you counter back kick or counter
side kick.
( If you feel the tendency to back up and already started and opponent throws ABC then when you see an opening to throw
counter back kick go for it or counter side kick.
19 Opp: any kick which can be countered by step back, edan bichigi you can replace this counter with an edan round kick.
20 You take baby steps in ( open stance) Opponent throws bichigi, you counter back kick.
21 You: Bichigi
Opp: Side step, bichigi
You: Counter side kick or counter back kick
THE NEXT STEP TO DRAWING
I have used a few draws, basically bichigi to kidneys, counter back kick, which Larry showed me. As well as using patience
and timing counter side kick when opponent throws bichigi. Now it is tie to find 2 and 3 step draws that will catch the opponent
totally off guard if unexpected.
1 You: Double bichigi, switch.
Opp: Moves back to avoid and throws bichigi as a counter
2 You: Bichigi, Back kick
Opp: Moves back counters with bichigi
You: Counter side kick
3 You: Side Kick miss
Opp: Counters with bichigi
You: Counter back kick or counter side kick.
Experiment with different combos then counter when opponent attempts to counter attack
" Beautiful flowing combos and counters."
4 You: Bichigi, Back kick, bichigi, pull back
Opp: Bichigi
You: Counter Back kick
5 You: Bichigi, edan bichigi, pull back
Opp: Bichigi
You: Counter back kick
6 You: Bichigi, pull back
Opp: Bichigi
You: Counter Back kick
7 You: Double ( edan first)
Opp: Bichigi
You: Counter back kick
8 Opp: Attacks
You: Step back to draw a combination then stop-hit second attack or further along in opponents Attack by combination
9 Opp: Switch stance ( Placing front foot where rear foot was, gaining little distance.) , angle out, bichigi
You: Block with closest are and counter with other arm.
10 Opp: Switch ( more like running step), switch, back kick
You: Move back with steps and throw cut bichigi leaning back.
11 Opp: Push kick, Back kick
You: move back with attack and side step cut bichigi
12 Opp: Fake edan and than double ( like triple bichigi with fake on first)
You: Get hit and then throw your own double.
13 YOU: DOUBLE, AXE TO KIDNEY SIDE
OPP: PICHIGI AFTER YOUR AXE MISSES
YOU: COUNTER BACK KICK
14 YOU:EDAN AXE KIDNEY SIDE
OPP:PICHIGI
YOU:COUNTER BACK KICK
14 OPP:PICHIGI KIDNEY SIDE
YOU:STOP HIT WITH AXE KICK AS THEY THROW THERE KICK.
15 YOU:DOUBLE
OPP: PICHIGI TO KIDNEYS
YOU:AXE KICK STOP HIT
You can also use edan bichigi to draw attack, and slip back enticing opponent to hit. Then once opponent comes in with a
more risky attack, You: side step counter. Remember that edan bichigi is a good kick to use as a feeler outer.
Drawing: Probably the best kicks to use to draw your opponent would be the safer kicks like edan bichigi or bichigi to kidneys(
this has to be varied)
ATTACK BY COMBINATION DRILLS FROM MELVIN HIBBS(WITH BODY PADS)
1 YOU ATTACK OPPONENT CONTINUALLY DOWN THE LINE, AS PARTNER DOES A FEW
SWITCHES ALONG THE WAY TO MIX IT UP
2 YOU ATTACK ABC, AFTER 2 OR 3 HITS OPP WILL MOVE TO FAR BACK FOR YOU TO HIT
NOW, YOU DRAW YOUR OPPONENT BACK IN BY FEINTING OR A DRAW KICK, OPPONENT
ATTEMPTS TO COUNTER, AND YOU COUNTER HIS COUNTER.
3 OPPONENT THROWS ATTACK AND YOU COUNTER ALL THE WAY DOWN THE LINE
4 OPPONENT THROWS ATTACK DOWN THE LINE YOU COUNTER WITH OPPONENT ALSO
PROVIDING FEINTS TO MIX IT UP.
TOURNAMENT TIPS
(Melvin Hibbs) Do not go into a tournament trying to knock your opponent out but let the battle decide your strategy to some
degree.
" Manipulate your opponents weaknesses and reinforce your own stregnths and hide your weaknesses and do not give your
opponent a chance to apply his or her stregnths."
Hit your opponent when he is tired and unprepared.
In the heavy weight division most fighters will not have the combination of speed and timing to catch you with a stop-hit if you
use fakes and speed. Just be careful of the draw or baiting techniques.
Think fakes, think speed, think combinations and once you are tired then think counters to keep your opponent off you and
control the distance and the pace of the match and you will likely do well.
[ If you can out skill and power your opponent but have less stanima, you should slow the match down, to a very technical
stand still where you can use timing and technique to beat your opponent. But also remember to vary your game plan if
something is not working because it you do not 2 minutes is a short time to perfect a technique.]
"FROM BASIC TO COMPLEX"
It is now coming to a time in my tkd training that my tkd instinct knows what to do as much as my tkd combinations I have
written down over th last 4 and a half years. I just have to throw kicks and I will "see" the opportunities for stop hits as they
arise. Instinct becomes more and more important as you attain higher levels in tkd. Your techniques have to flow from your
heart. More general ideas will form the specific if you use your instinct.
1 Hit, counter
hit, hit, counter
hit, hit, hit, counter.( hits draw opponent into attacking)
But you can also counter cold.
Opp: attempts single direct attack and you counter with a stop hit
This requires superb timing and is more and more difficult as you face faster and faster opponents. A better idea is to side step
that first attack if possible. In side stepping the first attack and countering you stop your opp from applying a simple draw
Ie. Opponent attacks
You: counter
Opp: Counters your counter
So if opponent applies a stop hit it will have to be in the heat of the battle, the flurry in the scurry! ( which is much more difficult)
A possible complex exchange
You: hit, hit
Opp: hits
You: sidestep counter
Opp: hits
You: hit
Opp: stop hit counters
You: hit, hit, hit
Opp: side step counters
You: hit
Opp: blocks and hits
In other words there are numerous combinations and counter situations all you have to do is learn the simple attacks, draws and
other counters and then let them flow together in a way that your opponent can not see a set up, but just gets hit before he can
do any thing. Mechanical combos are a good starting basis but as you advance you must just let the action take place in an
amazing flurry. But of course you must be the one controlling the pace. You can not keep up a incredible pace for the whole
match so you can slow things down and in this situation it does not matter if you are tired, it may even be better if you pretend
you are more tired than you are. ( sort of a rope-a-dope) and then catch your opponent coming in with stop hits , side step
counters and once you regain your aerobic capacity ( breath) then go back into the incredible flurry of action that we call tae
kwon do. In other words, do not think to much but just react ( once you get your basics down)
The basics include
Attack by draw
Progressive indirect attack
Attack by combination
Simple direct attack
( As outlined by Bruce Lee)
The out come of the match will decide it self, once you have honed your technique, then you just must hone your fitness; speed
and other basics and the complex will take care of itself.
" Everything complex comes from something basic in Tae Kwon Do"
tkd: basic kicks and punches(basic)
tkd: the whole of tkd as it is today(complex)
CLASSIC CONDITIONING TECHNIQUES
Definition: A learning procedure. When a stimulus that initially produces no more than an orienting response is followed several
times by an unconditional stimulus that produces a defensive response.( the unconditional response), the first stimulus ( now
called a conditional stimulus) itself evokes the response ( now called a conditional response)
HABITUATION: The decline in the magnitude or likelihood of a reflexive response that occurs when the stimulus is repeated
several or many timess in succession.
A loud noise, 1st time you here it you jump 5 ft high, 2nd time only 3 ft high! Less reaction if not followed by another
unconditonal stimulus.
REFLEX: A simple, relatively automatic, stimulus-response sequence mediated by the nervous system.
EXTINCTION: The gradual disappearance of a conditioned reflex that occurs repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus.
In operant conditioning, the decline in response rate that results when an operant response is no longer followed by a reinforcer
( reward???)
SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY: In both classical and operant conditioning, the return due to passage of time with no further
testing or training-a conditioned response that had previously undergone extinction.
[ I would like some stats on how many times it takes for humans to be exposed to an unconditional stimulus before they
become classically conditioned]
I am going to try to think of more ways to classic condition my opponent when I attack.
A good way to use a classic conditioning technique is to throw a linear kick like back kick or side kick preceded by a switch
which cuts distance, then throw a more circular attack like switch, round kick in this way you are going to have your opponent
thinking linear attack and then you go circular attack and you should be less likely to be stop-hit.
1 (a) switch, back kick (open stance)
(b) switch, round kick( follow with a side kick whether I hit or miss to control the distance)
2(a) edan push kick
(b) fake edan push kick, bichigi or round kick
3(a) Pump side kick
(b) fake pump side kick, throw back kick or spinning hook kick.
4(a)edan push kick
(b) edan push kick, back kick
5 (a) push kick
(b)540 degree back kick
6(a)You: beech to kidneys
Opp: counters with bichigi
You: counter back kick
(b) You: beech to kidneys
Opp: fakes bichigi
You : hit with round kick as opponent fakes
7 (a) Go to kidneys and retreat
(b) Shoulder fake to make it look like a rear leg kick, then shoot out edan bichigi. Your opponent will expect the kidney shot
It is a good idea to use shots to the kidneys, either as a draw ( set up) or as a Attack by combination. The reason for which is
that it is a fairly safe technique to attack with and not many counters are set up against this attack. Especially stop-hits as far as
I know there is no stop-hit for bichigi to kidneys.
