General Trivia
Taekwon-do comes from Korea. The Founder of Taekwon-do was General Choi Hong Hi (9th Dan Grandmaster). He first introduced the name Teekwon-do on 11th April 1955. General Choi formed the International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF) on 22nd March 1966. Taekwon-do was first introduced to the UK in 1966 by Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha.
The Meaning of Taekwon-do:
Tae means smashing with the foot, Kwon means smashing with the hand and Do means martial art or 'way'.
The Meaning of Taekwon-do:
Tae means smashing with the foot, Kwon means smashing with the hand and Do means martial art or 'way'.
The Meanings of the Belt Colours
White: Innocence, for the beginner.
Yellow: The earth, representing the foundation of your technique.
Green: Growth (of a plant), symbolising the growth and development of your technique.
Blue: The sky or the heavens, showing that your technique and power is reaching heights and becoming advanced.
Red: Danger (blood), as your technique is now advanced and dangerous, but may be lacking in some control.
Black: 'Impervious to Darkness and Fear'; essentially meaning Maturity. This represents the development of the mind as well as the body.
Yellow: The earth, representing the foundation of your technique.
Green: Growth (of a plant), symbolising the growth and development of your technique.
Blue: The sky or the heavens, showing that your technique and power is reaching heights and becoming advanced.
Red: Danger (blood), as your technique is now advanced and dangerous, but may be lacking in some control.
Black: 'Impervious to Darkness and Fear'; essentially meaning Maturity. This represents the development of the mind as well as the body.
The Training Secrets of Taekwon-do
The following 'Training Secrets' were laid down in the Taekwon-do Encyclopedia by General Choi Hong Hi, although it would probably be more correct to describe them as Taekwon-do technical principles. Following these 'Training Secrets' should ensure that your techniques are both correct and effective.
- To study the theory of power thoroughly.
- To understand the purpose and method of each movement clearly.
- To bring the movement of eyes, hands, feet, and breath into a single coordinated action.
- To choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot.
- To become familiar with the correct angle and distance for attack and defence.
- To keep both the arms and legs slightly bent while the movement is in motion.
- All movements must begin with a backward motion with very few exceptions. However once the movement is in motion, it should not be stopped before reaching the target.
- To create a sine wave during the movement by utilising the knee spring properly.
- To exhale briefly at the moment of each blow except a connecting motion.
Dojang Etiquette
You should bow on entering and leaving the training hall (dojang) to:
The national, federation or association flag if it is displayed;
If there is no flag displayed then bow to the senior instructor or black belt in the room;
If there is no flag or instructor in the dojang then there is no need to bow.
You should bow to a training partner before and after each group of exercises or techniques that you work on together, or before and after sparring with them.
At the start and end of the class, the senior member in the rows should call the class to bow to the instructor, addressing them by the appropriate for their grade. The next senior member then calls the class to bow to the senior member in the rows.
The rows are typically arranged with the most senior members (e.g. black belts who are not teaching) at the front, and at the right-hand end of each row. For example, front row might comprise (from right to left): 2nd dan black belt, 1st dan black belt, black stripe, red belt. Then the second row might be (right to left): blue belt, green belt, yellow belt, yellow stripe.
Students should address the instructor, and more senior black belts as Sir/ma'am, or in a formal manner such as Mr/Ms Surname. Alternatively, they might use the appropriate Korean titles, e.g. Sabum.
When dismissed, either at the end of the class, or if the instructor has called you to the front for some reason, bow to the instructor and then take two steps backwards before turning and leaving or returning to your position in the rows.
The national, federation or association flag if it is displayed;
If there is no flag displayed then bow to the senior instructor or black belt in the room;
If there is no flag or instructor in the dojang then there is no need to bow.
You should bow to a training partner before and after each group of exercises or techniques that you work on together, or before and after sparring with them.
At the start and end of the class, the senior member in the rows should call the class to bow to the instructor, addressing them by the appropriate for their grade. The next senior member then calls the class to bow to the senior member in the rows.
The rows are typically arranged with the most senior members (e.g. black belts who are not teaching) at the front, and at the right-hand end of each row. For example, front row might comprise (from right to left): 2nd dan black belt, 1st dan black belt, black stripe, red belt. Then the second row might be (right to left): blue belt, green belt, yellow belt, yellow stripe.
Students should address the instructor, and more senior black belts as Sir/ma'am, or in a formal manner such as Mr/Ms Surname. Alternatively, they might use the appropriate Korean titles, e.g. Sabum.
When dismissed, either at the end of the class, or if the instructor has called you to the front for some reason, bow to the instructor and then take two steps backwards before turning and leaving or returning to your position in the rows.