To master Taekwondo forms, martial arts students should try to imagine that they are fighting an imaginary opponent. This allows students to practice "offensive" and "defensive" techniques (i.e. strike the imaginary opponent's neck at the correct height and angle) versus just going through the motions in order to pass a belt test.
Taekwondo United uses One-Steps & Sparring Combinations to introduce the principles of free-sparring. It is a controlled method of sparring in which students practice fighting combinations with a moving partner while wearing gear and making light contact. Sparring Combinations encourage students to use a wide variety of fighting techniques. Students develop physical control of these techniques and learn the proper distance from a target that a technique should be executed. Orange belts are required to learn pre-arranged Sparring Combinations as part of their training.
In Free Sparring, partners are not restricted by a set pattern of movements like One-steps or Sparring Combinations. Free Sparring allows students to test their skills against each other and encourages students to implement the skills and techniques practiced in class.
Target Drills is a good way to practice concentration, power, focus, speed and precision on non-living objects, without injuring oneself or another. Target Drill are meant to prepare students for Board Breaking. It is very important to realize that a proper technique is needed and a breaking technique within your limits.
Breaking is a good way to demonstrate concentration, power, focus, speed and precision on non-living objects, without injuring oneself or another. It is very important to realize that a proper technique is needed and a breaking technique within your limits, because without it you can easily injure yourself, sometimes even permanently! Board Breaking helps you to realize that your body itself is a very strong weapon. It also helps you to understand that during practice with a partner, you must be very careful.