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Tae Kwon Do: The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art
Written by Tae Kwon Do masters Yeon Hee Park and Yeon Hwan Park with American black-belt Jon Gerrard, Tae Kwon Do is the definitive and only international reference to the sport. A highly effective tool to assist students and aspirants build and maintain skills, this volume is illustrated with photographic "walkthroughs" of every posture and a concise history of the art; warm-up exercises; clear instructions for learning the basic techniques; important tips and strategies for sparring; a glossary of English to Korean terms; 700 photographs throughout the text (25 new to this edition) to clearly illustrate each move. Endorsed by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.
218 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 20, 2018
Great and thorough explanation of the basics of Taekwondo
I got this book to add to my library for reference purposes. I read it from cover to cover, followed the pictures associated with the Taegeuk forms. Was impressed by the thoroughness of the authors and how much knowledge and dedication they put into it! Definitely an item to add to your library if you are a serious student of Taekwondo.
I got this book to add to my library for reference purposes. I read it from cover to cover, followed the pictures associated with the Taegeuk forms. Was impressed by the thoroughness of the authors and how much knowledge and dedication they put into it! Definitely an item to add to your library if you are a serious student of Taekwondo.
May 10, 2021
Tae Kwon Do holds a special place in my heart. My biggest passion in High School was this style of martial art. I never achieved my black belt, but was 3 belts away. Life had gotten in the way through college, having kids, marriage, and well you know, LIFE... However, I always knew I would get back into martial arts and hopefully this time with my family. Recently I joined the martial arts program at the YMCA and it was listed as Tae Kwon Do/Martial Arts. So, I decided to start limbering up and going over the material again. This book was really informative on the subject. This covers the basics, but also tell of the philosophy behind the art, the forms, defenses, and strikes. If you are interested in Tae Kwon do, this is the best one I have seen to start with, though I may pick up The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do. I have, since finishing this book, gone to the first class at the YMCA with my son. I was puzzled by the black gi and the Japanese style torso piece, then I marveled at how foreign the moves were. It wasn't long before I discovered I had signed my son and I up for Jiu Jitsu. I am thrilled about learning something new and I regret nothing about re-familiarizing myself with Tae Kwon Do. I recommend this to anyone interested in TKD or martial arts/self-defense.
August 19, 2015
I have read this book and have used it as a reference guide. My TKD master used this book in school. This book is great and easy to follow, so the students use it to practice and reference their forms before each belt promotion board.
Format
The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art is broken down into easy to read and understand sections. The book is designed to be able to use it as a reference manual as well as the reading material. There is a lot information on Exercises, Forms and other important factors of TKD. The pictures accompany most of the information in the book.
Content
History
The book explains the history about the most popular Martial Art in the World. The art of TKD originated in the Korea and a lot of techniques were implemented from Chinese and Japanese martial arts. TKD is mostly famous for its high kicks and jumps. Through the history, its neighboring countries were constantly attacking Korea and the people needed something to fight back. The attackers were mostly soldiers on horseback and were impossible to get to, that is when the jumps and high kicks came in handy.
Today TKD has gained incredible popularity and has become a World recognized sport. It is going to be one of the events in the upcoming Olympics. TKD Federation designed a set rules, which are standard throughout the world.
Exercises
There is a whole selection of warm up exercises, which are used to stretch out and get your body physically ready for the TKD lesson. There are various techniques where the practitioners can stretch on their own or with a partner. Most of those I am familiar with and I personally enjoy the ones that you can do with a partner. The person can push you little further, then you can push yourself. Be careful when doing those. Make sure you and your partner understands how to do those properly, so neither one of you gets hurt.
There are other exercises that are performed in the series of techniques. The book explains various stances, hand and foot techniques. It is very important to understand how to execute each technique and how to move around properly.
Forms
It is a very important part of the book. We us this book in our school especially for that purpose. There are all the Tae Geuk forms with pictures and explanations. There are also diagrams, which show you where you are and which way to move next. When we are practicing, this book is used to be able to reference for the information and how to properly perform a specific form.
Sparing
There are sparring techniques, drills and combinations. The book explains how you can win by scoring points in the TKD match. In this Martial Art, when we are talking about sparring we also have to use proper equipment and the book touches on that subject as well.
Etiquette
Every martial artist should know what to do and what not to do. Well, every person should know right from wrong, but in martial arts there is a set of rules that we have to follow. These rules are not laws, but in order to keep the tradition and understand the right from wrong every martial artist should know them. Some of them are the ones we have to follow in the Dojo (place of learning or place of enlightenment) and some outside in everyday life.
