This page provides relevant information for players regarding the National Sports Sparring Program (High Performance), the Taekwondo Australia Point System (TAPS) which provide rankings of current athletes and links to the latest taekwondo techniques at club level.

Click on the appropriate link below:

 

For the National Sports Sparring Program:

• 2011-12 Development Program
• National Plan Detail
• National Plan Overview

Current TAPS Ranking for Sparring Athletes - TAPS Sparring

Current TAPS Ranking for Poomsae Athletes - TAPS Poomsae

Please use the RSS Feeds at the bottom of the page to automatically receive updates to this site.

For Competition Players - Sparring Tips

For the Beginner - Basic Taekwondo Motions

For the beginner covering basic Taekwondo movements and fundamentals of Taekwondo.

For Colour Belts to Black Belts - Poomsae

Covering a description of the Taegeuk patterns, the generalities of poomsae and step-by-step movements of all the WTF patterns with videos.

For all Taekwondo Practitioners - Self Defence

Covering self defence technique against punches and weapons.

 

Sparring Tips

(Most of these tips were found on the Web Site of Martial Arts Book Author-Adam Gibson.

[Defence][Combination Attacks][Drawing Attacks][Other Tips]

Tips on Defence

When on the defensive there are some key elements and concepts to keep in mind to be successful in your counter-attacks and evasion skills. Although these are not rules chiseled in stone and never to be broken, they are fairly accurate for most situations and have been helpful in my own training as well as people I have trained.

• A direct counter-attack is usually the most devastating type of counter-attack because it is designed to stop the opponent dead in their tracks before they can execute their technique.

• The best time to counter an opponent’s attack is on their approach footwork. An example would be an opponent crosses their rear-foot behind their front foot to execute a sidekick. So therefore hit them while they are crossing behind.

• Always keep your elbows positioned so that your rib-cage is protected at all times.

• On a regular basis practice counter-attacks that can be used in almost all situations. For example the defensive sidekick can be used in just about any situation at medium to far range. Don’t think you have to memorize every way to counter an opponent, rather just concentrate on 4 to 6 techniques that are once again useful in almost all situations. Use the KISS rule. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!

• When an opponent throws a punch at your head a part of their body becomes open.

• When an opponent throws a punch at your body a part of their head becomes open.

• When countering a charging kicker another great time to hit them is when they are on one foot because their balance will be much poorer. Also it is harder to avoid the counter-attack because you can’t run away when you are on one foot.

• If you don’t have time to counter with a kick or a punch and your opponent’s technique is coming in really fast, the next best thing to do is either step into the technique jamming/or smothering it rendering it harmless.

• Another option you have for the situation described in number 8) is to quickly sidestep and execute a circular footwork technique destroying any chance of your opponent being able to implement a combination attack.

• When on the defensive backing up in a straight line should always be your last option. Countering with a punch or kick, stepping forward jamming the opponent’s technique, or sidestepping is best from a tactical point of view. If you back up in straight-line to avoid an opponent’s technique you risk having them set you up with combination attack.

• It is more important to keep the rear hand (guard) up than the front hand because if you get hit on your open side you can’t bend over to roll out of the technique.

• When someone takes a shot at your head on the blindside you can lean your head out of the way to avoid the blow or pull your lead shoulder in to your jaw to protect. When taking heavy unavoidable shots pulling your shoulder into your chin will prevent you from getting knocked out.

• Never stand flat-footed with your knees straight.

• Always keep your knees slightly bent coiled like springs so that you can move in any direction easily.

• On a regular basis practice evasion, blocking and covering-up drills.

• When sidestepping an opponent you must wait until the last split second to move. If you move too soon they will be able to follow you. If you move too late you’ll be hit.

• Never take your eyes off your opponent.

• Use your peripheral vision when fighting to enable you to see the opponent’s whole body. In order to read your opponent’s intentions one must be able to see the opponent’s hips, knees, shoulders and head.

• In a lot of cases opponent’s give away their intentions of attacking through their facial expressions. Some styles of martial arts say that you should always maintain eye contact with your opponent and that the eyes are the gateway to the soul. Realistically you can not rely on this method because this type of telegraphing is more commonly seen in beginners or inexperienced fighters. An experienced intelligent fighter usually has developed what some call a "poker face". The best fighters can fight without emotion which puts them tactically in a better predicament because you never really know what their up to until the last split second.

• Never show fear. This only builds your opponent’s confidence if they know you’re uncomfortable. Always try to look relaxed and confident. This has a way of putting your opponent on edge and nervous. When an offensive opponent is nervous or scared they have a tendency to be less aggressive or less committed to their attack which in turn decreases their fighting ability. Remember that humans are extremely visually orientated creatures and are easily lead into certain types of reactions by what th ey see. Combat is based mostly on sight alone so one must learn to utilize every possible element to bring about success.

