How to Do a Taekwondo Parallel Take Down

Taekwondo is a martial art that was developed in Korea during the 1940s and 1950s for exercise and self-defense. It has many high-kicking and fast hand techniques and became an Olympic sport in 2000. The parallel take down is more commonly known as the flying scissors take down and is a leg-based technique. It is also used in other martial arts forms to take an opponent to the ground quickly. Opponents can easily hit their heads heavily when they fall backwards, so safety is important when practicing this move.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft mat
  • Safety headgear
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position yourself next to your opponent and not directly facing him. Grab your opponent by the collar or upper arm to start getting him off balance. Grab him using the arm closest to him rather than reaching across your own body.

    • 2

      Use your grip on him as a support as you quickly leap into the air and slam your lead thigh into his stomach or across his upper thighs. Rotate as you jump so you are both facing the same way. Bring your back foot up behind him at the same time so that it is behind his knees.

    • 3

      Scissor your legs together so that your front leg pushes his hips back and your rear leg pushes his knees forward. This will make him fall backwards.

    • 4

      Rotate in mid air so that you land facing your opponent as he falls on his back -- to finish the take down. If you do not rotate and fall straight down with your opponent, you can damage his or her ankles.