Conclusion
This book is of great value for someone, who is studying Tae Kwon Do and wants to be able to have a reference point of some sort. In general, I have not seen a better TKD book and reference guide yet. It has absolutely everything you need from A to Z for beginners as well as more advanced students. I find it extremely helpful in my training and everyday life, but do not suggest it to anyone who is not training formally in the art of TKD. This book is not to learn the art of TKD, but to help understand concepts better and to be able to reference various information. Do not try any of the techniques in the unsupervised environment. If you are going to practice moves and techniques, especially the ones for self-defense, I strongly suggest you do them under professional supervision in a proper environment.
Personal Note
Why did I pick TKD?
1. First of all it is the most demanding martial art from the physical standpoint. It is one of the most aerobic martial arts.
2. It is very demanding, when it comes to flexibility because of the high kicks and very impressive maneuvers. I am not a very flexible person and TKD made me reach height, which I could not even dream of. I have accomplished things at this age, which I could not perform even when I was a kid. To me that is a great personal achievement.
3. I also like the sparring part of it. Sparring is a great way to learn how to attack and use defense without getting hurt. It is great way to work on your reflexes.
4. TKD self-defense techniques are taken from various martial arts, so there is a greater variety of kicking, punching and grappling then in a lot of other styles.
5. TKD practitioner is world recognized and the belt ranks are more or less similar when going from school to school. One of the things, which I like that when you get to a certain level and change schools, you are still at the knowledge and belt level you were before.
Format
The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art is broken down into easy to read and understand sections. The book is designed to be able to use it as a reference manual as well as the reading material. There is a lot information on Exercises, Forms and other important factors of TKD. The pictures accompany most of the information in the book.
Content
History
The book explains the history about the most popular Martial Art in the World. The art of TKD originated in the Korea and a lot of techniques were implemented from Chinese and Japanese martial arts. TKD is mostly famous for its high kicks and jumps. Through the history, its neighboring countries were constantly attacking Korea and the people needed something to fight back. The attackers were mostly soldiers on horseback and were impossible to get to, that is when the jumps and high kicks came in handy.
Today TKD has gained incredible popularity and has become a World recognized sport. It is going to be one of the events in the upcoming Olympics. TKD Federation designed a set rules, which are standard throughout the world.
Exercises
There is a whole selection of warm up exercises, which are used to stretch out and get your body physically ready for the TKD lesson. There are various techniques where the practitioners can stretch on their own or with a partner. Most of those I am familiar with and I personally enjoy the ones that you can do with a partner. The person can push you little further, then you can push yourself. Be careful when doing those. Make sure you and your partner understands how to do those properly, so neither one of you gets hurt.
There are other exercises that are performed in the series of techniques. The book explains various stances, hand and foot techniques. It is very important to understand how to execute each technique and how to move around properly.
Forms
It is a very important part of the book. We us this book in our school especially for that purpose. There are all the Tae Geuk forms with pictures and explanations. There are also diagrams, which show you where you are and which way to move next. When we are practicing, this book is used to be able to reference for the information and how to properly perform a specific form.
Sparing
There are sparring techniques, drills and combinations. The book explains how you can win by scoring points in the TKD match. In this Martial Art, when we are talking about sparring we also have to use proper equipment and the book touches on that subject as well.
Etiquette
Every martial artist should know what to do and what not to do. Well, every person should know right from wrong, but in martial arts there is a set of rules that we have to follow. These rules are not laws, but in order to keep the tradition and understand the right from wrong every martial artist should know them. Some of them are the ones we have to follow in the Dojo (place of learning or place of enlightenment) and some outside in everyday life.
Conclusion
This book is of great value for someone, who is studying Tae Kwon Do and wants to be able to have a reference point of some sort. In general, I have not seen a better TKD book and reference guide yet. It has absolutely everything you need from A to Z for beginners as well as more advanced students. I find it extremely helpful in my training and everyday life, but do not suggest it to anyone who is not training formally in the art of TKD. This book is not to learn the art of TKD, but to help understand concepts better and to be able to reference various information. Do not try any of the techniques in the unsupervised environment. If you are going to practice moves and techniques, especially the ones for self-defense, I strongly suggest you do them under professional supervision in a proper environment.
Personal Note
Why did I pick TKD?
1. First of all it is the most demanding martial art from the physical standpoint. It is one of the most aerobic martial arts.
2. It is very demanding, when it comes to flexibility because of the high kicks and very impressive maneuvers. I am not a very flexible person and TKD made me reach height, which I could not even dream of. I have accomplished things at this age, which I could not perform even when I was a kid. To me that is a great personal achievement.
3. I also like the sparring part of it. Sparring is a great way to learn how to attack and use defense without getting hurt. It is great way to work on your reflexes.
4. TKD self-defense techniques are taken from various martial arts, so there is a greater variety of kicking, punching and grappling then in a lot of other styles.
5. TKD practitioner is world recognized and the belt ranks are more or less similar when going from school to school. One of the things, which I like that when you get to a certain level and change schools, you are still at the knowledge and belt level you were before.
