The 5 Tenets of Tae Kwon Do

When you train in Tae Kwon Do, it’s not just a physical sport. We strive to develop character traits along with self-defense skills. The two work hand in hand to mold the student into a confident and mature individual. In Tae Kwon Do there are five tenets that serve as the core values taught to students. Each one of these traits is every bit as important as the physical skills we teach.

 

Courtesy 여의

What is courtesy? When you act with both respect and kindness, you are being courteous. We teach respect for authority, and respect for others. The student is encouraged to reach out to others in kindness, helping those less able than themselves. We expect them to be courteous to both, to those in the dojang as well as people they meet outside the school. An often overlooked part of this tenet is good manners.

Integrity 염치

Most people would define integrity as “honesty.” While that is correct, integrity actually goes one step further. We want our students to know the difference between right and wrong AND to stand up for what is correct. Having strong moral principles takes courage. Tae Kwon Do wants the student to be strong in the face of physical danger and moral injustice. Courage and honesty are character traits that every student should strive for.

Perseverance 인냬

Don’t give up! In the face of adversity, we want our students to persevere. Things in life are not always easy and we want our students to know how to be “winners.” Simply put, Tae Kwon Do students are taught to struggle against all odds to reach a goal. Whether in the dojang, at school, or in their private lives, perseverance is necessary for success.

Self Control  극기

Uncontrolled anger has no place in Tae Kwon Do. Like all the others, this tenet of Tae Kwon Do applies to both the dojang and to life. It’s important to have control over both your thoughts as well as your actions. Learning to keep your emotions in check means you won’t do things you regret. You have a better opportunity to reach others and build relationships. As for self-defense, not getting angry means you might have a chance to defuse a situation before it escalates into a physical confrontation.

Indomitable Spirit 백절불굴

Indomitable Spirit is directly related to perseverance and all the other tenets of Tae Kwon Do. It is the net result of applying all the tenets in your life. If you are courteous, honest, hard-working, and under control, you become a person with indomitable spirit. Having the courage to stand up for your beliefs and stay strong against any opposition is a result of strong character. Combining physical skills with strong character traits turns a student into masters.

The 5 Tenets of Taekwondo are meant as a guide for students in both the dojang and outside the school. Tae Kwon Do is not just about developing physical skills, but also about strengthening the whole person. Becoming a strong person in every way.

Call us and schedule your free introductory class. Start training today.

While your here, make sure you check out some of our other blogs as well!

Benefits Tae Kwon Do gives your Kids In School

source https://vortexic.com/the-5-tenets-of-tae-kwon-do/

Preparing for Your First Tae Kwon Do Tournament

A Tae Kwon Do competition gives students from different dojangs the opportunity to come together and hone their skills. As a competitor you can learn new points of technique just from watching the other participants. You find that the sparring matches help you improve your form and response time. However, you need a bit of preparation for your first Tae Kwon Do if you hope to win – and there is nothing wrong with wanting to win. Having a specific goal to work toward to brings focus to your training.

Generally, a tournament can include different division from sparring matches, forms competitions, weapons and breaking. You can compete in any of the categories that interest you. During the tournament you will be competing with other students around your age and belt rank.

 

Know the Rules

Each tournament is a bit different, depending on who is hosting. All division have judges and some can have referees to make sure everything goes accordingly. However, rules for scoring points follow certain guidelines:

For Sparring

• You get awarded one point for a basic attack to your opponent’s chest protector (i.e. side kick).
• You get two points for a kick to your opponent’s head or if the kick involves a spinning or jumping technique (including a jump back kick, spin hook kick).
• Point scoring can vary per tournament*
• While looking at the score board is tempting, try not to look at it. Focus on your fight!

For the rest of the divisions, students will be judges upon performance & technique

Certain types of gear are required for sparring competitors:

• Chest Protector
• Arm Guard
• Groin Guard
• Shin & Instep Guards
• Helmet
• Mouth-Guard

Be Prepared to Wait

Unfortunately, a Tae Kwon Do tournament involves a lot of waiting. Even though some tournaments conduct several sparring matches simultaneously, there are still a lot of them to get through. If you win a match early in the day, it may be a while before the next round takes place. This gives you an opportunity to watch the other fighters, or compete in one of the other divisions.

 

Training for Your First Tae Kwon Do Tournament

• The number one thing you can do to prepare for a tournament is PRACTICE.
• The second most important thing you can do is PRACTICE.
• And when you’ve done those two things – you should PRACTICE.
• Don’t wait too long to register for your first tournament, the earlier you start the more experience you gain and the better you will become.

Ask your instructor for help with your technique. Make sure you practice sparring with fellow students so you can learn to look for openings. One thing that most people don’t prepare for, is learning how to take a punch to the chest or a kick to the head. There is a good chance, you will get hit during a sparring match. The gear keeps injuries to a minimum, but a good punch can still take you by surprise. Sparring practice lets you learn how that feels so it doesn’t throw you off your rhythm.

 

Practical Considerations

• Make sure you label your gear. Everyone at the tournament owns similar pads and bags. It is easy to lose your gear or pick up the wrong bag.
• Make sure your uniform is clean and pressed. This is especially important if you are competing in forms.
• Bring a snack and plenty of water to drink. A Tae Kwon Do tournament is a lot of work and you will probably be there for quite a while. It’s important to stay hydrated. (please no sugary drinks or candy)

Win or Lose – Everyone Leaves a Winner

You may or may not leave the Tae Kwon Do tournament with a ribbon or trophy. If you do receive one,  then “Congratulations!” You have a right to be proud.

However, keep in mind that more people actually lose than win at a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The important thing is to ask yourself these questions:

• Did I do my best?
• How did my sparring compare to my practice sessions?
• What do I need to do to improve for next time?
• Did I have fun?

There is no need to be disappointed if you lose. The experience is invaluable – and you tried something new. Competing in your first Tae Kwon Do tournament becomes a personal victory.

If you have an interest in tournament competition, tell one of the instructors at Vortexic. We can give you information on scheduled tournaments and help you develop a training plan for your first Tae Kwon Do tournament.

Stay tuned to our Facebook Page for Upcomming Tournaments

source https://vortexic.com/preparing-for-your-first-tae-kwon-do-tournament/