Taekwondo is known for its fast, powerful kicks. But it’s also a highly competitive sport where practitioners face off against one another in brutal competitions. So is Taekwondo safe for girls?
Training Taekwondo is safe for both girls and women, and there are numerous female black belts who are Olympic champions. As with any sport or martial art, there is always some risk of injury. But between extensive rules, and safety gear requirements, it is a very safe martial art.
In fact, the only Taekwondo black belt I know personally is a woman who earned her black belt as a teenager.
Taekwondo sessions are beneficial to everyone, yet when most people think of martial arts training, they often think of men more than women.
And I can tell you from years of running a dojo with 600 students that it was pretty typical that about 65-70% of the students were boys or men (we catered more to kid’s classes).
But there are plenty of female martial artists.
Taekwondo is enjoyable. It feels fantastic to hit a bag. It’s a lot of fun to learn to kick. It feels good to spar with an opponent in the training hall.
The entire experience is empowering for girls and women, with the feeling of being stronger, more confident, and more aware of potentially dangerous situations and people.
Although Taekwondo’s physical expressions and actions include punching, kicking, striking, and other defensive techniques, the discipline is not about fighting an opponent. It’s about pushing yourself and discovering what it takes to be a winner in life, which applies to both genders.
But how often should you train in Taekwondo to get good?
In a recent article of mine, I wrote about how often you should train in Taekwondo. I cover the bare minimum but also talk about some of the dangers of training too much too soon.
Just click that link to read it on my site.
This is Spinkai #SouthWaziristan
A #Pakistani girl power at National Taekwondo Championship
Once abode of terrorists, SW is now holding 1st-ever IGFC (South)National Taekwondo Championship at Spinkai Cadet College Nov 12-15
Teams frm 4provinces,#GilgitBaltistan #AJK Participating pic.twitter.com/gLeZlMxKQF— Farzana Shah (@Jana_Shah) November 13, 2020
Is Taekwondo violent?
Taekwondo is not violent, nor does it promote or encourage violence from students. In fact, most martial artists learn confidence, emotional regulation, and situational awareness skills to easily avoid most potential altercations.
But like any other contact sport, football, rugby, and even hockey, Taekwondo can cause injury and even occasional aggression.
But it is the mental development aspect of martial arts that distinguishes it from basic sports or simple self-defense systems. The spiritual component of martial arts enables every student to strike a balance between the hard and the soft. It is up to them if they choose to implement this in their daily lives.
Fighting is not the point of martial arts. It is about mastering our mind, body, and soul in order to realize our maximum potential.
Turning the spotlight on Taekwondo in particular…
Taekwondo is a striking skill that is distinguished by amazing foot moves and speed. The sport encourages self-discipline, increases strength, flexibility, and agility, and instills honor, hard effort, and respect.
Taekwondo’s emphasis is on kicking.
Because the leg is the longest and strongest limb, fighters discovered that using it in combat gave them an advantage over other fighting methods emphasizing punching.
Taekwondo kicks have the lethal capacity to knock opponents out in seconds, which is why it is considered a deadly martial art, or in this sense, violent.
But most martial arts were not actually developed for fighting, so it would be wrong to assume that martial arts are violent.
What are the risks of Taekwondo?
As with any contact sport, there is a risk of sprains, strains, and fractures when practicing Taekwondo.
It is important to warm up properly before engaging in any physical activity to reduce the risk of injury. Luckily most martial arts classes always start with a warm-up drill that may last 15 minutes or more.
A good warm-up serves 2 purposes:
- It limbers up the body improving flexibility
- It is also designed to tire us out which can remove excess tension in our body.
And it’s that excess tension that can sometimes lead to injury as holding onto tension keeps us tense, rigid, and inflexible.
Additionally, it is essential to wear the proper protective gear such as headgear and shin guards when sparring or competing in tournaments.
Finally, there is the risk of overtraining.
Overtraining can lead to fatigue, burnout, and even injury if not managed properly. It is important to listen to your body and take breaks when needed in order to avoid overtraining.
Running a dojo for 9 years or so, I always cringed when a parent or student would sign up and insist on coming 4 or more times per week.