August 19, 2015
I have read this book and have used it as a reference guide. My TKD master used this book in school. This book is great and easy to follow, so the students use it to practice and reference their forms before each belt promotion.
Format
The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art is broken down into easy to read and understand sections. The book is designed to be able to use it as a reference manual as well as the reading material. There is a lot information on Exercises, Forms and other important factors of TKD.
The pictures accompany most of the information in the book.
Content
History
The book explains the history about the most popular Martial Art in the World. The art of TKD originated in the Korea and a lot of techniques were implemented from Chinese and Japanese martial arts. TKD is mostly famous for its high kicks and jumps. Through the history, its neighboring countries were constantly attacking Korea and the people needed something to fight back. The attackers were mostly soldiers on horseback and were impossible to get to, that is when the jumps and high kicks came in handy.
Today TKD has gained incredible popularity and has become a World recognized sport. It is going to be one of the events in the upcoming Olympics. TKD Federation designed a set rules, which are standard throughout the world.
Exercises
There is a whole selection of warm up exercises, which are used to stretch out and get your body physically ready for the TKD lesson. There are various techniques where the practitioners can stretch on their own or with a partner. Most of those I am familiar with and I personally enjoy the ones that you can do with a partner. The person can push you little further, and then you can push yourself. Be careful when doing those. Make sure you and your partner understands how to do those properly, so neither one of you gets hurt.
There are other exercises that are performed in the series of techniques. The book explains various stances, hand and foot techniques. It is very important to understand how to execute each technique and how to move around properly.
Forms
It is a very important part of the book. We used this book in our school especially for that purpose. There are all the Tae Geuk forms with pictures and explanations. There are also diagrams, which show you where you are and which way to move next. When we are practicing, this book is used to be able to reference for the information and how to properly perform a specific form.
Sparing
There are sparring techniques, drills and combinations. The book explains how you can win by scoring points in the TKD match. In this Martial Art, when we are talking about sparring we also have to use proper equipment and the book touches on that subject as well.
Etiquette
Every martial artist should know what to do and what not to do. Well, every person should know right from wrong, but in martial arts there is a set of rules that we have to follow. These rules are not laws, but in order to keep the tradition and understand the right from wrong every martial artist should know them. Some of them are the ones we have to follow in the Dojo (place of learning or place of enlightenment) and some outside in everyday life.
Conclusion
This book is of great value for someone, who is studying Tae Kwon Do and wants to be able to have a reference point of some sort. In general, I have not seen a better TKD book and reference guide yet. It has absolutely everything you need from A to Z for beginners as well as more advanced students. I find it extremely helpful in my training and everyday life, but do not suggest it to anyone who is not training formally in the art of TKD. This book is not to learn the art of TKD, but to help understand concepts better and to be able to reference various information. Do not try any of the techniques in the unsupervised environment. If you are going to practice moves and techniques, especially the ones from self-defense, I strongly suggest you do them under professional supervision in the proper environment.
Personal Note
Why did I pick TKD?
1. First of all it is the most demanding martial art from the physical standpoint. It is one of the most aerobic martial arts.
2. It is very demanding, when it comes to flexibility because of the high kicks and very impressive maneuvers. I am not a very flexible person and TKD made me reach height, which I could not even dream of. I have accomplished things at this age, which I could not perform even when I was a kid. To me that is a great personal achievement.
3. I also like the sparring part of it. Sparring is a great way to learn how to attack and use defense without getting hurt. It is great way to work on your reflexes.
4. TKD self-defense techniques are taken from various martial arts, so there is a greater variety of kicking, punching and grappling then in a lot of other styles.
5. TKD practitioner is world recognized and the belt ranks are more or less similar when going from school to school. One of the things, which I like that when you get to a certain level and change schools, you are still at the knowledge and belt level you were before.
Format
The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art is broken down into easy to read and understand sections. The book is designed to be able to use it as a reference manual as well as the reading material. There is a lot information on Exercises, Forms and other important factors of TKD.
The pictures accompany most of the information in the book.
Content
History
The book explains the history about the most popular Martial Art in the World. The art of TKD originated in the Korea and a lot of techniques were implemented from Chinese and Japanese martial arts. TKD is mostly famous for its high kicks and jumps. Through the history, its neighboring countries were constantly attacking Korea and the people needed something to fight back. The attackers were mostly soldiers on horseback and were impossible to get to, that is when the jumps and high kicks came in handy.
Today TKD has gained incredible popularity and has become a World recognized sport. It is going to be one of the events in the upcoming Olympics. TKD Federation designed a set rules, which are standard throughout the world.
Exercises
There is a whole selection of warm up exercises, which are used to stretch out and get your body physically ready for the TKD lesson. There are various techniques where the practitioners can stretch on their own or with a partner. Most of those I am familiar with and I personally enjoy the ones that you can do with a partner. The person can push you little further, and then you can push yourself. Be careful when doing those. Make sure you and your partner understands how to do those properly, so neither one of you gets hurt.
