Alrighty I'm late into this thread, and new to this group, so this could be long
The "BashTKD" article in my opinion was put together fairly well, and I am having some difficulty trying to decide if this is a TKD practioner stating some misconceptions, or a non practioner pointing out weaknesses. I've emailed him just because I'm curious. All in all I can say is that this isn't the first time I've heard all these arguements before. I would like to rebut these misconceptions if I may from my standpoint (WTF style TKD training)
First thing first, the techniques. As stated in the article
"... TKD focuses far too much on kicks with very little emphasis on punching, particularly as influenced by Competition style TKD..."
This has been a common complaint that I've heard from other MA practioners. This I find is invalid. It is true that there is a defnite emphasis on kicks, especially in schools that train for competitions, and I am guilty of sometimes overtraining this way myself, however, one could look at the forms in TKD and notice a definate lacking of kicks, especially in the lower poomse. Example: The kicho set of forms, or basic set for beginners does not include any kicks at all, but has emphasis on blocking/counter punching techniques. These forms generally aren't used however because they are quite old and kukkiwon no longer (if ever) uses these as testing requirements in their syllabus.
The Palgwae poomse (which are also no longer needed by kukkiwon) continue the emphasis on block/counter punching, but they also add kicks. The only two kicks used however are side kicks, and front kicks. No flashy jumping spinning 360 degree hook kicks in these patterns. There is also an emphasis on two handed combonation techniques. Swallow form, high knifehand block with a high knifehand strike. As well as clutch and pull combinations.
The Taguek poomse, are the most recently developed forms for the WTF. The emphasis is very similar to the palgwae forms, however the stances or higher and the round house kick is added to one of these forms, as well as double jumping front kick in another. All these kicks are generally middle section.
The Yudanja poomse, begin to take more advantage of kicks, but they have gone back to lower stances than the Tageuk series. The Bum sogi stance is also used much more frequently. Techniques however are still generally based hand techniques, and Keumgang has no kicks in it whatsoever. Cheonkwon actually looks very kung fu-ish if you've ever seen it, very pretty pattern.
The next point of misconceptions is strategy. The author of BashTKD has also added a stategy from Brazilian Ju Jitsu, which is sound
"...BJJ's Strategy says: "All, or most, fights are comprised of only two combatants, and end up with both combatants 'wresting' on the ground rather than standing..."
This is a sound statement, IF their are only two combatants. In modern day self defense however, most altercations never involve two people. Their is usually one, and then another group. In this case mobility is going to keep you from harm, so going to the ground is not normally desirable. Course during hosinsool, use whatever works. I like this one "How do you get out of a headlock? Tell your buddy to kick the guy grabbing you"
This is common of how altercations go in today's society, unfortunately
Next point is on training, or more specifically sparring as the author clearing discusses. The misconception is that a TKD practioner will go for the high kicks, or kicks in general during sparring. This is very true in the WTF (I can't attest for ITF), mainly because our sparring is competition based, and their are rules. It isn't a fight, it is a game. The high kicks to the head are to get the most points (two points for a head kick plus one if there is a standing 8 count) You can see why it's tempting to go for those high kicks. The author states however
"Many believe TKD's kicking (as taught and practiced) isn't even appropriate for MOST situations"
This is completely true, and I have no rebuttal for it other than if someone attacking me is willing to give me the time to kick them in the head, I'll take it, but this goes back to hosinsool, and I know of few good WTF schools that teach hosinsool with hi section flashy kicks. Usually the the lower legs or hip is the target.
The final section has to deal with philosophy. Once again I will take a quote from the author.
"We will skip Philosophy since it is difficult to identify any particular philosophy associated specifically with TKD other then "Be a better person"
This is false, completely. However it is a misconception. The Taeguek poomse are based on the Chinese philosophy pertaining to the trigrams, and the I Ching.
The Palgwae forms are based on the opposites of the Taegeuks, which is the dealings of man.
The Yundanja poomse deal with various korean and eastern philosophies, including earth, water, sky, and oneness to name a few.
Here's a link that is actually quite good in describing the Taegeuk and the I Ching
http://www.tcnj.edu/~tkd/articles/iching.htm
Now just quickly to close (thx for hanging on so long) The McDojangs that are always spoken of, will always be there. Not just in TKD but every other style, especially in North America since there is no governing bodies to stimulate and govern legit styles, arts, schools, instructors, etc . . . Anyone could go to a store buy a black belt, call them selves Grandmaster of chicken fu and open a school to make some money.
The advantage of belonging to international organizations such as the ITF or WTF, is that people can check on the school owners/instructors/Black belts credentials by getting ahold of the said governing bodies. This helps eleminate the Grandmaster of chicken fu people. The added advantage is also that being a member allows you to train at other members schools, with permission from the instructors. If I go on a vacation to the UK I can take my dobak, find a WTF school, ask if it's possible to train there while I'm there, and give them my Kukkiwon certification, and more often than not the answer will be yes, and I will know the material, but I will be able to learn the specific nuances.
On the topic of "military" or "combat" TKD, no offense intended to MartialArtist. I view these as buzz words mainly because TKD was developed for the military. It's all how intense the instructor wishes to teach.
Thx for listening, if I hear back from the Author of the BashTKD article, I'll let ya'll know.
:yinyang: