If tae kwon do isn't that great in a real fight...

[JEDI]

...then why are there so many tkd dojos?

Another one just opened near me.

 

[TwiceOver]

From what I understand it is more about discipline and movement than protection.

Think of it as Yoga for the moderately poor.

 

[brainhulk]

because they give black belts to 7 year olds, it's something the parents can show off to their friends and family.

 

[Sonikku]

I remember learning a form to go up a belt rank when I was a kid and I always wondered what good are they if someone doesn't attack you in that exact sequence?

 

[Printer Bandit]

I want to learn Krav Maga

 

[GobBluth]

It isn't that it is completely useless in a fight, since it has an emphasis on speed and agility. There is a lot more to it than the "moves". It is a lot of theory about how and where to inflict damage. You're right though, you're going to get your ass kicked if you try a spinning back kick to some dude's head at the bar. If you want to whoop some ass, go find a Muay Thai gym.

 

[vi edit]

My daughter is in it. She's a timid, shy and awkward kid. It's helped her find her own voice (the shouts) and added a lot of body control she didn't have before. The structured nature of the program also helps give kids some "next thing" to work for. The one my daughter goes to has some very crazy requirements and leadership tracks for the higher belts. It's awesome watching the kids in that track run the classes and work with the younger kids. I'm excited for when she gets to that point..it instills a lot of confidence and real world skills teaching, training and leading others that a lot of other programs/activities lack.

The protection and fighting thing is not even remotely what it is about.

 

[GobBluth]

Skip to 2:30 to see the MT dude in action. Skip to like 5:50 to see the TKD guy, then they fight. Pretty fun watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UlAh9rnkYM

 

[dainthomas]

My daughter learns a lot of good self defense moves (joint locks, various takedowns etc).

It's more about general fitness, discipline, and self confidence. That said, I'm sure a black belt or higher could handle themselves against 99% of the population.

 

[clamum]

Martial arts aren't just strictly about violence and self-defense...

 

[zinfamous]

Martial arts aren't just strictly about violence and self-defense...

It's really just up attacks and down attacks that you need to clear a tower full of snakes.

 

[Eug]

Skip to 2:30 to see the MT dude in action. Skip to like 5:50 to see the TKD guy, then they fight. Pretty fun watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UlAh9rnkYM

Basically, that just tells me that both of them would kick my ass.

 

[JSt0rm]

street fighting is more then any martial art. MMA is close but even then those fighters are not trained for doing the real fucked up attacks. There is a judo throw that breaks your arm on the way down. Obviously a mma fighter cant use that throw as they would end the career of the other person. But on the street? Against 3? Sure. I would say if you are in a situation where you are about to street fight 3 plus people you done fucked up somewhere. Situational awareness is worth more then all these skills.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I remember one of the very early pay per view UFC matches. They were talking up this guy who was a judo expert, made the Olympic team, his fast strikes and kicks. Then the camera cut to his opponent....Tank Abbott, who may have been smoking a cigarette pacing like a wolf outside the octagon. The match lasted moments, Tank was a big guy who liked to fight. He shrugged off a punch or two, I kind of remember a weird kick from the Judo guy, then Tank threw him to the ground and beat the crap out of the Judo guy.

 

[sourceninja]

...

 

[sourceninja]

...

 

[Fulle]

street fighting is more then any martial art. MMA is close but even then those fighters are not trained for doing the real fucked up attacks. There is a judo throw that breaks your arm on the way down. Obviously a mma fighter cant use that throw as they would end the career of the other person. But on the street? Against 3? Sure. I would say if you are in a situation where you are about to street fight 3 plus people you done fucked up somewhere. Situational awareness is worth more then all these skills.

That's an interesting thing to think about. I have done a lot of martial arts training in my free time, since I think it's a great way to stay in good shape, and meet friendly people. When I was training in Hapkido, Judo, Shobudo Jujitsu, and HEMA, some of the throws were pretty dangerous to even practice. If your training partner doesn't take appropriate action during the throw to protect themselves, you could inadvertently seriously hurt someone...

If you actually wanted to hurt someone with some of the techniques in a street fight, I imagine it could be pretty ugly... I don't recall any particular throws from Judo in particular that were intended for breaks, though, since the Judo I dabbled in was a little more sport focused.

 

[Apex]

...then why are there so many tkd dojos?

Another one just opened near me.

It's a combative sport. Sports are popular.

 

[tynopik]

tkd looks cool while bjj looks gay (in the most literal sense)

should listen to joe rogan, who was a high-level tkd guy, talk about how tkd is bs

 

[JSt0rm]

sorry I mispoke. jujitsu was the form I was thinking about.

 

[JSt0rm]

tkd looks cool while bjj looks gay (in the most literal sense)

should listen to joe rogan, who was a high-level tkd guy, talk about how tkd is bs

bjj is great against 1 opponent.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Do you know who that could be, the only 'judo' guy I can think of who fought Tank was Oleg Taktarov and Oleg beat him. It would also be odd to talk about a judo guy's strikes and kicks seeing as the whole martial art is grappling.

I don't it was like 20 years ago could have been a karate guy. I don't follow UFC much. I was at a friends house.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

...then why are there so many tkd dojos?

Another one just opened near me.

The fact that it's safe (relatively) and easier than other martial arts makes it popular. Strip mall dojos are just belt factories, the clients are looking for the path of least resistance, "give me my belts with the least pain possible".

 

[HumblePie]

Did TKD as a kid long ago. It was fun, good exercise, and enjoyable. Never once tried to use the "flashy" moves in a fight. Still, it does teach you how to at least throw a punch and a kick without hurting yourself.

It's really about discipline, self esteem, improving your body, and learning control. Something many people could use.

 

[Midwayman]

If you don't practice aliveness, you're just learning dance choreography no matter the art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imjmLWj5WCU