What Is Tae Kwon-Do?
THE ART:  Tae Kwon-Do is derived from several martial arts with its main influence being Tae Kyon Kick Fighting.  Literally translated 'Tae' is to kick or smash with the foot, 'Kwon' means to intercept or strike with the hand and 'Do' is the way or art.  Thus Tae Kwon-Do is the use of the feet and hands to swiftly overcome an attacker.  Tae Kwon-Do is split into five main sections:
PATTERNS
Concentration, technique, skills, balance, dynamics and elegance are just a few requirements needed to perform these sequences of pre-arranged movements against imaginary opponents.
SPARRING
All matches are semi-contact with full safety equipment worn to avoid any risk of injury.  Sparring helps to develop reaction, timing, speed and accuracy.
SELF-DEFENCE
As well as the confidence built up from free-sparring we also teach set sparring.  This starts with a number of pre-arranged attacks from one student and pre-arranged blocks from another, finishing with a counter attack.  As the student progresses the techniques are developed to a point where the attacker can attack or grab with any technique and the defender can block and counter with any technique.  Also, grabs, releases, holds and sweeps are studied.
DESTRUCTION
This section is strictly for higher grades adult students involving the destruction/breaking of wooden or special 'focus boards' with hands and feet.  High levels of skill and discipline are required.
FITNESS
Fitness can be gained from sparring and patterns but we also follow a scientific approach to our fitness training with a slow gradual fitness programme to an advanced peak fitness routine.