Typically the martial arts styles which emphasize blocking, kicking, and punching, including Taekwon Do, will tell you, implicitly or explicitly, that fighting is done standing up. Thus they teach and spar primarily from a standing position. Styles that focus on grappling, such as Jiujitsu or Judo, may begin sparring from a standing position but then often quickly go to the ground. Totally understandable! However, from the standpoint of self defense, the fact is that most physical confrontations begin from a standing position and may or may not go to the ground.

Given this understanding, Boulder TKD emphasizes being able to defend yourself in both standing position or from the ground. For stand up fighters the idea of going to the ground can be scary, but this need not be the case. We have a saying that "the ground is your friend." If you go to the ground, don't be in a rush to get back to your feet. If fighting a single unarmed opponent, being on the ground confers certain advantages, as long as the you keep your feet toward your opponent. For one, the fighter on the ground presents no targets that are highly vulnerable and easy to reach for the fighter still standing. Further, kicking or punching from the ground can be as effective as kicking or punching from a standing position!

Spring Style