TKD on the street...

[tenthousandkick]

I've been doing TKD for 10 years now. Everyone keeps telling me that it is horrible on the street, but i really doubt that's true. What are you guys' input on that subject?

[Tant01]

Seriously...

I've been doing TKD for 10 years now. Everyone keeps telling me that it is horrible on the street, but i really doubt that's true. What are you guys' input on that subject?

Go try it out on the street... Every time I try to kick asphalt it just hurts my feet...




I don't mind having a good TKD guy backing me up... It really depends on how you train. Many TKD blackbelts don't have a clue about the nature of a "real" fight or how to actually "finish" a man with serious intent.

Much of the kata is too far from the basic structure of real opponents.

It's difficult to simulate the adrenal response with the safety of protective gear, point systems and LIGHT or NO contact "sparring".

If you play that way prepare for a shock. Once the blood starts flowing it's a whole other game.

I'm not suggesting starting fights but you know... Nothing like a reality check from time to time.

Keep that "get out of jail free" card handy... Good medical coverage might be in order too... (dental?)

You know?

[tenthousandkick]

Well, tanto...I think you are referring to the sport taekwondo people, who do all that sparring, haha. I'm against that way too. But my school also teaching hapkido and kungjung mu sul, so, we incorporate all ways of combat intensively. I mean, i've used it in real situations..not too serious, but ones i would have rather not been in, haha. But, I think that traditional TKD would work great, considering, they teach all the real combat..like, kicks the the groin, elbows, eye gouges Just from what I've read, studied and understood.

[tenthousandkick]

Oh, and, kick with shoes on, that's really easy, especially if you practice. Heavy boots works well too ^^

[aku aku]

I've been doing TKD for 10 years now. Everyone keeps telling me that it is horrible on the street, but i really doubt that's true. What are you guys' input on that subject?

I think the problem is more the way it's trained. I've been to classes (not just tkd) that don't really prepare you to actually fight and that kind of gives it a bad reputation. I think it's more a problem with the individual classes though and not the style.

[tenthousandkick]

Yeah, I really believe that all systems are of equal quality, it's just how you train, like you said. You have to mold your style to how it fits you, every great master says that. So, adapt it =) What style do you train?

[aku aku]

Yeah, I really believe that all systems are of equal quality, it's just how you train, like you said. You have to mold your style to how it fits you, every great master says that. So, adapt it =) What style do you train?

Hi,

I'm not currently going to a school right now. I was going to a kung fu school most recently but life got in the way and I haven't been there in a while. I also have karate, tkd and jkdc in my background. I've developed the opinion that how you train is more important than what you train. Assuming, of course, that you've chosen the appropriate set of tactics with jump kicks for self-defense or going to the ground when you're outnumbered being possible examples of "bad tactics".

[tenthousandkick]

haha yeah. Grappling styles are great 1v1...but that's hardly ever the case. Since, situations hardly ever appear to your advantage. My background is TKD, hapkido, and kung jung mu sul. I'm getting my cousin to teach me a little kung fu, just so I can see how others train, and so I can see their weaknesses so I can zero in on them. Besides, I love all martial arts really, and feel you can gain wisdom and benefits from all.

[TKDBJJ]

Whenever someone says this I just laugh, Karate, MT, Kung fu all have round house kicks, back kicks, hook kicks, etc. The thing is you have to ask yourself are you fast enough to throw a head kick in a street fight? The thing is in a street fight more than likely what most people will resort to is using their fists, so maybe people say this about TKD because TKD only throws body punches, however Kyroshukin only allows punches to the body too, so I don't know why people keep focusing on TKD. I think its because TKD also has "flashy" kicks however lets look at the butterfly kick which I knew a Shotokan student loved to throw and I have seen Kung Fu students throw these kicks as well, but you would have to either be clueless or really cocky to think that you can successfully use something like this in a street fight. What you could use from TKD is the front kick to the body, which is not limited to TKD, low kicks to legs (which I have used in a street fight while getting jumped), punches and kicks to the body etc. I garuntee a MT fighter or a Karate fighter more than likely wont throw a round house to the head in a street fight if they would throw a kick more than likely it will be to the body. Anyways I think the people who say this have never been in a fight to begin with because how many street fights do people get in where they have to know how to get in someone's guard? Yes a fight may go to the ground, however knowing how to get evade a submission besides a choke is unlikely. So people could say the same about BJJ, every art has its place, its up to the fighter to be able to be smart enough to know when and how to apply their skills.

[Damian Mavis]

I run an ITF TKD school (punches to the head allowed), I also train and have fought muay thai and train and will fight Kyokushin (bare knuckle full contact). I have also trained submission grappling, BJJ, western boxing, police and military training.... after all that I see nothing wrong with TKD in a self defence application and I have the close to 20 years and varied experience to back up that opinion. The problem lies in HOW YOU TRAIN. Learning how to take a hit, which only comes from actually getting hit, is as important as learning how to hit. All your powerful fast strikes will mean nothing if the first time someone pops you in the face you go into shock and freeze up. It's very important when you train whatever you train that you train realistically and learn how to take some punishment, it makes you more confident and mentally tougher to handle the stress, fear and anxiety of actual combat. Many times I've seen tough looking loudmouths suddenly become timid and demoralised by a single strike, not even to the face (punch to the chest, kick in the thigh) simply because they weren't prepared for the realities and the pain of fighting. Thinking you will never get hit is a foolish arrogant way of thinking and if you train martial arts you should train both sides, hit and getting hit, submit and getting submitted, throw and be thrown. BJJ and Judo do that (within their non striking atmosphere), unfortunately lots of striking schools do not.

