There are many disciplines in Taekwon-Do, however a normal training session begins with warmup and flexibility to ensure that all students are ready to train.

As students study Taekwon-Do, they learn fundamental movements in sequences that become increasingly more technical.

Composition of Taekwon-Do

Taekwon-Do Goosung

1. Fundamental movements

The core techniques that constitute the foundation of Taekwon-Do including stances, blocks, strikes, thrusts and kicks. This includes body position, power generation, precision, control and building blocks of patterns, sparring ad self-defence. 

2. Patterns (Tul)

Patterns are sequences of attacking and defensive movements performed with full power against a series of imaginary opponents. This means that students also show how to breathe and use a ‘sine-wave’ movement to focus power and energy in every movement.

3. Power (Dallyon)

Breaking is part of the program for promotion to each higher level, starting with green belt, and is included in competitions. The goal of breaking is to allow the student to develop self-confidence. Breaking demonstrates that the student has mastered the techniques that allow him or her to produce maximum power.

Power breaking demonstrates technical efficiency, precision, aim, and power. It is very important to practice breaking without hurting oneself. Therefore, thorough preparation is essential.

This is done by breaking plastic (re-breakable) and wooden boards. With a good understanding of how to move, and how to use your body effectively, you learn to demonstrate the full power of TaeKwon-Do techniques.

4. Sparring (Matsogi)

Although Taekwon-Do is a defensive art, training by the practical application of techniques against a real adversary, or several, is very important. In fact, it is an excellent way to check what a student has learned.  

There are many types of sparring, but the focus will be on three key forms: step sparring, semi-free sparring, and free sparring”.

Types of sparring

• three step
• two step
• one step
• semi-free
• free sparring (with hand/foot pads and helmet)
• pre-arranged
• Taekwon-Do sparring 
• foot sparring 
• knife sparring
• model sparring

Please note that free sparring with pads, is semi-contact. It is like a game of tag and not heavy contact. While we include some sparring games for beginners free sparring is taught from yellow belt onwards. 

5. Self-defence (Hosin Sul)

The application of Taekwon-Do to defend against grabs, strikes and kicks, chokes and holds, knife or stick attacks, and multiple attackers. It includes releases, joint locks, strikes, throws and attacks designed to neutralise a threat quickly and safely. We teach techniques appropriate to age, size and circumstance and take time to talk holistically about personal safety as self-defence begins with a broader situational awareness in life.

Ultimately, the composition of Taekwon-Do enables students to handle real situations due to 

• increased mental capacity respond under stress
• increased range of options 
• muscle memory for techniques
• enhanced sense of distance, force and accuracy
• speed and power to deliver techniques

We always seek to de-escalate first – seek to build a more peaceful world. 

Finally, Taekwon-Do competitions also include special techniques

Jumping and breaking (power testing) combine athletic performance with perfect execution of techniques. These techniques include flying techniques and can be spectacular. Height and length of movements are emphasised.