Tae = 'Foot' or 'to kick' or 'to jump'
K'won = 'Fist' or 'to strike or block with hand'
Do = 'The way of' or 'art'

Put this together and Taekwondo means: "The art of kicking and punching" or "The art of unarmed combat."

Disciplines of Taekwondo

Taekwondo has four disciplines:

• Patterns
• Sparring
• Self-defense
• Break Test

It is the combination of these four disciplines that make the art of Taekwondo.

Objectives of Taekwondo:

1. to develop an appreciation for Taekwondo as a sport and an art
2. to achieve physical fitness through positive participation
3. to improve mental discipline and emotional equanimity
4. to learn self-defense skills
5. to develop a sense of responsibility for one self and others

Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art, often with a greater emphasis on high jumps and spinning kicks which are not as much a part of many other martial arts. Taekwondo stylists tend to fight at an extended range, and keep opponents away with their feet. It is a hard/soft, external, fairly linear style and is known for being very powerful. TaeKwonDo has something to offer everyone of any age and skill level.