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One place you can start is the wikipedia article about TKD. Lots of references at the bottom of the page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo
You might also check the website for your TKD organization. (ITF?) They should have info.
And I recommend checking out A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do. You can probably find it at a library, or you can get it through Amazon. Whether you use it for your research now, or just read it later, it's a great book. https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Art-Untold-History-Kwon/dp/1770410228
There are a couple of pretty good Martial Arts stretching videos for side kicks around:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4961746_increase-height-taekwondo-side-kick.html http://www.ehow.com/video_4978543_increase-height-tae-kwon-do.html
I found, however (just like you had heard), that the only way I improved was by strength and conditioning along with the stretching. P90X really improved my overall flexibility, and I found my side kicks got a lot higher. I think the increased strength allows me to pull harder.
I also read the the angle of the ball on the femur can vary by a good number of degrees for each person. I can't find the link to the article anymore, sorry, but some people's ball will not allow them to lift their leg as high as other people.
I use this technique, works against coyotes too...
The world could probably use a mature open-source Tournament Management product too. There are some products out there, like this https://www.openhub.net/p/tournsoft but they don't really handle the end-to-end tournament management: signing up as an athlete, paying your registration fee online, building brackets, publishing results, etc...all the way through the whole lifecycle of a tournament.
https://www.amazon.com/Tae-Kwon-Yong-Chin-Pak/dp/1888223014 Since our club is under Master Pak and ISU, this is the textbook that we use. My family owns a copy and it’s been very helpful for learning forms at home. Since I assume it’s the required text for taking TKD for college credit at ISU, you pay text book prices, but I do see some much cheaper used copies available.
To those asking, it looks like this one you can order on Amazon.
I have one as well - you can edit it to say your name, a phrase of you want on it too (this one has "Never given, only earned" but you can customize this. The link I sent is to one for 8 belts, but they have ones for 10 and 12 as well. I got the one with 12 for Christmas myself!
Ha! Grandmaster Vitale wrote the forward to my first book, Volume 16. This was thanks to sharing a TulTour with him back in 2015.
Unfortunately, he does not have a copy :(
I would love for there to be a good answer to this, but I'm not sure there will be any suggestion which can make a measurable difference in your flexibility in such a short time.
Your best bet (and I hope someone else chimes in) would probably be to work on your technique a LOT. Aside from classroom work with a high belt, I recommend using a phone or tablet with an app like Video Coach which is a delayed mirror app, which will let you throw your kicks, and the phone acts like a "mirror" but with a configurable delay of 1 second to many minutes. This means you can kick a few times, then look at your phone and see what you just did all without hitting a single button on your phone.
I recommend this to everyone, but in your case, being able to work on your technique without the requirement of a partner will probably give you the best gains in improved appearance, and might be the best way to get higher kicks in the short term.
This assumes, of course, that you know enough to be able to correct your own kicks; not a guarantee.
I have been doing this for a few weeks on the jump spin-hook kick (it's a bit acrobatic for an old guy like me) but it has been an amazing tool to turn my kicks from "WTF was that" to "oh, MAYBE that was a jump spin-hook..." (which is a noticeable improvement, I might add.)
The book “a killing art”. If he hasn’t read it, he will LOVE it. It is extremely fascinating. The title is cheesy but it is a really good read.
Are you using the elastic cloth sock kind or this kind?
Haha I don’t have any plans to sell, the target is from Title Boxing here: https://www.amazon.com/Title-Precision-Spring-Flex-Wall-Target/dp/B075LMHVGW
I just attached it with screws to a long wooden plank wrapped in black athletic tape (to avoid splinters). I attached the velcro straps to the wooden plank with a staple gun.
So the target is from Title Boxing here: https://www.amazon.com/Title-Precision-Spring-Flex-Wall-Target/dp/B075LMHVGW
I just attached it with screws to a long wooden plank wrapped in black athletic tape (to avoid splinters). I attached the velcro straps to the wooden plank with a staple gun.
For class, I bought this cable strap that attaches to the ends of my glasses. Seems to work really well.
