Wow….Taekwondo or Karate?

Pick the best, most powerful and effective way to defeat your enemy: Taekwondo or Karate?

Trying to decide between Taekwondo or Karate for your child? Here are the basic differences between these two martial art styles.

Is Taekwondo For Kids Any Good? Ten Ways You Can Be Certain

Taekwondo

• Martial art style that emphasizes spectacular kicks. Punches & hand/arm strikes can sometimes receive less focus.
• Developed in Korea.
• Often taught by Korean immigrants (in America). Your child is likely to learn some Korean (i.e. how to count in Korean).
• Taekwondo is an Olympic sport. Therefore students will often be encouraged to spar according to Olympic rules (in a controlled environment and with protective gear).
• Different terminology (i.e. Uniform = Dobok, School = Dojang, etc.)
• There are different styles/schools within Taekwondo (such as WTF and ITF).
• Not a “soft” martial arts style such as Tai Chi.
• Not a “grappling” martial arts style such as Judo.
• Will teach your child basic self-defense.

Karate

• Martial art style that emphasizes punches, strikes and kicks. There tends to be more emphasis on punches and strikes than Taekwondo.
• Developed in Japan.
• Often taught by Americans (in America).
• Karate is not an Olympic sport. Judo is currently the only Japanese martial art in the Olympics.
• Different terminology (i.e. Uniform = Gi, School = Dojo, etc.)
• There are different styles/schools within Karate (such as WKF and WUKF). There are many sub-styles such as Shotokan, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, etc.
• Not a “soft” martial arts style such as Tai Chi.
• Not a “grappling” martial arts style such as Judo.
• Will teach your child basic self-defense.