All the strikes in TKD are valid, even the jumping spinning ones (but you should only execute those if you can do them at expert level: fast, accurate and powerful) but they have to be backed up by a strong will and tough mind that is prepared to take a hit and continue through the pain and fear, it could mean your life.

[TKDBJJ]

I run an ITF TKD school (punches to the head allowed), I also train and have fought muay thai and train and will fight Kyokushin (bare knuckle full contact). I have also trained submission grappling, BJJ, western boxing, police and military training.... after all that I see nothing wrong with TKD in a self defence application and I have the close to 20 years and varied experience to back up that opinion. The problem lies in HOW YOU TRAIN. Learning how to take a hit, which only comes from actually getting hit, is as important as learning how to hit. All your powerful fast strikes will mean nothing if the first time someone pops you in the face you go into shock and freeze up. It's very important when you train whatever you train that you train realistically and learn how to take some punishment, it makes you more confident and mentally tougher to handle the stress, fear and anxiety of actual combat. Many times I've seen tough looking loudmouths suddenly become timid and demoralised by a single strike, not even to the face (punch to the chest, kick in the thigh) simply because they weren't prepared for the realities and the pain of fighting. Thinking you will never get hit is a foolish arrogant way of thinking and if you train martial arts you should train both sides, hit and getting hit, submit and getting submitted, throw and be thrown. BJJ and Judo do that (within their non striking atmosphere), unfortunately lots of striking schools do not.

All the strikes in TKD are valid, even the jumping spinning ones (but you should only execute those if you can do them at expert level: fast, accurate and powerful) but they have to be backed up by a strong will and tough mind that is prepared to take a hit and continue through the pain and fear, it could mean your life.

Exactly couldn't agree with you more! I have been thinking about competing in Kyokushin tournaments, but I wasn't sure if they were only reserved for Karate students only. I have seen TKD students fighting in Kyokushin but I have limited knowledge with Kyokushin to begin with. Besides throws its pretty similar to TKD and I would like to spar against these fighters and MT fighters to be able to learn how to take inner and outer leg kicks and to also strengthen my core. Anyway are Kyokushin competitions open to any style? http://www.uskyokushin.com/ Nevermind I should have done some reading I guess

[Damian Mavis]

Some tournaments might be open, I don't know, I am training at a school that is part of the world kumite organisation and they are involved in Kyokushin style tournaments. If I wasn't part of that organisation I dont think I could just walk in wearing a TKD uniform and go at it... I wear a uniform for the school I train at that is involved in this. Funny thing is... that school in a kungfu school! But they have serious ties to Japan and karate, and we have kyokushin champions training with us and fighting with us. Tough mofo's..... Anyway, here's a page of my favorite Kyokushin videos and they will give you an idea of what its all about.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Make sure you click on the clip about the Russians, they are very strong in Kyokushin now.

Traditionally there are no throws, just bare knuckle bare foot full contact goodness. You would think that punches to the torso don't do much... but you'll see a few guys go down with a single punch in those videos. I've been training to dig the 2 big knuckles in on my torso punches and they do alot of damage... cut right through the muscle, hurts like hell.

I love muay thai and tkd, kyokushin is a nice blend of the 2. Kicks from tkd and the knees and leg kicks of muay thai. You have to fight again and again if you are winning and because there is no protective gear you have to push through your injuries from the previous fights if you want to win, it's pretty rough. Kyokushin is 50% about being tough and I really like that. Muay thai has a similar philosophy.

[ltindiandaeng]

Over 30 years ago I used to study TKD. I ne ver got very advanced or very good at it,as I went into the army and then never went back to TKD. But I will say that while I was studying TDK, I got into a streetfight and used the little TKD I knew and it worked very well. I did not use any kicks just body punches, and that was all that was needed.My point is after this episode,even though I no longer do TKD, I think it does work on the street.

[Damian Mavis]

Hey man, you're in Northern Thailand? I'm in Bangkok... howdy!

Oops I meant sawadeekrup!

[TKDBJJ]

Some tournaments might be open, I don't know, I am training at a school that is part of the world kumite organisation and they are involved in Kyokushin style tournaments. If I wasn't part of that organisation I dont think I could just walk in wearing a TKD uniform and go at it... I wear a uniform for the school I train at that is involved in this. Funny thing is... that school in a kungfu school! But they have serious ties to Japan and karate, and we have kyokushin champions training with us and fighting with us. Tough mofo's..... Anyway, here's a page of my favorite Kyokushin videos and they will give you an idea of what its all about.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Make sure you click on the clip about the Russians, they are very strong in Kyokushin now.

Traditionally there are no throws, just bare knuckle bare foot full contact goodness. You would think that punches to the torso don't do much... but you'll see a few guys go down with a single punch in those videos. I've been training to dig the 2 big knuckles in on my torso punches and they do alot of damage... cut right through the muscle, hurts like hell.

I love muay thai and tkd, kyokushin is a nice blend of the 2. Kicks from tkd and the knees and leg kicks of muay thai. You have to fight again and again if you are winning and because there is no protective gear you have to push through your injuries from the previous fights if you want to win, it's pretty rough. Kyokushin is 50% about being tough and I really like that. Muay thai has a similar philosophy.

Yeah I read broken collar bones are a common injury, sounds like fun I wasn't sure if Kyokushin was an actual style or tournament. But thanks for the info sorry for hijacking this thread.