The Way of the Brush & the Sword Sacred Fist Karate International Ken To Fude No Ryu Kenshu Kai Karate Solly Said's Solly Said's Karate,Kickboxing & Gym
Ken To Fude No Ryu Kenshu Kai Karate International Karate, Kickboxing & Gym
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TANG SOO DO

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CHINA KOREA MONGOLIA AND TIBET
Gwon Gyokdo Haedong Gum Do Han Mu Do Hankido Hankumdo Hapkido
Hoi Jeon Moo Sool Hwa Rang Do Kuk Sool Won Kumdo Kun Mudo Kwon Bup
Kyu Ki Do Ssireum Subak Sun Kwan Moo Tae Kwon Do Taekyon
Tang Soo Do Tukong Moosul Won Hwa Do Yongmudo Yusul  
Tang Soo Do literally means "Chinese hand way". The same characters are pronounced karate-dō in Japanese. The first character, 唐, (which initially referred to China) was later changed to 空, by Funakoshi Gichin, to mean "empty" rather than "China". Outside of the far east, the term "Tang Soo Do" has primarily become synonymous with the Korean martial art promoted by Hwang Kee. The origin of Tang Soo Do can not be definitively traced to any single person. Lee Won Kuk is credited as being one of the first instructors of Tang Soo Do in Korea. Lee Won Kuk had an established dojang in Korea during the Japanese occupation of Korea. This school was called the Chung Do Kwan, or "Blue Wave School". Lee Won Kuk received dan ranking from Funakoshi Gichin in Japan and claimed to have studied taekkyeon on the street An Gup Dong in Seoul, Korea and Kung Fu in Henan and Shanghai, China

The most famous practitioner of Tang Soo Do is Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris later founded Chun Kuk Do which is a hybrid martial art with a combination of Tang Soo Do and various other arts.

Though variation is extensive, Tang Soo Do free sparring is similar to competitive matches in other traditional Okinawan and Korean striking systems and often shows elements of American freestyle point karate. Tang Soo Do sparring consist of point matches based on the three point rule (first contestant to score three points wins) or a two minute rule (a tally of points over one two minute round; but see also AAU taekwondo point sparring handbook). Lead and rear-leg kicks and lead and rear-arm hand techniques all score equally (one point per technique). Open hand techniques (but see AAU taekwondo point sparring handbook) and leg sweeps are typically not allowed. As in karate-do kumite, scoring techniques in Tang Soo Do competition should be decisive; that is all kicking and hand techniques that score should be delivered with sufficient footing and power so that if they were delivered without being controlled they would stop the aggressive motion (incapacitate or kill) of the opponent. This rule means that many of the airborne blitzing techniques that are scored in American freestyle point karate would not score here, even if contact was made. Much of the footwork is the same, but the position of the body when executing blows is markedly different between the styles of competition. Rapid fire pump-kicking seen in American freestyle point sparring is often used in Tang Soo Do competition. However in order to score, the final kick in the pump-kick combination should be delivered from a solid base and with sufficient power or the technique is not considered decisive. Consequently, the pace of a Tang Soo Do match is somewhat slower than would be seen at a typical NASKA type tournament, but the techniques (theoretically) should be somewhat more recognizable as linear, powerful blows that are delivered from deeper stances as seen in Japanese karate-do. However, variation between Tang Soo Do competitions is extensive. Because traditional Tang Soo Do gave rise to taekwondo and because many taekwondo players enjoy Tang Soo Do competition, the powerful rear leg and spinning kick techniques used in both ITF and WTF taekwondo are commonplace traditional Tang Soo Do competitions, but are not delivered with full contact to the head.

Tang Soo Do sparring is a contact event. Though often billed as "light" or "no-contact", the typical level of contact is full (but controlled) to the body and light to the head. Contact in Tang Soo Do sparring is essential in understanding proper technique and developing mental preparedness and a level of relaxation critical to performance in stressful situations. Lessons learned from contact sparring can be applied to all aspects of life. That said, unnecessarily or disrespectfully harming your opponent in Tang Soo Do sparring is not tolerated. Health and longevity of practitioners are major goals of Tang Soo Do practice. Consequently, serious injuries are counterproductive because they retard a level of physical training that is needed to foster emotional and intellectual growth. However, minor injuries such as bumps, bruises and the occasional loss of wind may be invaluable to teachers. Each match should begin and end with respect, compassion and a deep appreciation for the opponent. Though Tang Soo Do sparring is competitive, competitions are more of an exercise, or way to develop the self, than they are a truly game-like competitive forum. Introspection and personal growth are fostered through this semi-contact competitive forum

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