Are you searching for Taekwondo 75070 classes to try? Consider the Kickboxing or Karate classes offered at our McKinney, TX dojo! For years, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts has been helping people just like you master the art of Tae Kwon Do. What’s more, our programs are open to all! Whether you’re a kid or an adult, a beginner, or a black belt, there’s a class for everyone at TRMA!
Get in touch with our team to learn which of our programs would be best suited to you and your needs. Call our local self-defense experts at (214) 585-0555 for more information about enrollment and affordability.
Karate VS Taekwondo 75070
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. It draws inspiration from the fighting techniques, traditions, and values of ancient China, Japan, and Korea. There are 3 strong points of emphasis – agility, respect, and perseverance.
Taekwondo has many similarities to the Japanese martial art we offer at our McKinney dojo, Karate. Both use similar dojos, uniforms, practice equipment, sparring gear, and drills. Despite these similarities, the two martial arts have some significant differences.
One of the main differences between Taekwondo and Karate comes from the word Karate itself. It translates from Japanese to mean empty. This is seen in martial art in 2 ways. Most Karate athletes do not use weapons; they choose to fight empty-handed. Secondly, the largest technical focus in Karate is on open-handed techniques like the world-famous karate chop. This is a stark difference from Taekwondo’s technical emphasis on powerful kicks.
The other 2 main differences are found when analyzing the differences in sparring practices.
Sparring Similarities
There are 2 main similarities when it comes to sparing – purpose and the use of similar protective gear.
Learning either martial art can be broken into 3 Japanese concepts: Kihon (basics), Kata (forms), and Kumite (sparring). Each technique learned in each skill set builds upon each other to help students achieve success in their sparring and any potential real-world application.
Kihon are basic individual techniques such as a sidekick or outside block. Katas are different sets of pre-choreographed techniques. They are practiced to help encourage finding a flow between one’s movements. This promotes better technique and stamina during sparring or Kumite drills.
Kumite drills, also known as sparring, are the practical application of a student’s learned skills against a live opponent.
While sparring, students wear protective gear, including elbow and knee pads, headgear, gloves, shin guards, feet guards, and forearm guards. Mouthpieces are required, and face masks are often encouraged for students of both martial arts.
One important similarity when sparring in either martial art is the inability to score on a downed opponent.
A second similarity is the inclusion of a point spread rule. These rules state that a match will be stopped before 2 minutes are over if one opponent gains too large of a point lead or spread. Karate has a 7 point spread rule. Taekwondo has a 12 point spread rule.
Sparring Differences
One important difference when sparring in Taekwondo vs. when sparring in Karate is the areas consider legal targets for striking. For example, in Karate, the entire face and head area is considered a legal target area. In Taekwondo, however, the face and back of the head are not considered legal target areas.
Likely the greatest difference of all between the two comes from the Japanese concept of controlled contact. When karate students spar, they do not deliver full blows to their opponent. Instead, they lightly or firmly make contact with their strikes. In fact, opponents who strike too hard can lose points as a consequence.
High-Intensity Workouts
Many elements of our Karate classes provide a high-intensity workout. However, that is not the focus of those classes. If a workout is your goal, you should consider enrolling in one of our Kickboxing classes!
These classes are focused on learning and practicing techniques through high-intensity interval training. These cardio workouts focus on stamina and core building and offer you a great opportunity to practice adding speed and power to the techniques you learn.
What is Kickboxing? A form of MMA or mixed martial arts. This means Kickboxing draws inspiration from multiple existing martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and even Muay Thai.
The main difference between Kickboxing and its inspirations is the limited list of legal contact points. You can only strike your opponent with your hands or feet.
Benefits Of Martial Arts
When you regularly participate in martial arts classes of any kind, you will find many physical and emotional benefits. Many of our students have found that our classes improved their:
- Anxiety
- Balance
- Coordination
- Discipline
- Flexibility
- Overall Physical Health
- Physical Strength and Stamina
- Self-Confidence
- Self-Esteem
- Stress
What You Can Learn
Each Karate and Kickboxing class we offer are taught by local self-defense experts. Our instructors will teach you real-world self-defense techniques while building your discipline and improving your coordination, strength, and stamina.
As you advance in rank and skill, our instructors will teach you more demanding techniques by building upon the foundation of skills you learn as a beginner.
For example, when starting, you will learn how to form a safe and effective fist. Next, you will use that fist as you learn to execute basic punches and blocks. And later, you will use that fist for more advanced strikes such as hook punches and hammer fists.
The same is true for kicks. You will start out learning how to execute basic kicks, such as a front or sidekick. Next, you will learn how to kick faster and with more power. Then, you will learn to kick higher as your flexibility improves.
And finally, you will learn how to add additional power with jumps and spins. These more technically challenging kicks will help you earn extra points while sparring, especially if they are executed at the head level.
Contact Us
For more information about affordability, scheduling, or enrollment, call our McKinney dojo at (214) 585-0555. We offer classes for students as young as 4 years old. Ask our local self-defense experts about our Anti-Bullying Education Program!
Don’t waste any more time searching for Taekwondo 75070 classes; enroll in our Karate or Kickboxing classes today!
McKinney TX Fun Facts
- Collin McKinney, the namesake of McKinney, TX, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- McKinney is only a 30-minute drive from Downtown Dallas!
- McKinney was named the #1 Best Place to live in America by Money Magazine in 2014.
- For more information about McKinney, TX, consider visiting!