 

Combination Attacking

The science of combination attacking is not as difficult to understand as some may think. However to accurately land combination attacks on your opponent is another story. Strong mental and physical skills for this art are quite demanding. Practice on a daily basis is necessary from the competitor to move quickly and fluently without hesitation. Hesitation is probably the biggest reason why combination attacks usually fail. Although there are many other variables that can ruin an attack sequence.

Your first initial movement is extremely important during an attack sequence because of many reasons. Your first initial movement can be used to:

Set your opponent up for your second move.

Cover distance between you and your opponent.

Check your opponent’s reaction time.

Check your opponent’s response to that technique to see where a possible weakness or opening may lie.

Draw your opponent to counter-attack or engage.

Raise or lower your opponent’s guards.

2-Kick Combinations

Two kick combinations are very simple and to the point. The initial kick is used to set up for the second kick. So in other words your first move can also be considered as a fake. Keep in mind your fake must seem real enough to your opponent so that they will react properly to your set-up. Your first move doesn’t necessarily need to connect it just has to look like it has the potential of connecting. In the following you will see how to scientifically score on your opponent with two-kick-combination attacks.

OPEN-STANCE

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (HIGH)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s mid- section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute another rear-leg roundhouse kick (with the opposite foot) to the opponent’s head.

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), REAR-LEG AXE-KICK (HIGH)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a rear-leg axe-kick high to the opponent’s head.

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK (HIGH)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a spinning roundhouse kick to the opponent’s head.

CLOSED-STANCE

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE (HIGH)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a back-leg roundhouse kick the opponent’s head.

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

SIDEKICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg sidekick to the opponent’s mid-section to draw their guards down low. Then quickly execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

5. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg axe-kick towards the opponent’s blindside to draw their guards to the blindside of the their head. Then quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

6. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg axe-kick towards the opponent’s blindside to draw their guards to the blindside of the their head. Then quickly execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, LEAD-LEG ROUNDHOUSE (LOW)

7. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg axe-kick towards the opponent’s blindside to draw their guards to the blindside of the their head. Then quickly execute a lead-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

TURN-BACK KICK (LOW), TURN BACK KICK (LOW)

8. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a penetrating turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section to drive them backward. Then quickly execute another turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section or rib-cage.

BACK-LEG AXE KICK (OUTSIDE-INSIDE), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

9. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute an outside-inside back-leg axe kick to the blindside of the opponent’s head. Then quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

BACK-LEG AXE KICK (OUTSIDE-INSIDE), BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE (LOW)

10. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute an outside-inside back-leg axe kick to the blindside of the opponent’s head. The quickly execute a back-leg roundhouse kick low to the opponent’s mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN BACK KICK (LOW)

11. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick to the opponent’s mid-section to push them backwards. Then quickly execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section or rib-cage.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

12. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick to the opponent’s mid-section to push them backwards. Then quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

3-KICK-COMBINATIONS CLOSED-STANCE

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK, BACK-LEG AXE KICK, SPINNING HOOK-KICK

1. From a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg axe kick toward the blindside of the opponent’s head to draw your guards up high. Then quickly execute a turn-back kick to your opponent’s mid-section to draw your opponent’s guards down low. Then to finish off execute a spinning hook-kick high to your opponent’s head.

BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG AXE KICK

2. From a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level to draw the opponent’s guards/defenses low to the opponent’s blindside. Then execute another rear-leg roundhouse kick to the opponent’s open-side to draw their guards/defenses low to the opponent’s low to the opponent’s open-side. Then to finish off execute a back-leg axe kick to the opponent’s head from their blindside.

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

3. From a solid fighting stance execute a lead-led front kick low to push the opponent backwards. Then execute a back-leg front kick low to push the opponent backwards again. Then to finish off execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

OPEN-STANCE

BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), LEAD-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (HIGH), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

1. From a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level to draw the opponent’s guards/defenses low to their open-side. Then execute a lead-leg roundhouse kick head-level to draw their guards/defenses up high. Then to finish off execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

2. From a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick mid-section level to push the opponent backwards. Then execute a spinning roundhouse kick mid-section level to draw the opponent’s guards down low to their open-side. Then to finish off execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), REAR-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

3. From a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick mid-section level to push the opponent backwards. Then execute a rear-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level on the opponent’s open-side. Then to finish off execute a spinning hook-kick high to the opponent’s head.