Remember to throw back kick from closed stance because the target is more open to attack and this makes it more easy to get
the point.
STANCES
Leaning 60% of your weight on your front foot is good if you want to attack or counter with
Your rear leg ( Larry Moumberquette)
Leaning 60% of your weight on rear leg is not a good idea in TKD (you do not have to worry about leg attacks, so this is one
reason.) is not a good idea under most circumstances because your opponent knows that you are likely going to try to counter
with front leg and you are not in a real good position to attack because your weight has to be transferred from your rear foot, to
your front foot for any attack or counter with the exception of front leg counters.
TYPES OF FOOT WORK
1 The shuffle, you place weight on front foot and pull rear leg and entire body over.
2 3 steps
a) Move forward or backward then move rear leg squaring yourself and pull front leg through
2 Just move back foot out and slide away as a defence
3 Circling with shuffle movement
4 Angle in, rear leg side kick
5 Angle in, double bichigi
When you throw back kick as an attack the more open side to hit is when you throw your attack from a closed stance.
FROM TAO OF JEET KUNE DO
" The quality of a man's technique depends on his foot work, for one can not use his hands or kicks efficiently until his feet have put him in the
desired position. I a man is slow on his feet, he will be slow with his punches and kicks. Mobility and speed of footwork precede speed of kicks
and punches."
[ This is just as important or more for avoiding a grappler and controlling the range, as well as entering grappling range. Control the fighting
distance with foot work]
" Foot work can and will beat any kick or punch. The more adept a fighter is at foot work, the less does he make use of his arms in , avoiding
kicks and blows."
" The feet are kept at a comfortable distance apart according to the indiviidual with out any stran or awkwardness."
[Cutting distance takng a small step forward and maybe even stomp your foot to make your opponent believe you are going to attack. Then
atack at a time when you believe your opponent's timing is off.]
Take small steps not to big because loss of balance will take place. Try to never stand on one foot except for the brief time that is necessary to
move. By moving I mean
• side stepping
• attacking with step forward
- retreating with step back
- stop hitting
MOMENTUM AND FOOT WORK
The foot work I am now using (shuffle) has many advantages but when cirling or side stepping you must be careful not to "run into" a kick.
Circular kicks can be easy to run into if your momentum is moving in that directon: be careful!
Eg. You move to your right opp catches you with a left leg bichigi or a edan bichigi or a edan round kick or a round kick or a
crescent kick ( all circular kicks)
CIRCLING
This is a great way to evade your opponent but after awhile your opponent will catch you by making you run into a bichigi or
some other technique ( circular kicks are best to catch someone circling) So if you have a good idea that your opponent is
going to try to catch you with bichigi's then this is your opportunity to throw a stop-hit, whether counter side kick or counter
back kick, but you must make sure especially with counter back kick you are not using your own momentum against you by
making it more difficult to hit with counter back kick. For example if you are circling forward it is much different than circling
back ward when attempting counter back kick ( I am not sure which is better????????)
Remember that it is much more difficult to fight someone who moves actively and has good foot work.If some one is switching
a lot for no reason, catch them in mid switch.
THOUGHTS ON SIDE KICK
1 side kick to body, side kick to head
2 Once I catch an opponent with counter side kick once or twice they usually learn to fake before coming in. So what I will do
once I see they have caught on that I am going to attempt to hit them with counter side kick. I will attack with side kick as they
fake and if they do attack with a bichigi they will run right into my side kick. If I only catch them on the arm with my side kick
go with a second kick. Thinking about it if you miss with side kick or just hit a arm go with a second kick( always follow up, be
more aggressive when you see openings.
Other options throw push kick or another direct kick that would catch them if they decide to go with bichigi.
A new possible use for counter side kick is to catch an opponent who tries a back kick to the closed side. You must make sure
you catch them in the kidneys and not the back. This technique is a little dangerous and I think I will save it for tournaments, but
if I throw it I throw it. Just make sure you hit kidneys and not back. This will spin your opponent right around.
Remember not to go to the barrel one to many times as they say in wrestling unless you know your not being drawn in and your
opponent does not know how to stop the same technique over and over and over again.
I should throw more kicks but make sure that they are the right kick for the right time. Points if you throw a lot of kicks in a
tournament you will be the aggressor and will improve your chances of winning.
I should throw more rear leg bichigi's but of course set them up with fakes, switches etc. especially left leg because of how fast
and powerful it is.
As for worrying about hitting elbows I think I have aewsome power that can drive through limbs with this leg. So if some one
wants to power block they better be careful.
THOUGHTS ON EDAN ROUND KICK
This has been a great kick for me and I have hit with it a tournaments and in sparring on numerous occasions. Edan round kick
is a stand still technique which means that the best time to attack with this kick is if your opponent is standing still. There are a
number of times when this may happen
1 If he is tired
2 If you have a good stop-hit like counter side kick or back kick he may be afraid to close the distance.
3 If he is a beginner he may not move well.
4 If he is a big opponent he may also not move well.
FRONT LEG VS REAR LEG KICKS
Some Tae kwon do instructors are teaching students not to use to much front leg attacks but to also use rear leg attacks, there
are pros and cons to each.
Cons-Rear leg attacks are easier to counter with a stop hit
-Rear leg attacks are easier to see and there fore avoid
Pros- For most persons rear leg attacks will have more power
Pros- Front leg attacks are harder to defend against with the stop hit
-Front leg attacks are faster
Con- Front leg attacks generally have less power
So in choosing between front and rear leg attacks it is a difficult choice. It may be best to use both front and rear leg attacks.
One time when it seems best to stick to front leg is if your opponent is faster or a great stop hit artist. You could also use rear
leg attacks but for safety fakes or feints should be added. So realistically it depends on the situation whether or not you would
use rear or front leg attacks or a variety of both. If you are faster rear leg attacks may be a best option because it allows for
more generation of power over all, maybe with the exeption of front leg side kick. But you must also vary which front leg or
rear leg kicks you use: Linear as well as circular kicks must be considered.
FAKES
1 cut distance
cut, cut hit
cut, hit
cut, cut, cut, hit
2 shoulder fake
3 foot fake
4 a switches
b switches that cut distance
5 Running step; hit or counter.
HANDS THEN FEET THEN HANDS
Using hand techniques when in close then throwing kicks as you drive you opponent away gives you a margin of error with
your techniques.
You: jab, cross, bichigi, back kick, bichigi or round kick or double bichigi.
In this case a simple jab, cross combo allows you to attempt up to 5 kicks if you can complete the combination. In all this
combo includes 6-7 techniques which can definitely overwhelm your opponent.
You: In close punching, counter back kick.
You: Bichigi, Cross
Only go in with hands if you can out punch your opponent.
[ In close a good puncher can stop a good kicker from throwing his kicks in close so I see no reason not to throw more
punches in close like I was in the past. This is especially true for tournaments where there will be no need to hold back. Just
make sure you set up kicks with those punches.]
GETTING HIT
Remember to ki up when you get kicked to the body because it releases your " air" and absorb the blow easier.
AVOIDING BACK KICK
1 You can slip to your opponent's open side and allow the back kick to slide right past you. ( You may be able to counter with
bichigi as well?)
2 You can step back or change feet back wards and counter with a bichigi or round kick.
3 You can throw a counter side kick or push kick to kidneys
4 You can angle out and get into position to counter with bichigi.
DETERMINATION
THIS IS ALMOST AS IMPORTANT AS ANY OTHER FACTOR BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT DO ANY
THING WITH OUT DETERMINATION. TO DO SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL YOU NEED EXCEPTIONAL
AMOUNTS OF DETERMINATION
“NEVER GIVE UP”
THE ONLY TOURNAMENT I EVER WON I WAS DETERMINED TO WIN AND I DID WHAT I HAD TO
DO TO WIN. I KICKED VERY HARD AND DID NOT WORRY ABOUT PAIN BUT INSTEAD OUTSCORING
MY OPPONENT AND REMOVING MY OPPONENT’S DETERMINATION.
\INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VALIDITY OF A MARTIAL ART.
A martial ar t that works in sparring within it self has high internal validity.
(Tae Kwon Do)
While a martial art that works on the street has high external validity.
Jujitsu/wrestling/boxing
To increase your martial arts external validity you must at least spar with in the rules of your martial art because forms just does
not cut it to prove fighting ability.
Tae Kwon Do corner judges is an example of multiple observers and they call what they see from their particular angle.
Tae Kwon Do Manual
If I do write a book I do not want any one to consider it a bible or the only way. It is just my way or what works
for me. There will always be differences among individuals. Remember to keep an open mind and explore as
many sources as possible before deciding action. Once you believe you have found a way that works for you, use
it only untill you find a better way, because there is always a better way. Man has not come close to reaching his
full potential physically and especially mentally. What is it they say, we only use 10% of our brains, can you
imagine, if we used one percent more, what a difference it could make. I believe keeping an open mind and
exploring your options is a good way to fill out that extra one percent. As for reaching 100 percent that is up to
all of mankind as well as each individual who must play his or her part.
