is tae kwon do realy effective in a fight?

Question

or would you need some ote martial arts backgrounds

Answer 1

I'm a Red Belt in TKD and have been in two street fights with it.

The techniques used in TKD are as effective if not more effective than those learned in boxing.

I've trained at 2 TKD schools. One was a full-contact school. after 3 years there, I thought I was the toughest SOB on the planet, and I was pretty much right. The second was a "low-contact" school and I wouldn't trust what I learn there defending me any more than a step-aerobics class.

There are a few things to keep in mind.

1. If you are not used to getting hit, you are in trouble. Getting hit takes a lot of getting used to. If you are not used to it, it is going to hurt.

2. If your opponent is a grappler, you may be trouble.

3. TKD is about technique, not about strength. If you get someone who wants to wrestle, you better be able to out muscle them.

4. Be prepared for anything! A good school teaches defense against everything. The best grapplers in the world can't hurt you if they can't grab you. If they do grab you, a well placed elbow to the area where the spine meets the back of the head will stop anyone (it might also kill a person as well). The strongest person can not grab you if you break their knees for them.

In short, TKD is actually a deadly martial art if you are aware of the shortcomings and have prepared to defend against somone trying to exploit the weak areas of the art. If you combine TKD with a ground art like jiu-jitsu or wrestling, you will be in very good shape against almost anything.

But like I said, you can not go to a no-contact school and expect to be able to take on Mike Tyson. To be able to defend yourself, it takes practice, practice, practice, and getting hit many times. If you use the art IRL, you better be prepared to kill someone as if you properly use TKD, it may be something you do.

As to the two fights I was in. The first was a mugging in Milwaukee. The guy hit me and I leveled him after a kick to the groin and a spinning hook kick to the side of the head when he bent over (total time about 5 seconds). The second stopped before it even started. A guy punched me in the bar and I looked at him with a straight face and asked him why he did that (I still don't know what his problem was). I was so used to being hit, it didn't even phase me. He promptly left the bar.

Best of luck! The best way to defend yourself is to not get into a fight to begin with.

Answer 2

I wouldn't know from experience, but I think it has more to do with the attitude of the fighter than the techniques he or she might have learned. I have heard of a 5th Dan black belt being beaten up by street thugs because he didn't have the initiative to translate what he learned in the dojo to a real life situation. And I have heard of a white belt breaking the legs and arms of three people in a bar fight, because he was willing and able to use the techniques he had only just learned for the first time. It is all in the willingness to fight and die if one is challenged.

I personally avoid confrontation if possible, and a regular person can never know what he or she will do in a fight until it happens. But if my life or a loved one's life was threatened, I have had enough martial arts training to know how to switch to a hyperaware fight mode. Sometimes you can scare off an attacker without even throwing a punch. It is all in the attitude and execution. I don't think of martial arts if I am in a dangerous situation; I think of how to achieve safety, and if that isn't possible, how to kill my opponent. There is no in between--needless to say, I don't go in for competition sparring.

Answer 3

Yes the techniques that TKD uses are very effective, but many schools teach the sport side of it, if that's not what you're lookin' for, then tell your instructor, or find a school that teaches the self defense side and not the sport.

once you feel you have progressed far enough in TKD (but I would try to get as far as I could, set a goal, like red belt or black belt or better) then you can learn another Martial Art to add to what you already know because it definitely wouldn't hurt to learn something new. it will actually better you and improve your quality of what you already learned.

I have learned Tang Soo Do (another Korean Martial Art that is similar to TKD) and currently hold a red belt one black stripe, but I have also been lucky enough to be able to learn Hapkido in the same class.

Answer 4

Not when you've had a few.

I don't care how much training you've had. You try kicking a 6ft man in the head after 8 - 10 pints and see what happens... the thing is, you beat yourself so effectively that your opponent will laugh at you, before taking your mobile phone, wallet and watch.

I switched to Wing Chun (Kung Fu), close combat fighting, meant to deal with opponents quickly using they're wait. With the right teacher it is philosophical, and is basically reflex training. Takes about 18mths before you can use it effectively.

All striking arts tend to be beaten by grappling. However, grapplers have the problem of only being able to tackle one opponent at a time, whilst their mate kicks you in the head. Tricky.

How about, running away?

Answer 5

Yes is and it is not just about competition, some tae kwon do schools do focus on compaction, where as others focus on self-defense...and YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER TRY AND START A FIGHT OR GO LOOKING FOR A FIGHT, because no tae kwon do veteran or master would every say other wise or suggest it, (if one dose then he/she is not a Martel artist).

Answer 6

If you are defending yourself you want to really have something like jiu-jitzu which is meant for self defense in a real life situation...i believe taekwondo is more for just competition sparring but at the end of the day any knowledge of martial arts should teach you control...meaning you are less likely to get into a fight.

Answer 7

One time I was attacked by two men in the street and because of my Tae Kwon Do training I was able to deal with situation. Although they managed to punch me a couple of times, like most street brawling thugs they were clumsy and depended entirely on brute force. I was able to get a few good kicks in which incapacitated them enough giving me time to just walk away. It was because of the training that I was able to remain calm and stay in control even though I was totally just about to pee my pants.

Answer 8

yes but just be aware of the limits of the style. If you trained for tournament style fighting, you pick up very bad habits (like not defending your groin, eyes, throat, OR waiting for a ref to award a point after you hit or get hit). Someone will jam you and get too close so that they are not at the optimum range for TKD kicks or punches. Will you know how to use your knees, elbows, escape grabs?

Answer 9

You need to be like water, my friend. Able to adapt to any situation. The problem is, when you do tkd, you are used to fighting against people who are using the same techniques as you. In a fight, you could be facing anything. Just look for openings, and the rest of your training (fitness, reflexes, speed, strength) will be sure to help you. Just expect the unexpected.

Answer 10

Against a layman usually yes.
Against most other experienced martial artists the turns and pivot movements during kicks make it too slow compared to Karate, Ju Jitsu or rough styles as boxing or muay thai.

don't even start against me.