Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art that blends elements of traditional Korean, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts, making it a unique combination of both hard and soft techniques. It focuses on striking, kicking, blocking, and forms (patterns), with an emphasis on fluid movements, speed, and control. What sets Tang Soo Do apart is its versatility—while it uses powerful, direct strikes similar to those found in karate, it also incorporates grappling techniques and the fluidity of Chinese martial arts, as well as the spiritual aspects of self-improvement, balance, and discipline. The martial art is known for its high, rapid kicks, which are a key feature, as well as its use of stances that are designed to provide both offensive and defensive advantages. Tang Soo Do practitioners often train in forms (known as Hyung) that simulate combat situations, which help develop coordination, flexibility, and timing.

Tang Soo Do has roots in ancient Korean and Chinese martial arts, particularly the Chinese Shaolin style and the Korean traditional martial art of Taekkyeon. It began to evolve into a more structured system during the early 20th century when martial artists in Korea started to synthesise these traditional techniques with influences from Japanese martial arts, such as Shotokan Karate. The modern form of Tang Soo Do was popularised by Hwang Kee, a Korean martial artist who founded the Moo Duk Kwan school in 1945. Hwang Kee integrated elements from Chinese and Japanese martial arts with his understanding of Korean traditions, creating a system that was both a combat art and a way to foster personal development. Tang Soo Do was initially taught as a military and self-defence technique but gained popularity after the Korean War, when it spread internationally. The name Tang Soo Do itself reflects the martial art’s roots, with “Tang” referring to the Tang dynasty of China (which influenced the art’s origins), “Soo” meaning hand or fist, and “Do” meaning way or path, signifying the way of the hand or fist.

Tang Soo Do competitions typically involve two primary areas: forms (Hyeong) and sparring. In form competitions, practitioners perform a set series of movements that simulate combat against multiple opponents. These movements are evaluated on precision, power, speed, and overall execution, with points awarded for the correct application of technique and the smoothness of the performance. In sparring (known as Dallyon), competitors engage in controlled, full-contact matches, using a combination of punches, kicks, blocks, and footwork to score points. Sparring is typically governed by rules that promote safety and controlled aggression, and points are awarded for clean, controlled strikes to the body and head. Sparring matches are often decided by the first to a certain number of points, or through judges' decisions based on the overall performance of both competitors. In addition to forms and sparring, some Tang Soo Do competitions also include events like self-defence demonstrations and breaking techniques, where practitioners demonstrate their power and skill by breaking boards or other materials.