About Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is a martial art and combat sport originating in Korea. In Korean, tae kwon do loosely translates to "the way of the hand and foot." As a martial art, it usually emphasizes kicking and mobility in sparring; blocks, hand strikes, joint locks and take-downs are also often covered in training. Tae kwon do was traditionally considered to be a "hard" art, because of its use of proactive hard blocks to prevent strikes as well as offensive striking techniques. However, perhaps due to increasing interest in competitive sparring, it has become "softened" with the use of mobility and dodges to reduce strikes.
There are two major tae kwon do organizations, each with their own focus and emphasis on style: the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). Each group has a different set of poomse or forms, but much of the stances, strikes and blocks are the same.
UC Davis Taekwondo Club
- Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in the evening at the ARC Martial Arts room. Team Practice on Saturday afternoons. Check their website below for hours, as the ARC sometimes changes the availability of the room.
- The Club includes members of the UC Davis Pac-West Taekwondo Team. Only currently registered UC Davis students can join, but all students are welcome no matter their level of experience.
- The UCD TKD Team has been undefeated Pac-West Champions in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons (and tied for first in 2009-2010!). Many members are Pac-West All-Stars.
- The Club dues are $70 per quarter or $170 per year.
- Please see the website for more details.
WTF Taekwondo Academy at the Experimental College
- Class meets Thursdays from 8:30 to 10pm and Sundays from 7:30 to 9pm in the EC Dance Room, on the second floor of South Silo on campus.
- All students are welcome, regardless of previous experience or athletic prowess. You do not need to be a UC Davis student. New students are welcome to attend a class to see what they think.
- Quarterly costs are $45 if you join the EC, and $67 otherwise, and there are no additional ARC or gym fees.
- Class continues through the summer, when Davis has particularly good stretching weather.
- For more details, see the website or check the Experimental College.
