Black Belt Questions - Part C Flashcards
What is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean unarmed martial art and a form of self-defense. It’s often spoken as ‘the art of kicking and punching’ or ‘the way of the foot and the fist’. It’s kicks are notable for their devastating power derived from scientific methods.
The definition of Taekwondo is:
Tae - to jump, fly, kick or smash with the foot
Kwon - a fist to punch, or destroy with the hand
Do - the art, the way or the method
What makes the floating ribs a good middle section target?
The ribs are only connected at the spine so the front and side are weak.
Why is there black trim on the Dobok of a black belt In Ancient Korea?
The colour black symbolised aristocracy and royalty.
What do you know about turning?
Step turning (omygyo didimyo Dolgi), is when you take a step and pivot on the back foot to turn in any direction (such as the 180 turns we take in Chon Ji).
Spot turning (gujari dolgi), is when you step your front foot across, pivot and turn 180º on the spot (such as the turn we take near the beginning of Do San).
Pivot turning (pibeos dolgi), is when both our feet pivot on the ball of the foot to turn (such as the 90º turn we take towards the end of Toi Gye).
Name the tenets (Jungshin) in Korean.
Courtesy (Ye Ui) Integrity (Yom Chi) Perseverance (In Nae) Self-Control (Guk Gi) Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)
Explain the meaning of the tenets.
Courtesy - Respect for oneself and others, especially seniors.
Integrity - Honour, honesty and knowledge of right and wrong.
Perseverance - Tenacity is essential to becoming a good student.
Self-control - Never misuse the art and control your emotions.
Indomitable Spirit - Holding steadfast against seemingly insurmountable odds.
What is the difference between an inward and an inside block?
An inward block travels from the outside of the blocker’s shoulder towards the centre line. An inside block refers to the attacker’s arm, any block to the inside of the attacker’s arm is an inside block.
What is Confucianism and neo Confucianism?
Confucianism is a moral and ethical system derived by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Neo Confucianism (‘New’ Confucianism) was a refinement which moved away from the metaphysical aspects.
Give a history of Taekwondo and the TAGB.
Korea once consisted of the three kingdoms, Silla, Koguryo and Baekje. These were later unified by Silla and the Hwa Rang youth group in 668 AD. This was a group of formidable warriors often referred to as ‘the Flowering Youth’. They used multiple martial arts like Taekyon and Soo Bak Gi, which is said to have formed the basis for Taekwondo and other arts like Karate.
In 1909 Japan occupied Korea and martial arts were outlawed. This was a setback for Taekwondo, however a resurgence in popularity enabled the art to become hughley successful and gain a place in the Olympics.
General Choi Hong Hi started developing the art known as Chan Hun in 1946, which was officially inaugurated as Taekwondo in Seoul, Korea on the 11th April 1955. By 1965 it was declared as the national martial art of Korea and in 1967 Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha introduced it into the UK.
The TAGB began in August of 1983 as a splinter group from the UKTA, and it is now the largest and most successful Taekwondo organisation in Britain.
What is the difference between the jump in Yul Gok and the jump in Toi Gye?
In Yul Gok the jump is to cover distance and reach an opponent, whereas in Toi Gye the jump is to gain height over an object.
The TAGB is part of one National body and one International body, what are they?
The national body is the BTC (formed in 1988), the International body is Taekwondo International (formed in 1993).
What is the difference between a colour belt and a black belt?
A colour belt is attempting to attain the skills to pass a grading, whereas a black belt has reached a baseline proficiency in Taekwondo.
A beginner asks why a blue belt is beating a black belt at sparring, what do you say?
A rank in Taekwondo (such as Black Belt) shows that you have attained a certain level and been graded as such. This is a baseline to go by. Whilst you may have surpassed that level in particular areas, some areas may not be so high. The black belt should still have greater overall knowledge of Taekwondo than the blue belt.
Describe the various types of motion and their application.
There are 6 different types of motion.
Normal Motion. Most techniques are performed in normal motion. Techniques are carried out one at a time. One breath is required for one move or technique.
Continuous Motion. This is when we combine several techniques without pausing. We still use one breath in and out per technique.
Fast Motion. This also combines several techniques, but in this type of motion the one breath is exhaled proportionately between techniques.
Connecting Motion. This is used when a no tension on impact technique is connected to a tension on impact technique. A hooking block uses no tension on impact. It is executed by inhaling through the whole block and then exhaling before moving on. In pattern Yul-Gok a hooking block is connected to an obverse punch, this is executed by inhaling on the block and exhaling on the punch.
Slow Motion. This is used solely in patterns to demonstrate the theory of power. The element of speed is the only element omitted.
Stamping Motion. This can be used in both attacking and blocking. It increases the power and effectiveness of either the attack or the block.
What is the difference between WTF and ITF styles?
WTF uses Taekwondo as a sport (hence its use in the Olympics), this involves body armour and full contact fighting. The patterns are different and the general form of ITF is in line with the original art.
