Olympic sparring questions. Curious

[eXcessiveForce]

I think it is up to each practicioner too look at their training critically and find where improvement is needed.

I do not believe in following anyone blindly, nor do I think you should take other peoples word for things.

masters, lie
Instructors lie
students lie.

Test it out. Go visit other schools and see what they have to offer. When I make a statement it is from my experience. I have been to and trained at many WTF schools. So when I am critical it is because of what I have experienced.

The same is true of ATA. I am even more critical of them since I am a part and their decisions and actions reflect on me as well. I often am not happy with their decisions. Recently it was to begin using chest protectors. When I started we didn't wear any gear. times change, but as changes are made you need to decide if it is a change that is for the better or for the worse based on your goals.

[Maxx]

I've never said that the WTF is weak. To be honest, they are the largest, most powerful TKD faction in the world today. It's their competition rules that I have a problem with and the bad habits that are developed thru the type of training necessary to successfully compete at the higher levels.

And in all of the Olympic Style TKD competitions that I have seen over the past 17 year, I can remember a single instance where a competitor fought with his hands up.

[eXcessiveForce]

Beat them in what? when did I say they were weak?


You talking a tournament? I said I don't train for those.

In a fight? I take Paul Vunak's advice on that. If you aren't armed get armed.

My goals are complete different than a tournament fighter and my training reflects that.

A great athlete is a great athlete. I don't much care where they are from. Korea is a little country where TKD was created, but TKD is much bigger than korea now.

[Dan Gun]

Don't get me wrong, Dan Gun. The guy got a warning for it. As a matter of fact, I've seen it done several times and each time the judges were quick to administer warnings. But like I said before in an earlier reply, it's as much about manipulating the rules as it is about skill. When they're told that the next infraction will result in a penalty, that's when you see it stop.

Totally agree.... you put it, eXcessiveForce always talk about, and I totally agree... but sparring it’s a sport, and happens in baseball, basketball and soccer... so when you know that, you only have to choices... play or not play....

eXcessiveForce is very clear when he gives his point of view about tournaments.

[Dan Gun]

In a fight? I take Paul Vunak's advice on that. If you aren't armed get armed.

Paul Vunak is sooooo good... Great Jeet Kun Do....

But I still wondering about the problem we get here.....
tkd_person89 is convinced about the importance about sparring... so if its ok for him, ok... good for him.... enjoy competition... Be a gold medalist... Well be very happy in this forum if you are successful in this achievement...

But try to understand that there are a lot of people who thinks in TKD as something more deep than just sparring...

(Same goes backwards for those people who only criticize sparring... is something that you have to learn if you are training TKD)

[tkd_person89]

Fine. I understand TKD is lacking.

But do you all agree Taekwondo is one of the best, if not the best kicking art?

[Dan Gun]

Fine. I understand TKD is lacking.

But do you all agree Taekwondo is one of the best, if not the best kicking art?

Of course!!! That’s why we all are here… I suppose that you will always go for the best… If not… aren’t you wasting your precious time???

[Maxx]

There are many kicking arts and each of them has something to offer. TKD is very close to my heart because it was the first martial art that I was introduced to. Over the years, I have been exposed to a large number of various systems including Muay Thai, Savate, Sikaran, Burmese Boxing and various elements from other systems that used kicks.

Taekwondo had the largest number of techniques, Savate head the greatest level of flow and functional multiple kicking off of 1 leg... these people flowed right from footwork into kicks... There was no set up, Muay thai for sheer power and expansive application of the round kick, Sikaran, which is similar to sport tkd and Burmese boxing.. another art with similarities to muay thai.

I love TKD... but I would not be the kicker that I am today without having been exposed to those other arts. Not to say that they are better or worse than TKD, but exposure to them greatly expanded my own knowledge of TKD. Suddenly something that I had read in a taekwondo book a long time ago that may have only illicited a few sentences of recognition in that text became something so great and expansive in application and functionality that without having researched other systems probably would never have even been noticed.

[Maxx]

The Value of Sports Training

As I said before, I am not a fan of Olympic TKD and I did not enjoy my experience, but I think some very good things have come from it. The first and foremost is that the WTF and to a lesser extent the ITF rules have provided a proving ground for people around the world to test the kicking skills against one another. Because of this it has become not only a competition to out kick someone in the ring but also to develop new strategies, training methods and techniques that will give one competitor the edge over another.

The kickers that I see today are light years ahead of the kickers who competed 20-30 years ago. The really interesting thing is how much it has effected other styles. We are now seeing TKD techniques being applied in Muay Thai competitions. As little as 10 years ago if you watched and ITF Competition you would see 1-2 kicks thrown and then it would turn into a slug fest. Now I'm seeing a much greater level of kicking ability in ITF tournaments and I think that the pressure and the success from the WTF Tournaments has influenced that.

Don't get me wrong... I don't feel that a TKD competitor trained strictly for olympic tournaments is in any way prepared to defend himself in a street fight, but the sport element of TKD has developed the art of kicking to a level that has never been seen before. I have personally employed many of the WTF kicking elements into my own personal style of fighting.

Sports training does have it's uses and sport TKD has benefited me just from the knowledge I've been able to glean from watching competitors and working with some of the fighters.

Plus, I've never heard a TKD competitor say, "We don't spar... our techniques are too deadly."

[seanyseanybean]

I would say TKD is certainly the most varied kicking art, and it is definately the most kicking emphasised art. The things these guys can do with their legs is incredible.
However as for is it the best kicking art... well thats just personal opinion. I personally prefer the simple efficient kicks i learn i TSD as they are easy to learn and to apply. Theres nothing like well executed side kick to the ribs :-) or a good round house to the face.
I would like to learn some TKD kick combos though as i they look like alot of fun.
And i would also like to learn the thai leg kick.

Its like with guitarist, a heavy metal guy who can shred and play a thousand notes a second may be a "technically" be better than a blues guitarist who just uses one scale and plays to the groove, but which would i rather listen to? well i personally like both and it depends on the occasion.

BTW before i get accused of blaspheming the holy art of TKD, i actualy have a great respect for the art and love to watch olymic sparring (exept for when, they just stand around bouncing up and down)