Duk Sung Son

'Whether physical force becomes necessary or not, to dominate a situation and the opponent with the strength of your mind and your character is one of the important elements in a successful enounter.'-Duk Sung Son and Robert J. clark

In their previous best-sellling book Korean Karate, Son and Clark provided an in-depth coverage of the basic exercises and techniques leading up to the Black Belt. Now, Black Belt Korean Karate picks up the subject at the threshihold of a new dimension, the Black Belt for which the student has worked hard over a period of years.

Illustrated with more than 500 photographs and diagrams that demonstrate each move. Black Blelt Korean Karate reveals the importance of self-control under stress and gives specific mind-and -body tips on how karate students can deal with unforeseen emergencies without losing their composure. Emphasizing the effectiveness of mind power, this practical guidebook expains how you can increase your concentration and achieve mental dominance over any oppnent in any situation-even against armed assailants!

To help you get over those frustrating and discouraging periods of the learning porcess, Black Belt Korean Karate shows you how to turn self-defeating behavior into determination and strength. Inside you will discover a wealth of proven techniques for kicks and punches, each bullt upon the five basic elements of Tae Kwon Do (the Korean expression for what the Japanese call karate).

In addition to a separte seciton on the assets and liabilities women have in achieving martial arts skills, Black Belt Korean Karate tells how to increase your ability to relax and achieve your maximuum speed, power, focus, balance, and accuracy. Furthermore, it emphasizes that you must keep your abilities well under control at all times.

For all those thoughts you've had about being attacked when you least expect it, here's your chance to master the art of self-defense, Black Belt Korean Karate can help eliminate your fears and increase your ability to defend yourself using nothing more than your body. If you are among those who have achieved the coveted Black Belt-or you are studying to get it-this book is your gateway to the ultimate experience of Tae Kwon Do. Even if you have had no martial arts experience, you can master some of the techniques illustrated to use in self-defense.

Duk Sung Son, president of the Tae Kwon Do Association, was directly responsible for searching out and popularizing the original name of Tae Kwon Do. Under his direction, Tae Kwon Do was taught to the Republic of Korea Army, the Korean Military Academy, and the U. S. Eighth Army, as well at many major universities throughout Korea. In addition to giving hundreds of exhibitions, including some at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, he has taught at many American universities, among them West Point, and has frequently appeared on television. He holds a Ninth Degree Black Belt in karate and is an honorary lecturer at Fordham University.

Robert J. Clark, Ph. D., an economist in international investment and race car driver, has practiced Tae Kwon Do for 25 years and holds a high degree Black Belt. He has also taught at West Point, Princeton Unversity, Brown University, Fordham University, New York University, and Providence College, as well as at IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York. He teaches karate at Southampton College, New York.

Contents

I Introduction: What, how, and why
II The meaning of the black belt
III Four black belt forms
IV Women in tai kwon do
V Making the black belt into a fighter
VI Breaking techniques
VII Rules for tae kwon do matches
VIII Match and tournament fighting
IX Street fighting against an unarmed assailant
X Street techniques against an armed assailant
XI Conclusion
Index… (mais)

Korean Karate began more than two thousand years ago when warrior knights called 'Hwa Rang Do' developed a systematic and unmatchable fighting technique called 'tae kwon do,' meaning a study of kicks and punches. Because of its devastating potency, this technique has been passed on from generation to generation of Koraean fighting men and remains virtually unchanged to this day. Illustrated with over 500 action photographs, Korean Karate: The Art of Tae Kwon Do is the most comprehensive book ever published in English on one of the fastest growing sports in America.

Tai Kwon Do includes many types of exercises, movements, and skills, but three primary, distinct elements must be practiced daily in order to achieve a high degree of proficiency. They are basics, forms, and free style, and they all require considerable discipine, intense concentration, and a spiritual element as well, all of which comes only with time and dedication. There are fifteen basics-some are done with the hands and arms, some with the feet and legs, and some are combination of kicks and punches. Forms are planned patterns of movement derived from the basic exercises and have been passed on from master to master for many hundreds of years. The accuracy, speed, power, balance, and focus of the movements in a form are excellent and obvious measurements of how much Tae Kwon Do the student has learned, and one way of judging how well he could apply the art in actual competition or combat. Free style is simulated combat among two or more students and is a spontaneous and free application of various Karate teachniques.

Of the two fundamental aspects of Tae Kwon Do, physical and mental, the mental is more difficult to explain. Immersion in the subject must be total, and all one's senses must be focused on what he is doing. In free-style fighting with other students of equal proficiency, the reaction must be almost as fast as the action, and the entire attention fo the Tae Kwon Doist must be centered in what he is doing. Full concentration must provide the unimpeded path for the attack to come instantly as a reflex action.

Exercises, manners, and rules are all included in Korean Karate: The Art of Tae Kwon Do, making it the definitive volume on an entrancing, deadly, ancient art.

Contents

Chapter 1 Introductory
Chapter 2 What is Tae Kwon Do?
Chapter 3 The fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do
Chapter 4 Warming-up exercises
Chapter 5 Basic blows, kicks, and blocks
Chapter 6 Forms
Chapter 7 Three step sparring
Chapter 8 Some practical applications
Chapter 9 Free-style fighting
Chapter 10 Other exercises and breaking objects
Chapter 11 Conclusion
Index… (mais)

I currently study under one of Grandmaster Son's students and this book provides a very good reference for the art of Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do. The 15 basic techniques, 15 three-step drills and various self-defense / sparring techniques are included.

The bulk of the book covers the core forms required before the black belt level (including Kuk Mu 1 & 2, Pyang An 1-5, Chul Gi and Pal Sek).

I especially like Grandmaster Son's treatment of the history of Tae Kwon Do and the spiritual / philosophical side to martial arts in general.… (mais)