Welcome to Old School Perspectives

My name is Ciaran McDonald M.A., M.Ed. and I'm passionate about Taekwon-do 'Self-Defence' & 'Patterns Applications'. 


I have a long background in education and martial arts. I've taught at many of the UK's leading universities and I believe I know 'how people learn'.


I produce books, videos, and courses for instructors and students who want to train effective Taekwon-do self-defence. 


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Taekwon

Ciaran McDonald M.A., M.Ed.

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Ciaran McDonald

Founder of Old School Perspectives

Ciaran McDonald

Hi, my name is Ciaran McDonald M.A., M.Ed. I‘m a martial arts nut. I am author of the Explosive new book "Old School Perspectives on Taekwon-do" (loved by Grand Masters and Masters all over the world). I am an academic, student, instructor and creator of the OSP system.

I am the head instructor of Oxfordshire Taekwon-do and Didcot Old School Karate Jutsu.
I am a 4th Degree in ITF Taekwon-do, A black belt Shidoin in Koryu Uchinadi, A blue belt in Brazilian Jujutsu and I am currently struggling to get my black belt in Kickboxing. However, I have studied many other arts too!

I have spent the last 10 years researching and collecting the hidden applications and lost self defence practices of the Taekwondo-do patterns. I have found these in other older arts and have brought them back to share with my Taekwondo-do brethren.

It is my mission to help 10,000 people in the Taekwon-do world discover the great self-defence in their patterns by 2025.

What People Say About Old School Perspectives

GM Paul Liversidge - 9th Degree

One of the best book I've read on TKD

GM Paul Liversidge - 9th Degree

It is one of the best books I've read on Tae Kwon-Do. I started Judo at an early age, then Shotokan Karate, leading onto Tae Kwon-Do, so I can see where the author is coming from re his presentation of various techniques. I certainly enjoyed reading this excellent presentation of the history of the development of the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation and the patterns. It is a pleasure and an enjoyable experience to read and I recommend this book to all I rate this book 10 out of 10
Scott McMillan - 5th Degree

10/10

Scott McMillan - 5th Degree

I'd like to thank Ciaran for this. In my opinion it's what Taekwondo needs....because there are some explanations in the Encyclopedia that don't make sense. However, the dvd on Joon gun is a good piece of work that all Taekwondo Instructors and students should have in there dvd reference library! Loving the work 10/10
GM James Tjin A Ton - 9th Degree ITF

Your Book is Great

GM James Tjin A Ton - 9th Degree ITF

Your book is great and i recommend this book to all students of ITF Patterns to open their mind and not only for applications of the patterns by our founder General Choi Hong Hi.
David Price -3rd Degree

Well researched and presented

David Price -3rd Degree

Clear and to the point. not all applications will suit all people, but its a great starting point to examine the combinations within the Tkd patterns. I love the way Ciaran’s dvd details drills for an entire pattern, rather than just picking the odd combination here and there which a lot of youtube videos do, and missing out the ones that are "difficult to decipher". Was pleased to see that the method of using the chamber position for blocks as the block itself before using the blocking movement to strike or grab the attacker, as this is a method I already use myself. I’m now revisiting this review and adding to it! Since my original one, I’ve purchased both Ciaran’s book and also his online blocking course, in addition to the Joong Gun dvd. Both book and online course are well researched and presented, and as always the emphasis is on using TKD to deal with HAOV (Habitual Acts Of Violence). This is just the sort of resources that the TKD community need to make TKD complete. The Old School Perspectives series of resources is the WHY we do it to General Choi’s HOW. While not everyone will agree with the methods and information presented, it will be thought provoking to all and should make students and instructors re-examine their syllabus.
Patrick McCarthy - 9th Dan Koryu Uhinadi

Seminal Work!

Patrick McCarthy - 9th Dan Koryu Uhinadi

Highly recommended is Ciaran McDonald's seminal work, "Old School Perspectives on TKD,
GM Jason Wadley - 9th Degree

Add it to your collection!

GM Jason Wadley - 9th Degree

Add it to your collection. Great job by the author for working so hard to share his knowledge and perspectives of application of techniques. Thank you Ciaran McDonald for the book. 

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