“Tae Kwon Do, or Let’s do the Dance”

“Tae Kwon Do, or Let’s do the Dance”

          I started Tae Kwon Do classes in 1972 at the University of Illinois.  One of my friends was a Korean classmate and for several months, although we were friends, I had no clue that he was a black belt in what was then called Korean Karate.

          At the time I was already on the U. of Illinois’ Judo team.  I was practicing one night in the school’s rather large gymnasium when I noticed my friend standing across the mat wearing a traditional dobak with a black belt.

          As I approached I could tell he was just as surprised as I was to see me in my Gi.  Immediately he insisted that I join his class, but I explained that I was studying Judo Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and had little time to spare.

          “Fine,” he replied. Then with typical Korean logic he insisted I practice with him Tuesdays, Thursday’s and Saturdays.”

He outranked me and was more stubborn, so I was forced to agree and ended up studying with him for two more years up to my pre black belt level and graduation.

          For those youngsters amongst you who are unaware f this, there were no major tournaments in Taekwondo in the sixties and back then it was considered a military martial art.  At first we practiced hyungs and then added poomse as the years went by.  The chest protectors we used in those days consisted of our own skin and ribs, and self defense made up about a third of our class.

          In the early seventies we didn’t have rules like “no grabbling” or “no leg sweeps,” etc.   We kicked and punched to defend ourselves, not to see if we could touch the ceiling lamps with our toes, and regularly practiced board breaking to strengthen our hands and our willpower.

          When the Korean government eventually decided it wanted to compete in the Olympics they were forced to put certain constraints on the art.  Since Judo already used sweeps and throws, and boxing was 100% punching, many Taekwondo techniques were eliminated for  competition, and more regulations were put in place.

          The original Kwans had united to participate in the Olympics, not to give up their names, their unique techniques, individuality, or to beccome a new art.

          Once the art of Tae Kwon do had become an Olympic sport, the Korean universities began to create their own teams, and eventually their own martial arts curriculum.  Today one can actually get a university degree in Taekwondo, much as one in the west can get a University degree in physical fitness training.

          This government/university meddling in the art has had negative side effects over the years.  Many of the traditional schools can no longer compete financially with the government funded universities and are struggling to stay open. Consequently many of their classic military techniques are being lost to the mainstream martial arts students since they don’t help the university teams win tournaments.  Frankly seeing a Taekwondo team compete on America’s Got Talent as if it they were performing a gymnastics show makes us old timers sick.

          One only has to watch old videos of original military style Taekwondo and then compare it to the “dance routines” of modern Taekwondo demo teams to realize the difference.  The Koreans still recognize this difference to the degree that a master of sport TKD in Korea is called “Coach” instead of the term “Kwanjangnim” that is used when referring to a master of a traditional kwan.

           Those of us who studied traditional military style Taekwondo, watching a modern demo of the forms makes it immediately obvious that the greater majority of the artists today have no clue what the form movements mean or are used for.

           As an example in a real fight or even in a full contact contest, nobody would ever perform a ‘ballet-like” side kick straight upwards with legs almost at a 90 degree angle.                           

           Today, as there have always been, there are high level instructional level classes that teach masters how to better instruct their students. Many of those who have never taken such courses are sadly lacking in knowledge.  They teach in a “Monkey see monkey do ” format and frequently refer to “Interpretations of the form movements.”

          Just for those who are uninformed, the Hyung and Poose forms were never meant to be “interpreted.’  They are a tool for teaching defensive counters against specific attacks.  Saying that there are various other ways of doing them is much like someone who is ignorant of firearms putting bullets in backwards because that’s how they think they should load, or because their “interpretation” is that it might work better that way. 

          To prove this point, simply ask yourself if you were taught that the start of Kicho Ilbo begins with a left hand chambering to the right ear followed by a left turn into a downward strike in order to block a low kick.  Guess what, that’s wrong and isn’t what is thought at the Korean instructor courses.  Those movements aren’t meant for that. (How the hell is someone supposed to react fast enough to turn and strike a low kick they didn’t know was coming?  Guess what, they can’t.)

          If you were taught that in Koryo the first few movements end in a low left hand scoop to catch the opponent’s leg followed by a downward tiger claw strike to break the opponent’s knee, then you were either taught wrong or are merely guessing what those movements mean.  Before you try that in a real fight please publish the name of the hospital you will be sent to so we can send condolence cards.

          Certainly today’s Taekwondo has its benefits such as teaching students flexibility and speed, but in combat those traits are not as essential as knowing effective and deadly counters.  Today Taekwondo is sadly looked upon internationally as the sport it has become, and is often ridiculed as a worthless fighting art. This is a far cry from the martial art trained ROK soldiers who were once feared back in the Vietnam era as deadly super soldiers.  

About the author: R.W. Stone is currently a practicing veterinarian in Central Florida.  He is an avid horseman, a master ranked martial artist, a best-selling western author, and a firearms enthusiast. After joining a martial arts school in 1970 Stone started studying Yudo with a Korean grandmaster.  He eventually became a member of the Judo team of the University of Illinois.  It was at the University that a Korean classmate and friend introduced him to Tae Kwon do.  After graduating veterinary college, he found the martial arts becoming too sports oriented and eventually after moving from Miami to Central Florida he sought out a Hapkido grandmaster. Currently Stone is ranked 8th Dan in Haemukwan Hapkido, a 4th Dan in Daehan Yudo and a second Dan in Kukki Taekwondo.  He is the Hapkido instructor at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies.

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