Tang Soo Do
당수도
Tang Soo Do (당수도, "Way of the China Hand") is a Korean martial art that blends Chinese and Japanese influences with native Korean kicking techniques. It places strong emphasis on hyung (형, forms), respect — ye (예) — and the development of character.
AI-generated content — may contain inaccuracies
Tang Soo Do combines powerful Korean kicking with traditional values — moo do (무도, martial way) — and discipline. It is especially well-suited for families and those seeking a structured traditional practice.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Powerful Korean kicking techniques — chagi (차기)
Hyung (형, traditional forms) preserving combat principles
Il su sik (일수식, one-step sparring) and self-defense sequences — hosinsul (호신술)
Hand strikes — su gi (수기), blocks — mahk gi (막기), and stances — jaseh (자세)
Character development and moo do (무도, martial way) philosophy
Your First Class
Wear a dobok (uniform) if available, otherwise athletic clothing. Expect basic stances, blocks, and hand/kick techniques followed by form practice. Classes run 45-60 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Legends of Tang Soo Do
Hwang Kee (황기)
Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan school and the art of Tang Soo Do, blending Korean kicking traditions with Chinese martial arts influences. His system became one of the original five kwans that shaped modern Korean martial arts.
Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris is a martial artist, actor, and cultural icon who won six consecutive Professional Middleweight Karate Championships before transitioning to a Hollywood career. He holds black belts in multiple disciplines and founded his own system, Chun Kuk Do.
Choi Hong-hi (최홍희)
General Choi Hong-hi is credited as the principal founder of Taekwondo, synthesizing Korean martial traditions with Karate into a distinct kicking art. He established the ITF and spent his life spreading Taekwondo worldwide, making it one of the most practiced martial arts on the planet.
Shin Jae-chul
Related Styles
Taekwondo
Taekwondo (태권도) is a Korean martial art known for its fast, high, and spinning kicks. It is one of only two martial arts in the Olympic Games and is practiced by over 80 million people worldwide.
Karate
Karate is a Japanese striking art that uses punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand techniques. Originating in Okinawa, it emphasizes kata (型, forms), kihon (基本, basics), and kumite (組手, sparring).
Hapkido
Hapkido (합기도) is a Korean martial art that combines joint locks and throws (similar to Aikido) with dynamic kicks and strikes. It provides a comprehensive self-defense — hoshinsul (호신술) — system covering all ranges of combat.
Shotokan
Shotokan (松濤館) is the most widely practiced karate style worldwide, developed by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka. It emphasizes deep stances — zenkutsu-dachi (前屈立ち, front stance) — powerful linear techniques, and perfection of form through kihon (基本, basics), kata (型, forms), and kumite (組手, sparring).
Ready to train Tang Soo Do?
Find schools near you and book a free trial class.