Martial Arts Of The World - Webs
Martial Arts Of The World - Webs Martial Arts Of The World - Webs
614 Taekwondo power the heel alone can be used. Thus, the spinning motion of the body and the snapping motion of the leg combine to create the energy for the strike. The primary target for this kick is the head, and most knockouts in competition occur because of this kick. In addition to these kicks, which are performed with one foot on the ground, taekwondo adheres to a philosophy that any kick that can be performed while one foot is on the ground can also be performed while jumping. Thus, in addition to the kicks that have already been described, there are jumping versions of the kicks. These jumping kicks are extremely powerful, as the force and momentum of the leap itself are added to the power of the kick. These kicks are obviously more difficult to employ than the basic kicks, but advanced practitioners are expected to be able to throw jumping kicks as well as the standing variants. Advanced taekwondo practitioners routinely employ these kicks in competition and combat, despite their inherent difficulty. One of the most remarkable kicks used in taekwondo is the 360-degree roundhouse kick. With this kick, the practitioner jumps and spins the body a full 360 degrees while simultaneously snapping the foot out horizontally. Reliance on kicking as the primary source of attack is the trademark of taekwondo. The major philosophy behind this martial art is that the feet can be used as dexterously as the hands for attacking an opponent, and because the legs are stronger and have greater reach than the arms, the feet are ideal as attacking weapons. This philosophy is reflected in the tremendous variety and variations of kicks that are available to a taekwondo expert. Hand techniques are also taught, although they are sometimes secondary to the kicking techniques. The most utilized technique is the straight punch, much like the type of punch used in many systems of karate. With this technique, the punch is thrown straight, beginning from a “cocked” position at the chest with the fist pressed next to the body, knuckles facing the floor. The arm is then extended and the fist rotates so that the knuckles are pointed toward the ceiling at the completion of the technique. This turning motion increases the power behind the technique. Other hand techniques include knife-hand blows, made with the edge of the hand; spear-hand strikes, made with the four fingers of the hand extended so that the strike uses the points of the fingers; and clawing attacks, made with the hand in a claw formation. There are currently various organizations and rules for sport taekwondo competition worldwide, but the most well known are Olympic style and non-Olympic style. Olympic-style rules are rules of competition used in international and Olympic events. Olympic-style competitors are required to wear head protection, which covers the head but leaves the face exposed; chest protectors, which protect the sternum, stomach, solar
plexus, and ribs; and groin protectors. Although the amount of protection is extensive, knockouts and injuries still occur in Olympic-style competition, which attests to the power of the kicks used in the art. Olympic-style competition consists of three rounds of three minutes each. Competitors enter a fixed area in the shape of a square with four corner judges and one center referee. This box is referred to as the “ring,” a term borrowed from boxing. The center referee has complete authority over the match; at his word the competition will begin and end. The four corner judges will keep track of points earned by the competitors for a technique and will also determine whether a point is “clean” or not at the request of the center judge. There is no stopping the clock in Olympic-style competition; competitors will continue until one is knocked down, until the center referee stops the match (in which case the time is halted), or until the clock runs out. In Olympic-style competition, competitors must throw all kicks at waist-high and above. The only hand techniques that are allowed are punches, and these are only allowed to be thrown at the chest; punches to the face or groin area are not allowed. All types of kicks, so long as they are at waist height or above, are allowed. Any punch or kick that is thrown must have enough power behind it to force the recipient back from the force of the blow. “Touch” hits or hits that stop short of the target without impact are not permitted in this type of competition and will not be scored. The judges will make an inventory of points scored by a competitor. Strikes to the head from a kicking technique are worth more than kicks to the chest. The six types of kicks described earlier in this entry compose the vast majority of the kicks used in Olympic-style competition. Spinning kicks are used extensively because of their knockout power. The competitor with the most points at the end of a match, or the competitor who knocks out his opponent, is the winner. Competitors are not allowed to run out of the competition ring; those competitors that do so will run the risk of having points taken away if these actions continue. Olympic-style competition is similar to amateur boxing in many respects. Non-Olympic-style competitors usually must wear the same equipment as Olympic-style players. The major difference between the two systems is that under non-Olympic rules, after a hit is scored against an opponent, the clock will be stopped while the technique is evaluated. If the majority of judges agree that a technique scored, the competitor will be awarded a point and the match will continue. Kicks to the head are worth more than kicks to the body, just as in Olympic-style competition. When an opponent has accumulated three points, the match is ended. If the clock runs out, at three minutes, the match ends also and the person with the most points wins. In case of a tie, a “sudden death” overtime is played, and the first person to Taekwondo 615
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plexus, and ribs; and groin protectors. Although the amount of protection<br />
is extensive, knockouts and injuries still occur in Olympic-style competition,<br />
which attests to the power of the kicks used in the art.<br />
Olympic-style competition consists of three rounds of three minutes<br />
each. Competitors enter a fixed area in the shape of a square with four corner<br />
judges and one center referee. This box is referred to as the “ring,” a<br />
term borrowed from boxing. <strong>The</strong> center referee has complete authority<br />
over the match; at his word the competition will begin and end. <strong>The</strong> four<br />
corner judges will keep track of points earned by the competitors for a<br />
technique and will also determine whether a point is “clean” or not at the<br />
request of the center judge. <strong>The</strong>re is no stopping the clock in Olympic-style<br />
competition; competitors will continue until one is knocked down, until the<br />
center referee stops the match (in which case the time is halted), or until the<br />
clock runs out.<br />
In Olympic-style competition, competitors must throw all kicks at<br />
waist-high and above. <strong>The</strong> only hand techniques that are allowed are<br />
punches, and these are only allowed to be thrown at the chest; punches to<br />
the face or groin area are not allowed. All types of kicks, so long as they<br />
are at waist height or above, are allowed. Any punch or kick that is thrown<br />
must have enough power behind it to force the recipient back from the<br />
force of the blow. “Touch” hits or hits that stop short of the target without<br />
impact are not permitted in this type of competition and will not be scored.<br />
<strong>The</strong> judges will make an inventory of points scored by a competitor. Strikes<br />
to the head from a kicking technique are worth more than kicks to the<br />
chest. <strong>The</strong> six types of kicks described earlier in this entry compose the vast<br />
majority of the kicks used in Olympic-style competition. Spinning kicks are<br />
used extensively because of their knockout power. <strong>The</strong> competitor with the<br />
most points at the end of a match, or the competitor who knocks out his<br />
opponent, is the winner. Competitors are not allowed to run out of the<br />
competition ring; those competitors that do so will run the risk of having<br />
points taken away if these actions continue. Olympic-style competition is<br />
similar to amateur boxing in many respects.<br />
Non-Olympic-style competitors usually must wear the same equipment<br />
as Olympic-style players. <strong>The</strong> major difference between the two systems is<br />
that under non-Olympic rules, after a hit is scored against an opponent, the<br />
clock will be stopped while the technique is evaluated. If the majority of<br />
judges agree that a technique scored, the competitor will be awarded a point<br />
and the match will continue. Kicks to the head are worth more than kicks to<br />
the body, just as in Olympic-style competition. When an opponent has accumulated<br />
three points, the match is ended. If the clock runs out, at three<br />
minutes, the match ends also and the person with the most points wins. In<br />
case of a tie, a “sudden death” overtime is played, and the first person to<br />
Taekwondo 615
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