Flashy kicks in Taekwon-do?

Some 360 kicks are used often in tournaments, like roundhouses, crescents, side, and reverse side kicks. Occasionally, even a spin kick.

I would never use most 360 kicks in self-defense. A crescent or side or reverse side kick, maybe. But there are a myriad other 360 kicks, and they are ankle breakers and hip rippers. Try pulling this off in the street on uneven ground with a ton of adrenaline flowing in your veins, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

You do NOT have to do these kicks to be considered a TKD artist.

I also train in ITF style, in a non-affiliated dojo. My kicks are effective, but far from flashy. I want to have as many weapons in my arsenal as possible, so I work hard on my kicking. I agree that the aerials and the 540's have no place on the street. I practice them to improve my stamina and balance, which helps all my kicks and my fighting, in general. As a second black, I am required to perform the first 14 kata, and there are some tricky kicks and kicking combinations there.

I've used a twist kick in self defense, but, for the most part, all the "fancy" kicks in TKD were designed to kick people off of horses.

I don't get into too many fights with dudes on horses, these days.

i think tkd is deceiving and all the kicks have been modified or added for sport purposes but originally to deceive viewer in some way like high front kicks are actually strait up through the groin in real fighting and side kicks are judo throws doing real damage.same with every other movement in the style. nearly every kick is unrealistic for fight if you think about it, your standing on one leg.

they are useful in the street but they have a different purpose.

those kind of moves are when someones back is turned and you need a for sure knockout so you can do crazy stuff and not worry as much as if your in front of them already fighting.

I think people need to be educated tactics & strategy on the street because it's can happen from behind and other variables that don't happen in a cage or ring.

You see people in this world are full of hypocrisy and idiotic thoughts...

They think the only thing in TKD is "falshy kicks" which is utter bullsh*t...

It's not really necessary but u can learn them for demonstrations

i use what works. if i see the opportunity for one of those kicks, i will use it.