There are other exercises that are performed in the series of techniques. The book explains various stances, hand and foot techniques. It is very important to understand how to execute each technique and how to move around properly.
Forms
It is a very important part of the book. We used this book in our school especially for that purpose. There are all the Tae Geuk forms with pictures and explanations. There are also diagrams, which show you where you are and which way to move next. When we are practicing, this book is used to be able to reference for the information and how to properly perform a specific form.
Sparing
There are sparring techniques, drills and combinations. The book explains how you can win by scoring points in the TKD match. In this Martial Art, when we are talking about sparring we also have to use proper equipment and the book touches on that subject as well.
Etiquette
Every martial artist should know what to do and what not to do. Well, every person should know right from wrong, but in martial arts there is a set of rules that we have to follow. These rules are not laws, but in order to keep the tradition and understand the right from wrong every martial artist should know them. Some of them are the ones we have to follow in the Dojo (place of learning or place of enlightenment) and some outside in everyday life.
Conclusion
This book is of great value for someone, who is studying Tae Kwon Do and wants to be able to have a reference point of some sort. In general, I have not seen a better TKD book and reference guide yet. It has absolutely everything you need from A to Z for beginners as well as more advanced students. I find it extremely helpful in my training and everyday life, but do not suggest it to anyone who is not training formally in the art of TKD. This book is not to learn the art of TKD, but to help understand concepts better and to be able to reference various information. Do not try any of the techniques in the unsupervised environment. If you are going to practice moves and techniques, especially the ones from self-defense, I strongly suggest you do them under professional supervision in the proper environment.
Personal Note
Why did I pick TKD?
1. First of all it is the most demanding martial art from the physical standpoint. It is one of the most aerobic martial arts.
2. It is very demanding, when it comes to flexibility because of the high kicks and very impressive maneuvers. I am not a very flexible person and TKD made me reach height, which I could not even dream of. I have accomplished things at this age, which I could not perform even when I was a kid. To me that is a great personal achievement.
3. I also like the sparring part of it. Sparring is a great way to learn how to attack and use defense without getting hurt. It is great way to work on your reflexes.
4. TKD self-defense techniques are taken from various martial arts, so there is a greater variety of kicking, punching and grappling then in a lot of other styles.
5. TKD practitioner is world recognized and the belt ranks are more or less similar when going from school to school. One of the things, which I like that when you get to a certain level and change schools, you are still at the knowledge and belt level you were before.
August 3, 2017
A fairly decent reference for someone already familiar with the martial art. Covers briefly history, philosophy, technique, and rules.
October 3, 2021
Great Book on art of Taekwondo
After 4 years just earned 1st Dan Black belt and this book help me understand my techniques that I was learning from my master...definitely recommend.
After 4 years just earned 1st Dan Black belt and this book help me understand my techniques that I was learning from my master...definitely recommend.
March 17, 2022
Good introduction
This book makes a good introduction to tae kwon do and will also serve as a good reference guide for novice practitioners.
This book makes a good introduction to tae kwon do and will also serve as a good reference guide for novice practitioners.
January 23, 2024
A great resource for World TaeKwonDo practioners.
December 23, 2025
Not sure if this "the ultimate guide"; it seems to be trying to cater for everyone and thus actually is aimed really at no one. It has stretching/warm up exercises, a brief and tightly edited history of the sport, but the main part of the book is devoted to patterns and some sparring drills. I was also looking forward to reading a bit more about the Do side of things, but this book is lacking in that regard.
Disclaimer: I'm an ITF Taekwon-Do practitioner, and checked this out from my local library out of curiosity. Unsurprisingly, no mention of Gen. Choi in this one :D
Disclaimer: I'm an ITF Taekwon-Do practitioner, and checked this out from my local library out of curiosity. Unsurprisingly, no mention of Gen. Choi in this one :D
July 5, 2015
Reading about the history and the philosphy behind tae kwon do was why I picked the book up. They were short chapters, but informational. The book also contains some forms, strikes, kicks, stances, which are all similar but different to what I learn in my school. It may be because this was Korean Tae Kwon Do and we learn American Tae Kwon Do, or it could be, as my sensei says, every school teaches things slightly differently.
October 14, 2012
Ok introduction to the sport of Tae Kwon Do. I read in Kindle, and the illustration photographs does not work too well in this format.
July 25, 2015
Good book for overview of history and well illustrated. A very good reference resource.
November 3, 2016
My little boy just started taking Tae Kwon Do. He loves it, but boy was he lost that first week. So we took him to the library to check out a few books on the topic. This one was our favorite.
July 7, 2012
excellent reference
May 7, 2014
Helpful, practical, easy to follow. A valuable resource for any practitioner.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews