Karate And Taekwondo: What’s The Difference?
At first glance, taekwondo and karate can be very similar to someone who recently developed an interest in martial arts. Both Karate and Taekwondo involve learning basic techniques and using stances as training tools. From here, Karate and Taekwondo practitioners move on to more advanced techniques with overlapping, common styles. However, these two styles differ in techniques, forms and rules.
1. Techniques
Karate is one of the most developed striking arts, focusing on two methods: striking and kicking. A karate martial artist also stresses vital point striking, joint manipulations and throws that support executing powerful strikes. Moreover, it requires hard physical training to develop skills and restraint to build strong mental discipline.
On the other hand, a taekwondo school focuses solely on the kicking technique since they believe the legs are the body’s most powerful weapon. Besides, taekwondo training builds speed, flexibility, stamina and physical balance.
2. Forms
Karate is based on three forms called Kihon, Kata and Kumite, where Kihon stands for the basics every practitioner needs to learn. These basics include stances, strikes, blocks, punches and kicks.
Kata is a sequence or pattern of movements memorised to execute a synchronised strike; this requires speed, rhythm, memory and power. Lastly, Kumite is a kind of sparring that introduces drills in the routine to help you master defence movements and counter techniques.
Meanwhile, Taekwondo includes ‘Kata’ and taekwondo sparring. Like Karate, Kata is a set of movements executed in competitions. On the other hand, Taekwondo sparring is a full-contact combat with a balanced mix of defensive and offensive techniques.
3. Rules
Scoring in a Karate competition is based on the different parts of the challenger’s body, including the neck, face, chest, abdomen, side, and back. The following criteria also play an important role in judging a competitor’s ability:
- Accurate distance
- Good form
- Synchronicity and timing
- Awareness
- Vigorous execution
- Sporting attitude
Moreover, scoring techniques such as the Jordan kick are awarded three points, while middle-level kicks and upper-level punches can get you two points and one point each, respectively.
In Taekwondo, three kicks to the head have a value of three points, a spinning kick can score two points, and a basic attack has a one-point score. There are usually four judges in a taekwondo competition, and a score is awarded if most judges agree.