One step backthrust

In the previous post, we can see the use of jumping backthrust and feint step backthrust at the world championships. In this post, there is another backthrust that is especially useful to lure the opponent in first.

Backthrust in many instances is often used as a defensive counter kick. So, in this match, Olympic champion Son Tae Jin shows how to lure the opponent in first and performed a backthrust.

He took a step in first to make his target open and knowing that the opponent might try to attack he followed up with a backthrust. The display of this technique is seen at the start of the match. In a way, this technique can also be seen as an attacking technique since the player initiated the move first. The Olympic champion did quite a few backthrusts in this match.

Displaying of the different backthrusts at the World Championships

Round 1

This match was one that have many points scored from the players. Besides the fact that there more actions in this game, the main reason for being interesting are the techniques deployed in the game. With the new point system of two points for backthrust, those who wants to see how backthrust can be used can see them from this match. In fact an higher level of backthrust is being used such as the jumping backthrust by former world and olympic champion. His opponent has also displayed real skills by using step backthrust at the later rounds. Watch on for more exciting rounds at the back of the post.



Round 2



Round 3

The risk of turning after kicking

There is perhaps something that can be learned from in this match. One of them can be seen in the first round whereby the blue opponent turned one round after performing a turning kick. The red opponent from Korea did a smart move actually by doing a feint which lured the blue to attack but

it was the one full round he turned that enables the Korean to catch the target and scored. But then again it of course depends on how sharp your opponent is. In the second round the Korean managed to score a head kick and that was of accuracy and precision.

Overall the match was alright. After securing the points the Korean seems to keep evading and waiting for counter. He did managed to attack when the timing is right at times. The blue however was trying to attack and score back though not too eager on pursuing probably due to the fact that the Korean is fast in countering. He did some nice fanciful kicks but he could not score and thus the winner of this game is obvious. Some may say the blue may be too passive but in the game it is always not that easy to do certain things unless you are in the game itself.

The technique of deflection in Taekwondo

The technique of deflection is an important skill in sparring or in self defense as it allows the practitioner to deflect away the strength therefore enabling one to defend against others especially those with greater strength. Imagine a greater force clashing against you probably the one blocking will get hurt more easily. The

technique of deflection can be well practiced during our pattern training before using it in fast paced sparring. The technique of deflection lies in the twist of the block and the timing of the block which is the point of contact with the attacking kick or hand.

Every block such as the low block, inward block and high block needs to focus on this technique for it is this technique that will block away the punch or kick effectively. The key to better this technique is through consistent and proper practice and it can be done slowly and build up from there through poomsae training.

Why such a rule in Taekwondo sparring?

The recent rules about sparring has caught my attention when I realized one could actually hit the back of the head and it is considered as points now. In the past, kicking at the back of the body including the head is not allowed. There were some negativity about this because one player can actually just turned his head and if it was kicked, his opponent will get some points deducted. This does not seems very fair but there are rules that are imposed to stop such practice as turning your head and body so that opponent kicks your back is not allowed. The reason

why kicking the back of the head and it is allowed is not too good is that it could be dangerous as the back of the head could be damaging and the sides of the face and the face is already damaging enough if it is kicked. It is a sport so safety is always an important consideration and moreover sometimes rules are what made the sport interesting and shows that certain techniques and skills are needed to play it well. The second reason is that kicking the back of the opponent does not seems to be a gentleman thing to do moreover it is Taekwondo we are talking about here.

This is a sport that is supposed to have martial arts origin whereby codes of ethic is strongly emphasized. It is not only about the skills but I supposed it is about the character development as well.