Buckeye Tang Soo Do

At BTSD, all students are treated equally and given the chance to succeed. There are plenty of male students who lack upper body strength and are timid when it comes to sparring. Everyone has some sort of mental or physical barrier they need to overcome, and gender is not one of them.

Of the 16 black belts to graduate from BTSD, 7 are women. We do not force the women to only spar with other women and children, or refrain from using them as demonstration partners.

Men and women are given the same opportunities for advancement, and when teaching sparring or fighting, our instructors are more interested in a person's anxiety and reaction to stress rather than their gender. Our female students have a reputation for being "tough" but in reality, they have just been treated fairly and given every opportunity to succeed.

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Every few years, a new martial art is crowned the king of effective arts. Right now, the mixed martial arts phenomena is in the top spot, but in the last few years, arts such as kali, silat, muay thai, krav maga and more have all been the martial art du jour.

Tang Soo Do assumed this top spot for many years, especially when Chuck Norris was known more for his martial arts skill than his internet popularity.

There is no single superior art, especially in today's society where arts freely borrow from each other and evolve. The only factor that matters is the person in the fight. It doesn't matter how many trophies they have, how many stripes are on their black belt, who their instructor's instructor's instructor was.

It boils down to how hard did that person train leading up to that point in time.

Our club does not produce street fighters, we produce survivors. People who make the active choice to be "fighters" will be extremely bored with our class.

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"Hard" and "Soft" are terms which someone once developed to try and categorize martial arts. On the surface, these labels may work very well for a few martial arts, but most arts float somewhere between the two.

Tang Soo Do is best described as a hybrid art influenced by Chinese styles such as long fist and Tai Chi, as well as harder Karate styles from Japan and Okinawa.

Someone with a limited view of TSD may see the hard striking and blocking aspects of the art and immediately label it a hard art. Contrast this to the person who has been practicing for 30 years, and they will tell you about the softer aspects: deflecting, sticking, circling that they practice. Often the "hard" is taught first and the "soft" aspects are stressed along the way.

I try to describe TSD in the following way: it is an art which has both hard and soft tools. One person may use the soft tools (circular blocks and stepping) to set up hard techniques (reverse punch, front kick) while others may use hard techniques (outside inside block to a strike) to set up soft techniques (throw or locking technique)

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We know money can be hard for students, so we attempt to make class as affordable as possible. Therefore, we try to give you as much for your money as possible. While the uniform is expensive, it will last for several years with proper care, unlike the "free uniform" giveaways you will often see.

With 3 classes per week in a 10 week quarter, you pay approximately $1 per class. Many people spend more than this on a soda or coffee. If you feel that the training is giving you the benefit you want, you will find a way to come up with $1. Also consider that the professional organizations encourage schools to charge up to $100 per month.

My instructor always taught me that money should not be a prerequisite for training. If you are concerned, come and talk with us. If you want to train, then I want you to train regardless any outside factors: money, friends, etc. If you are willing to put in the work, chances are we can give you the opportunity.

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Once you join BTSD, you have joined an organization that was built with brotherhood in mind. You are welcome at any World Tang Soo Do Association school anywhere in the world (over 100,000 members in 36 countries). Also, BTSD is a brotherhood and you are always welcome back. Regardless of how long you train with us -- you will always have a home and friends.

Even if you find another school in another art, you will find principles and concepts in Tang Soo Do that are true in any martial art. I'd encourage you not to think of it as "starting over" but continuing the journey. Even if you joined a new school as a red belt, black belt or orange belt, there would be a certain degree of "starting over" as the new studio got to know you and evaluated your abilities.

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We compete in 2-3 WTSDA-sanctioned tournaments per year, and we do not attend open tournaments. Competition is not mandatory, however many of our tournaments also feature a clinic the next day or offer some other educational opportunity. We don't teach or stress tournament concepts or strategies -- when we compete, we use the same ideas that we would use on the street in a life and death situation.

