New England Tae Kwon Do of Connecticut
	Misconceptions of Tae Kwon Do
	Misconceptions of Tae Kwon Do There are many misconceptions about Tae Kwon Do. One reason for this is because there are so many sub styles. Tae Kwon Do was created jointly by masters of different Korean styles, and, while it is theoretically a unified system, the training will vary somewhat according to each instructor's background. Some common misconceptions are: Tae Kwon Do is a safe sport It is true that compared to other contact sports, Tae Kwon Do is relatively safe to perform, especially when compared to football or soccer. However, it is still a contact sport, and as such, injuries may occur. Tae Kwon Do is an ancient Korean martial art Tae Kwon Do was created in 1955, hardly ancient. There is evidence to suggest that martial arts existed in Korea 2,000 years ago, but Tae Kwon Do is a blend of Karate and several Korean martial art styles that did not evolve until just after World War II. Tae Kwon Do is a Japanese influenced martial art It is true that Korea was occupied by Japanese troops for about 40 years prior to 1945 and that many of its founders studied Japanese Karate. Early Tae Kwon Do patterns and techniques were definitely influenced by the Karate background of the founders. However, Tae Kwon Do's roots are in the native Korean styles practiced for over 2,000 years. In centuries past, Korea conquered and occupied many parts of Japan, so it could be argued that Korean styles first influenced the Japanese martial arts. Some past or present Tae Kwon Do master got everything right so there is no need for change No one master has, or ever had, everything right. Changing a movement in a traditional pattern will not make the pattern useless. As technology, medicine, and research advance, we learn things we never knew before. Tae Kwon Do should reflect this new knowledge. Tae Kwon Do is a martial "sport," not a martial "art" Tae Kwon Do has evolved into two main types, one more a martial art and one more a sport. Tae Kwon Do is a constantly evolving entity with many different versions being practiced, so it is not fair to judge Tae Kwon Do as a whole based upon observations of a few parts. Tae Kwon Do's high, flashy kicks have little self-defense value While Tae Kwon Do is primarily a kicking art and, while high, spinning, "flashy" kicks are part of the Tae Kwon Do arsenal, they are not recommended for self-defense purposes. Basic, quick, powerful kicks to targets below the midsection are taught for self-defense purposes. Some people are always talking about a martial art's self-defense applicability. Although self-defense is a key part of all martial arts, most people are not concerned with self-defense and most people will never need to defend themselves. Contrary to popular belief, people who live ordinary lives are not living in fear of attack because they are never around places where most attacks occur or around people who draw attacks. Most people stay in martial arts because of camaraderie that develops through training with people of like interests. If you are a person who feels the need to "defend" constantly, it is probably because you are personally offensive. There are martial arts that cater to these types of persons; Tae Kwon Do is not one of them. Tae Kwon Do has few hand techniques so a Tae Kwon Do stylist is helpless once you penetrate inside the kicking range Since legs and feet are normally only used only for locomotion, in Tae Kwon Do kicks are stressed and much training is expended on them to make them effective. Most people are proficient in using their arms and hands, so not nearly as much time is needed on hand techniques. Beginners learn both hand and foot techniques, but kicking is stressed more than hands. Once a student is skilled at defending and attacking with primarily the legs, hand techniques are honed. Advanced Tae Kwon Do stylists are skilled with both hands and feet. Traditional Tae Kwon Do stylists use their hands as much as they do their feet. Sport Tae Kwon Do has evolved until its practitioners rarely use their hands. Tae Kwon Do is best suited for young, athletically inclined people because of its emphasis on flashy kicking techniques It is true some of the Tae Kwon Do kicks are difficult to master for older persons, but that does not mean they cannot be proficient in Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do is not just about kicks, a proficient puncher is highly effective at blocking kicks and counterattacking with hand and foot techniques. Flashy kicks are fine for those who can perform them and have already perfected the basic power kicks, but they are not required for rank advancement. Practitioners need to have knowledge of each technique and be able to perform the movements properly. One person may perform a perfect side kick to the head, another only to the knee, both can advance in rank since both kicks were technically perfect and both were at the limits of the person's physical capabilities. Tae Kwon Do recognizes and rewards effort and inner spirit, not just physical ability. All Tae Kwon Do training is the same, regardless of the school This is no truer of Tae Kwon Do than of any other martial art. Although all Tae Kwon Do schools may operate under the banner of Tae Kwon Do, there are different styles of Tae Kwon Do that differ in key ways, such as the way they perform the hallmark of Tae Kwon Do, the side thrust kick. Also, each instructor is different in his or her way of performing the kick, depending on his or her background and experience. Tae Kwon Do is the most effective martial art. Tae Kwon Do is the least effective martial art Some say that Tae Kwon Do's high, jumping, spinning kicks have little self-defense value. Most Tae Kwon Do practitioners agree, so they would not use them or recommend their use under those circumstances. All sports have their stunts and tricks that are performed for fun and to break the monotony of practicing the same thing day-after-day, Tae Kwon Do is no exception. But, when it comes to competition or a self-defense situation, Tae Kwon Do stylists know it is time for business, not play. All practitioners think their style is the best, but some like to put down other styles. Some people like to play flag football, while others think it is wimpy and that the only real football is full-contact football. Some people like to play football; others like to play baseball or basketball. All the games are team sports that use a ball, one is not "better" than the other, just different. Due to physical size, strength, age, etc. differences, people are more suited to certain martial art styles. Since most people will never need to defend themselves, the question as to which art is more effective is moot. The key factors are: does the style suit you, can you perform it, and do enjoy it. In the United States, Tae Kwon Do is controlled by a small group of Korean Americans At its beginning in the United States, Tae Kwon Do was taught by mostly Korean immigrants. Therefore, the first Tae Kwon Do organizations were founded and managed by Korean Americans. As in any new business endeavor, there were power struggles as school owners and practitioners differed as to how Tae Kwon Do would be practiced and controlled. Many times the Korean America masters prevailed. Many non-Korean instructors have not forgotten these struggles, and have passed their prejudices on to their students who perpetuate them. Tae Kwon Do is a national art in Korea, taught in the schools, in the military, and as a college degree. As Tae Kwon Do gained in popularity in the United States, many Korean masters came to America, not as a part of some conspiracy to control Tae Kwon Do in the United States, but because they, like immigrants from other countries, saw an opportunity to better their lives. As the art has grown in popularity, there are now numerous Tae Kwon Do organizations, controlled by masters of many national origins. • Plott, J. M. (1992). 10 Misconceptions about Tae Kwon Do. Black Belt Magazine, November 1992.