For sparring, I just remove them and do my best. My eyesight is pretty terrible, but I can see we’ll enough in sparring situations. I’ve tried contacts before and it’s really nice, if you can wear them, but not necessary. I’ve worn glasses basically my whole life and have done very well in tournament sparring over the years, so it’s never been a huge detriment. YMMV depending on your prescription, though.
Ah - sorry!
Here is what I mean when I say lambchop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/WUWEOT-Taekwondo-Striking-Kickboxing-Training/dp/B097H1BM8X/ref=asc_df_B097H1BM8X/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564855899214&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10792577265760088351&hvpone=&hvptwo=&...
I’m wearing a disposable mask as I find them the thinnest https://www.amazon.com/Black-Disposable-Colored-Masks-Protection/dp/B08XNHCQCG/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=disposable+face+masks&qid=1659726932&sr=8-6
If your sparring involves any kind of punching, then I would suggest getting sparring gloves over TKD gloves or the 4oz fight gloves you posted.
Sparring gloves are designed with more padding than fight gloves, so there is more protection for you and your partner. This is an example of what I mean - you still get to have an open hand-protector, but it is much more padded around the knuckles.
then, once you're ready for progression, put an elastic band around your knees (for example). Start with the easiest one, and work up.
I also use a band when doing a front stance and middle stance drill down the floor.
My common advice for anyone considering this is to buy the following book, read it, add post-it notes as bookmarks and hand-written comments. Make a plan after reading it. Revisit your plan every 6 months and review/change.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martial-Arts-Instructors-Desk-Reference/dp/1880336715
It's not to say the book is always right, but it's very thorough touching on lots of things you should know/think about but may not have done so...
Shock doctor is very good. If your schedule is such that your need for groin protection changes quickly the slip-on, over the clothe style is hard to beat. It is what I still use.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Taekwondo-Male-Groin-Guard/dp/B0066BDS1K/ref=sr\_1\_6?keywords=groin+guard&qid=1655725149&sr=8-6
This is a massive topic. However in general. Static flexibility does not translate directly to dynamic range of motion. Static and PNF stretching is still important for a multiple reasons. Both static and dynamic stretching should be practiced daily, with PNF stretching incorporated with longer recovery intervals
Thomas Kurz's stretching scientifically has been one of the best resources on this for many decades now for a one stop shop on the subject
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017DYMH4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_RZPCN9PZ82N44NV80ESN
Ace Martial Arts Supply Rebreakable Board Taekwondo, MMA, Karate-Set, Yellow, Blue, Red & Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QCQTCSM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WM23CRPTXT3ZB6GMA7PK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
PacificHealth Endurox R4, Post Workout Recovery Drink Mix with Protein, Carbs, Electrolytes and Antioxidants for Superior Muscle Recovery, Net Wt. 2.29 lb, 14 Serving (Tangy Orange) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CN5NSG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WA6CZJJGJMJB1Y566AGD
I find combined foot/shin guards to be best for sparring, as they protect your shin, your foot, and your ankle without gaps. These are the ones I'm currently using. Before you buy any gear though, be sure that your instructor is okay with them and the gear will be acceptable for any tournaments/competitions you plan on entering, as different schools/competitions have different rules regarding protective gear.
I lay down a set of interlocking squares of rubber mat. It has to be large enough that it doesn't slide around, and also good if it's weighed down by something like a wavemaster.
I use these, but there are other's out there.
And you should. But to get there pull your knee back after kicking so you can have more control to set it down where you want it. This video can explain what I mean by recoil: http://www.ehow.com/video_2368161_kickboxing-technique-side-kick.html
My association uses what we literally call the blue book, which was written by the founders, but I still think is a good tool, "The Forces of Takewando".
Since the topic of this thread is "tee shirts that we like", I'm going to say that product links are not advertisements in this thread.
The OP's Rebok tee isn't bad, but why the UFC on the front?
I like these:
you may want to get him some shoes for arch support for when he's not training. depending on the instructor, he may be able to wear flat soled shoes, like this, in class. I've never used them, and don't know how they are for arch support though.
Century Wavemaster XXL | Freestanding Punching Bag with Base | Heavy Bag Boxing Martial Arts Kickboxing Bag | Optimal Strength and Cardio Training Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z1P9R2C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PJDS0Q01836XN9NCR9ST?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I saw this one but idk if it’s overpriced or not
In my opinion.
