What's the difference between Taekwondo and Karate?

They (the Taekwondo instructors) told me that Taekwondo uses a lot more kicks/legs/feet than punches/hands, while Karate uses more punches/hands than kicks/legs/feet.....|||Karate and taekwondo are very similar in a lot of ways, but they do generally have some differences.





Karate is a Japanese/Okinawan art, and there are many styles that vary quite a bit. In most karate classes, you will get learn a mix of kicks and punches (roughly 50/50), and probably some grappling techniques.





Taekwondo is a Korean art. It is similar to karate, though the focus will be far more on kicking than punching, probably more like 90% kicking, 10% punching. Depending on the instructor, you will probably get some grappling training, though likely less than from a karate class.





In general, most karate classes will be more self-defense oriented, while taekwondo will usually be more sport-oriented. Taekwondo is an official Olympic sport, with well-defined rules oriented to safety. However some of these rules could tend to teach bad self defense habits. Both styles will likely give you great exercise, though taekwondo might burn a few more calories because of all the kicking.





Really though, the style is less important than the instructors. I would recommend you check out all the studios in your area, and at least sit in on a class or two from each. See how the instructor teaches, talk to some of the students, and check out the facility. Even better would be to see if they have an introductory offer, where you can take their class for a couple weeks to see if it is for you. Best of luck in your studies!|||Karate, Japanese %26quot;It is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands and ridge-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles.%26quot;





Taekwondo, Korean, %26quot;Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.%26quot;





Don%26#039;t know there is much difference. However most taekwondo practitioners in Korea are non-contact or minimal contact, more about self-discipline and fitness than competition. Taekwondo = 7-Eleven, one on every corner. ||| I used to do karate when thats all there was. Now, all Dojos are Taekwondo even if they have a sign advertising Karate. Karate is about 60% fist and 40% kicks while Taekwondo is about 70%kicking and 30%punching. This difference in emphasis creates a slight different stance and strike delivery for each.





Namely, Taekwondo: stance is higher, more bouncing around, a hope from left-right or right -left fighting stance that is not done in karate. Also, strikes are delivered from a more sideways stance. Most Taekwondo Dojos use modern equipment like 1 or 2 kicking bags dozen cheap thai pads, sparing protection gear. Also, Taekwondo practicer%26#039;s try not to get hit were as Karateka have a certain machoman mentality.





Otherwise, these two martial arts are extremely similar. Specially if compared to something like Muay Thai which is also a martial art that uses punches, kicks, elbows and knees but comes from Thailand. From this comparison, Karate and Taekwondo share essentially the same. footwork, stances, striking methods and tactics. Even the power development is the same.














|||Taekwando has a lot of kicks when compared to Karate. For that mater it probably tops all other arts for the number of different kinds of kicks. It also has hand and foot work comparable to other arts. I feel like a lot of schools focus on kicks too much. Yes the are a big part of the art., yet for practical self defense several of the kick techniques are little help. there is plenty of other techniques in the art that need to be focused on .


I think the biggest difference in the approach of Taekwando to combat is that it tends to be more linear and the underlying tactic is to attack the thing coming at you. We are taught fundamentally all blocks should be breaks. At our school all blocks for black belt exam need to break boards. |||As a general rule of thumb, your instructor is correct. There are exceptions to every rule, however. The implication comes in the names:





Tae - Strike with the foot


Kwon - Strike with the hand


Do - the way, the mind





Karate - (loosly) empty hand





The curriculum we use does emphasize kicks. We teach 6 different kicks (with 42 variations on them), but only 1 punch (with 4 variations). I teach other hand techniques (there are 13 in our textbook), but as you can see, there are still more foot techniques than hand techniques.|||The difference is emphasis .Basically they are the same art.Beyond basics there can be a vast difference .When I see 3rd degree black belts or higher who dont have a deeper understanding of their art than kyu or gup level belts I have to wonder about what is being taught .|||it actually depends on the instructors. when I took Tae Kwon Do I learned to punch more because I am naturally very unflexable. So when I sparred I did more boxing to set up my kicks, but alas I had good teachers that put self defense first.|||pretty much the idea but always exceprions.|||no i don%26#039;t plus im not into that right now. sorry