Taekwondo Technical Manual
“Taek won is the art of kicking and punching… Taek won DO is choosing the correct path in life.”
Grand Master Kim Yong Ho, 9th Dan,
President of the World Taekwonmudo Academy
A flower without roots will die. A martial artist’s roots are his/her master’s guidance and teachings. Without this special bond of loyalty martial art knowledge cannot be passed on in its entirety and will die along with those that possess it.
Everything in this manual has been passed down from Grand Master Kim Yong Ho, 9th Dan, both in person and through my own Master’s teachings. I am honoured to now try and pass my Mudo (spirit of the martial art) knowledge onto you so that you can try and do the same so the true martial art spirit will never die.
Katey Wallace, 5th Dan
Kim Chung Do Kwan, England
Introduction: Brief Explanation Of Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a martial art originating from the days of tribal communities on the Korea Peninsula. It was developed over 2,000 years ago amongst the tribes as a means of preserving their own life and race as well as building both physical and mental strength.
Literally translated Tae Kwon Do means ‘the way of the fist and foot.’
The most important part of the word is ‘Do’ as this translated means ‘the correct way.’ Learning to kick and punch are only physical attributes. By practicing Do and the principles of Taekwondo, students become overall martial artists both physically and mentally. Hence, Tae Kwon DO, DO jang, Mu DO, DO bok, Pal Chung DO, Do has relevance in everything we learn.
Taekwondo if learnt correctly is a very technical martial art which results in students learning how to generate maximum power in relation to their size and build. Although Taekwondo practitioners perform a lot of upper body techniques such as blocking and striking, what differentiates Taekwondo from other martial arts is its superior kicking techniques. However, depending on age and ability not everyone is expected to have superior kicking skill. Taekwondo is truly for anyone who wants to practice.