Tangsudo
Tangsudo is a striking art originating in Korea. Its training centers on the core elements of Korean karate practice: the development of kicking techniques, the study and performance of structured movement sequences known as forms, and competitive point sparring, in which practitioners score by landing controlled strikes on an opponent. These elements together form the primary focus through which students develop both technical skill and familiarity with the art's overall approach to unarmed combat.
As a striking art, training in this family of discipline generally emphasizes stand-up techniques, physical conditioning, and the refinement of offensive and defensive movements executed from an upright position. Practitioners typically spend time developing precision, timing, and control across the kicking and striking range, alongside the memorization and execution of forms that serve as structured solo practice tools. Sparring activity provides a controlled environment in which these trained skills are applied against a resisting partner.
Tangsudo encompasses at least one documented sub-style that carries its own lineage and organizational background. Tang Soo Do (Moo Duk Kwan) represents a Moo Duk Kwan lineage of tang soo do. Each of these sub-styles is examined in greater detail in the sections that follow below.
Styles & branches of Tangsudo
Tang Soo Do (Moo Duk Kwan)
Origin: South Korea · Type: Striking · Lineage: Tangsudo
Moo Duk Kwan lineage of tang soo do
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.
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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.