If you want to be the next Matt Emig or Chloe Bruce, you may find yourself very unhappy with our club. Competing on a regional, national or international stage takes a great deal of specific preparation and dedication, and our studio simply doesn't train for that specific purpose.

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The instructors and senior students of BTSD stress a high level of control in all partner drills, adapting to the comfort and experience of the lesser experienced individual. A black belt will not use a beginner as a punching bag, but will provide learning opportunities for the new student. As the student becomes comfortable with this level of training, the senior student will continue to challenge their partner to reach new levels.

Like any physical activity, there is a chance of injury. Most long-term students have picked up bruises on their arms and legs along the way, just as if they were playing soccer or basketball. The instructors of BTSD work very hard to create a safe environment for learning how to deal with the most uncomfortable and dangerous situations a student may one day face.

In the case of more serious injuries, BTSD is prepared to deal with all situations, either through a certified safety officer, or building staff.

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As more and more people are exposed to martial arts at a younger age, it is fairly common that our students come to us with some previous training. When we evaluate students, we do not look at previous rank. As instructors and Martial Artists, we honor previous training. We teach the exact same concepts, theories and techniques to every student regardless of their rank. Just because a student is recognized as a white belt, that does not mean that they cannot benefit from more difficult techniques or combinations. When you are attacked (physically, mentally, etc.), the attacker does not care about your rank. We encourage everyone to come and train with us, have some fun and be a part of the group and worry about ranking later.

In the past, we've had many black belts from other arts join BTSD and start over as white belts. Many of them found that given time, they were respected for their skills and knowledge, regardless of the color of cloth around their waist.

Looking for a more concrete answer? Here's the WTSDA policy on the matter:

All Gup and Dan members enjoy the privilege of being able to transfer temporarily or permanently to any other member studio without restriction or discrimination. Also, if the student did not stop training for more than three months, full grade and rank will be honored by the accepting member studio.

Transfers from non-member studios or styles: Gup students from another non-member studio or style should start as a beginner white belt regardless of the student's experience. The student's gup grade will be determined at the next coming test to whatever grade the student deserves at the level of a World Tang Soo Do student.

Any prospective Dan member who is interested in joining our organization, upon approval of admittance, will be tested to determine the level of expertise and will issue a World Tang Soo Do Dan certificate upon passing.

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90% of Tang Soo Do is learning to make due with what you have, and using it in an efficient manner. Yes, you may never do a full split, break concrete bricks with your hand, or perform a triple jump spinning kick. But only a small percentage of martial artists can. All of us have something that keeps us from being perfect, whether it's a bad back, trick knee, bum shoulder, or negative attitude.

At BTSD, you will learn how to move your body more efficiently, and how to strike more powerfully than if you were to rely on brute force. You will approach your surroundings, other people, and situations in a new light. Within a few months, you will have gained a new sense of physical balance, and find it hard to believe you ever thought Tang Soo Do was too hard or impossible. You will be challenged physically and mentally by class. Some days you will need to take a break, while other days you may be able to hang in there. The key is having the integrity to know the difference between quitting when you need to quit, and when you just don't feel like working.

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Tang Soo Do is an excellent workout for building strength and endurance. However, the body will only adapt as much as needs to in order to perform the art. Your external appearance will not be altered very much, though you may notice a little more definition in your legs. It will not counteract a beer and pizza diet.

BTSD is composed of otherwise sedentary couch potatoes, Army Rangers, and everyone in between. Chances are, class will make everyone sweat, but the heart rate will not stay within workout ranges for a predictable period of time. One day may be composed of jump kicks on a target, while the next day we hold horse stance for half an hour.

Mentally, Tang Soo Do may help you work towards that goal of losing weight, making time for a workout, eating healthy, etc. As you see what you are capable of, those gruesome workouts will not be as intimidating.

