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I don't know. It's always seemed more about point scoring. When we practiced against advanced students, they relied too much on kicks which aren't very practica
by robg 17y ago
I don't know. It's always seemed more about point scoring. When we practiced against advanced students, they relied too much on kicks which aren't very practical against anyone who knows to move in. The sparring is too controlled. Plus, in real life you aren't wearing padding.
That's just my take. But then I think some of the mystical "crap" has a physiological basis. How many of us breathe deeply?
- mrkurt 17y agoThe reality is that most people don't need or have much use for practical fighting skills, they need practical running skills. Modern Taekwondo is a sport and it can be great fun. If you can find a good school that isn't just a belt factory, it's well worth doing. Particularly if they teach a little Hapkido on the side.
- jamesnvc1 17y agoYeah, I went to a Taekwondo place that also taught Hapkido and found it a very good combination: Taekwondo will get you in very good shape (Olympic-style sparring builds up cardio and flexibility quite well) and Hapkido is what you actually use if you have to mess a dude up. In general, I'd have to say it really depends on the teacher...a good teacher can make any martial art useful, just as a bad one can make any completely useless.
- robg 17y agoSure, if you see it as an Olympic sport, I've got no complaint. But with all the colors, I have trouble seeing it as anything other than a belt factory.
- christonog 17y agoWhen you're in a confrontation, there's either fight or flight. The practitioners of parkour consider it a martial art in that it represents the "flight" aspect.
- silentbicycle 17y agoLearning how to fall is also extremely practical self-defense training.