Hello.
Is it any type of grapling in Taekwondo???
In my opinion, the correct answer to this question is "Yes!"
As others have stated, it has much to do with definitions, and sources of training. First, anyone who has read my posts knows that I define "Taekwondo" as the name chosen in 1955 to represent all of the Korean Martial Art knowledge, ancient past, recent past, and present. Any training that identifies itself with the history of native Korean Martial Art, regardless of the name it is called (IE: Hapkido, Subak, Taekyon, Hwarang-do, Hoshinsul, Yudo, etc.) should be construed as part of Taekwondo.
While it is true that some instructors of the past, did not want to use the "Taekwondo" label, or work under the auspices of a Taekwondo governing body, and they created their own schools and organizations, this does not remove the same knowledge from Taekwondo's curriculum. The only reason for "grappling" to be omitted from any Taekwondo course would either be because the instructor chose not to include it, or because the instructor was not taught the complete curriculum, therefore could not offer it.
The part of Taekwondo that resembles what is done in Hapkido is, in fact, hapkido. I was trained by Korean Grandmasters who were also Masters of Hapkido, and most of them did not separate the two. Nor did they separate Yudo, or Hoshinsul. Those in Hapkido organizations have chosen to be separate from Taekwondo, but the same skills and philosophy still remains in the complete Taekwondo curriculum.
Taekwondo is the main heading. People should not be misled by "literal translations" (smashing with the hands and feet), thinking that this means there is no grappling, ground-fighting, or anything else. The titles do not represent everything that is in the art. Does the word "judo" really cover all the techniques that are contained within the art? That would be like saying that a disc-jockey at a "discotheque" only plays "Disco" music. Actually, discotheques have been around long before the term for "Disco" music was coined. Although "discotheque" means a "record library" I don't believe you will find a librarian, or many records in them (more CDs, and wider range of music genre).
Perhaps, instead of calling our art "Taekwondo" we should use a more accurately descriptive name like:
The art of avoiding impact, throws, and ground-fighting by evading, blocking, or striking with the hands, feet, elbows, knees, and head, while using pressure points and joint locks, and grappling effectively on the ground, if you have to, but getting back to your feet as quickly as possible.
That name is a bit long, although, I don't know of a single, brief Korean word that would encompass all of that. Perhaps that is why we use the term "Do."
My point is, don't take something for its literal translation. The complete meaning is much more. Many people look at the so-called "McDojangs" (as many of them as there are), and say, "that is what Taekwondo is." False. Others see only the tournament oriented schools lacking Realistic Self Defense training and say, "that is what Taekwondo is." Again, False!
Grappling is a means to an end. When you make contact (other than striking) you are attempting to do one of three things: A. control your opponent's body, B. defeat through submission, knock-out, or injury (slight or death), or C. escape. Grappling can be done in a variety of positions, but can be divided into three main categories: 1. Standing, 2. Sitting, or 3. kneeling or lying on a surface (bed, ground, etc.).
The only issues that remain are, do you train in grappling at all, to what degree of thoroughness, and what is your preference or priority? Judo tends to focus on the grappling, throwing, and ground-fighting because that is the nature of the art. Taekwondo includes the ground-fighting, but it is the philosophy of Taekwondo to avoid the ground whenever possible, not because we are not good at it (for those who train properly), but because it is inherently dangerous to be in close contact.
This is particularly true with modern fighting where people commonly carry very sharp knives, and razors, and can cut you to shreds before you realize the blade is there. Also, there are problems with grappling with one person, if there are multiple attackers, especially if a friend of your attacker's has a knife or gun. The preference of a Taekwondoist is to stay mobile on your feet, keep your distance for safety, and use your strongest weapons. We strike, and destroy anyone who attempts to close in for grappling or take-downs for ground-fighting, but once on the ground, our skills in striking is not lost, nor should we be of lesser skill in actual ground-fighting to defeat the attacker.
Many people who studied Taekwondo for a short time (dropping out before 1st or 2nd Dan) might not have been shown the full range of ground-fighting that is contained in Taekwondo. If their instructor actually knew the skills, they might have only introduced basic grappling techniques to the color belts. I focus more on a balance throughout the training, but I do reserve some of the more deadly, and effective skills till I really know the student well (five or more years).
I trained in Judo and Aikido, but my curriculum is based solely in the full range of skills within Taekwondo. I become aware of what my opponent can do, and I train to be able to counter it. If a skill in another system is improved, or discovered as a modern method, I will adjust my training to include it. Any art should be flexible to grow with modern times, and new discoveries, but this does not mean that I am borrowing the grappling from another art because it already existed in Korea centuries ago. I simply modify its application as needed.
This is my opinion on the subject.
CM D.J. Eisenhart
TKD as I first learned it (as passed down from the same Korean grandmaster where I get my HKD) is VERY combat oriented.
