Totally Tae Kwon Do Magazine - Issue 20 - Usadojo

Competition Basics
by Jason Ainley
In this article I want to look at the competition side of Tae kwon do and
look at some basic points that can improve our sparring skills.
As an Instructor and student of Tae kwon do
my main priority in training and teaching has
always been the self defence side of the art,
though when training and teaching in the UK I
did have had some success in combat sport
both individually and with my students.
Combat sport can have benefits for us and
many students who get involved in Tae kwon
do for self defence reasons will also get
involved in the sporting side of the art.
Competition Tae kwon do can help us:
1. Increase our strength / stamina
2. Improve your timing, reflexes and reaction.
3. Help with adrenaline management
4. Help us develop a resistance to contact.
Continuous sparring will develop our aerobic
and anaerobic capabilities, facing different
opponents in class and in competition will
help aid our adrenaline rush teaching us to
keep focused in a stressful situation, and help
us develop a resistance to contact giving us
the confidence if ever hit then we hit back
straight away.
Children and competition a great confidence
builder
There are over 3000 Tae kwon do techniques
but to be successful at competition style sparring then a fighter
perhaps only needs around 5 techniques.
To be successful in competition a fighter needs to develop defending,
attacking and counter attacking techniques into their style.
Fighting Stances
Side On Stance
Side on stance is a defensive stance that makes a fighter a smaller
target by covering the target areas {front of the body}, a side on stance
is also perfect for throwing lead leg side kicks or turning kicks.
Totally Tae Kwon Do - 23