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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Taekwon-Do?
• Why are there so many Taekwon-do associations? Which one is best?
• How are ITF and WTF different?
• What you can expect in a typical lesson?
• I'm really un-flexible is this going to be a problem?
• How much is it going to cost me?

What is Taekwon-Do?

Taekwon-do is a modern Korean martial art, it was first taught to the Korean military in the 1950's as part of the physical training syllabus. Taekwon-do was new, unique and different from all other martial arts at the time, although it should be acknowledged that it drew inspiration from other martial arts in the far east, in particular TaeKyon and Karate.

Translated from the Korean:

• Tae = 'to break or smash with the foot'
• Kwon = 'to break or smash with the hand'
• Do = 'art method or way'

Or more simply 'foot hand art'

Taekwon-do is best described as a form of unarmed combat designed to be effective against one or more opponents. One unique feature of Taekwon-do is that the movements have been developed with scientific principles in mind such that they utilise as much of the effective mass or "weight" of the human body as possible. By combining this maximum weight with maximum speed, the power generated in a single technique can be significantly increased. In practice this means that learning Taekwon-do gives people the ability to punch well above their weight. it must be remembered that there is a threshold at which the human body, regardless of physical size cannot sustain a blow. For this reason it has often been said that people who benefit most from Taekwon-do are the small or the weak.

Why are there so many Taekwon-do associations? Which one is best?

Whenever human beings form groups, groups within them eventually splinter and form groups of their own which may once again further splinter into other groups. Taekwon-do is no exception to this rule, some groups are answerable only to themselves with limited access to senior instructors and masters, despite this they charge exorbitant training fees for short uninspiring training sessions. Often they have no affiliation to international governing bodies or national sports bodies, without technical guidance and direction they offer their students little scope for grading, competition and recognition in the world of Taekwon-do.

Fortunately Huddersfield Taekwon-do School is a member of the UKTA the first and most original Taekwon-do association in the UK, our standard is amongst the best in the world. This is in no small part down to the dedication of our founder Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha, one of the original Taekwon-do pioneers who was given the accolade by General Choi Hong Hi 'the best ever student of Taekwon-do'.

Currently masters and instructors of the UKTA work tirelessly to teach and promote original Taekwon-do to the highest standard, at Huddersfield Taekwon-do School you can expect nothing less.

How are ITF and WTF different?

The ITF practice the most original, martial arts form of Taekwon-do as taught by the founder general Choi Hong Hi.

The WTF is a more sports oriented form Taekwon-do with much of the emphasis being placed on competition.

What you can expect in a typical lesson?

Each lesson begins with a thorough warm up followed by stretching exercises to minimise the chances of injury. From this point onwards the lesson consists of:

• Learning Taekwon-do techniques - in groups or individually with or without the use of target shields
• Self defence - students break off into groups of two or more to practice the application of attack and defence techniques
• Patterns - depending on the grade of the student he or she will have an appropriate pattern of movements to practice, with the aim of producing a smooth flowing series of techniques that is both aesthetically pleasing and technically sound.
• Sparring - within pairs students practice techniques against one another choosing whatever attack or defence they wish. Safety equipment is always worn to prevent injuries and contact must be controlled and to the target.
• Breaking - in order to assess how powerful and effective a technique is students are encouraged to break wooden boards, bricks and re-breakable plastic boards. Normally the entire class is involved during a session of breaking.

Although the main aim of Taekwon-do is to teach people self-defence there are some other useful by-products!

Get fit and stay in shape - Taekwon-do movements require lots of energy when performed correctly, you can expect to burn as much as 1200 kal during a two hour session one of the highest for any physical activity, with low impact and high repetitions of both arms and legs muscle tone can be dramatically improved, this coupled with the loss of excess body fat means that you can begin to see and feel the difference to you body within a few months.

Learn something - going to the gym is good for your health but at time it can be boring and repetitive, on the other hand learning Taekwon-do is at least as beneficial to the body combined with the fact that you are actually learning an art/skill that is constantly challenging and rewarding, both physically and mentally.

People do Taekwon-do for all sorts of different reasons, there are many elements that go into making up Taekwon-do.

Taekwon-do is on the whole an individual pursuit, there is always support and encouragement from a good instructor but ultimately progress depends on the determination of the student, you can work as hard as you like and will never be expected to do anything that you do not feel comfortable with.

I'm really un-flexible is this going to be a problem?

No, certainly not. It is a common misconception that you need to be supple and flexible in order to start Taekwon-do. Flexibility is important in order to perform techniques effectively, but it is not a prerequisite, every class comprises a period of stretching usually lasting 15 minutes, over several months this builds up the level of flexibility in gradual stages.

How much is it going to cost me?

The first lesson is free and there is no obligation to continue, after all Taekwon-do may not be for you. After that training fees are as follows:

• Students and juniors (13 - 17 years) - £ 15 / month
• Seniors 18 years - £20 / month

This is based on training once a week (2 hours).

Membership of the UKTA covers insurance for class and competitions and registration onto the grading system, it is expected that you complete the application form on you second lesson. This has to be renewed every year from the date of application at a cost of £25 / year.