Hello, 2024! Are you wanting to try a new martial art this year? Try taekwondo! Tired of hearing me rave about taekwondo without knowing the details of how it actually works? Guest writer Michael, whose work has been featured on several martial arts and sports sites, breaks down taekwondo techniques for beginners in this comprehensive post.
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Taekwondo Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. It is much more than just impressive kicks and impressive moves. This holistic discipline offers mental, physical, and emotional benefits. To begin your journey you must learn some basic taekwondo techniques.
Did you know? More than 70 million people practice taekwondo worldwide. These numbers surely reflect the interest of the masses in taekwondo. However, its popularity should not be the only concern for you.
Start with Basic Taekwondo Techniques
Putting yourself first is never selfish. Think about your well-being for a healthy and productive life. Practicing taekwondo will allow you to charge your body. Unlike your usual workout, taekwondo is a powerful combat sport.
For taekwondo, you don’t have to be muscular, strong or tall. It’s your passion and willingness to have a healthy lifestyle that keeps you going.
Taekwondo is the ultimate gateway for it. Start with the basic taekwondo moves and unlock its benefits.
Stances and footwork
Taekwondo consists of several stances. These stances provide the foundation to practice taekwondo techniques. Stance helps improve your balance, mobility and power generation. Following are the common stances in taekwondo.
Parallel stance
The parallel stance is known as Narani Sogi crucial in taekwondo. It is the basic movement and transition to start your journey. To practice it you have to perform the following steps.
- Keep your knee-shoulder width apart
- Make sure your feet are parallel to one another
- You must distribute your body weight evenly
- Perform basic movements to energize your body
Front stance
The front stance known as Ap Sogi, helps you stabilize your body and perform powerful strikes. Here’s how you can practice it.
- Begin by keeping one foot in front and the other behind
- Bent your front foot knee to form a right angle
- Keep your back leg straight with your heel on the ground
Back stance
The back stance is popularly known as Dwi Kubi Sogi. It is similar to the front stance and helps execute counterattacks. For the back stance, you should put more weight on the back leg. Make sure your back leg is straight while the left one is slightly bent.
Horse-riding stance
The horse-riding stance is known as Joon Bi Sogi. It is used to stabilize and practice kicking techniques. To execute it you have to perform the following steps.
- Keep your feet wide with shoulder width apart
- Bend your knees and sink to maintain a good posture
Stance and footwork are both essential in taekwondo. For footwork, you can pivot on the balls of your feet and learn to step backward, forward, and sideways. With footwork, you can change stances quickly.
Block and parries
Learning taekwondo is to strengthen your defense. You can learn various block and parrying techniques to stop and counter your opponents if you are a beginner. There are various types of blocks in taekwondo. Here are a few essential ones.
High block
High block is a powerful taekwondo technique to restrict your opponent. You can take control of your opponents and deflect incoming strikes.
- Start by raising one arm to shoulder level. Make sure your palm is facing outward
- You can block the arm on elbow with other arm support
Low block
Learning the low block is also another crucial form of the blocking. It is effective in defending against kicks to the lower body.
- Bring one arm down to block low-level attacks
- Make sure your other arm supports the blocking arm at the wrist
Middle block
Middle blocks are useful to defend against punches and kicks. You can bring the forearm across the body to block mid-level attack. You can also extend your arms outward to defend against outer attacks.
Nevertheless, parrying is a practice to time your moves. You can dodge in circular or sweeping motions to invade incoming strikes.
Punches and strikes
Taekwondo can transform your body inside and out. From punches to powerful strikes, you can become a master of all. However, before executing punches, it is important to pick the right gear along with a taekwondo uniform to begin your journey.
Nevertheless, punches are an essential element in taekwondo training. It consists of the following.
Straight punch
To execute a straight punch you can extend your arm to the target and rotate your hip and shoulder to generate more power. Guard your face with another hand.
Reverse punch
A reverse punch is similar to a straight punch. However, you must do it with your rear hand and twist your body to create an impact.
