eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Tae Kwon Do is the world's most popular martial art. Millions of people study it for sport, self defense, and enlightenment. There are also many related martial arts like karate, hapkido and mixed martial arts that involve tae kwon do elements. This eHow topic guide endeavors to connect you to the best resources and engage you in the vibrant martial arts community.
The spinning back kick is a handy move to know in the martial arts. When done correctly, it delivers a powerful blow with precision and a minimum of risk. The spinning back kick can also provide some much needed distance from an opponent if you are caught out of position. more »
The hapkido forward roll enables the martial artist to fly through the air, break their fall, then bounce back up again without getting hurt. It requires a minimum of effort but perfect technique. People both large and small can perform the hapkido forward roll with some training. more »
The Spear Hand Strike is commonly used in many martial arts. It can produce a devastating blow but it can also break all your fingers. It is important to use proper technique and strengthen your fingers if you plan to use the Spear Hand Strike. more »
The Guillotine is a devastatingly effective technique in mixed martial arts if you can lull your opponent into it. It involves choking out your opponent from your back. Your arm is wrapped around his neck from above and his body is trapped between your legs. Many experienced mixed martial artists are too strong and experienced to fall... more »
The sleeper choke hold is commonly used in martial arts as a way to render an opponent unconscious in a relatively safe way. It is also used by police officers to disable unruly people. The sleeper choke hold is controversial and should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Some believe that it is responsible for several deaths. It... more »
A martial arts discipline in which high kicks abound. Learn forms, drills and lightning fast...
Before exercising, it's important to stretch. Stretching prevents injury and gives you a more...
You knew breathing was necessary to live, but did you know that it could also relieve stress,...
Work on agility and sports conditioning for any sport. Use acceleration drills, upper body...
In order to throw a one-punch knockout you must first understand what makes a person fall unconscious. The human brain floats around in fluid... more »
Kent says... Most real fights last just one punch. Be the one throwing that punch and walk away unscathed.
The tornado kick is a spectacular maneuver in martial arts. It involves spinning 360 degrees in mid-air while switching lead legs and kicking with... more »
Kent says... One of the flashier kicks in martial arts. It is not terribly practical in a real fight, but you look pretty cool when you do it.
Learning to tie your belt is one of the first things you learn as a student of Tae Kwon Do. It is important to tie your belt correctly. There are... more »
Kent says... This is one of the first things a martial artist must learn. After doing it a few times you will be able to do it with your eyes closed.
Tae Kwon Do is the Korean national martial art. It makes use of many different kinds of kicks being delivered from mobile stances, such as flying... more »
In the international cult classic "Oldboy," the hero Odasu trains himself to fight by punching a wall repeatedly until his wrists and knuckles... more »
Once a Tae Kwan Do student has attained the red belt with black stripe, the next step is to receive the first Dan black belt. The test for the... more »
Punching harder is a matter of technique more than strength. Having big muscles doesn't hurt, but strength without good form results in wasted... more »
Taekwondo uses a series of kicks, punches, jumps and blocks in quick and accurate combinations to defend against an attacker. This martial art is... more »
The roundhouse kick is an essential technique in any martial arts training that involves kicking. It is halfway between a front kick and a side... more »
Kent says... Pay close attention to the step about leading with the hip. This is where all the power of the roundhouse kick comes from.
The scissor kick is commonly used in many martial arts, including karate, tae kwon do and hapkido. It is a powerful kick that uses speed and... more »
Kent says... This is called a scissor kick because you "scissor" your legs in mid air. One knee drives up then the other leg performs the actual kick while the first leg is retracted. It is a very effective technique when you want to quickly close distance.
The standing side kick is a basic strike taught in many martial arts. Different martial arts teach it in slightly different ways, but most use the... more »
Kent says... This is the basic power kick in martial arts. The power is generated by the hips. Imagine stomping your target in mid air.
The power side kick is one of the most explosive kicks in martial arts. It is also known as a step side kick or sliding side kick. The martial... more »
Kent says... Adding a step to a side kick generates a tremendous amount of power. Be sure to follow strict form and follow through.
The tornado kick defense is a way to make an opponent pay for daring to think he could throw a tornado kick on you. A tornado kick is a showy... more »
Kent says... Here is what to do if someone tries to throw a tornado kick at you.