I guess I'll start with an introduction. There are many aspects to being a good martial artist, I do not
know all of them and I am only a Blue belt in Tae Kwon Do but hey I'm writing this to help improve
myself any way so what does it matter?
The most important feature is probably controlling of the emotions and using them to help you instead
of hindering you. ( Zen attitude, indifferent to death or injury at time of confrontation but caring after
struggle is over. What good does it do to worry anyway?
The next point to consider is that although TKD is an art, it is also part science. It's like a circle of
science surrounded by a circle of art. Without the science you can not have the art. But not Vice Versa!
While the art can greatly expand your science, you can not have the art with out science
It would be like building a house without a foundation. Here is a list of your basic kicks and an
explanation of how to execute them.
Bichigi swing
· From a fighters stance lift back knee to waist height
Comparison of bichigi's
1 Bichigi swing is the most powerful of the bichigi's because of it's follow through.
2 Normal Bichigi is good if you want to follow with another bichigi or a opposing leg non-spin kick eg. Bichigi followed by
drop kick, push kick or bichigi!
3 Cut bichi gi: A good counter after step back and is a good way to draw opponent in if you throw it to your opponent's
kidneys
4 Counter bichigi is good to counter after side step or cut bichigi to kidneys
(Perform the next steps at almost the same time in order {FLOW!})
· Turn back foot so toes are pointing away from target
· Turn shin so it's parallel to ground
· extend knee
· place toes in curled pos.
RETRACT into forward fighter stance!
Side Kick
· From Fighters stance lift front knee towards chest ( but not straight up, slightly towards front of body
· Using gluteus and hips and quads push out front foot towards target ( waist height)
· When kick is fully extended back foot should spin completely away from target to put your "hips" into the kick!
· RETRACT into fighters stance!
Front Kick
Back Kick
Axe Kick Remember to lift leg as high as possible over target because there is less power if you just lift your
leg high enough to reach the target.
Edan Round Kick can be a nice way to start a match. It says hello with out walking to far in the door. In other
words, you are not over comitting but your telling your opponent Hi, this is not going to be an e asy time for you.
Another good time to throw edan round kick is when you and your opponent ar both tired and just sitting their. If
you can get up enough energy, speed and emotion for on more blast then, you may just nail your opponent. ( Like
breaking the door down after walking out of your opponent's house.)
COUNTER SIDE KICK VS COUNTER PUSH KICK
Push kick may actually be a safer counter stop, hit against someone who fakes because it does not leave you out
of position and it is an attack if opponent fakes. With counter side kick, if opponent does not attack then you are
vulmerable and on one leg if opponent uses fakes. Another variation of a kick that can be converted from a
counter against a bichigi to an attack would be a rear leg drop kick. Kicks which can be a counter or attack in one
motion: Axe Kick and push kick.
The reason bichigi is so easy to counter is that it is a circular attack and you are completely squaring your upper
body giving your opponent a big, big target if he has good timing. Bichigi is usually the first kick that tae kwon
do practioners learn to stop-hit against.
( It may be good to start the match throwing counter side kick and once you opponent gets smart to this
technique and starts using fakes this may be a good time to switch to a rear leg push kick; drop kick or front kick
as a counter against bichigi: in more general terms a linear stop-hit takes the center line and the circular bichigi
becomes useless unless your opponent can mess up your timing.
TKD
Attack using a flowing momentum using both legs and attacking body and head if there is no attempt to
counter and only linear backward motion you will catch up if you have patience.
E.g.
Bichigi, Back kick, Bichigi repeat ]
Backing up is the basic TKD defense it is not the worst thing to do but you must find other ways to stop
a aggressive opponent.
Such as circling, this throws off the straight line attacker and will leave him confused and wondering
how he can enter your incredible defense!
Sidesteps must also be used in combination with counters to stop a very aggressive opponent who can
even penetrate a great defense.
The following are some attributes all TKD practitioners can work on.
· Good control over techniques
· good balance
· power
· speed
· flowing combinations
· combining hands and feet
· not to get hit
· Side step, counter
· relaxed stance, side step counter
· stop hitting
· hitting opp while he is on one leg
(he's going to be really off balance, really fast
· Use kicks other than Bichigi and side kick
· jab cross, back kick
· Feet, hand , feet, repeat!
· Close the distance as quickly and safely as possible when attacking
· throw fakes to bring out counters or make opponent jumpy
· After you counter, Attack!
SEMINAR TECHNIQUES DECEMBER 1997 ( MASTER AUSTIN BOYD)
1 OPP:COUNTER BACK KICK
YOU: PUSH KICK HIM IN THE BUTT
2 YOU:FAKE TO DRAW COUNTER BACK KICK
OPP: COUNTER BACK KICK
YOU:BICHIGI
3 YOU:FAKE, WHICH THROWS OPP TIMING OFF, HIT
4 OPP: EDAN BICHIGI
YOU: SWITCH BACK, BICHIGI, SLIDE BACK
5 OPP: SPIN JUMP BICHIGI
YOU: SLIDE FEET TO PARALLEL, DOUBLE BICHIGI
MORE TKD TIPS
Something to remember
Try not to become to dependent on one leg for kicking, because this tells your opponent what to look for in your
attacks. If you are in kicking range your opp says O.K. right leg or vice versa. In other words it just decreases
your number of weapons from 4( hands and feet) to 3.
Foot Pads add to clumsiness and slow you down and make you more careless with bichigi's.
Bouncing: Is a good way to stay on your toes and it adds to your deceptiveness. But you must be careful, because
if you bounce to high your opp will pick you off like a beach ball. Also do not always keep the same rhythm
because after awhile your opponent will figure out your rhythm (if he she is very observant.) Also do not just
bounce when attacking because opponent will know for sure when you are attacking.
· Do not over reach when you are fighting, keep your balance and attack with flow
· Do not telegraph techniques with baby steps as so many beginners do
· Do not stiffen up when hit, relax and absorb blows when hit
· For Bichigi's follow through, but do not go over board. You should be able to keep on a line when throwing this technique.
LINE OF SIGHT
Use your peripheral vision when sparring, do not look at just your opponents hands or feet or head!
Ways of defending
1 Side step, counter
2 Circle, counter
3 Jam opponents technique
4 Stop hits
5 Blocking (or parrying or absorbing blows)
TIP: When kicking your opponent's body with bichigi allow your foot to wrap around your opponent's chest pad so that you
do not hyper extend your ankle in plantar flexion.
TRAINING EXERCISES\
1 One step sparring, you let your opponent hit you then you hit your oponent and continue for one minute or more in continuous
flow.
2 Two step sparring (as above)
3 Three step sparring (as above)
4 Opponent does foot work attacks with switches, but no kicks and you counter with side step, counters and stop hits.
5 Tag team sparring: same as WWF, this lets you get use to a situation where you have to change your fighting style to match
your opponents on a momement's notice, as well as fight an opponent who has not been in the ring as long and this allows you
to test your mental and physical endurance. Also it can be used so that you have to get by your opponent to make the tag
which is also a good test of confidence and believing you can get by your opponent and out of a corner.
6 A good way that most Tae Kwon Do techniques are taught at Chong Lee school's is this:
Show an attact and get students to practice this attack then once they can perform the attack then you add the counter for that
technique.
7 Sparring: Where you can only use bichigi's and bichigi counters
PUNCHING BAG EXERCISES
1 Double side kick: Side kick, counter side kick
2 Front kick, counter front kick
3 Tap round kicks
4 Push kick, counter back kick
5 Right leg bichigi step back, left leg bichigi, repeat for 30s-2min
6 Right leg bichigi, edan bichigi step back, left leg bichigi, left leg edan bichigi, repeat for 30s-2min
7 Push kick, counter hook punch
8
DRILLS
Same directions ( Melvin Hibbs)
Best kicks
· Bichigi
· Side kick (either side)
· push kick (either side)
Opposite directions
· Spinning Bichigi
· Back kick
· edan bichigi
· side kick(either side)
· push kick(either side)
If you go to the head opposite directions or same directions, it does not matter which side you hit because both
sides are open.
DRILL
3 Pad holders: Kick each pad clock wise or counter clockwise (flow) for 30 sec; 1min etc
Circuit Drill: Have different pad holders on outer edges of dojang and kick each as you fly by move quickly to keep lines
flowing also add plyometrics and rolls.
Dodge Ball: Very good game to practice evasion and team work: (tip stand square and when your opp throws ball turn side
ways to make as small a target as possible.
Line Drill:
1 Jog
2 Knees up
3 feet in front
4 feet behind
5 side ways jumping jacks
6 run ˝ way forward and ˝ way back
7 with partner foot work drills; switches etc;
Drill: Chase pad holder with 2 clapper pads for 1 min as they feed you different kicks.
Drill: Pad holder on either side of you and do kicks with each leg and as you hit back and forth between 2 pad holders.
Grappling and other dirty tricks for the street!
