Blue Belt
Karate Moves
Really Spark Excitement
in
Tae Kwon Do Students!

A few karate moves that Tae Kwon Do students begin to learn as Blue Belts are the super high round kicks, spin crescent kicks, and jump side kicks.

By the time a student reaches this rank, enough flexibility has been achieved to really emulate your instructor and practice these types of kicks and karate moves on your own. At this level, you tend to be more familiar with your body as well. You know your flexibility limits and have a good sense of distance proximity.

For example, as a blue belt, I could come within 2 inches of the target with a full speed round kick. This was cut down to a 1/2 inch or less as a black belt though. My wonderful dad was always my test target because he had full faith that I was not going to slip up and miss. He never flinched once during any demonstration--now that is having faith in your son!

The reason behind holding off on letting lower ranking belts practice these techniques in a sparring situation (these are practiced by all ranks in routine drill exercises) is because lower ranks don't have the flexibility necessary for proper execution of the techniques. Also, it eliminates a lot of groin kicks!

One of the main ways Blue Belts practice these kicks is through One Step Spars. A One Step Spar is a set of defined techniques, usually 3-6, used on a punching opponent. Usually, the ranks of White Belt, Yellow Belt, and Green Belt have One Steps but as rank increases so does the difficulty of the spars.

These are practiced in pairs, one attacker and one defender. The attacker steps back into a Left Back Stance (Left leg forward, Right leg straight back, knee locked, feet shoulder width apart)Low Block (Right fist at waist, Left low block over Left thigh).

The defender signals the attack with a loud, "I-I-Yah". The attacker takes One Step toward the defender and Right punches at defenders face. The prescribed One Step Spar is then executed by the defender and then the roles are switched until each student has gone through each One Step Spar.

Take a look at these on the pages of OnLine TaeKwonDo Courses

The One Step Spars are only simulated attacks. The Real Excitement comes with actual Sparring or Free Fighting. This is where you use all your knowledge and skills to score points in an actual fight. You can even try new kicks and just really practice everything but remember to always keep your guard up. Your opponent will be trying out all of his techniques as well!

The scoring system is usually based on the first to 5 points wins.

• Zero Points or Disqualification for punches to head or face
• One Point for punches and kicks to midsection
• Two Points for jump kicks to midsection
• Three Points for jump kicks to the head

Now, the point of Sparring or Free Fighting is not to try to Injure Your Opponent. It is meant as a structured way for students to practice Tae Kwon Do Karate Moves and Techniques. The point system is used mainly in tournaments. In the dojang, the instructor usually just lets sparring continue for a certain length of time, switching sparring partners as needed.

As a Blue Belt, you are over the "hump" and well on your way to Black Belt. Keep your enthusiasm high and keep your eye on getting that Black Belt.
It will be well worth the time and effort, I promise.