Foundation of Taekwondo

Tae Kwon-do is a Korean martial art, which although having roots in the ancient orient, was developed
as a modern art from the eight Kwans of Korea. Tae Kwon-Do was inaugurated on April 11th 1955
following extensive research and development by the founder. It was introduced into the United
Kingdom by Master Rhee Ki Ha in 1967.

What is Taekwondo

It is a version of an ancient form of unarmed combat practised for many centuries in the Orient. Tae
Kwon-Do became perfected in it's present form in Korea.

What is Taekwondo

Translated from Korean, 'Tae' literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot. 'Kwon' means a fist-
chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. 'Do' means art, way or method. Tae Kwon-Do indicates
the techniques of unarmed combat for self-defence, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks,
blocks, dodges and interception with the hand, arms and feet to the rapid destruction of the opponent.

Founder of Taekwondo

The Founder Of

Tae Kwon-do (ITF)

Is MAJOR GENERAL

CHOI HONG HI 9th DAN

(November 09, 1918 to

June 15, 2002)

Founder of Taekwondo

DR. KIM UN YONG is a

Vice President of

the international Olympic

Committee, and founding member

of the WTF executive board.

(March 19, 1931 to October 3, 2017)

TENETS OF TAEKWONDO

COURTESY (Ye ui) - To be polite to ones' instructors, seniors and fellow students. Tae Kwon-Do students
should attempt to practice the following elements of etiquette:

To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.

To be ashamed of one's vice contempting that of other's. To be polite to one another.

To encourage the sense of justice.

To distinguish the instructor from student and senior from junior.

TENETS OF TAEKWONDO

INTEGRITY (Yom chi) - To be honest with oneself. To be able to define right and wrong.

- In Tae Kwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in
Weber's dictionary.

- One must be able to define right from wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed
are some examples where integrity is lacking:

The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his
students because of lack of knowledge or apathy.

TENETS OF TAEKWONDO

PERSEVERANCE (In nae) - To achieve a goal, whether it is a higher grade or any technique, one must not
stop trying; one must persevere.

- There is an old Oriental saying "Patience leads to virtue or merit. One can make a peaceful home by
being patient for 100 times." Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient
person.

TENETS OF TAEKWONDO

SELF CONTROL (Kuk gi) - To lose ones' temper when performing techniques against an opponent can be
very dangerous and shows lack of self control. To be able to live, work and train within ones' capability
shows good self control.

Taekwondo rules (WTF)

A match consists of three three-minute rounds with a one-minute break. In case of children up to 14
years old, there are three two-minute rounds with a thirty-second break (reduction to two rounds is
possible).

Athletes who have been trained in a sparring technique for at least three months are allowed to
compete.

Taekwondo rules (WTF)

Athletes are divided according to age, weight category, and gender.

The age of competitors is determined by the year of birth (rarely, by the date of birth).

Participants are weighed on the day before the start of the competition. A participant who was weighed
once and didn’t pass the weighing for the first time is entitled to another weighing within the official
weighing time. 
Taekwondo rules (WTF)

Fist techniques are performed using the front outer part of the index and middle fingers of a tightly
clenched fist.

Leg techniques are performed using the part of the leg below the ankle bone.

One point is scored for the efficient punch or kick into the body. 3 points are scored for the punch or
kick into the head.

Taekwondo rules (WTF)

It is permitted to punch and kick the area covered by a protective vest. However, punching and kicking
the spine is prohibited. It is allowed to hit the front of the face, except for the back of the head (kicks
should be performed only with legs and feet).

Athletes may be given penalty points; if they receive four penalty points, they will be disqualified. 

Solutions

Win by knockout.

Win by the termination of the match by the Referee or the Doctor.

Win by score or preference.

Win by non-appearance.

Win by disqualification.

Win by penalties announced by the Referee. 

Competition Area

The competition area should be 10 meters by 10 meters, have a flat surface and be covered with elastic
pads.

The competition area can be installed on the platform 0.5 to 0.6 meters high from the base. The outer
part of the border (beyond the limiting line) should have a slope of fewer than 30 degrees to ensure the
safety of competitors. 

Competition Area

Taekwondo Equipment

protective vest,

helmet,

cup protector,

forearm and calf protectors,

gloves and mouthpieces before entering the competition area.

Refereeing

The referee must announce "Sichak!", "Kyman!", "Kalyo!", "Kesok!", "Shigan!" and "Kesi!", the winner
and loser, penalty points, warnings, and other penalties.

Referees (2 or 3) count the points.

Technical assistant monitors the scoreboard during the match, the accuracy of points, penalties and
time, and immediately notifies the referee of any problems related to the match.

Belt system

In taekwondo, belts are conventionally divided into "color" (including white) and "black". It is customary
to adhere to the following classification:

10 geup – white belt

9 geup – white belt with yellow stripe

8 geup – yellow belt

7 geup – yellow belt with green stripe

6 geup – green belt

5 geup – green belt with blue stripe

4 geup – blue belt

3 geup – blue belt with red stripe

2 geup – red belt

1 geup – red belt with black stripe

black belt 

Belt system

Belt system

Black belts have their own levels – dans. In total, there are 9 dans in taekwondo. The holder of a red belt
with a black stripe (1 geup) must keep training for at least six months before s/he can get the 1st dan.
Everyone can get a black belt (1st dan) in 2.5 – 4 years, depending on the abilities, frequency of training
and frequency of certifying.

TAEKWONDO COMMAND

CHA RYEOT – ATTENTION

GYEONG RAE – BOW

JUN BI – READY

SHI JAK – START

SHI JAK – START

GEU MAN - FINISH

COMPETITION

SPARRING (GYEORUGI)

COMPETITION

PATTERNS (POOMSAE)

SELF DEFENSE (HOSIMSOOL)

BREAKING (GYEOKPA)

TECHNIQUES OF TAEKWONDO

HAND ATTACKS

FOREFIST

KNIFE HAND (SONKAL)

ELBOW STRIKE (PALGUP CHIGI)

BACKFIST (SON DEUNG)

KICKING (CHAGI)

FRONT SNAP KICK (AP CHAGI)

SIDE THRUSTING KICK (YEOP CHAGI)

BACK KICK (DWIT CHAGI)

DOWNWARD KICK (NAERYO CHAGI)

BLOCKING (MAKGI)

RISING BLOCK (CHOOKYA MAKGI)

LOW BLOCK (NAJUNDI MAKGI)

SINGLE FOREARM BLOCK (WAE SUN PALMOK)

KNIFE HAND BLOCK

THANK YOU!