1 Strikes to the eyes
2 Strikes to the throat
3 Strikes to the groin
4 Strikes to the knees
5 Strikes to the Back or spine
6 Choke holds from behind
7 Choke holds from the front
8 Arm locks
9 Leg Locks
10
Wrestling/Judo/Jujitsu Techniques
Chicken wing
Half Nelson
Full Nelson
Arm drag, Naked Strangle
Mount Position
· Knees tucked under elbows
· Neck break
· Eye poke
· Chin Pressure Point
· Behind Ear Pressure Point
TRIANGLE CHOKE
GUARD
When defending mount position
Shuto blocks or parries
Clinch , waist time wait for help or escape by
Bridging and rolling
SELF DEFENSE TECHNIQUES
Against Kicks
Opp: throws bichigi, front kick or push kick
You: Use a circular sweeping of the hand to catch the foot and throw your opponent off balance { which can be followed up
with an attack from the rear, possibly a rear choke or other grappling tactics.
Opp: throws round kick
You: catch leg and twist opponent in the direction that will make him land on his stomach
Opp: bichigi or round kick
You: Catch leg, throw back fist if you want to stun opp, then step behind opponents planted foot, tripping your opp while you
push chest or face with open hand ( this can also be a open hand strike)
Against punches
Opp: Round house punch
You: Slip to the inside placing your same side hand under opponents punching hand and judo throw opponent.
Opp: Round house punch
You: Slip to the inside grab punching arm with your " same hand" and " over top" then use wrestling stand up firemen's carry.
Chokes
- rear naked strangle
- half nelson choke
- chicken wing, choke
- guillotine choke
- forearm to wind pipe choke
- triangle choke from "guard position"
DEFENSE AGAINST A REAR CHOKE
- Remember that you only have so much time to escape because it does not take very long for the blood supply to your brain
to be cut off when your two carotid arteries are blocked.
You grab wrist of opponents hand which is around your neck, you then lift it and swing it to opposite side of where it has been
attempting to choke you and use hip motion, like in judo to flip opponent over or attempt a arm break straighting opponent's
arm and completing a quick snapping type motion.
Pankration technique
"Ladder trick"
You leap or position your self on your opponents back piggy back style and encirle his abdomen with your legs
and choke him from behind. ( Might work well against a much bigger opponent but if he falls back fast you better
get out of there in a hurry)
Could be tricky against anyone who can throw you off ( judo; wrestler; jujitsu)
TAE KWON DO LOW KICKS
1 Instep kick directly to knee or groin.
2 Side kick directly to knee or inside of knee or out side
13 bichigi to inside or outside of knee
14 Cut bichigi to groin from front or rear
Low kicks can be very useful in street fighting because your groin is more well protected and if on a unsteady
surface it may be your only option to use kicks. Also low kicks can be used as a distraction technique in that you
hit low than high with a punch or go into grappling range after hitting with a low kick.
GETTING BEHIND YOUR OPPONENT
One of the keys to effective grappling is to get behind your opponent. Ameteur wrestler's have a number of ways to get behind
their opponent. So if you know how to choke you can use duck unders, chicken wings and arm drags as well as a wide variety
of other wrestling techniques which are used to get behind your opponent. In wrestling though the opponent tries to go to his
back in reality fighters would never expose their back on purpose. No matter how big some one is though they can be choked
out. Get behind your opponent, sweep a leg to take down for choke.
A good way to practice the "naked choke" is to use a plastic 2 L pop bottle and assume the position because
this is about the size of a persons neck ( maybe a little bigger)
Meditation, What's the good of it? not sure yet! ACTUALLY NOW I REALIZE SOME MEDITATION IS NEEDED
FOR PROPER RELAXATION IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.
FIGHTING MULTIPLE ATTACKERS( AVOID AT ALL COST)
If you find your self in this grim situation avoid it at all cost. If they want you to say they can fight better than you or what ever,
just go along and say all right, especially if they have weapons and of course if you can run fast and this is possible it is likely a
better option.
1 Go for the weak link, if you know one of the attackers can not fight, or believe you can control him, take it to grappling range
and get to his rear for a choke and use him as a human sheild.
2 Attack your opponents flank if more that 2 attackers, never go to the center where all attackers can circle you.
3 If you can throw and get a chance, throw one opponent into another taking 2 opponents out of the action.
4 Never let an opponent get behind you if possible and if this happens always shift postions so they can not attack your back or
choke you out or hold you so that there buddy can wail away on you.
5 Do not be nice, If multiple attackers have a reason( or not!) to beat you up this is a serious threat to your life and it is no time
to go easy. ( once you have committed to fighting) Hit to break bones, hit to kill if you have to. No holding back it is you or
them!
6 If you can find a weapon, a chair a bottle what ever is available!
Halifax Tournament October 4, 1997 (CARABIN'S)
NAME
BELT LEVEL
SPARRING
BOARD BREAKS
SPARRING RECORD
FORMS
WENDY
RED
SECOND
0-1
FIRST
CHRIS
RED
FIRST
COMPETED
2-0
THIRD
JASON D.
GREEN
FIRST
THIRD
2-0
MICHELLE
YELLOW
FIRST
2-0
BRAD
YELLOW
SECOND
1-1
STEVEN
YELLOW
SECOND
0-1
WARREN
BLUE
THIRD
0-1
THIRD
AUDREY
YELLOW
THIRD
0-1
DOROTHY
YELLOW
THIRD
0-1
TROY
GREEN
THIRD
0-1
COMPETED
TEAM
7-7
TOURNAMENT MATCHES WON LOST BELT LEVEL
HALIFAX (CARABINS) 2 1 1 ORANGE
GREENWOOD 1 0 1 ORANGE
HALIFAX 1 0 1 GREEN
HALIFAX 2 2 0 GREEN
GREENWOOD 1 0 1 GREEN
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 1 0 1 BLUE
SHEARWATER MILITARY BASE, DARTHMOUTH(WHITE’S) 2 1 1 RED STRIPE
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 1 0 1 RED STRIPE
WU YUNG’S HALIFAX 1 0 1 RED BELT
GREENWOOD 1 0 1 RED BELT
ANTIGONISH (OLYMPIAN TAEKWONDO) 1 0 1 RED BELT
SYDNEY(MARTY MACDOUGALL) 2 1 1 RED BELT(SHORTLY AFTER
PROMOTED TO BLACK STRIPE)
HALIFAX(CARANBIN’S) 1 0 1 BLACK STRIPE
Sydney (Marty Macdougall’s
1 0 1
TOTALS 18 6 12 .333PCT
14 tournaments competed in total
GREENWOOD TOURNEMENT (OCTOBER 25, 1997)
NAME
BELT LEVEL
SPARRING
BOARD BREAKS
SPARRING RECORD
FORMS
WENDY
RED
FIRST
1-0
CHRIS
RED
FIRST
2-0
JASON D.
GREEN
THIRD
0-1
SHANNON
ORANGE
SECOND
2-1
BRAD
YELLOW
COMPETED
0-1
STEVEN
YELLOW
FIRST
2-0
WARREN
BLUE
COMPETED
0-1
AUDREY
YELLOW
THIRD
1-1
DOROTHY
YELLOW
COMPETED
0-1
DANIELLE
WHITE
DISQUALIFIED
-
MELISSA
YELLOW
COMPETED
0-1
SAMANTHA
ORANGE
SECOND
0-1
TERA SEVERSON
WHITE
SECOND
1-1
TEAM RECORD
9-9
PEI TOURNAMENT
NAME
BELT
SPARRING
FORMS/
KICK OFF
WON- LOST
MELVIN HIBBS
2ND DAN
1ST
1-0
WENDY JEWERS
BLACK STRIPE
1ST
1ST
1-0
CHRIS HODGINS
BLACK STRIPE
1ST
1ST
2-0
JASON DOIRON
BLUE BELT
2ND
2ND
0-1
CHRISTOPHER
BLUE BELT
COMPETED
3RD
0-1
WARREN HONEYCUTT
BLUE BELT
COMPETED
COMPETED
0-1
CATHRI
YELLOW BELT
1ST
1ST
2-0
MICHELLE HART
YELLOW BELT
2ND
2ND
1-1
BRAD LANDRY
GREEN STRIPE
3RD
?
2-1
ALLISON
YELLOW BELT
2ND
3RD
1-1
SAMANTHA
GREEN
3RD
1ST
0-1
DENNIS
WHITE
1ST
COMPETED
2-0
STEVE
WHITE
COMPETED
3RD
0-1
VERONICA
WHITE
3RD
BILL ROGERS
YELLOW STRIPE
3RD
3RD
1-1
DAVE BROWN
YELLOW STRIPE
COMPETED
COMPETED
0-2
JORDAN
YELLOW BELT
2ND?
2ND
TEAM
14-12
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
TOTAL
9
6
8
23
BEST TOURNAMENT FOR THE TEAM TO DATE!
SHEARWATER TOURNAMENT APRIL 12, 1998
NAME
BELT
SPARRING
FORMS
WON-LOST
WENDY JEWERS
BLACK
1ST
COMPETED
2-0
JASON DOIRON
RED STRIPE
2ND
COMPETED
1-1
CAMERON MACDONALD
RED STRIPE
3RD
2ND
0-1
COLIN
YELLOW STRIPE`
2ND
COMPETED
1-1
BILL ROGERS`
YELLOW
3RD
COMPETED
0-1
TERA
GREEN STRIPE
1ST
2-0
ALLISON
GREEN STRIPE
3RD
0-1
NAOMI MIFLIN
YELLOW
2ND
3RD
1-1
MORGAN
YELLOW
3RD
WARREN HONEYCUTT
RED STRIPE
3RD
COMPETED
0-1
JORDAN
GREEN STRIPE
?
