Technical
Before considering poomsae or sparring, it is essential to understand the technical aspects of Taekwondo. The many techniques used in Taekwondo can be broken down into four broad groups – kicks, blocks, strikes and stances. To progress in your training you must develop your skills in all areas, and grading exams will test your technical knowledge first and foremost. Learn more about each group below, and follow the links to find help guides to common techniques.
Kicks
Taekwondo is famous for its fast, powerful spinning and jumping kicks. While kicking techniques feature in many martial arts, Taekwondo uses a diverse range of kicks and is one of the most kick-focused martial art styles to learn. In competition Taekwondo, points are awarded for head-height kicks and spinning kicks.
Blocks
Blocking techniques are vital to self-defence and are present in all poomsae. As you progress through the grades, basic blocking techniques will develop to incorporate both arms and knife hand techniques. Blocks focus on stopping an attack with your arms before it can reach your vital areas. With training, blocks can be used to defend against a range of attacks including kicks.
Strikes
Strikes can take a number of forms, including punches, thrusts and knife hand strikes. Each of these has strengths and weaknesses depending on the situation, and are used in poomsae, as well as set sparring and self-defence. Although kicks take precedence in competitive Taekwondo sparring, it is still possible to score with a closed fist punch to your opponent.
Stances
Stances form the basis of all techniques in Taekwondo, offering stability, security and a starting point for kicks, blocks and strikes. Stances have a variety of applications depending on the situation and care should be taken to maintain a strong stance at all times. Often overlooked outside of poomsae, a strong stance can enhance your techniques, whereas a weak stance will ultimately weaken your techinques.