Introduction to Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that translates to “the way of the foot and fist.” In practice, it is about 90% kicking — explosive, dynamic, high kicks that require exceptional flexibility and athleticism.
The concept
Taekwondo emphasizes speed over power and height over reach. Kicks target the head and body, with spinning and jumping variations earning bonus points in competition. The art is built around five tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.
What makes Taekwondo unique
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Kick-dominant | Most techniques are kicks — front, roundhouse, side, back, spinning hook, axe, tornado |
| Olympic sport | Part of the Olympics since 2000 (Sydney). Electronic scoring in trunk and head protectors. |
| Flexibility demands | Requires serious hip and leg flexibility. Regular stretching is non-negotiable. |
| Poomsae (forms) | Prearranged sequences of techniques — similar to kata in karate |
| Dobok (uniform) | V-neck top (for WT/Kukkiwon), looser fit than a karate gi |
Physical prerequisites
Taekwondo demands more from the body than most martial arts. Your kid should expect to work heavily on:
| Physical Demand | Why | How to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Hip flexibility | Head kicks require splits or near-splits | Daily stretching — hip flexors, hamstrings, inner thighs. 15 min/day minimum. |
| Dynamic flexibility | Kicking high while moving fast | Leg swings, dynamic stretches, kicking drills at increasing height |
| Explosive power | Jumping kicks, spinning kicks, closing distance fast | Box jumps, squat jumps, broad jumps. Think: jumping over 3 chairs with knees tucked. |
| Core strength | Balance on one leg while kicking, rotational power for spinning | Planks, side planks, Russian twists, bicycle crunches |
| Cardio endurance | Competition rounds are 2 min of near-constant movement | Interval training, jump rope, sprint-rest-sprint |
Stretching is non-negotiable in Taekwondo. A kid who can't kick above the waist will struggle in sparring. Daily stretching at home — even 10 minutes — makes a huge difference. See our stretching guide.
What a typical class looks like
| Phase | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | 10–15 min | Heavy emphasis on hip and leg flexibility. Dynamic stretches, high kicks, splits work. |
| Kicks | 15–20 min | Front kick, roundhouse, side kick, back kick, spinning kicks. Pad work with partners. |
| Poomsae (forms) | 10 min | Prearranged sequences of techniques — tested for belt advancement |
| Sparring (kyorugi) | 10–15 min | Full-contact sparring with electronic chest protectors (hogu) and head gear |
| Cool-down | 5 min | Static stretching, especially splits work |