?
?
CHRIS HODGINS
BLACK BELT
3RD
1ST
1-1
SAMANTHA HODGINS
BLUE STRIPE
1ST
1ST
2-0 ?
DOUGLAS
TEAM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
TOTAL
4
3
6
13 + WENDY'S
MY FIRST TOURNAMENT( WON SILVER MEDAL) (1-1) HALIFAX:ST. PATRICK'S HIGH (SUMMER OF
1994) (CARABIN'S)
What I used that worked: Side kick; punches; bichigi, edan bichigi combo; front leg round kick
Other techniques I tried: Axe kick; hook kick.
Opponent#1:(won) He started out by hitting me low and I believe he was deducted a point. This did not make me very
happy(a bit of rage).; At this point I began a continuous attack for the rest of the match. I threw 3 consecutive side kicks
pushing him out of the ring. Then I started to use a combination I practiced quite a bit before the tournament on the heavy bag:
bichigi, edan bichigi. I probably telegraphed my techniques quite a bit but I was only a orange belt at the time and did not know
any better. But this guy was not much of a fighter so I got away with just over powering him with sloppy techniques.
Opponent#2: (lost)This guy was much better than the first opponent, he hit me with quite a few sidekicks, a couple of bichigi''
and a counter back kick early in the fight. But than I began to attack him with a barrage of head hunting techniques which put a
little fear in him. I threw a axe kick which just missed his nose and then I just missed with a hook kick. But then came the point
which made it so that I did not care that I lost the match. He was tired ( who would not be after hitting someone so many times)
and we were just staring each other down. Then I threw the best front leg round kick I ever threw in my life. He received a
standing 8 count but still won the match on points of course. But even though I lost, that feeling I received when I threw one of
my best kick's ever made going to my first tournament all worth while.
TOURNAMENT#2 GREENWOOD, NOVA SCOTIA (FALL OF 1994)
Opponent#1(lost bad)(WAGNER'S)
The trip it self was fun but this fight was not very fun unless you like headaches. I went with Melvin Hibbs , Jerome Stewart and
Tommy Samson. I was an orange belt and my opponent was only a yellow belt so I kind of under estimated him. I thought this
guy looks like my grand mother could beat him ( and she's dead) I started off by throwing a sliding side kick which I greatly
telegraphed ( actually it seemed like I phoned him a day earlier). He jammed this technique and we were kind of tangled up so I
figured the referee might separate us but before I new it I was receiving a round kick to the head. Than I received another
round kick before the referee gave me a standing 8 count. I thought what the *$%# is going on. How can he hit me with a
round kick when my face is about 2 inches from his face. I found out later what he was using was cut round kick, when you lift
your leg straight up, hitting your opponent at a upward angle. So I was once again was not very happy. But then he got me with
another one ( to say the least I was starting to get worried about brain damage after another standing 8 count . I came back a
little after wards catching him with some punches and edan bichigi's. I also caught him with edan round kick but he caught my
leg and threw me to the floor. But out of all the tournaments I have went to I learned the most from this one( probably because
I made the most mistakes) But I would not mind going to a tournament and meeting up with this guy again because I sort of
owe him a few shots to the head.
TOURNAMENT#3 HALIFAX ( SUMMER OF 1995) O-1; BRONZE ( I ALSO TRIED FORMS FOR THE
FIRST TIME AND I THINK I MET AUSTIN BOYD?)(CARABIN'S)
Opponent#1(lost but should have won)Basically I think I got robbed at this tournament, I hit my opponent with a ton of side
kicks and a counter side kick and he hit me with what I'll call no force bichigi's but the judges gave it to him. I also tried bichigi,
spinning hook kick.
TOURNAMENT#4 HALIFAX OCTOBER 7, 1997 (2-0; I WON GOLD IN SPARRING AND A BRONZE IN
BOARD BREAKS, BLACK BELT DIVISION.(CARABIN'S)
Opponent#1(won)
Troy from our club. He gave me a good fight. I goofed up on a couple of techniques early, missing with side kick. He hit me in
the groin. I then started throwing lots of bichigi's and punches. I also hit him with a counter side kick. My feet were sore after
this battle. Eddy from my old club was also at this tournament he weighed around 260lbs at 16yrs old!
Opponent#2(won)
He was a big guy. I nailed him with a switch, round kick early in the match, it was my best kick ever in a tournament, he
received a standing 8 count
Board break: 1 inch punch, spinning hook kick, 2 boards for edan drop kick only broke one, but broke second board on
second try.
TOURNAMENT#5 GREENWOOD NOVA SCOTIA OCTOBER 25, 1997
0-1; BRONZE(WAGNER'S)
Opponent#1(lost bad!)
It seems every time I go to Greenwood for a tournament I have a hard time. I got a by in the first round and then I fought a big
strong fella. He weighed around 240lbs. He had an incredible right leg counter back kick and back kick. This combined with
my nervousness caused me to not fight very well, I caught him with one good bichigi to the kidneys and a couple of edan
bichigi's but he pretty much destroyed me.
TOURNAMENT#6
CHARRLOTOWN, PEI FEBUARY 7, 1998(BOYD'S)
Opponent#1(lost but should have won)
I fought a 195lb green belt. I am pretty sure it was bad judging that caused me to lose. I kicked him in
the head with a front leg
round house kick and got a piece of him with a spinning hook kick and also nipped his nose with another
front leg round house kick, I also hit him with a front leg round house to the body and nailed him with a
hook punch that winded him. He left the match limping and sore while I was O.K. so at least that was a
good thing.
All he hit me with was with a few soft round houses to the body that I could not
even feel. ( maybe because of adrenaline?) The rest of his kicks I blocked. He threw more kicks but I scored more
points. All the people on my team that watched said I won so I was a little
disappointed but it was one of my best matches at a tournament so that was pretty
good. I should have thrown more kicks. He was the aggressor. Maybe at times but I feel I blocked most
of his kicks. I also did a bob and weave under a round house kick. I also tried bichigi to kidneys, counter
back kick but he countered to fast or maybe I was to slow. I could have definitely went to town with a
switch back kick or round kick because he could not counter stop hit. He only used switch back, bichi
gi. I also side stepped but should have countered after side stepping. I threw counter back kick but
missed, I also threw a back kick but he went for one at the same time and I hit him in the back. I should
have thrown more combinations which I did not and not let him throw so many kicks.
SHEARWATER MILITARY BASE APRIL 12, 1998
Match one
Vs Cameron: our team did not like it but I had to fight Cameron first round because George got a bye
I fought fairly well, I got points early with side kick and bichigi's. I went for bichigi, back kick combo and he jammed the back
kick as happened earlier in sparring and took one on the shins. I then slowed the match as much as I could by threating counter
side kick, if he attacked with bichigi from right leg forward stance as he usually does. It seemed like the match was over very
quickly and I won. I do not think he got any points on me, I side stepped well, which was good and is only something that I
started doing at the PEI tournament, not that I do not side step at the club but at tournaments I was usually a straight line fighter.
Match 2 vs George
I went for a counter side kick right off the bat and he got me with a bichigi to the groin. It was quite painful. I hit him with edan
round kick as well.I also put him on his butt with a punch when he was on one leg. I tried switch round kick and Colin said it
looked like he swept my leg. ( It seemed like he may have fought dirty on purpose but maybe not)[benefit of the doubt] But I
still should have won and I was dissapointed with this performance. I should have went switch back kick. He had no counter's
to speak of and all he threw was bichigi's and round kick. It seemed like he may have used a broken rhythm unintentionally
because he was not very good. If there is another opportunity I know I can beat him. I was semi happy with my performance,
but when I seen George could not counter I should have took the match to him with switch back kick, side kick and bichigi's. I
never tried side step edan crescent kick or axe and back kick was attempted but unsucessfully. I tried switch round kick but he
sweeped me, I should have used my classic conditioning method by throwing switch back kick before this technique.
Push kick as a counter may be safer than side kick in some cases to avoid groin kicks from those who throw bichigi straight up
as George did. My timing was off on stop hits.
(If some one throws bichigi straight up counter side kick can be dangerous because of the possiblility of a groin kick.(Push kick
may be safer to avoid the groin kick. George was clumsy and I should have taken advantage of this
Punches to kicks would have worked as well.
I did not shoot out my attacks full speed like usually, maybe tension was holding me back. I have to explode into the technique.
I should throw punches after bichigi to avoid opp from getting points in close, unless they can over power me or have a superb
counter back kick from in close. Stop hits and same height or taller opponent?
It becomes more difficult to use stop hits against taller or equal height opponents especially if they throw bichigi straight up.
Move later)
In close a good puncher can stop a equally good kicker from throwing his kicks in close so I see no reason not to throw more
punches like I was in the past. Not against people who punch to the face though! I plan on increasing the number of punches I
throw especially at tournaments, but I need to set up kicks with my punches for points to win.Over all at this tournament my
strategy was good ( game plan) but my tactics ( kicks) should have been more varied. More back kicks and doubles and axe
kicks and crescent kicks and maybe even a spinning hook kick or 2. I should have thrown lots more kicks.
