Martial Arts Of The World - Webs
Martial Arts Of The World - Webs Martial Arts Of The World - Webs
616 Taekwondo score a technique wins. As in Olympic-style competition, running out of the ring is not allowed. In some forms of non-Olympic competition, competitors do not wear protective gear (although groin protection is required), and practitioners are only allowed to make light contact when striking. Forms competition is also an event in some taekwondo tournaments. The forms are known as hyung or poomse. Competitors perform a form, and a panel of three judges scores the competitor. Factors that are used in awarding points include the precision of techniques, especially kicks; the condition of a competitor (indicated by not being winded after the end of a sequence); the focus of techniques; and mental attitude. Obviously, forms judging is more subjective than sparring, with the judges having much more input into how and when points are awarded. Taekwondo also places an emphasis on breaking. Practitioners are expected to be able to break wood and, at higher levels, concrete. Although breaking techniques are emphasized in other martial arts, most notably Kyokushinkai Karate, taekwondo practitioners are expected to be able to break at least one board with every type of kick. Thus, taekwondo practitioners will learn breaking techniques not with just a few techniques, such as a punch, but rather with all of the types of kicks. A student who climbs the ranks is expected to be able to break boards with advanced kicks, including jumping wheel kicks and back kicks. This is designed to teach the student accuracy and power in kicking techniques. Taekwondo, perhaps more than any other martial art, has been featured in countless movies and television productions. Bruce Lee studied and copied taekwondo kicking techniques for incorporation into his movies, most notably Enter the Dragon. Chuck Norris, although a Tang Soo Do practitioner, made the kicks of Korean systems famous worldwide with his movies from the 1970s and early 1980s and his long-running American television series, Walker: Texas Ranger. There is now scarcely a Hollywood action film that does not include some sequence or fight scene that features the art. Taekwondo has emerged as one of the major martial arts of the twentieth century. It is likely that as the art becomes an established Olympic sport, it will continue to grow in recognition and popularity. However, the art has been criticized as having become too much of a sport, with the predictable result that many of the techniques that enabled taekwondo to become an effective martial art in the first place, such as strikes to the vital points of the human body, will become forgotten as taekwondo practitioners instead focus their energies on how to score points in tournament fighting. This has already led to the development of what some have termed traditional taekwondo, in which emphasis is placed on hyung (forms) practice and self-defense, and equal weight is given to the practice and development of punches and kicks, as compared to Olympic-style taekwondo, in which
emphasis is placed on tournament fighting, especially kicking. Whether this new development will prove successful is as yet unknown. Whatever the eventual fate of taekwondo, it is likely to remain one of the most popular martial arts. The spectacular kicks of the art are now almost synonymous with the term martial arts. Taekwondo, since its formation in the 1950s, has always been eager to accept new techniques, especially kicks, that fit into the philosophy of the system. It is likely that more varieties of kicks and combinations of kicks will be developed as the art continues to evolve, thus making it a martial art in constant development. Gene P. Tausk See also Korea References Canler, Jennifer. 1999. Secrets of Taekwondo. Chicago: Contemporary Books, Chung, Richard. 1976. Taekwondo: The Korean Martial Art. New York: Harper and Row. Little, John, and Curtis Wong, eds. 2000. The Ultimate Guide to Taekwondo. New York: Contemporary Books. Park, Yeon-Hee, Yean-Hwan Park, and Joe Gerrard. 1999. Taekwondo. New York: Checkmark Books. Tai Chi Ch’uan See Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan) Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan) Taijiquan is a profound and varied Chinese martial art and health regimen with a set of core principles, movements, and exercises. Because it has had popularity in various parts of China for several centuries and has broad appeal even today, it represents many things to many people. Taijiquan is a health regimen based on traditional Chinese medicine. It is also considered by many as the ultimate martial art with smooth, fluid, graceful movement that represents Daoist (Taoist) concepts of naturalism. A member of the neijia (internal) school of martial arts, taiji is appreciated as a form of meditation and centering in motion. Some devoted practitioners value taiji as a metaphor upon which to model Daoist attributes as a base philosophy to attain control over their lives. Some seek out taiji as a means of restoring lost health or controlling chronic illness. For many, it is just playful recreation or a way of socializing. Finally, for others, it may serve any combination of these functions. Taijiquan’s origins are not easily outlined. Myth, legend, and oral tradition link a body of philosophical thought going back many centuries to a distinct set of physical movements and training practices that can be Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan) 617
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emphasis is placed on tournament fighting, especially kicking. Whether this<br />
new development will prove successful is as yet unknown.<br />
Whatever the eventual fate of taekwondo, it is likely to remain one of<br />
the most popular martial arts. <strong>The</strong> spectacular kicks of the art are now almost<br />
synonymous with the term martial arts. Taekwondo, since its formation<br />
in the 1950s, has always been eager to accept new techniques, especially<br />
kicks, that fit into the philosophy of the system. It is likely that more varieties<br />
of kicks and combinations of kicks will be developed as the art continues<br />
to evolve, thus making it a martial art in constant development.<br />
Gene P. Tausk<br />
See also Korea<br />
References<br />
Canler, Jennifer. 1999. Secrets of Taekwondo. Chicago: Contemporary<br />
Books,<br />
Chung, Richard. 1976. Taekwondo: <strong>The</strong> Korean <strong>Martial</strong> Art. New York:<br />
Harper and Row.<br />
Little, John, and Curtis Wong, eds. 2000. <strong>The</strong> Ultimate Guide to<br />
Taekwondo. New York: Contemporary Books.<br />
Park, Yeon-Hee, Yean-Hwan Park, and Joe Gerrard. 1999. Taekwondo.<br />
New York: Checkmark Books.<br />
Tai Chi Ch’uan<br />
See Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan)<br />
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan)<br />
Taijiquan is a profound and varied Chinese martial art and health regimen<br />
with a set of core principles, movements, and exercises. Because it has had<br />
popularity in various parts of China for several centuries and has broad appeal<br />
even today, it represents many things to many people. Taijiquan is a<br />
health regimen based on traditional Chinese medicine. It is also considered<br />
by many as the ultimate martial art with smooth, fluid, graceful movement<br />
that represents Daoist (Taoist) concepts of naturalism.<br />
A member of the neijia (internal) school of martial arts, taiji is appreciated<br />
as a form of meditation and centering in motion. Some devoted practitioners<br />
value taiji as a metaphor upon which to model Daoist attributes<br />
as a base philosophy to attain control over their lives. Some seek out taiji<br />
as a means of restoring lost health or controlling chronic illness. For many,<br />
it is just playful recreation or a way of socializing. Finally, for others, it may<br />
serve any combination of these functions.<br />
Taijiquan’s origins are not easily outlined. Myth, legend, and oral tradition<br />
link a body of philosophical thought going back many centuries to<br />
a distinct set of physical movements and training practices that can be<br />
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Ch’uan) 617
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