Zone Fighting
Becoming the Complete Tae Kwon Do Fighter
In order to have an
effective form of self-defense, every martial arts system must incorporate
punching, kicking, throws and takedowns, and effective ground fighting.
Defending oneself in a real situation is not predictable, as one does not know
what position or attack an assailant might present. Not incorporating the four
zones of fighting may leave you helpless and defeated in a real street
altercation. Please do not confuse incorporating each zone into your curriculum
as not being traditional or claiming that one zone is supreme to the next. To
have this preconception is to close the mind and stop advancing in the martial
arts. You also do not have to abandon your base style and learn all the new
fighting systems. You do not have to become an expert in each individual system.
To know the basics of how to develop a complete self-defense program, you will
need to be able to address each of the four zones. Let's explore the zones
independently, then combine all of the four zones.
As you can see, each zone is very necessary for self-defense. However, no zone can stand on its own. If we study the "No Holds Barred Tournaments," we can observe that Maurice Smith and Frank and Ken Shamrock do not rely 100% on their base systems. The Gracies, who are legendary grapplers, use the front kick and jab to close the distance with their opponent. Maurice Smith, one of the world's best kickboxers, utilizes his kick boxing skills to assure victory. However, when taken to the ground during competition, his submission training with Frank and Ken Shamrock has prevented him from being defeated.
If you are an instructor or student
of martial arts-- and one of your reasons for studying is realistic
self-defense--you must incorporate the four zones of fighting. How can this be
accomplished? I can relate to my own training. My style is Tae Kwon Do. I am
very fortunate to have one of the greatest Tae Kwon Do masters in the world,
Grandmaster Hee II Cho as my instructor. Not only is Master Cho a legend in the
martial arts, he is one of the most innovative martial artists in the world.
His openminded approach to training has led him to incorporate many skills, such
as boxing and weight training, into his style of Tae Kwon Do. Learning from his
example, I have attended seminars, worked out with other
experts in their fields, purchased video tapes,
and read and studied other systems that would enhance my traditional Tae Kwon Do
training.
Forget your ego. Don't compare one system to another. Appreciate the beauty and benefits of all martial arts systems. This is in my opinion very similar to my religious beliefs. Though there may be thousands of different religions, the primary aim is to live an honorable life and not cause harm to anyone. So if you are a stand-up martial artist, purchase a video from Matt Furey on combat wrestling, or buy a book on ground fighting. If you are a ground fighter, attend a seminar on striking. By doing this, we all will become complete martial artists.
Taekwondo Times / May 1999