LEAD-LEG AXE KICK (HIGH), REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

4. From a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg axe kick coming up on your opponent’s open-side. Then execute a rear-leg front kick mid-section level to push them backward. Then to finish off execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

Drawing Combination Attacks

OPEN-STANCE

SIDEKICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

1. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg sidekick towards the opponent’s mid-section. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before you they can finish you execute a turn-back kick to their mid-section.

LEAD LEG AXE-KICK, SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

2. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg axe kick towards the open side of your opponent’s head. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before you they can finish you quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the head.

LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

3. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a turn-back kick to the mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

4. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a spinning hook-kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a turn-back kick to the mid-section.

CLOSED-STANCE

BACK-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), SPINNING HOOK-KICK (HIGH)

1. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level towards your opponent’s blind-side. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a spinning hook-kick high to the head.


BACK-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), INSIDE-OUTSIDE AXE KICK (HIGH)

2. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a back-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute an inside-outside axe kick to the open-side of your opponent’s face.


LEAD-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), BACK-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW)

3. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg front kick mid-section level to push your opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a turn-back kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a back-leg front kick to the opponent’s hip area knocking them off balance short circuiting their movement.

LEAD-LEG ROUNDHOUSE KICK (LOW), TURN-BACK KICK (LOW)

4. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a lead-leg roundhouse kick mid-section level towards your opponent’s open-side. The opponent steps backwards switching sides to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a turn-back kick to the opponent’s mid-section.

REAR-LEG FRONT KICK (LOW), REVERSE PUNCH (LOW)

5. Starting from a solid fighting stance execute a rear-leg front kick mid-section level to push the opponent backward. The opponent skips backwards to avoid being hit and then attempts to counter-attack with a rear-leg roundhouse kick, but before they can finish you quickly execute a reverse punch to the mid-section.

Other Tips

Single attacks are used most frequently in Tae Kwon Do competition.

Counter attacks : These have the highest succes rate in terms of scoring a point when compared to all other attack styles.

In descending order, the Attacks used most frequently in taekwondo competition are : roundhouse kick to the body, backkick to the body, axe kick to the face, roundhouse kick to the face, pushing kick to the body, punching to the body, hook kick to the head, front kick to the body, and spinning wheel kick to the head.

In descending order,Techniques That Score The Most Points are:
roundhouse to the body, backkick to the body, roundhouse to the face, axe kick to the face, axe kick to the body, spinning wheel kick to the face.

In descending order, The Most Successful Attacks are:
backkick to the body, roundhouse to the face, roundhouse to the body, axe kick to the face, spinning wheel kick to the face, pushing kick to the body.

Tips On Kicking

Always keep the kicking leg's knee as high as possible when chambering for a kick.This allows for

Greater power: A kick the travels parallel to the ground will have the greatest impact.

More targets to chose from: From a high position it is possible to redirect the kick to nearly any target, this is much harder to do when the knee is chambered low.

Lengthens the opponents reaction time: Since a kick can be delivered either high or low the opponent does not know where the target will be.

Multiple kicks: With the knee kept high after a kick the leg is rechambered and ready to strike. If the knee is dropped while recoiling it must first be raised again in order to deliver a second or third technique, resulting in a slower kick. This is the key to delivering multiple kicks effectively.

Five Steps To Accelerate the Learning Process

1. Watch the technique being demonstrated and examine it closely. Now close your eyes and see the entire technique being executed in your minds eye, just as it was demonstrated. If any portion is unclear go back and watch it being demonstrated until you can perfect the movement in your mind's eye.
2. This time imagine , or see, in your mind's eye, yourself performing the technique. See yourself performing the technique in slow motion first. Then speed up the imagery a little faster, until you can see yourself performing the technique perfectly at full speed.
3. The next step is to see yourself performing the technique through your own eyes. Instead of seeing the technique from the outside, imagine it with you as the fighter. Imagine what you would see from your own eyes. Consider what you would hear, and what you would feel through your hands, knees, and elbows.
4. The next step is to physically practice the technique with a partner. As you do this, make small adjustments in the areas where your imagery may have not been completely accurate. Refine steps 2 and 3 now that you have the physical experience of performing the fighting technique.
5. The last step is a continuous one. Once you've got a clear and precise image of the technique, and you're physically trained to execute the technique, then you should begin to imagine different fighting scenarios. As you're walking, sitting,standing, or whatever, imagine ( you don't have to close your eyes) being attacked from various directions and see your response. Evaluate your response.

This five step process may seem strange at first. However this is the same mental process that highly skilled athletes use in the pursuit of mastering their particular skills. This process has been proven to accelerate the learning curve of any physical skill.