AboutSaleem A. Expertise I can answer questions related to TKD training and excercises to improve physical performance. I can help with questions on TKD Blocks, Kicks and Strikes and how to develop better technique.
I am also able to answer questions related to Tae Kwon Do's traditions and history.
Experience I have achieved the rank of 3rd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and have studied under Kwangjinim Byung Hoon Park(9th Dan) for 9 Years.
Education/Credentials Achieved Year 12 HSC in 2004.
Currently studying Journalism at the University of Western Sydney (UWS).
Expert: Saleem A. Date: 4/9/2008 Subject: Weakness
Question What different types of weakness are there and how can they be over-come with Taw Kwon Do training .
Answer hey max, thanks for the question.
to get right down to it, there are many different kids of weaknesses. to have a weakness means that you lack a certain something in that area. An example of a weakness is a weak spot on a person, like a bad ankle or an old knee injury.
In taekwondo however, we try and identify weaknesses in our opponents sparring style. Everybody's fighting stance always has a weakness. If you use the traditional ITF fighting style with your body side on and your hands down, you expose your head too much and its harder to block head shots. In saying that, it is also alot easier to dodge being in an agile stance with maximum vision - your hands don't create blind spots. Practitioners of martial arts need to recognize that everybodys fighting stance and movements are different and unique, no two people fight the exact same. Try and learn to analyze a person's fighting stance in order to identify weaknesses in terms of their movements and where their fighting stance leaves areas exposed. If you do this correctly, you can pre-empt a clean hit to an exposed area.
If you are trying to develop a stronger fighting stance, remember that there is no stance in the world which will protect you from every kind of shot or strike so practice using a stance which flows well, allows you to move freely and execute the kicks you use commonly.
Another weakness in sparring is the kicks that are used. I can perform a variety of different kicks which all look great for show, however in sparring it is best to keep it simple and use only a handful of kicks. I tend to stick with axe kicks, headshot roundhouses, skipping side kicks and spinning hook kicks. My movements in sparring always compensate to help me execute these kicks as fast and as accurate as i can.
Now because it is common practice for martial artists to only use a handful of their techniques during sparring, it is easy to recognize based on their movements which kick they are going to perform. An example is if they step forward with their left leg before performing a right leg roundhouse. Analyzing an opponent sounds tricky but believe me when i say that you probably already do this.
If you are looking to overcome weaknesses in these areas, i stress that you practice the kicks that you lack technique in. If you do this, you give yourself more ammunition for your arsenal.
If you find that you are very flat footed in sparring, practice bouncing on your feet and moving around your opponent.
Basically if you want to remove a weakness, you need to train harder in that area.
If however you have an injury that restricts you in certain areas, then focus on training another area to help compensate. My old instructor had injuries which restricted his flexibility, so he could never reach my head. He was extremely hard to spar though because he was always moving, dodging and waiting for an opening so that he could strike with a rib-shot snap kick. He claimed two broken ribs from me in a period of six months. That's a bit of humor for you.
Anyway i hope that somewhere in this story of an answer you find what you are looking for. I thank you again for your question and hope that you continue in becoming a better martial artist.