The Hapkido Backward Roll enables the martial artist to absorb the momentum of being forced backward and spring up to a ready position instantly... more »
Kent says... Hapkido is closely related to Tae Kwon Do. The backward roll enables you to fall backward and spring back up instantly without being hurt. It is a very useful technique to know.
The Hapkido Forward Fall allows the martial artist to fly through the air and land safely face down after being knocked suddenly from their feet... more »
Kent says... Hapkido is closely related to Tae Kwon Do. The forward fall enables you to fall flat on your face without being hurt. It is a very useful technique to know.
The Hapkido Backward Fall allows the martial artist to land safely on his back after being knocked suddenly from his feet by a force in front of... more »
Kent says... Hapkido is closely related to Tae Kwon Do. The backward fall enables you to fall flat on your back without being hurt. It is a very useful technique to know.
The martial arts are ideally suited for women's self defense against men. They teach superior technique to outsmart and outperform larger and... more »
Resource for the certification of tae kwon do instructors and tournaments.
This link provides insights into the origins and evolution of tae kwon do. It explains how it became the martial art it is today.
Good resource on martial arts techniques. It breaks them down in easy to understand steps.
This is a good reference for martial arts pressure points used in tae kwon do and other martial arts.
This ia an American tae kwon do association with affiliates throughout the country.
This is the website for the governing body of sport tae kwon do. It is the style used in the Olympic games.
This is the website for the other major tae kwon do style.
This is another American tae kwon do organization.
Video of World Taekwondo Federation poomse being performed. The picture is a bit small but it is a good guide if you already have an understanding of the forms.
For those who prefer to look at diagrams of poomse, this website has all the steps.
I have studied various martial arts for more than 35 years and...more
I have studied various martial arts for more than 35 years and hold black belts in Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. I have also studied Aikido, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, Kendo, and Mixed Martial Arts. My philosophy is old school. I believe that martial arts are about bringing the body, mind and spirit into harmony and seeking enlightenment. They are not about beating people up. Still, I enjoy watching MMA and Kung Fu movies. It's all about the balance of yin and yang. I am also the Editor/Manager of the eHow Tae Kwon Do topic guide, Good Health topic guide, and Destinations topic guide. | hide
Coolio Says He'll Cheat on 11/20/2009
Rapper Coolio says that he will cheat to win his upcoming mixed martial arts match with actor... more
Rapper Coolio says that he will cheat to win his upcoming mixed martial arts match with actor Eric Martinez. Coolio told radio host Angela Yee, "somebody gonna get knocked the f*ck out! Coolio don't take a** whoopings well, I'll tell you what, if I get into trouble, you gonna know because it's gonna go from boxing to f*cking wrestling and choking because I hate to lose... H*ll yeah I'll cheat to win. Man please. I'd rather get disqualified than get knocked out. They approached me. They was just looking for a dumb motherf*cker that they thought might do it and they thought I needed the money but it's because I like to fight."
hideObama Tae Kwon Do on 11/20/2009
President Barack Obama met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak today. As part of the... more
President Barack Obama met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak today. As part of the ceremony, Lee gave Obama a tae kwon do uniform and a black belt. President Obama studied tae kwon do for about four years from 2001 through 2005. This covered time he spent as a US senator from Illinois. Obama seemed genuinely flattered by the gift and struck a pose for the cameras and Lee. Obama demonstrated a tae kwon do front punch to the amusement of Lee. It is about time that we had a martial artist in the White House. Let us hope that the philosophies of the martial arts aid Obama in his role as the leader of the free world.
hideNinja Fascination on 11/20/2009
Why are ninjas so fascinating to western cultures? Perhaps it is because they were real humans... more
Why are ninjas so fascinating to western cultures? Perhaps it is because they were real humans with seemingly mystical powers of stealth and agility. People in the west are intrigued by people who completely devote themselves to an art. When the art is murder and is shrouded in mysterious black outfits, it is even more appealing. The unfortunate part of this fascination is the bastardization of the legend. Americans have been fed pseudo-ninja entertainment like Beverly Hills Ninja and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While these movies were never intended to be serious, they have their impact on perceptions.
hideConnect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:
How to Be Prepared for a Plumbing Emergency
How to Stop a Shopaholic
How to Put Together a Designer Clothing Collection - Tips from Project Runway
Roof Repair Guide
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
