taekwondo
Taekwondo is a striking martial art with origins recorded in Korea. Training in taekwondo centers on the development of high and fast kicking techniques, with an emphasis on speed, range, and lower-body mechanics. The style is also associated with Olympic-format sparring competition, which shapes much of the structured curriculum found in many schools and training programs.
As a striking art, taekwondo generally involves stand-up practice in which practitioners work to develop timing, footwork, and kicking proficiency through repeated drilling and controlled sparring. Conditioning the legs and body for speed and accuracy is a common component of training, and competitive rule sets often influence how techniques are practiced and refined over time.
Those new to taekwondo are encouraged to visit local schools, observe a class in person, and speak with instructors before making any enrollment decisions, as training environments and teaching approaches can vary considerably from one school to another. Other striking arts that share broadly similar characteristics or training methods are linked in the related styles section below.
Gear to expect. Striking training typically calls for gloves, hand wraps, shin guards, and a mouthguard — your school will tell you exactly what, and when. New students rarely need to buy anything for a trial class.
Find your martial art →Related striking styles
Classification and facts from our open-data taxonomy (Wikidata CC0 base + our editorial classification). Where a fact (like origin) isn't recorded, we leave it out rather than guess. Methodology.