If you can out skill and power your opponent but have less stanima, you should slow the match down, to a very technical stand
still when tired. Where you can use timing and technique to beat your opponent. But when you throw kicks use combos and get
as many points as possible. If I learned one thing from this tournament it is the importance of varying your game plan when
something is not working. Also be decisive and do not hesitate.
PEI TOURNAMENT
Summer of 1998 (June)
Lost(0-1)
This was the second time I went to PEI for a tournament. It was during the summer and we took the ferry over that was really
cool.
It was incredibly hot and muggy the day of the tournament and it seemed like it took forever before my match: This is definitely
one of my pet peeves with tournaments, most of the bigger ones take incredibly long. I fought a guy named Damian and did not
fight well at all. I hit a few bichigi’s. He use a real cool block to
Block a round kick to the head that I threw. He just lifted his arm straight up to block his head( kind of a dangerous block
considering his body was wide open.
September of 1998 (0-1)
Wu Yung Jung’s tournament
PEI fighter nailed me with a counter back kick and knocked my wind out. I was proud that I actually
was able to continue and I nailed him with and Edan Round Kick.
October of 1998(0-1)
Fought Jocelyn again Great fight. I faked him out of his mind and hit with bichigi’s early the a double
bichigi(not that clean)
Then he got a round kick in and backed me out of the ring a few times. I then nailed him with my best
counter side kick ever. Putting him on his butt, it felt great, I lost but great match ( Jocelyn won the
tournament again)
October of 1999(0-1) Antigonish Olympian Taekwondo’s first tournament, very well run but one guy
got really nailed with a spinning hook kick, knocking him out and he had to be taken to the hospital.
Thankfully he was o.k.
Vs Johnny again. I started off with some good edan bichigi’s. I sort of hit with counter back kick ( not
clean). I hit him low with a
Back kick after a bichigi, then I ran out of gas because I had not sparred since may of that year. That
is why he won
November 1999 Sydney at UCCB ( Marty Macdougall’s first tournament)(1-1)
Match 1: I fought my first match against Johnny (our 3rd match) I nailed him with a bichigi, back kick
out of the ring and other basic kicks, we had a good technical match. I won!
Match 2: I fought this match against an extremely fast blue stripe: he started the match nailing me
with a rear leg side kick. I then slowed the match down because of his speed and extremely good
round kicks. I controlled the distance and cirlcled my opponent
It was one of the most technical fights I have had. I Tried to get him with a round kick to the head but
missed and then I tried a spinning hook kick but fell. Late in the match I nailed him pretty good with a
counter side kick. Considering I was out of shape not a bad performance. (Lost)
March 2000 Halifax (Carabin’s at St.Mary’s Tower Gym)
Match 1: I started out hitting with a good edan pichigi, definitely a clean point, after I tried to go
pichigi to kidneys and he tried counter back kick but it missed. We did a lot a jamming and he tried
punches but was not very effective, I had just wanted to break, He later tried to take my head off with
a single power round house but he missed, he tried pichigi from open stance and I countered with
side kick, he caught me on the right arm with 2 pichigi’s and I hit 2 light counter sidekick’s. The only
clean point that I seen in the match was my edan pichigi, but they gave the match to him because I
backed up, although I did back up a bit I think I should have won, but I guess with taekwondo
matches you have to win convincingly to be sure you win so next tournament I go to I will get in great
shape for and will hopefully convincingly defeat my opponent! It showed me one thing I need to work
on is combinations and feinting so I can go forward more and be the aggressor.
November 4, 2000 East Coast Open ( Marty Macdougall’s
tournament)
I fought a red belt from the Korean Tigers Taekwondo: Sandy Pace is now the head instructor for there Sydney school.
I fought smart hit with edan peechs and made him miss. I threw punches to back him up and set up my feet with my hands.
He had a pretty good counter side kick the first round was probably around 3-1 for me.
I was tired by this round and slowed things down I fought at the edge of the ring but I out timed him making him miss and hit with more edans and a few counter side kicks I never through quite enough abc although I used my hands to set up my feet. I circled and moved a lot, I have been really working on foot work and it helped, I should have took more advantage of some good fakes that I used. He went for a head kick which missed me because I leaned my head back(very close) at the end of the match I nailed an edan round kick which made it pretty clear I was going to win.
(won gold medal)1-0
Weaknesses of TKD people in Tournament (Heavy Weights)
(Green Belt Level)
Do not punch good or at all
Do not counter much
Not much side stepping/circling
Slow
Strength's
Big, strong, hard to move and can take a good hit
BLACK BELT EXAM AND DEMO MARCH 15, 1998
Two people from Olympian Tae Kwon Do went for their black belt exam: Chris Hodgins who is 13 years old!
And Wendy Jewers; 22 years old. Some of the children from the club also put a demonstration on. Over all
things went very good. Wendy cut her foot though and slightly bruised them on boards but showed a lot of guts in
continuing. Chris never fought as good as usual but was nervous, his opponent was also very good, especially at
countering. Chris should have countered more and used to much straight line attacks. Wendy nailed her opponent
with a great edan drop kick counter, a couple of times. Which was quite aewsome. Chris's opponent threw a
round kick so fast I could hardly see it! Jerome Stewart contested after Austin Boyd stated that know other TKD
in Antigonish was WTF affiliated. It was found out that they are affiliated and Austin Boyd later corrected his
statement.
1998 NATIONALS IN ST.JOHN N.B.
We have 3 competitors going to the nationals. Wendy Jewers and Melvin Hibbs as well Chris Hodgins will be going to the
Junior Nationals in Laval, Quebec.
Ms. Jewers won her first match agaist a girl from Ontario, but lost her second against a girl from B.C. Mr. Hibbs lost his match
in a contreversial 0-0 match based on who was the aggressor.
Hitting elbows and injuries to the lower leg
In Care and Prevention of Athletic injuries Tara Sutherland told us lower leg injuries are the most common of all
injuries. I would like to say even more so in TKD. So I am all but outlawing using bichigis for my self. The only
one exception will be if I see an opening such as
Opp: Back kick
You: Step or Switch back, Bichigi or the occasional edan bichigi is a similar situation.
Some people hold their hands really low and try to block body shots with their elbows. You have to be careful
against this opponent. They will likely be an easy target for a head kick if you can throw a half decent one.
Becoming reliant on one leg is not a good thing to see which leg is weaker over all you should rate your kicks.
RATING YOUR KICKS: JASON DOIRON
LEFT LEG
KICK
RIGHT LEG
3
5
4
SIDE KICK
BACK KICK
3PUSH KICK
4
3
5
5
EDAN BICHIGI
3
5
BICHIGI
5
5
ROUND KICK
4
5
COUNTER SIDE KICK
2
4
SPINING HOOK KICK
3
5
EDAN BICHIGI
3
5
EDAN ROUND KICK
3
5
COUNTER BACK KICK
2
4
FAKE EDAN, BICHIGI
3
4
FAKE EDAN, ROUND KICK
2
2
SIDE STEP COUNTERS
2
3
DROP KICK
5
3
EDAN DROP KICK
5
SIDE STEP COUNTERS
Practice making it instantaneous you side step, then you counter. March 8th I danced around my opponent but
did not counter. Stop hits are great but against a faster fighter or a unpredictable fighter stop hits are to much
based on reaction time. Side stepping gives you time to analyze your opponent and then find opening and
counter.
The foot work I am now using ( the shuffle) has many advantages as far as being a one step movement but when circling or side
stepping you must be careful not to run into a kick. A circular kick like bichigi can be very useful to catch someone side
stepping in this way because your momentum carries you or your opponent into the kick(ouch!)
FROM TAO OF JEET KUNE DO
Properly used, side stepping is not only one of the prettiest moves, but is also a method of escaping all kinds of
attacks and countering an opponent when he least expects it. The art of side stepping as well as ducking and
slipping, is to move late and quick. You wait untill your opponents kick or blow is almost on you and then take a
step either to the right or left."
" In nearly all cases, you move first the foot nearest the direction you intend to go in in order to do the step in
the quickest possible manner, the body should sway over in the direction you are going before the step is made.
The rear foot then follows quickly and naturally and, in side stepping a rust, the fighter turns immediately and
counters his man as he flies past him."
If opponent exclusively uses front leg kicks, side step to his front
If opponent exclusively rear leg and spin kicks side step in the direction of where his back was.
If your opponent throws a rear leg attack or a spin kick with out a switch it is best to side step in the direction
where his back was because then you are in a position to counter legally TKD style, instantly.( This may be a
little more dangerous against spin kicks and it may be best just to side step to your opponents back and jam the
technique. Jamming is a very effective method of diminishing the effectiveness of your opponents kicks and in
self defense it would seem to be good to jam the kick then go to grappling if you feel you are superior to your
opponent in this area.)
It they throw edan it is best to side step to your opponent's front and then you are in a position to counter.
For side step counters to your opponents head it does not matter which side of your opponents head you catch
your opponent on. Same directions or opposite directions, it is all the same.
STOP HITS
When looking for the stop-hit it is best to attempt a stop-hit from same directions, opposite directions, side stepping and
jamming are most likely better ways to go.
