Is it common to get knocked out sparring in Taekwondo?

Question

I've been training in Muay Thai for 12 years and have been knocked out several times. I've been thinking of switching to a new art - how common is it to get knocked out sparring TKD? I've seen quite a few KOs on the internet.

Answer 1

KOs don't happen as often as they do in Muay Thai.

taekwondo is generally faster and kicks have a longer range, but it is easy to catch up.

i believe you though you shouldn't jump in too fast into sparring,  

Answer 2

It depends on whether you are doing full contact or sparring for points.

Answer 3

I'm not clear on what "several times" means -being KO'd 4 times in 12 years doesn't sound too bad.  4 times in 12 months is excessive.

I also wonder about who you are training with and what the rules of sparring are in your gym.  It sounds like you are getting head kicks or knees to the head - those are more common KO's in Muay Thai...maybe your sparring partners are too aggressive or don't have the control they should.  Maybe you need to wear head gear and a mouth piece - an open jaw = an easy KO.

Or maybe you spar too hard and don't defend - I've seen good fighters spar too hard and get sloppy and out of control - it's not hard to land a clean blow (KO or otherwise) against someone without control when they over commit and don't defend.

Do other people get KO'd in your gym regularly?  If so, I think your school pushes too hard - knockouts should be rare in training.  If not there may be some issue that you need a Dr. to look at.  

Answer 4

Probably the same as Muay Thai. They're very similar.

Answer 5

Depending on where, if your hardcore sparring with someone experienced maybe, but in a Dojo with TKD they try to keep it non lethal, most the point of Martial Arts is for serenity, not really to be an overpowered killing machine.

Answer 6

It depends on which style of TKD you study and the school's choice for sparring.  Most ITF schools only do point sparring with no or very little contact.  Most WTF schools have contact sparring and you can get knocked out but it takes a hard hit to do it.

Answer 7

It is not common, but it is a contact sport, so it is possible.  If it is happening alot then the school is badly run and you should go else where.

Answer 8

It's not common.  Only a few students spar full contact, and we only do that occasionally.

We have a very friendly, family style atmosphere and we don't want to injure our training partners.

Although I am one of the most frequent "head kickers", I use extreme control when kicking to the head.

It has happened, but it is rare.  I also train at a MMA place nearby once or twice a week, and I can go a little harder there, but still havent seen any KO's at the MMA place either.  

James

Answer 9

Haha. Sparring is just training. If you get KOed while sparring then you SUCK

Answer 10

While the injury rate in combat sports such as Boxing or TKD is actually less than in, believe it or not Basketball or American Football, frequent K.O.'s are not healthy.  Lay off sparring and tell your instructor you would rather focus on Kata and focus mitt drills, whatever Muay Thai's equivalent of Kata is.  Regarding TKD, even with head gear, you are dealing with kicks to the head, so people frequently get knocked unconscious.  In sparring you are not supposed to be K.O.'d, that should only happen during an actual fight.  It can happen, ultimately, in any combat art, even catch wrestling if your opponent power slams you down on the mat hard enough.  Just lay off the sparring and focus on sharpening the techniques, while practicing the solo drills as often as humanly possible.

good luck.

Answer 11

Its common, there are the good the better and the best but nobody is perfect.