It's not a sprint. It's not a marathon. It's a marathon of sprints.
But first, the sweat thing. To be honest, I always read that sweating heavily at the onset of hard physical activity is a sign you are in decent shape.
So, I would say that combining distance endurance training with HIIT training (if you have the time) will accomplish your goals here.
And endurance training isn't necessarily running. It could be rowing, cycling, swimming, rowing, etc...
And HIIT isn't restricted to just one type of workout. Run stairs, hard. Jump rope, there are spin classes that push intensity training, do HIIT routines (there are a craptonload of them as well)
Combine HIIT training with plyometric moves and you can work on two fitness items at once (explosiveness and VO2max)
Finally,
listen to your body. recovery and rest are a key and often overlooked element to fitness.
Good hunting.
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Buy one of these and focus on stretching your hips for the side kick and you'll be good. Just do 10 minutes a day each side and eventually they'll start to open. Stretch Band
I have found this series of books to be very helpful:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1906628165/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(That's the link for the colored belt patterns. Vol 2 &3 cover the black belt patterns)
No so much that it was a bad pattern, as it remembers a man who could have held the position taken up by Kim Il Sung with the support of the USSR. When the general needed North Korean instructors, it got replaced by Juche; The "philosophy" - i cant stress those quotation marks enough - that the North Korean regime rules with. A good read and source of info on the subject
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-Art-History-Updated-Revised/dp/1770413006
HAHAHAHAHA that's great.
For $30-ish, there's The Textbook of Taekwondo Poomsae. I'm sorry I would just look it up for you but I'm in the middle of a reorg and my Kukkiwon stuff is buried deep in a box of books. :(
I use these holders. They're silicone so they don't slip at all. They do pull a little when they come out but it's worth it to me.
Scunci Black Gel Elastics, No Slip Grip, Strong Hold-Ponytailers (14-pcs) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00H3R27XG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_5134ACW1TCK3Q07XXCVB
Get something like this.. There are others where you can put your own targets in.. but i can't remember the name of those..
There are thousands of references for WT/Kukkiwon poomsae online. Taeguek Cipher is a good paperback if you want an actual book. Here is a reference:
https://www.amazon.com/Taegeuk-Cipher-Simon-John-Oneill/dp/1409226026
I changed the room to concrete with snap on pads and then I use socks with it. You can also just put the pads over the floor and use it instead. They go for a fair price.
This is what I use.
I wrote Volume 16 on Ko-Dang and Woo-Nam.
I also have a Student Manual that's worth checking out (and free ;).
Have you found any holders that work with these boards? They stack with magnets so I know you can keep adding on strength if wanted.
From Amazon: "This new and revised edition of the bestselling book contains previously unnamed sources and updated chapters."
https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Art-History-Updated-Revised/dp/1770413006
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8997617044/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just got this book about a week ago, and haven't had a chance to read through it yet. Supposedly it explains what each move in the forms is supposed to represent. I can't testify as to whether it's useful or not though.
I'd like to get some of the higher rank students at our school together and see if we could try out some of the forms and see if we could make them work, but we're a very competition-oriented school. None of this would be legal in tournaments, so we don't really touch on it.
This book that the founder of my Association (United States Chung Do Kwan Association) and his wife wrote has all the taeguks plus several other items like basic kicks punches and blocks.
>That book looks perfect! Though I can only find it on amazon for $95.00. Any idea if I can get it cheaper somewhere else? Here is the amazon link https://www.amazon.com/Book-Teaching-Learning-Taekwondo-Publication/dp/8960690511
Back when I was competing and training 6 days a week 2-3 hours a day, Endurox R4 did wonders, pricey, but worth it. Once you get used to your training regimen, you shouldn't need it as much. I still use it today for initial half marathon training.
https://www.amazon.com/PacificHealth-R4-Recovery-28-Servings-x/dp/B000GEDHNM
Thanks guys. I think what I'm going to have to do is something like this. Not these in particular, since they seem way overpriced, but if I can wear something under them, then maybe I'll be fine.
