What is the difference between Taekwondo and TangSooDo?

Question

I once saw a TKD instructor teaching some TangSooDo students.

Answer 1

Tang So Do is more like Karate using the many of the same Kata's as Shotokan does.

Chuck Norris is Tang So Do as is his #1 man Chuck Merriman.

TKD uses about 70% kicks and 30% punches/ Tang SO DO is more a 50/50 split.

other than that they are both Korean and have some similar backgrounds, just a few different philosophies.

Never said he was a 10th Dan and never said he was the head of anything, thats called putting words in my mouth. He in fact did train with Norris, check your facts I was there and saw it with my own two eyes did you? So those are your statements not mine. I made only one, not all that. Norris is not even a 10th Dan yet last I knew that is and neither is Merriman and yes they both do Tang So Do. Guess you have to be old enough to remember it and have been there as I was.

Answer 2

Tang Soo Do is for the most part 50/50 when it comes to hand and foot techniques. However unlike Tae Kwon Do , TSD is not at all a sport (altho we do competitions for fun). Where TKD focuses more on competition and sport, TSD focuses more on practicality and technique. Also much of the Korean terminology differs from the 2 styles. They both derived from the same lineage however differ quite a bit when it comes to the way techniques are done. Also there are no 10th dan in Tang Soo Do. The highest is 9th dan.

Answer 3

Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do are very similar. Here's what I know:

-As said above me: Tae Kwon Do usually has greater emphasis on kicking than punching (Though some styles teach 50/50), while Tang Soo Do is almost always 50/50.

-Tang Soo Do is literally the translation of Karate-do in Korean. For example:
Tang Soo Do- Korean Karate. I believe the Tang means Chinese, so it translates to "The way of the Chinese Hand."
Yudo- Korean term for Judo.
Yudul- Korean term for Jujutsu.
It's almost exactly the same as traditional styles of Karate, as Tae Kwon Do is an attempt at combining striking from three different regions. Close, but the same necesarilly.
-It's not that Tang Soo Do doesn't have high kicking, but that isn't what it is always based around. It is usually body kicks and lower, just like Karate usually works.

If that TKD instructor was teaching them striking techniques- Sure! The chances of his elements being different from a TSD instructor is very slim, and while I don't recommend it: His first day walking into Tang Soo Do would likely be a breeze if he decided to teach, as again: The styles are similar.

Answer 4

Honestly.... Marketing ... In recent years TKD has become cool for "soccer moms" but they because "little billy can break two boards with his flying side kick"... but they originate from "wah rang do" (spelling is wrong I am sure).... In the Korean philosophy the legs are stronger and have a greater striking range, and can handle impact much better than your hand, this is why they emphasize kicking... not i repeat not because it looks cool.... but the 70-30 or 80-20 split you hear about, is only the time they train, not the number or quality of techniques... and No legitamate instructor will say hand techniques are not important, but will tell you that if you have the distance to kick instead of punch, may as well save yourself a broken knuckle...

Answer 5

There shouldnt be any difference really. You would drive off your back foot, rotate your hips, with the punch in either style. The technique would be the same. Maybe the application may be different, but a straight punch is a straight punch.

Answer 6

There is little significant difference to the lay person, and much similarity to the more experienced martial artist. Both are Korean arts and both use very similar tehcniques.

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 7

Who ever created tang so do, most likly, wanted to create their own style. The added a little more punches to tkd and claimed they created a new art. There isn't any differance, basicly. I'm sure there are "varitations" within each style but the biggest difference, I'd say, was the name. Of course this is only my view and isn't based on any hard core proven fact.

Answer 8

both korean tang soo do uses openhanded teqniques and taekwando uses foot and closed handed teqniquesv and there is also a 300 year diff in between each of them

Answer 9

It is going to come to somewhat of a surprise for MASTER MERRIMAN to know he is NORRIS's no.1 man as he is the head of GOJU AMERICA representing JAPANESE GOJU and a 10th dan in GOJU certified in JAPAN.

Answer 10

ScoobyDo prefers TankSooDo