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The best option is to pick a few classes to try and see how you hit it off with the group and the instructor. Here are a few questions you may want to keep in mind when discussing the class with the instructor:

• When and where do you meet for classes?
• Who are the instructors?
• Are the instructors certified by any credible organizations? First Aid or CPR certifications?
• How often do they personally teach class?
• Are the instructors' OSU students or professionals?
• Are the instructors compensated for their services?
• How large is the class? How much personal attention will I receive?
• What are the fees for joining? What is required on my part?
• What must I purchase to fully participate in the club?
• How is this club different than the other 20+ Martial Art clubs at OSU?
• How many classes can I attend before I am expected to pay dues?
• Does the club travel to events? Am I required to participate in extra events?
• Will I get hurt? What is the level of competition and how is it regulated?
• How does the ranking system work? How long will it be until I am at a reasonable level of proficiency?

All of these are completely appropriate questions to ask before making a commitment, and any instructor should be more than willing to answer them. If they can't answer them, you may wish to consider this a warning!

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If you look at different styles, you will notice that while there are basic similarities, there are also distinct differences. On a very broad level, arts that originate from Korea are different from those originating in Japan, China, Europe, Africa, the Philippines, etc.

However, over the years, as these societies have been in contact with each other, the arts have all influenced each other. Despite this interaction, all martial arts have a distinct (yet sometimes very subtle) way of moving, striking, etc.

Which martial art is the best? This is an impossible question to answer. Everyone has their own biases and will usually not hesitate to tell you their art is the best. Who's lying? Nobody; the problem lies in the question being asked. A more accurate question is "Which martial art is right for me?" No one can answer that question for you. You must carefully examine all of the options available, and make your decision based on your observations. What is it *you* want out of a martial art?

At BTSD, we strongly recommend all students visit 3-4 clubs to see which one best suits them. Interact with the instructor, ask lots of questions, and think about the answers you receive. Try a class with each group and see how you like the way you are treated.

In general, arts can be classified in the following ways:

Empty-Handed striking arts (Tae Kwon Do, some systems of Karate)
Empty-handed grappling arts. (Judo, Jiujitsu, Wrestling)
Striking and Grappling Arts (Hapkido, Shuai Chiao)
Arts that supplement empty handed training with weapons (Tang Soo Do, Some styles of karate, Arnis)
Arts that are exclusively weapons based. (Kendo, Naginata-Do, various Kobudo schools.)

Tang Soo Do is primarily a striking art, focusing heavily on striking with the hands and feet. Some basic joint locks and throws are taught. Weapons such as staff, sword, knife and cane round out the Buckeye Tang Soo Do curriculum.

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Aside from the physical differences between Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi, etc., BTSD is renowned within the Dept. of RecSports for its student development. Our primary goal is to teach students how to become effective leaders and warriors in our everyday world. Your training won't stop at kicking and punching but will encompass every part of your life - that's what makes it an art. An adage that has been used to describe us is "We don't train infantry, we train generals."

Several clubs at OSU focus entirely on physical development where your progress is dependent on your personal ability. Tang Soo Do has endured because it is not only a very effective method of self-defense but it is compatible to every body type and disability and provides knowledge and training for everyone.

Buckeye Tang Soo Do is designed to develop your individual character, mental strength, integrity, and respect for others through physically demanding and emotionally exhausting training. Superficially, it is a method of empty-hand, and foot and weapon fighting, based on the scientific use of the body in self-defense. Technically, it is based on the principles of yielding, circular motion, and penetration. The reputation for superior kicking techniques and development of the legs is another proud asset of Tang Soo Do.

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No, you do not have to.

Obviously, the more classes that you attend, the quicker you will progress and learn but there is no set number of classes that must/should be attended. Your primary goal at The Ohio State University, if you are a student, is to learn and gain an education. In this instance, Buckeye Tang Soo Do is an extracurricular activity and is meant to compliment and help your education.

One of the reasons we meet 3 days per week is to give students some flexibility in choosing which days they can come to class. Often, work or classes can clash with our schedule, and we respect that.

We do ask that you notify one of the instructors if you have a recurring situation, so we can keep that in mind when planning your development as a martial artist.

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