Practiced in 62 contries by 21 million people, taekwon-do is the most popular or all martial arts. Taekwon-do: A Guide to the Theories of Defensive Movement goes beyond the basic taekwon-do guidebooks, incorporating for the first time in print the new techniques of the International Taekwon-Do Federation, whose president, General Choi Hong Hi, is the founder of taekwon-do.

This text, illustrated with more than 450 black and white photos, is designed to be an 'operator's manual' for the taekwon-do fighter, detailing the 'angles of defense,' a term representing defensive tactics using body dynamics for maximum power. Taekwon-do explains how and why each technique works, detailng warm-ups/stretching, stances, hand/foot techniques, combinations, self-defense, patterns, and advanced strategy.

Mark McCarthy, coach of the USA ITF National Team, is currently a 4th degree black belt, a Certified International Instructor, a certified Class 'A' Umpire, and the secretary general of the Taekwon-Do Instructors Association ((ITF branch).

George R. Parulski, Jr., is an internatinally recoginized authority on Oriental fighting disciplines. He is the author of six book on the subject of martial arts and holds certification in seven different martial arts. He is currently USA reprsentative of the All-Japan Seibukan Martial Arts/Ways Association.

Suk Jun Kim, 6th dan, is the founder and chairman of the Taekwon-Do Instructors Association, vice-president, United States Taekwon-Do Federation, and secretary general, North American Taekwon-Do Federation.

Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface
How to use this book
Introduction
1 The historyof taekwon-do
2 Warm-up and stretching
3 Stances
4 Blocking/attacking tools
5 Hand techniqes: Blocking (basic)
6 Hand techniques: Attacking (basic)
7 Foot techniques
8 Theory of application: The angles of defense
9 Defensive sequences and counterattacking
10 Self-defense: Release techniques
11 The pattern
Looking ahead: A personal portfolio of S.J. Kim
About the authors
About the assistants
About the technical advisor
Appendix I: The history of taekwon-do
Appendix II: The ranking system
Appendix III: School regulations and standards
Apendix IV: Korean terminology
Index