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Creatine is just more than a supplement
Creatine is proving to be one of the most promising, well researched, and safe supplements ever discovered for an exceptionally wide range of uses. Although creatine offers an array of benefits, most people think of it simply as a supplement that...

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The Difference Between Karate and Tae Kwon Do
The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder what the difference between these two martial arts is. This is especially the case for those who are just starting to look around for a martial...

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The Difference Between Karate and Tae Kwon Do

The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder what the difference between these two martial arts is. This is especially the case for those who are just starting to look around for a martial arts studio. After all, most practitioners in both karate and tae kwon do seem to wear the same type of white gi uniforms with various colored belts.

Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese martial arts today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do. Today, there are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Many tae kwon do schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. There are also older Korean styles including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized karate and tae kwon do schools also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue in addition to the traditional white.

It can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate which are set routines


which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in karate. Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.

In North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both karate and tae kwon do competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will have separate forms divisions for Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts in tae kwon do end up studying karate as well and the opposite has been true too. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport. The style and rules used for the Olympic version of tae kwon do fighting comes from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). Both karate and tae kwon do are considered as hard style martial arts in North America today (as opposed to soft styles such as the many versions of Chinese kung fu).

About the author:

Clint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info articles.

 

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  • 2 minute fitness

  • 7 ideas to take your fitness training outside

  • 8 technical aspects of the martial arts

  • about no rules full contact fighting

  • advanced military technology in the martial arts

  • advantages of martial arts for kids

  • aikido sensei derek eastman biography part one

  • aikido the derek eastman sensei biography part four

  • aikido the derek eastman sensei biography part three

  • amazing kung fu martial arts history

  • are the martial arts still under development

  • are you combat fit

  • a gorgeous flooring for yoga and exercise tatami interlocking mats

  • a martial arts website using mind body and spirit

  • a natural bodybuilding do 769 way of life

  • before you buy that self defense product

  • black belts and good wine

  • bodybuilding sins that cause back pain and missed workouts part 2

  • british aikido board controversy

  • british aikido board national nepotism seminar

  • british aikido board national nepotism seminar 2004

  • capoeira the brazilian martial art

  • childhood obesity

  • choosing a self defense martial arts school a parents guide

  • choosing the right martial art

  • choosing the right self defense class

  • creatine is just more than a supplement

  • de mystifying fly fishing

  • diet and exercising for weight loss

  • early days of british aikido

  • eden rocks shore dives in grand cayman

  • examining martial arts styles

  • exercise personalities whats your type

  • fitness in five minutes a day

  • five things you dont and should know about stress

  • florida state university study prompts humane self defense training class

  • fun games for children training in martial arts

  • health is your greatest asset

  • herbal plasters and ointments used for pain relief

  • high energy food

  • history and fundamentals of karate

  • how to choose a martial arts school

  • how to choose a self defense product

  • how to defend against a knife dont use the stuff taught in the dojo

  • how to eat all you want and still lose weight

  • how to empower yourself with self defense

  • how to get certified in scuba diving

  • how to keep yourself fit on vacations

  • index

  • is aikido a martial art

  • is aikido a martial art part 1

  • is aikido a martial art part 2

  • is aikido a martial art part 3

  • is aikido a martial art part one

  • is aikido a martial art part three conclusion

  • is aikido a martial art part two

  • is a treadmill the right exercise equipment for you

  • jujitsu history philosophy and methods

  • karate a history

  • kendo a summary

  • kendo dojos

  • kenshiro abbe sensei 50th celebration

  • kenshiro abbe sensie 50th celebrations

  • kick your body into 2nd gear in 3 easy steps

  • kung fu history and basic principles

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  • l carnitine deficiency

  • martial arts and the bible

  • martial arts in each season nature in training

  • martial arts mind body and spirit presented online

  • martial arts webmasters time to optimize your site

  • martial training as a timeless portal

  • my top 15 non traditional muscle building fat scorching workouts

  • newest martial arts study today

  • new book positive aikido

  • oriental herbal plasters and ointments for pain relief

  • physical fitness is your workout missing something

  • pilates exercise more than just a core workout

  • positive aikido

  • positive aikido part one

  • positive aikido part two

  • positive aikido the book

  • proprioceptive training a key to sports success

  • reasons to join a martial arts class

  • rebounding to better health

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  • self protective strategies yield positive outcome

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  • tai chi for the masses and others

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  • the 7 keys to martial arts speed

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  • the aikido biography of sensei henry ellis 5th dan

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  • the best martial art

  • the biography of sensei derek eastman part 1 of 2

  • the biography of sensei derek eastman part 2 of 2

  • the british aikido board national nepotism seminar

  • the degradation of fitness science one example

  • the difference between karate and tae kwon do

  • the great british aikido controversy

  • the history of darts

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  • the kenshiro abbe 50th celebrations

  • the kenshiro abbe 50th celebration event

  • the martial arts and self defense emotional response and reaction

  • the origins of ti chi

  • the plight of industrialized man

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  • the secrets of martial arts exposed

  • the spread of submission fighting techniques

  • training traditional martial arts

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  • yoga teachers prepare for the new years rush part 1

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