Definition

Taekwondo is a martial art and sport that teaches the practitioner techniques for defense and offense without the use of weapons.  Regardless of age or sex, Taekwondo teaches the practitioner to use his/her hands and feet in any defensive situation.

Functions

1. Physical Exercise
   As a form of physical exercise, Taekwondo has a great effect on children's growth and development as well as youths' and elders' physical fitness.  The technique and form of Taekwondo are designed to develop control of all parts of the body.  In addition, Taekwondo demonstrates poise, allows flexibility in all joints of the body, and helps relieve fatigue and stress.

2. Martial Art
   As a martial art,

3. Modern Sport
   Taekwondo has new merit as a modern sport.

4. Educational Tool
   Taekwondo not only improves a person's physical well being, but one's mental state as well.

Techniques

• Poomse
  Poomse is a pattern of a systematic series of techniques that allows the practitioner to practice defense and offense techniques by themselves against an imaginary opponent.  The Line of Movement in Taekwondo Poomse is based upon the traditional ideology of ancient Korean people.  The entire outward figure of each Poomse is composed to match the ideological figure of what each name of Poomse means.

• Gyroogi
  Gyroogi is the actual sparring against an opponent applying offense and defense techniques that one has learned through Poomse.  Within Gyroogi, there is One-Step Sparring where two people practice in a predetermined systematic form.  Also, there is Free Sparring where they practice without any predetermined form.

• Competition
  Taekwondo competition is conducted by two players, Chung (blue) and Hong (red).   Only punching and kicking techniques are allowed during competition, and one can only attack the front part of the body.  Only kicks are allowed to the face.   Hits below the belt line are forbidden.  All vulnerable parts are covered with protective gear.  Head gear, trunk protector, groin guard, forearm and shin guards help prevent injuries during competition.

Propagation Status (Dan & Poom Holders)
Unique to the practice of Taekwondo is the system of ranking and promotions.  Each student begins their training with a white belt and is "promoted" to yellow, green, blue, red and then finally black belt.  These ranks under black belt are called "Gup" (or class) and range from 9th Gup (lowest) to 1st Gup (highest).

In contrast, black belt is divided into 1st Dan (degree) to 9th Dan (from lowest to highest).  It will take a diligent student from 2-5 years to attain 1st Dan black belt.  Students under 15 years old reaching the "degree" level receive "Poom" (children's degree).  This is noted by a belt which is half red and half black.

After completing 15-20 years of practice and specialized training, the 4th Dan is awarded and signifies instructor ranking.  Testing is done in accordance with Kukkiwon standards.

Training
In the training school, the dojang, there is no age, sex, or racial barriers; everyone begins their training with a white belt.  The instructor (the Master) allows each practitoner to progress at his or her own rate in accordance to his or her ability.   During this learning, the student can expect to develop strength, stamina, quickness, flexibility, coordination, and balance.  But to fully master the sport, one must also develop the important mental charactoristics:  patience, humility, self-control, perseverence, concentration, and respect.  It generally takes years of studying and practicing to reach the black belt level.  As students develop skill, they are awarded colored belt, which signify class rank.