Taekwondo is an incredibly popular combat sport that is apparent in over 180 countries.
It is an intense combat sport to compete in, but it is also highly regarded.
With Taekwondo being one of the most popular martial arts, many people often consider learning it.
Whether this is for self-defense, to improve their fitness, or just as a hobby, there are a lot of participants.
However, there are things that everyone should know before participating in Taekwondo.
It is vital that people know if there are any disadvantages to Taekwondo.
As with all combat sports, there are advantages and disadvantages to learning them. Taekwondo is no exception to this rule.
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the disadvantages of Taekwondo.
We are also going to go into detail about the advantages so you have a clear understanding of Taekwondo.
What Is Taekwondo?
Before we look at if there are disadvantages to Taekwondo and what they are, it is important that we have a good understanding of what Taekwondo is.
Taekwondo originated in Korea and the origin dates are believed to be in the 1940s.
However, the modern form of Taekwondo was not formally agreed upon until 1955.
With that being said, Taekwondo is believed to have been around many centuries before its origin dates.
Taekwondo is often considered to be a combination of many different types of fighting skills.
There is a heavy focus on speed and striking in Taekwondo. It is a combat sport that also puts a heavy emphasis on footwork.
The main message of Taekwondo is believed to be using your body to stop fighting and helping to create a peaceful world.
There are many rules and oaths that Taekwondo students are expected to follow.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Taekwondo?
Now that we know what Taekwondo is, it is time to look at some of the disadvantages of learning Taekwondo.
Injury
As with any combat sport, the threat of injury is a risk that is higher than in other sports.
One of the biggest disadvantages of Taekwondo is the possibility of head trauma.
Martial arts are known for the potential to cause injuries to the head and this isn’t limited to just Taekwondo.
It should also be noted that during training sessions, particular strike combinations that could lead to head trauma are more likely to be imitated rather than practiced at full power and speed.
However, if you are performing in Taekwondo tournaments and competitions, this might not be the case.
This is where the risk of head trauma is at its highest.
Being kicked to the head might not only leave you with a bruise but also a concussion. This is why protective gear is important.
There are also other injuries to consider such as bruising.
If you are not a fan of bruises, then Taekwondo might not be the martial art for you.
Bruises are especially likely to occur at the beginning of your Taekwondo journey.
This is due to not yet mastering the skill of blocking your opponent.
Therefore, you are likely to be at the receiving end of a blow as you learn Taekwondo.
Bruises often happen when you are sparring with other members of your Taekwondo club.
As you are learning Taekwondo, it is best to keep a cold compress near you to treat the areas affected by strong hits.
Hard To Use In Street Fights
Taekwondo has often been used as a way to learn to defend yourself.
Many people who want to learn self-defense take Taekwondo classes as it teaches you great techniques when being in a fight with someone.
However, Taekwondo is good for self-defense if the opponent doesn’t know how to fight. In a scenario such as a brawl, the techniques learned in Taekwondo might be hard to apply.
For example, Taekwondo puts a lot of emphasis on footwork and powerful kicks.
This can be useful, but it means you are at a disadvantage when it comes to using your hands.
Punches to the face are prohibited in Taekwondo, but in street fights, they might be necessary.
Lack Of Combat Training
Whilst, technically Taekwondo is a combat sport, many people agree that it does not provide you with enough combat training.
This is due to the fact that Taekwondo does not teach all fighting skills, for example, proper hand-to-hand fighting techniques.
Therefore, if you’d like to branch out into these areas, you would need to learn hand-to-hand combat from scratch.
This means it is likely that you will have a weakness when it comes to making punches as Taekwondo does not focus on this.
What Are The Advantages Of Taekwondo?
Now that you are aware of the disadvantages, it is important to note that Taekwondo has many advantages. Here are some of the advantages.
Fitness
Learning Taekwondo is great for increasing your fitness. Taekwondo (see also? Can I Teach Myself Taekwondo? [Basic Moves]?) teaches you how to be fast and flexible, which helps improve your fitness.
Also, many of the movements that are taught in Taekwondo classes are extremely energetic.
This will help to build up your stamina over a period of time.
Respect
As mentioned briefly before, students of Taekwondo are encouraged to take oaths.
The main message behind these oaths is respecting others. Taekwondo is not a martial art that is used for creating violence but to create peace.
Discipline
In Taekwondo is it important to respect those who have a position in authority.
It helps to teach you discipline by encouraging you to dress in a way that shows respect.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are many disadvantages to Taekwondo. However, there are many disadvantages to learning any sport.
The main disadvantages of Taekwondo are the potential to be injured during training or competitions, the difficulty of applying Taekwondo in the real world, and the weakness of hand-to-hand combat training.
However, there are also many advantages to learning Taekwondo that should not be disregarded.
We hope that this guide has answered all of your questions surrounding the disadvantages of Taekwondo. Thank you for reading
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