Hi I can't read read anything that's not inches from my face; the only part of my arm that isn't blurry is my shoulder lol. You're at a disadvantage at the higher level of sparring because you likely won't be able to catch small details like hip movement, foot angles, etc as fast as others. That being said... I do wear my glasses while I spar but it's def a risk of them breaking, or scratching my face, although I haven't really run into that problem yet. I only do light head shots with them on because due to those potential risks, and partners never have a problem. I don't really compete because well I can't tell someone is kicking me until they're about half way through chamber. I have an irrational fear of putting contacts into my eyes, but those would be a life changer if you can get them. If you can get those special goggles those will likely work out well for you during sparring in class, but they are likely illegal in competition. Once my eyesight plateuas I'll be getting PRK surgery.
For kicks and stuff during drills and doing board breaking I'd recommend getting stuff like this.
Master Scher has that video where he takes a https://www.amazon.com/Simon-1897-Electronic-Memory-Game/dp/B00E9YWJOS and attaches it to a post (say, at waist height) and then plays with just his feet (i.e., by gently kicking the lighted buttons). I'm not finding the video, but it was a cool idea for a taekwondo-themed game.
In order to illustrate my approach - check out Stuart Anslow's "Chang Hon Taekwondo Hae Sul" books... Solid applications to techniques with no/minor tweaks in movement/trajectory, that can then easily be applied in sparring/randori.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mooto-Taekwondo-Double-Training/dp/B00L384FLI
These are the current one we use. They feel solid and sound great when hit right but it can be quite difficult to find online.
I think there's a lot to this. I find it interesting that ITF has strong roots in America, Canada, Europe and Russia. In Korea it's almost exclusively WTF. It's just speculation, but it seems like after WW2 Korea really wanted to establish what TKD was nationally and WTF's style was used to differentiate them from Karate. Some of the Masters left the country and that's where "I" think the division came. As far as not allowing punches to the head, I believe that is also to keep the sport a kicking art. In our ITF style, we don't allow punches to the head until the belt before 1st dan, also leg kicks are not allowed until 2nd or 3rd dan, (they're optional if your partner is good with it). This is to encourage kicking and use of other techniques, not to mention safety. 2nd and 3rd dan's are a lot better at controlling their techniques and injury is easier to avoid. Most of my speculation comes from reading "The Killing Art". http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Art-Untold-History-Kwon/dp/1770410228/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454517515&sr=8-1&keywords=the+killing+art
BTW if anyone is wondering I think both WTF and ITF are good and have their strengths.
The Killing Art is an excellent book, and is one of the sources I've used for my statement. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to take a deeper look at the history of Tae Kwon Do.
Another one I can recommend is Korean Martial Arts Handbook. It is more of an encyclopedia, or reference book that has information on many of the original kwans, their history, as well as the different Korean martial arts and their histories.
Macho also makes some pretty cheap arm guards & shin guards...i use these myself
I was catching up on this subreddit and saw this even though it's a few days old.
You can get re-breakable boards like these: (Rebreakable Boards)[http://www.amazon.com/ProForce-Rebreakable-Boards-Black-thick/dp/B001AKT9HO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431543846&sr=8-1&keywords=rebreakable+boards]
They basically work like this. They have matched grooves going down matching sides. So, you slide them together like a puzzle and then break them apart with a kick. They generally last a pretty long time. They are also color coded by difficulty, black being the hardest.
You pretty much ARE me down to the age. Hopefully you have a good school where the instructor will put you through the ringer. Expect to sweat. Expect to be pretty uncomfortable with the stretching. Expect to be off balance.
On the flip side, expect to get stronger. Expect to get faster. Expect to get more flexible. Expect to suddenly notice that you really DO balance pretty well. And expect to have a great time!
I found the description that /u/truejim8888 gave to be pretty accurate as far as the types of things you can expect. Just add in there some sparring days, which are seriously sweaty events.
Be careful with yourself, too. Getting injured early on can be really frustrating. Get yourself some of these. They give JUST the right amount of protection to keep your instep intact, but allow it to develop in toughness.
My general advise would be to stretch a lot on your own. Ask your instructor questions when you have them. Don't worry about your belt level. They're each just a list of training goals and they say very little about you. And please have fun. It's a hugely rewarding activity to be involved in. Good luck!