An exeption may be front leg attacks. Like edan bichigi, If they square their upper body when throwing the technique. Any
front leg attack where they square them selves you will still likely be able to catch your opponent with a stop-hit counter.
Catching opponent on one foot is the best time for a stop hit because they are off balance and might just
fall over.
Simplest form of stop hits
Opp: Bichigi or drop kick or push kick
You: Counter Side Kick, Back Kick or Front Hand Strike
It is easiest to stop hit an opp coming in with rear leg kicks because they square their body making
them a big target.
The best way to counter a stop hit artist is the use of fakes or feints. This is because it blows the stop hit
artist's timing and weakens the force of the stop hit if he/she does connect.
When " looking" for the stop-hit it is best to attempt a stop-hit from same directions, opposite directons, side steping and
jamming are most likely better ways to go ( with the exception of counter side kick because I can get around my opponent's leg
with this technique. Another exception would be front leg attacks if opponent squares them selves to gain power. Any front leg
attack where your opponent squares themselves you will likely still be able to catch your opponent with a stop-hit counter.
When setting up counter side kick if your opponent fakes change to an attacking technique. Like push kick or bichigi. Which
will likely catch your opponent by surprise. ( push kick may be a better option because it gets inside any bichigi your opponent
would throw.
If opponent throwa a combination and you move straight back on the first kick or 2 and you wait for a bichigi or round kick to
come into the combination then throw counter side kick or bichigi.
LEADS AND ATTACKS
Use fakes against better opponents but against beginner's direct attacks
Closing Distance
Once in press opponent or retreat press with flow (ABC)
Back kick is one of the most flowing kicks combined with Bichigi
Bichigi, back kick, drop kick
Bichigi, back kick, round kick
FLOW
Flow from offense to defense after you hit with counter
Side kick, back kick or front hand strike
You should go right at your opponent unless he or she has already fell.
Hit with counter side kick follow with bichigi
Counter back kick, bichigi with same leg
There are 2 ways to flow when throwing a tae kwon do kicking combination. You can flow circularly, which
requires spinning kicks such as back kick, spinning hook kick or spinning bichigi in combination with bichigi .
Ie. Bichigi, spinning hook kick or bichigi, back kick or bichigi, spinning bichigi. Also you can use hip twisting
motions such as double bichigi's or boxing combinations such as jab, cross, hook.
Another type of combination with a little less flow would be to not use spinning or hip rotation combos such as
throwing side kick repeatedly or bichigi, edan bichigi.
The optimum way of attack by combination is to include all of these types of motion to confuse your opponent
and to over whelm your opponent with a variety of attacks and broken rhythm.
Should not always be on defense or offense but must have constant flow after stop hits or transition from attack
to defense if countered
DO NOT retreat straight back, circle, side step and stop hits are the best methods of defense block only if opp
catches you and back up only when hit!(absorb blow)
STEPPING FORWARD ATTACKS
Stepping forward adds momentum for circular motion which can be especially useful for front leg kicks which
you usually could not get circular motion from ( kicks where you lean over greatly may be an exception). It is
also a good way to cut the distance between you and your opponent.
2pts
- Adds flow
- Cuts distance
MY SPARRING
In my sparring, I have to go back to using some of that old animal instinct. What I mean by this is sometimes I
should really press my opponent, not just in a brawling type way but by pressing my opponent with 5 or 6 hit
combos. I am not saying to forget about countering but pressing your opponent is also a good way to go
especially if
- your bigger
- stronger
- faster
- your opponent can not stop hit.
It gives you that aggressor status that can make the difference between winning and losing.
May 6, 1998
I am neglecting back kick in my sparring and I need to start using it more attacking and countering.
DOUBLES
I use to dislike doubles but now I see a place for them in my sparring. Attack with them only if your opponent
does not have a good stop-hit ( counter side kick or back kick)
As a counter they can be added where ever you threw just bichigi before.
Opp: back kick
You: slide back, double bichigi
A FEW LITTLE TRICKS
To catch someone with a edan round kick.
Opposite directions, opp is tired
You: Edan round kick to opp's head
( In this way you will catch your opponent on his blind side and this kick is somewhat hidden and a very fast way
of popping your opponent in the head)
Jab, cross to body ( this will bring opp hands down), round kick
Opening a line is very important when sparring: Go high, low or low , high or left, right or any combination of these steps.
Momentum is a very important component to combinations you should not try to go against momentum but use
its flow to attack your opp
FIGHTING OPPONENTS WITH DIFFERENT ATTRIBUTES
TALLER FIGHTER
:You must get in and stay at close range where you can use your weapons and your taller opponent can not.
:It is difficult to go straight in against a taller fighter especially if they have a good counter side kick or back
kick (stop hits) If you are faster you may be able to go straight in or you could use angles to sneak into your
opponents defense.
You can also use fakes to "draw" the stop hit and then attack while your opponent is off balance. For example
when some one throws a counter back kick, which you drew out of your opponent you can time your counter to
this technique while opponent is on one foot or off balance and therefore has very limited opportunities of
defense.
SHORTER FIGHTER
You must use your reach to keep your opponent away, always beat this opponent to the punch. Try to never let
this opponent get in a position where he/she can attack, but you can not. (close in). In other words control the
range or fighting distance. If you are faster and have better timing you can use the stop-hit to leave your
opponent helpless and at your mercy. If your opponent does not know how to deal with the stop hit he is in
trouble. If your opponent is to fast it will be very difficult to time the stop hit especially if your opponent is a
competent faker. So a better option in this case may be to let your opponent attack and side step, counter while
your opponent is off balance. Also if you are stronger than this opponent you can use attack by combination to
overwhelm your opponents defenses. But if they can stop-hit or side step, counter you must be very careful with
closing the distance. Using edan bichigi and edan round kick to feel out this opponent may be another option
early in the fight.
POWERFUL FIGHTER
Keep this fighter off balance, use speed to beat him to the punch. If he hits make his techniques weaker by
jamming or moving with the attack. (Try not to step into this opponents hits!)
Be careful but remember that some times with power comes less control and loss of coordination and balance.
Use this to your advantage by hitting this opponent more than he hits you.
COUNTER FIGHTER
Make them attack Stop hit artist: use feints to draw opponent's stop hit then counter with your own counter or us
feints and attacks just to throw timing off. Never just throw a straight line attack unless you are sure you can use
your speed to get past their stop hit.
Offensive Fighter: Attack, attack, attack, or stop hit or side step, counter.
FAST FIGHTER
Do not let your faster opponent throw combinations, never step straight back, especially if this opponent has lots
of flow. Side step as well. Stop hits will be difficult because it is harder to time them against a faster opponent.
When you are attacking never use direct attacks, use feints, angles and classic conditioning techniques. A good
way to use a classic conditioning technique is to throw a linear kick like back kick or side kick preceded by a
switch which cuts distance, then throw a more circular attack like swith, round kick in this way you are going to
have your opponent thinking linear attack and then you go circular attack and you should be less likely to be
stop-hit.
THE ATTACKER
If someone constantly attacks you have no time for set ups and can only counter. The good thing is the constant
attacker leaves themselves open to a number of counters.
OUTSIDE FIGHTER: The outside fighter gets the point either by stop hits or attacking then retreating, you must
pressure this type of fighter and get to the inside. If they always seem to be fighting on the outside it is likely
they are a weaker inside fighter so that is where you should take it to them if it is truly their weakness.
INSIDE FIGHTER: The inside fighter is usually a constant attacker but he may use counter back kick as well.
This type of fighter leaves him self open to counters and you must use this factor against your opponent.
BLOCKERS: This opponent can be a real pain to fight against in taekwondo because if you attack the body you
are likely going to hit a elbow and hurt your self that is if you use bichigi's. A better option may be to fake to the
body and go to the head: Fake bichigi, round kick.
MOVERS: Can also be called circlers or side steppers, their method of avoiding being hit is an advanced one,
rather than block they move with your attack and avoid it and then counter, this type of fighter is very difficult to
fight and against this type of fighter the game of chess begins.
STOP HIT ARTISTS: Very difficult to fight, use fakes to draw the stop hit then counter.
No one person is just one of these traits but a combination it is up to you to analyze your opponent and find out
which traits are predominant. It is like the old saying life is not just black and white, but also many shades of
grey.
BABY STEPPER: This is done by many beginners and if all they do is attack, they will get caught by the counter
fighter but when used by a more advanced taekwondo artist it becomes a pressure procedure by which you draw
out your opponent's counter and then counter the counter.
This should not be used all the time because against a pure counter fighter, this opponent may be able to read
your fakes and catch you coming in. Also if your opponent is faster it can be a dangerous tactic.
This type of fighting is fairly aggressive but also uses counters.
PHILOSOPIES
"A certain amount of the martial arts can not be learned by listening or looking but must be felt and
attained, through experience."
In other words you can not learn how to drive a bike by reading a book or watching someone else ride a
bike: you have to do it!
This holds through in all walks of life: a certain amount of experience is necessary.
BALANCE
"Balance in the martial arts as well as in life is one of the most important aspects on the road to
success."
If all you can do in the martial arts is fight and you do not see the philosophical or spiritual side it is
like being blind and grabbing a elephant's trunk thinking you have a fire hose.