Uppercut
For an uppercut, you have to bend your knees slightly and rotate your body. You have to punch upward and aim for the opponent’s body or chin. Engage your hip muscles to generate power.
Kicks and knee strikes
Taekwondo is renowned for its sky-high kicks and strikes. However, to execute such powerful kicks you have to master a diverse style of kicks. There are various types of kicks you can learn in taekwondo.
Front kick
The front kick is the most basic of all. To execute it perform the following movements.
- Lift your front foot and extend it forward
- Strike with the ball on the foot
- Snap the leg back quickly after kicking
Sidekicks
Sidekicks can be powerful in self-defense. Here’s how you can perform it.
- Lift the knee to the side while extending your leg
- Strike with the heel or edge of the foot
- Keep your body sideways
Roundhouse kicks
Roundhouse kicks can have a devastating impact on opponents. It is the most powerful weapon and requires graceful execution. For roundhouse kicks you can do the following steps.
- Lift the knee and pivot on the supporting foot
- Strike with in step or ball of the foot
- Aim for the target on your side
Knee strikes
Knee strikes help with close-range targets. It is vital for self-defense. Here’s how you can execute it.
- Lift your knee and extend it forward
- Target your opponent’s section or thighs
Hand techniques in Taekwondo
Hand techniques are the most vital aspect of taekwondo. You can attack, guard, and initiate with your hand in it.
Elbow strikes
Elbow strikes are effective for close-quarter defense. You can execute horizontal, vertical and diagonal elbow strikes.
Knife hand strike
Knife hand strike is a technique to target vulnerable areas. You can strike with the edge of the hand, fingers together. However, you require precise targeting and control for it.
Forms (Poomsae)
Forms are all about changing your stance and memorizing a sequence of movements. It helps maintain your posture and helps you transition your moves smoothly.
Practicing forms regularly will help improve muscle memory. Seek guidance from professional trainers to learn forms. It is the most essential taekwondo technique that helps you advance in this discipline.
Advanced self-defense moves
Learning taekwondo techniques for beginners is surely beneficial. However, you must always be curious about learning and exploring new techniques. Taekwondo is a versatile sport. You can always aim to level up your skills. Taekwondo is a great skill to defend yourself amid danger. You can learn advanced self-defense techniques and practice escape in various situations.
Joint locks and throws
Incorporating joint locks and techniques is a way to use force against your opponents. You can manipulate your body mechanics to join and lock your opponent’s escape.
Ground Defense
Defending against ground attacks can be crucial. However, under professional guidance, you can pull it off with ease. You should practice escape against hold and pin by opponents.
Taekwondo benefits your body in several ways. You can only see its positive effect on yourself once you start practicing it daily.
Benefits of learning taekwondo
Here comes the fun part. Learning taekwondo will only bring you goodwill and health. This sport is not only for professional fighters but for individuals too. A few of its most profitable benefits.
Cardiovascular benefits
Taekwondo consists of aerobic exercises. It helps you exercise dynamic movement that improves your cardiovascular health. Moreover, kicking and stretching help improve your flexibility and reduce the risk of injuries.
Improves focus
Taekwondo helps improve your focus and concentration. It gives you mental clarity and keeps your mind active.
Stress reliever
Engaging your body in physical activity will help relieve stress. Various meditating components in taekwondo help you release endorphins.
Healthy well-being
Training for such discipline can make you aware of your nutrition. It helps you understand the importance of a healthy diet and promotes mental well-being.
Begin your Taekwondo journey
There are countless benefits of taekwondo. You can encourage, motivate and discipline yourself with taekwondo. To kickstart your journey by learning some basic taekwondo techniques if you are a beginner. However, for such impactful combat, it is necessary to grab quality taekwondo uniforms and gear.
Opt for a renowned brand for combat gear such as Infinitude Fight. They aim to facilitate every skill-level fighter with a premium range of fight wear and equipment. Incorporate taekwondo into your daily routine and improve your body and mind.
