On Tuesday, June 11, 1996 at 2:00:00 AM UTC-5, The Jackal wrote:
I recently started studying Tang Soo Do because a friend of mine is a
2nd Degree Black Belt in TSD and I was wondering how effective it is.
I've heard that Tang Soo Do is much better than TKD, but most people
haven't really heard of it (TKD is more popular).
Brian
lowly White Belt
Brian, First of all white belt is not lowly. It represents freedom and purity and you are the foundation for the future of the art my friend. To answer your question: The effectiveness of any system including Tang Soo Do depends on the focus of yourself
and your instructor. Are you seeking self-defense application, sport, or art? What is your instructor's predilection? The original authentic Tang Soo Do is the most effective and well rounded martial arts system ever devised. 2/3rds of Tae Kwon Do has
its roots in Tang Soo Do. Tae Kwon Do is generally more commercialized these days with more emphasis on the Olympic sport. Tang Soo Do can be equally watered down as well depending on the teacher and pupil's intent. It is possible to have the best of
both worlds. I teach in the old school way without points or pads generally. But, I also believe competition is healthy if you keep the proper perspective. My students have been highly successful in all arenas because of hardcore traditional training
not in spite of it. I was an Olympic coach with two national championship teams. Tang Soo Doists dominated forms and fighting in early Olympic competition. Politics always ends up playing a role of course as they denied us our forms and uniforms etc.
But, When I began training the emphasis was on learning not earning belts or trophies or even olympic medals. The standards were high and not everyone could handle it. My simple advice to you is to fall in love with the art and commit yourself to
understanding and develop technique. Awards are nice. But, survival and success in real life are paramount. Don't worry about outcomes of any of it. Stay alive in the moment and enjoy the process. You are really competing within yourself to become the
best you can be. Have faith in yourself and your instructor. You will do well. Always ask questions. Not in terms of trying to contradict others but to learn. If you learn from practicing or competitions or real fights you win. If you win without
learning you have not gained much. Know yourself and you can overcome your limits. Know your opponent and understand how other styles match up against yours and you will have the advantage. I am not saying study ten other styles and become green belt in
each. Stick to your path while being aware of the world outside. Stay pure and no matter how advanced you become think like a white belt open to receive knowledge and continue learning forever. The midnight blue sky instead of black belt which
represents totality and completion instead represents knowledge. The dark blue sky can always deepen and add more blue. I am not saying it matters whether you end up with one color or another. It doesn't. Most Tang Soo Do Schools use black these days.
The point is to understand the symbolism and maintain a beginner's mind which is a positive attitude of openness and desire to learn. This will lead to a long happy successful life. Good luck my friend.
Master Anthony Pratt
5th Dan World Tang Soo Do General Federation Moo Duk Kwan Korea
Author of Tang Soo Do: Self Defense Secret Volume 1 - Available at Amazon and Kindle books.
Email me at
pratttony@gmail.com for a free digital copy of the Kindle version of the book. That goes for anyone reading this post.
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