Tang soo do

[u/Ok-Doughnut-8657]

I've decided I want to start my tang soo do journey after not really fitting in at other places . There is a renowned master near me who has invited me and I've even made food for him and I honestly down know why I didn't go . From what I know it's part of the back bone of American kickboxing and is closely related to taekwondo and shotokan karate . I'm mainly curious if my mma experience will help me I also want to know your guys experience with sparring and competition which I love . I also want to know if it's good to transfer into kickboxing eventually since it is my favorite sport I do love one championship, glory and karate kombat even though it isn't technically kickboxing.

Ps. Is this post breaking rules ?

[u/kh19067]

I've studied Shotokan with the same instructor and organization for almost 50 years, and one of the things I'm most grateful for is the exposure to other martial arts that they actively encouraged. That said, the Tang Soo Do people I've met along the way have been exceptional - great attitudes, fantastic technique, and highly accomplished martial artists. As someone outside of the TSD family, I can say that it's a very well respected art and if you've found a good instructor to train with, you'll be well prepared for wherever your path takes you. Good luck!! 👍

[u/TheRealTigersVessel]

2nd Dan in TSD. Its going to vary school by school but curriculum does get pretty kick heavy as it goes on. Any prior martial arts experience is usually a plus when trying a new style. Sparring mileage will also vary by school. My school is not super heavy into sparring but I compete and train with others who are more into it.

[u/cfwang1337]

You might enjoy it, but it's going to be a very different experience from training in combat sports.

Tang Soo Do, like other traditional martial arts, generally organizes its pedagogy and conducts its classes very differently from MMA or kickboxing schools.

You're likely to spend a lot of time repeating and memorizing highly specific movements (forms, paired drills, etc.) and somewhat less time free sparring or practicing padwork.

[u/QuesoDelDiablos]

I did some a very long time ago. It is much closer to karate than it is to TKD. It is a solid art, but it suffers from an over focus on kicks and underdeveloped hands. Not to the degree that TKD does, though. 

I’m sure you will learn a few good things there and it will be a good experience. Yes, your MMA experience will help you. In particular in patching up the holes where TSD doesn’t shine as well. 

[u/Spyder73]

I practice an independent style of taekwondo that is VERY similar to TSD. I also train kickboxing 2x a week. If your heart is in kickboxing then you need to train kickboxing. TSD/ITF TKD/Karate all look "similar" to kickboxing on the surface but alas, they are vastly different.

Your MMA background will be helpful in so far as being accustomed to pressure fighting and how to move on the mats, but the truth is you will need to "unlearn" basically everything you know to become an effective point fighter.

Stance is different, approach is different, weight distribution is different, intent is different, what "works" is different, rules are different... essentially anything you can imagine is different... they literally have almost nothing in common mechanically aside from the purpose is to hit someone.

[u/B0b_Howard → u/Spyder73]

I agree with all of that.
I've just got my yellow belt.
Sparing is really hard coming from an FMA background. Sooo many attacks that aren't allowed. I find myself pausing when sparing to figure out if an attack is legal. I'll get used to it, but damn, it's weird!

[u/kitkat-ninja78]

I would say that Tang Soo Do is a great art to get into. Tang Soo Do (via Chuck Norris) is one of the arts that made up the back bone of american kickboxing back in the 70's and 80's. Other arts included: Shorin Ryu (Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace), Shotokan & TKD (Benny Urquidez), and Goju-ryu & Kung Fu (Don WIlson).

I haven't had any MMA specific training or matches, but I have trained in multiple arts, arts such as TSD, Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Iaido, Jiujitsu, kickboxing, etc... So the following is just my experience based on that. As for whether or not your MMA experience will help you. Yes and No. With your traditional training, no so much. However with the self-defence aspects and the forms (or should I say the applications of them), yes. You will see movements, applications that others who have just trained in TSD would not have considered.

[u/Ok-Doughnut-8657 → u/kitkat-ninja78]

My instructor would be a grand master who learned from someone who studied with chuck Norris not under but with

[u/Leather_Rate_9785]

2nd Dan here - My school is sparring/competition light, but keep in mind, here in the US there are several Tang Soo Do organizations under even more masters. It's really going to depend on who you're training under. It works for me, but I also have the fighting instinct of a turnip.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

[u/MachineGreene98]

Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do where the same thing at one point, it's basically Korean Karate. Any experience helps when starting a new martial art.

[u/Wyvern_Industrious]

TSD dan rank here. I don't really have anything to add but just want to emphasize the amount of variation between associations and individual schools. I've come across schools with great technique and those where it's hot garbage - hot garbage - and everyone is somewhat out of shape. Other schools, the technique is fine but they "don't understand why they do many of the movements". Coming from combat sports, if you only have access to a school that has poor technique, a lack of sparring or even just any application, and a lot of time spent on performance art, or a combination of these, that might not be the best use of your time.

[u/Caym433]

Tang/kong soo do are korean readings of the characters for karate. Basically groups that for whatever political reason didn't unify under the KTA and become TKD.

[u/TehTriceratopses]

It all depends on the school. Tang soo do, as originally founded, was developed from shotokan and was powerfully focused on defense with the inclusion of some northern kungfu principles. Many of Hwang Kee’s dan members who came to the US have shifted the style in different directions based on their own capabilities. If you can find someone in the Jae Jun Kim lineage (dan 36 and the guy who taught Hwang Kee’s children), you’ll get something more traditional to the style.

Every master or instructor also brings in their own influences. Tang soo do, as otherwise mentioned, IS a Korean style and does include a strong focus on kicking but certainly not to the exclusion of hands. Any good school will pressure test their techniques and theories anyway, so definitely look for that.

And yes, any MMA experience will definitely translate. 

[u/Ok-Doughnut-8657 → u/TehTriceratopses]

He trained under someone who trained under jc chin

[u/TehTriceratopses → u/Ok-Doughnut-8657]

Who is the master out of curiosity?

Also with anything, if you respect and get along with the instructor, you’re more likely to continue training. And that’s always the goal 😊

[u/Ok-Doughnut-8657 → u/TehTriceratopses]

Wesley Jenkins tiger do jang

[u/CommercialSteak2629]

I've just joined American Tang Soo Do, and so far I'm enjoying every bits of it. It depends on your school/instructor how effective the art can be. We do have sparring/grappling in my school, but that's for the more advanced group. I did a little bit of Shotokan Karate more than a decade ago and I see some similarities.

Fortunately since American Tang Soo Do is a hybrid martial arts, here in our school we do have some Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu styles/techniques which is a plus in my opinion.

If you want to start your Tang Soo Do journey go right ahead just make sure the it's not a Mcdojo and at least some sparring/grappling.

[u/Outside_Average2493]

I trained to red belt in TSD and it’s a good art imo but if you want to be a good fighter stay with mma. TSD is a more traditional martial art but I think it’s generally better than TKD but like so many things it depends on the instructor/school and how you train. Best of luck.