Kick It Up a Notch: Taekwondo Lesson for Students With Disabilities

Abstract

Taekwondo is one of the representative martial arts that originated in Korea. It offers many positive benefits, such as improving cardiovascular strength, balance, and flexibility. Teaching Taekwondo provides a unique experience for students to learn self-defense skills, culturally diverse activities, and life-long fitness. This article presents strategies for teaching Taekwondo to students with disabilities. Specifically, it discusses fundamental and appropriate techniques of Taekwondo, provides modified techniques and equipment, and suggests several instructional ideas and activities. Furthermore, this article focuses on the inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities to learn Taekwondo. In short, understanding various Taekwondo teaching strategies helps physical education teachers or adapted physical education teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the specific needs and abilities of various students with disabilities.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Minhyun Kim

Minhyun Kim ([email protected]) is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Junhyung Baek is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Education at Gyeongin National University of Education, Incheon, South Korea. Hyeonho Yu was an assistant professor in the Department of Secondary Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO during the authorship of this article. Dr. Yu is now an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Taemin Ha is an assistant professor in the Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences at City University of New York, New York, NY. Chan Woong Park is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento, CA.

Hyeonho Yu

Minhyun Kim ([email protected]) is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Junhyung Baek is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Education at Gyeongin National University of Education, Incheon, South Korea. Hyeonho Yu was an assistant professor in the Department of Secondary Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO during the authorship of this article. Dr. Yu is now an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Taemin Ha is an assistant professor in the Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences at City University of New York, New York, NY. Chan Woong Park is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento, CA.