What is taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and Olympic sport. It is a system of self-defence that utilises kicking, blocking and striking techniques, with an emphasis on high, fast spinning kicks. Early Taekwondo was influenced by other styles of unarmed combat and at one point was referred to as Korean Karate.
Governing body
World Taekwondo (WT) is the international federation governing sport Taekwondo, and has its headquarters in South Korea, known as the Kukkiwon. Within Taekwondo, numerous other styles exist under different governing bodies, however WT are the most prominent and govern Taekwondo as a sport in the Olympics.
Taken together, Taekwondo literally translates as the art of hand and foot fighting
South Korean Flag
The Taegukgi is the national flag of South Korea and is a symbol you will come across a lot in Taekwondo. The name Taegukgi means supreme, ultimate flag. There are three key parts of the Taegukgi:
- White background – Represents purity and peace
- Red & Blue circle – This is called Taegeuk and represents balance in the universe. Yin (blue) and yang (red) represent the balance between positive and negative.
- Trigrams – Each of the four trigrams represents one of the basic principles of the universe; air, water, earth and fire. Together, they represent the fundamental principles of movement and harmony. Observe each trigram and the trigram diagonal to it – they are opposites, demonstrating the importance of balance.
Want to learn more about how Taegeuk is fundamental to Taekwondo? See the Kup Grade Poomsae page for further information!
The tenets of taekwondo
There are five tenets of Taekwondo. Students should strive to incorporate these principles into their training and everyday life. Each tenet represents an ideal that should be nurtured through training and will aid in personal development. The tenets may vary between styles and organisations, but the core principles remain the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any martial art, effectiveness depends on the quality of training, consistency and the situation involved. WT-style Taekwondo places a strong emphasis on fast kicking techniques and movement, but does not place the same emphasis on hand techniques or groundwork as other martial arts do.
At its core, Taekwondo is a Korean martial art with ancient roots tied directly to self defence. Training in Taekwondo will improve, speed, power, balance, awareness and confidence in stressful situations. Many clubs will also practice self defence techniques alongside traditional training and sport Taekwondo training.
This can vary between clubs, but generally, students can start training from as young as 4 years old. Many clubs will have a separate class for young children, and may further separate classes by age and/or grade.
Of course, there is no maximum age to train in Taekwondo and you can start at any time!
Yes. World Taekwondo (WT) sparring became an official full medal Olympic sport at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games after first appearing as a demonstration sport at the Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
Olympic Taekwondo uses full-contact sparring with electronic scoring systems and follows the rules set by World Taekwondo.
WT (World Taekwondo) and ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) are two of the most widely recognised styles of Taekwondo. Both share Korean martial arts roots but differ in rules, patterns, sparring style and training focus.
WT Taekwondo is the Olympic style and is known for fast kicking techniques, full-contact sparring and the Taegeuk/Yudanja poomsae series. ITF Taekwondo often places a greater emphasis on traditional patterns, hand techniques and point-stop sparring.
While there will be many similarities between different styles of Taekwondo, things like terminology, training focus and competitions can vary.
The time it takes to achieve a black belt varies depending on the club, organisation, training frequency and the student’s progress. For many students, reaching 1st Dan black belt commonly takes around 3 to 5 years of consistent training.
Progression usually involves regular grading examinations covering techniques, poomsae, sparring, terminology and fitness in order to progress through the ranks from white belt. You can learn more about the belt and ranking system here.
No. In many martial arts, including Taekwondo, achieving black belt is considered the beginning of advanced training rather than the end. After 1st Dan, students continue progressing through higher Dan grades while refining techniques, improving understanding and developing leadership skills.
Many black belts begin assisting with teaching, coaching competitions or exploring the deeper philosophy and technical aspects of Taekwondo.
Benefits of Taekwondo training
Training in Taekwondo is more than just a hobby, it’s a decision that can have huge benefits on all aspects of your life. Check out some of the key benefits below.
Ready for more?
If you’re new to Taekwondo, knowing where to start can be difficult when there is so much to learn.
Head to the technical section where you’ll find guides to the basic kicks, strikes, blocks and stances you’ll come across in the dojang, or visit the terminology page to brush up on your Korean before class!
You’ll find tons of free resources across the Spinning Kick website, and don’t forget to check out the printable packs and apparel in the official Spinning Kick store.
