Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that emphasizes kicking.

Taekwondo was introduced to the United States in the 1950's. It is a relatively young martial art with centuries of influenced, both chinese and Japanese.

Taekwondo means "the way of the hand and foot"

The tenants of taekwondo are: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, Indomitable spirit and Victory.

BELT KNOWLEDGE

Belts should hang evenly. An even belt is a symbol of mental and physical balance

There are nine degrees of black belt in most taekwondo systems.

White Belt- Snow / No knowledge of Taekwondo / Be receptive

Yellow Belt – The Sun / Light of day / Be a light to those who are stumbling

Orange – Fruit / Be productive and bear fruit

Green – A tree / Growth / Be rooted in good soil

Purple – A King / Royalty / Be responsible with the power you obtain

Blue – The sky / Keep looking up / Be positive, always aim high

Brown – The earth / Put others first / Be humble

Red – Blood / The skills you possess are dangerous / Be cautious

Black / A storm / Combing the qualities and colors of all the belts can unleash a terrible storm

POOMSE (form) KNOWLEDGE

Every poomse begins and ends in the same place

Every poomse begins (traditionally facing east)

Every Poomse is a mirror image. One half reflects the other.

Poomse names: White belt = Genesis 1, Yellow belt = Genesis 2, Orange belt = Genesis 3, Green belt = Doulos 1, Purple belt = Doulos 2, Brown belt = Mesos 1, Red belt = Mesos 2, 1st Black belt = Dunamis 1, 2nd Black = Dunamis 2

Poomse movements: Genesis 1 = 19 moves, Genesis 2 = 22 moves, Genesis 3 = 26 moves, Doulos 1 = 36 moves, Doulos 2 = 40, Mesos 1= 40 moves, Mesos 2 = 60 moves, Dunamis 1= 70 moves

Poomse Patterns: Genesis 1 is shaped like a cross, Genesis 2 is shaped like a T, Genesis 3 is shaped like a rectangle, Doulos 1 & 2 are shaped like a plus sign, Mesos 1 & 2 are shaped like a capital I, Dunamis 1 is shaped like a capital I with a line through the middle.

Poomse Rules:

#1. For every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that if one arm is moving in one direction the other arm will be moving in the opposite direction at the same speed and power.

#2. All blocks and strikes twist or turn over at the end of the movement.

#3. When changing directions the head always moves first than the body follows.

4. Poomse is an expression of who you are.

5. When Poomse is complete, students should stand in last movement until commanded to relax.

6. When others are performing Poomse, courtesy dictates that students should not talk and should respectfully watch as others execute.

TECHNIQUE KNOWLEDGE

Kicks

1. Almost all kicks should be performed in 4 parts- Chamber, kick, rechamber, reset

2. Front kicks are to be executed using the ball of the foot when barefoot. When executed with shoes on, use the point of the shoe, or the sole if executing a pushing front kick.

3. Round kicks can be executed using the ball of the foot or the instep when barefooted. When executing with shoes on, use the point of the foot or the instep. The instep is used like a slapping motion. The toe or ball of the foot is used to penetrate through a target. 180 degree pivot is crucial to get a full extension of the leg in round and side kick.

4. Side kicks are executed using the side knife edge of the foot. Both front kicks and side kicks are straight line kicks.

5. Crescent kicks are executed using the inside or outside edge of the foot.

6. Axe heels and hook kicks are executed using the heel of the foot.

Strikes

1. Never lock out you elbow when striking, always have a little bend left.

2. Practice driving through your target for maximum power.

3. Always try and strike with the two biggest knuckles when throwing a traditional punch. This lines up the bones in your arm with your knuckles and decreases the potential for broken hands.

Basic stances = Middle stance (horse riding stance) Front stance (60% of weight on front leg), Back stance (60% of weight on back leg), Sparring stance (50/50) Rear stance ( 90% on back leg)

3 Reasons to "Kihap" or yell

#1 Expel air from your body

#2 Adreneline or power

#3 Startle or scare opponent