Balance keeps you from falling in more ways than one(flow from offence to defense)
In a fight it allows you to flow from one attack to another and to change to defense if necessary. While in
life it allows you to focus on the more important things in like and get your priorities straight.
" I want to stregnthen every part of my fight. A person will always have weaknesses but you also have to
give yourself a chance to find your stregnths."
In this essay I will attempt to answer three questions: How can Tae Kwon Do make us better people; what effect
does Tae Kwon Do have on my everyday life; what am I able to do to support my school? I will first attempt to
answer the question how can Tae Kwon Do make us better people.
There are a number of ways in which Tae Kwon Do makes us better people. One attribute which it helps us to
improve is critical analysis. Tae Kwon Do helps us to be more critical of our own actions and get to know our
selves better. You practice a technique, you go over every detail with your instructor and pay attention to every
flaw as well as everything that is working correctly for the technique. You practice, practice and practice some
more. This helps you to learn how to pay attention to details which may seem small but are very important to our
lives as well as each technique. You may know hundred's of techniques, but if you know 4 or 5 techniques
extremely well you will likely defeat every opponent in Tae Kwon Do who knows 100 techniques but only half
as well. You must master each kick; technique or lesson in life. If you learn one lesson well in life you are likely
better off than some one who learns 100 lessons half hearted and only understands, half of that lesson. So the
lesson to be learned from this analogy is to learn what you must learn well. Examine every detail, dot all the I's
and cross all the T's. But remember learn each lesson well or why bother learning it at all.
Another lesson Tae Kwon Do teaches us about being a better person is to attempt to learn the correct lessons to
reach your goals. There is only so much time allotted to each persons life. It may be 20, 30, 40, 50 or 100 years.
We do not know. But we must learn the lessons that we believe will help us reach our goals in life. These goals
may be long life, money, happiness, a family or it may come in many other forms. What ever our goals may be
short term and long, we must remove all the obstacles we can. One of which is learning lessons which may not
help us reach our goals. These are irrelevant lessons that may come in the form of distractions such as TV;
drinking; partying or what ever else is not part of our goals.
We must examine ourselves and discover our goals and get to know our true selves. Tae Kwon Do offers many
different things to many different people. If you ask a 100 people how it has helped them you may get 100
answers. But hopefully in the end these persons will learn to be true to themselves and find their "truths" in life.
Following their own path to their own goals.
One thing that I remember from Mr. Boyd's seminar is that you must know yourself and your opponent in order
to maximize your chances of winning. If you knew exactly how and when your opponent would strike and how
and when you should attack than you will beat your opponent almost every time
Another lesson Tae Kwon Do has taught me is to keep an open mind and listen to all points of view. In this way I
try to not close my mind to other peoples idea's. If you close your mind to other peoples ideas than you are
limiting your potential to learn. Just because we do not agree with something today does not mean we will not
agree with it tomorrow. More information may be obtained which changes your opinion on a situation or
information. This is all a matter of perception. It is like the story of the blind men who each grabbed a part of a
elephant trying to identify what it is. One man grabs a leg and says it is a tree. Another grabs the tail and says it is
a rope. Another grabs the trunk and says it is a fire hose. Then a man who can see says " it is an elephant!" This is
all a matter of perception.
Although you may not be able to find the complete answer by yourself because you do not have the best
perception of the problem. In other words you do not see the light. If you are blind to a situation: let us say how
to do a form, you will not be able to fill in the pieces by your self. But if you talk to other students who are also
"blind" to the complete form you still might be able to figure out how to do the form. But if you and the other
students still do not see the light you can ask a instructor. Just like the man who can see the elephant your
instructor may have a grasp of that form and be able to help you perfect your perception of that form so you can
perform it correctly. The same holds true for sparring; techniques or life in general.
There are many ways in which Tae Kwon Do makes us all better people. Tae Kwon Do allows us to belong to a
group: affiliation which is very important to humans because we are social animals. Tae Kwon Do gives us a
chance to get to know people that we may not have met. Or we may not have got to know these people as well
with out Tae Kwon Do bringing us together. We make friends, strive for goals; become more disciplined and
have a little fun and enjoyment while we are at it. Tae Kwon Do teaches us we are not invincible but if we dream
a dream and really go for it we might just reach our goals. In this way it inspires hope which is important to make
all persons better people.
The next question I will attempt to answer is what effect does Tae Kwon Do have on my everyday life? One
effect Tae Kwon Do has on my everyday life is that it has increased my confidence. When you find something
that you enjoy and become part of it, such as Tae Kwon Do this is a great feeling. I see that I want to improve my
technique and I put in effort to reach this goal. Tae Kwon Do helps you to set these goals and reach them in Tae
Kwon Do as well as my daily life. When you go to Tae Kwon Do on a regular basis you meet people that you
may not have met other wise, you see these people around Antigonish and there is a feeling of camaraderie
amongst students. There is no hard feelings because I kicked you more than you kicked me or vice versa. It is the
great feeling of being part of a group.
There is a sense of pride in Tae Kwon Do and your school. There is also a sense of respect between Tae Kwon Do students
as well as with the instructor. You see the other students training hard to reach there goals and you have to respect this. The
students are doing something they enjoy and are going for it. These are all elements that are passed from Tae Kwon Do to your
daily life.
Tae Kwon Do has also helped me to understand my priorities and improve my time management. The life of a university
student is very busy but I can always some how find time for Tae Kwon Do. The reason being although Tae Kwon Do takes
up time it is fun. Therefore it improves my enthusiasm and energy for other tasks so it is time used, not wasted. I attempt to
have other tasks done so I can do Tae Kwon Do or I ask myself what tasks are more important and less important. In other
words prioritizing.
I will now attempt to answer my last question: what am I able to do to support my school? I can help raise money for
equipment needs; seminar's and any other good cause my Tae Kwon Do school supports. I can also set a good example by
being a "good" Tae Kwon Do student. I can do this by following any reasonable instructions from my instructor's and giving
mutual respect to my instructor's and other students.
I can also help by assisting lower belts if they need a little help with their kicking technique and the instructor is
busy with other students. I can also hold kicking pads even when not called upon to help other students practice
more. I can bow when entering and leaving the dojang. I can bow to the instructor when entering the dojang. I can
line up quickly when instructed to by the instructor. Another way of supporting my school is by telling friends in
the area who are not in Tae Kwon Do about the club and how good it is. In this way I can help the school to grow
and prosper.
In ending I would just like to state that without Tae Kwon Do I probably would not be the person I am today. It
has changed my outlook on life in a positive way and I feel a great passion for Tae Kwon Do. It is like brushing
my teeth after a meal. If I do not get to brush my teeth they feel gross and gritty. With out Tae Kwon Do my
whole being feels gross and gritty. In less complex words I think Tae Kwon Do is fun and I enjoy it greatly. This
is what all the other questions come down to. Basically a love story.
OLYMPIAN TAE KWON DO ACADEMY
BLUE BELT ESSAY
NAME: JASON DOIRON
INSTRUCTOR MELVIN HIBBS
DATE: JANUARY 11, 1998
IF I WERE IMMORTAL
I would try to live all the life experiences I could, with out hurting anyone else because I would understand how
precious life is. I would try to protect life especially not worrying about my self though because I am immortal. I
would learn all the knowledge I could, because learning is one of the greatest reasons for living. But I would take
my time because there is no rushing doing something right. I would try to spend as much time as possible with
my living relatives because of understaning what it is like to lose someone. I lost my father when I was three
years old. I did not know him very well but he was well liked and a hard worked and a good provider and had a
little fun while he was at it. He was known as a very strong man and one of my cousins, Basil Forgeron told me a
story of how my father picked up a fridge on his back with only a rope tied around it and carried it up a couple of
stairs and into a house.
I would fight injustice in the world because there is nothing worst than getting something when you do not
deserve it. People who ar wrongly imprisoned, kidnapped, abused; physically; mentally or spiritually. Or even
honored when not deserving for that matter.
I would want to help people understand the important things in life and find the love of my life as well. She
would have to be beautiful on the inside as well as the outside; the first being more important than the latter.
In all I would like to find spiritual; physical; and mental balance and help others to do the same. If their was other
immortals I would not waste time bickering, but would attempt to make the world a better place, with better
people. The world today as a whole seems to be heading in the wrong direction. People attempt to improve
computers; medicine; and cars. But what society has forgotten is the most important of all, and that is the
bettering of the person and improvement of humanity……………….This story shall continue……………….
Master Lee Seminar July 25 and 26th 2000
Techniques
1 Edan Peech, Double then partner flows back with same technique
2 Opp:Peech
You: Slide front foot back, edan peech
Opp: Change Step forward
You: Counter Peech\
3 Opp: Edan Peech, Double Peech
You: After Double Peech, Counter Back kick
4 You: Edan Peech
Opp:Counter Edan Peech
You: Step in to jam kick after step crescent kick
5 Spinning Peech: Remember with spinning peech not to bend non-kicking leg in mid spin. Front knee bends
before you spin and
Spin as linear as possible.
6 Another thing to remember with number 2 after you hit with edan peech, take your distance so which will
make it more difficult for your opponent’s to hit.(same as throwing peech to kidneys counter back kick
draw, you must take your distance after the peech to give your self time to react to a peech by your
opponent.