While there are some students who can make that work, the vast majority get burned out after only a few weeks and quit before ever really getting anywhere.
Remember; any martial arts journey is about being slow and steady and not trying to race to the finish line.
my daughter Margret Edda Gnarr just won the Icelandic championship in Taekwondo and that after giving birth to my grandson 3 months ago! What a ninja girl I have! so proud and thankful 😊😊 #BruceLee #Taekwondo #girlpower #pabbamont pic.twitter.com/JKZPSIPMLb
— Jon Gnarr (@Jon_Gnarr) November 5, 2022
What is safer for girls Karate or Taekwondo?
As a general rule, Karate has fewer injuries reported than Taekwondo does. This is due both to the increased level of competition for some Taekwondo schools, as well as the nature of some of the kicks that are regularly executed.
Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art that focuses on striking techniques such as punches, kicks, and blocks.
It also teaches the use of weapons such as swords and staffs. Karate is a great way to learn self-defense and build strength. It can also help with coordination and balance.
However, it can be dangerous if not practiced properly or if the student does not have proper instruction.
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that focuses on kicking techniques. It also teaches the use of hand strikes, blocks, and throws. Taekwondo is an excellent way to learn self-defense and build strength.
It can also help with coordination and balance. However, it can be dangerous if not practiced properly or if the student does not have proper instruction.
When it comes to safety for girls, both Karate and Taekwondo offer great benefits but there are some differences between them that should be taken into consideration when making a decision about which one to choose.
Karate has more striking techniques than Taekwondo which may make it more suitable for girls who want to learn self-defense but don’t want to get too physical with their opponents. On the other hand, Taekwondo has more kicking techniques which may make it better suited for girls who want to focus on agility and speed rather than strength or power.
Overall, both Karate and Taekwondo are excellent choices for girls who want to learn self-defense while staying safe at the same time.
The best option will depend on each individual’s goals and preferences so it’s important to do some research before making a decision about which one is right for you or your daughter.
Is Taekwondo too rough for girls?
While it is often seen as a male-dominated sport, there are many female practitioners of Taekwondo.
The question of whether Taekwondo is too rough for girls is one that has been debated for some time. On the one hand, it can be argued that the physical nature of the sport can be intimidating and potentially dangerous for young girls.
That being said, the only Taekwondo black belt I’ve ever trained with was a woman, and she was great.
And many argue that Taekwondo can be an empowering activity for girls, teaching them self-defense skills and helping to build confidence.
Of course, speaking very generally, those born male do typically have high muscle mass and overall body weight and tend to be taller. Don’t shoot me, PC police; it’s just the facts. (source)
So in one sense, it does stand to reason that women might have a harder time mastering Taekwondo to the same degree as a man. But really, I think we just have to accept that “mastery” may just look different for men than it will for women.
And for every rule, there will also be an exception.
In general, it is important to consider each individual girl’s physical capabilities when deciding if Taekwondo is right for her.
If she has the strength and agility to handle the physical demands of the sport, then she should be able to participate safely. It is also important to ensure that instructors are properly trained in teaching techniques appropriate for young girls.
In addition to physical safety considerations, it is also important to consider the psychological effects of Taekwondo on young girls. The martial art can help build self-confidence and teach valuable lessons about respect and discipline.
However, it can also lead to feelings of aggression or even violence if not taught in a positive manner.
Ultimately, whether or not Taekwondo is too rough for girls depends on each individual girl’s capabilities and her instructor’s teaching style. With proper instruction and safety precautions in place, Taekwondo can be an empowering activity for young girls as well as boys.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Taekwondo is a safe and beneficial martial art for girls.
It provides physical and mental benefits, such as improved strength, flexibility, coordination, and self-confidence. It also teaches important values such as respect, discipline, and self-control. The sport is also relatively safe due to the use of protective gear and the emphasis on proper technique.
Overall, Taekwondo is an excellent choice for girls who are looking to get involved in a martial art.
It provides physical and mental benefits that can help them become more confident and disciplined individuals. With proper instruction and safety precautions in place, girls can enjoy the sport without worrying about injury or harm.
