TKD school questions

[MyEmptyHands]

hi there is a TKD school pretty close to my house and i was thinking of what questions i should ask and what should i look for? and another thing ive alwas wanted to see what TKD was about and take a class in it but from what every one on this forum say is that it really sucks.




p.s what is the best style of TKD to get in to.

[Spookey]

TKD Good! (buyer beware)!

Dear Sir,

TKD is has many different organizations however they generally fall under one of three catagories (or are in one of their likenesses)!

WTF- World Taekwondo Federation
ITF- International Taekwon-Do Federation
Independent Federations (which typically mirror one of the above, but not necessarily)

I am a ITF practitioner however, I will not slander another organization (as there are great schools and instructors from all organizations)!
My recommendation is that you first recognize what "federation" the school is a member of and research that federation. If their ideology is to your liking then research/preview the individual school/instructor. Go from there!
Furthermore, I dont believe there to be any ineffective art, however if either your willingness to strive is lacking or the instruction is lacking you of course will not get the expected results. Finally, always remember you will only get out of it the amount you put into it!

TAEKWON!

[bvermillion]

I would personally reccommend the American Taekwondo Association, but that is in large part because I have had a good experience. I have heard there are alot of not so good instructors in the ATA. I personally enjoy taekwondo and would probably enjoy it under any instructor. If you decide to take taekwondo go into it with an open mind and remember some of the things you are taught are for fun and have no self defense value. You have to be able to decipher what is good and what is not. That doesn't mean refuse to learn what is not. I hate forms but my instructor tells us to learn them and I learn them for advancement. No martial art is perfect nor is any association but I believe most have something good to offer.

[Spookey]

Buyer Beware!!!!!

Dear Sir,

Again, I encourage you to research the federation and school/instructor prior to giving money and time!
There are still some schools that focus on defence and DO NOT have the "fun" yet non functional techniques! Also, an educated instructor can explain the value of every exercise...if his explanation is lacking then he may not know its purpose himself!

TAEKWON!

[El Mastero]

hi there is a TKD school pretty close to my house and i was thinking of what questions i should ask and what should i look for? and another thing ive alwas wanted to see what TKD was about and take a class in it but from what every one on this forum say is that it really sucks.

Tae Kwon Do is pretty decent style of the martial arts. If you're interest is in Kata's, colored belts, flashy kicks and a nice sport then by all means enjoy. If your interest is to learn self defense then seek instruction elsewhere.

p.s what is the best style of TKD to get in to.

There really is no best style of TKD, it's all subjective. I'm no expert but I'll give you my opinion. I took up 3 styles of Tae Kwon Do. As follows:

[Moo Duk Kwan - about 7 mos] On the surface level it was pretty traditional. The forms reminded me alot of Shotokan Karate in the way they were performed except that their stances weren't as deep. You spend a good amount of time on conditioning, flexibility and traditional striking/blocking. You also get to do drills on pads and sheilds. Some sparring.

[Jhoon Rhee's system - 1 year] The forms aren't performed as deep as Moo Duk Kwan, it's more upright and close to fighting stance. You spend a good deal developing and perfecting your kicks. They stress picture perfect kicks, punches and form. There is also your conditioning, flexibility and traditional and non-traditional striking/blocks. You also have the kicking drills on pads and shields. Medium amount of sparring.

[WTF - 3 years] As far as forms I opted not to learn any so I'm not sure how they are performed. After your warm up, the majority of the class is spent on drilling your kicks, kicking combinations, kicking pads and shields. Sparring is an everyday thing. This system prides itself on being "olympic taekwondo". Hence the heaving leanings towards the sport aspect.

Again, some of what I stated is just a brief generalisation. Alot of the training and focus is different from instructor to instructor even in the same style. So your best bet is to sit in a class and watch what they do and how they do it.

[Spookey]

Must not have found proper instruction!

[QUOTE=El Mastero]Tae Kwon Do is pretty decent style of the martial arts. If you're interest is in Kata's, colored belts, flashy kicks and a nice sport then by all means enjoy. If your interest is to learn self defense then seek instruction elsewhere.



...Sir,
You only stated experiences in 3 kwans (gyms and systems of curricullum)!
and also stated that you are not an expert. Furthermore, the only dojang you spent any significant amount of time in is a self admitted "olympic"(sports oriented) dojang. Now, in a sport dojang(training hall) what would you expect? Uhm, maybe sports...if you are looking for instructions in self defense then maybe you should have there is a more logical choice!
I encourage each reader that thinks "TKD sucks" to find a school with an instructor whom has spent some time teaching defensive tactics (ie military, law enforcement, ect.) and talk with him, express your feelings yet remain open minded. His words may prove encouraging and his abilities may change your opinion.

TAEKWON!

[taekwondoguys]

Well I take IF Taekwondo and I enjoy it thoroughly. Doing the forms are actually one of my favorite things. Now granted I really don't like doing the stretching but if it will help me out in the long run, then I will do it. Anyway, like the others said, to me there is no better federation of taekwondo. The guy we take from came from seoul, korea so he knows the system very well. The only thing I could hope for other people who decide to take taekwondo that they get a korean instructor too. And he really seems to know what he is doing. Anyway, later all. Jim.

[El Mastero]

Hi Spookey,

Yes I only spoke briefly about the systems I studied and even gave the amount of training under each. I am by no means an expert of Tae Kwon Do nor do I claim to be. I gave my opinion about the art's themselves.

As far as true Self Defense one needs to be skilled in all the ranges of fighting (kicking, punching, trapping & grappling). Take a look what is taught, trained and worked on most of the time in TKD. Think about how much of that is effective on the street. Then think about what it's lacking. If you still feel that you are learning to be a well rounded martial artist and have a good understanding of self defense then enjoy your training. Good luck.

[Spookey]

Dear Maestro (not an axpert?),

Dear Sir,

I am a student of the Oh Do Kwan...The original for of Taekwon-Do encompasses defensive techniques far beyond punching and kicking. The cirriculum consists of throws, releases, joint destruction, defense against weapons of war such as pistols, knifes, blunt objects, rifles (w/ bayonets) ect. It encompasses a wide array of ranges and situations!
For those not aware...Oh Do Kwan is where the famous RoK Spec Ops trained as well as there GI's....Some of us are fortunate enough to find instruction from true instructors (that are not sport based)!
Furthermore, the WTF (mainly seen as olympic TKD) has several instructors who are combat efficient and will train with defensive emphasis as opposed to sport emphasis if approached correctly!

TAEKWON!
( Do not demoralize that of which you do not know!)

[Frustrated]

I have spent TEn years in TKD training. I eventually left to seek out other styles that interested. Here are some questions I would ask:
What style? Try and stay with a traditional style ATA/ITA/USTA/TA are a few organizations that are traditional. Most olimpic styles do not punch to the head when sparring.
How often do we spar and when can I start? most schools will wait till you have tested to green belt 4-6mos.
When I start sparring are there limitations? I have heard of some WTF shools where you cannot punch to the head until you are a black belt.
Do they offer any cross training? (Hapkido, Jujitsu, etc) many schools are offering more than one art try and find one that will offermore than just TKD. One of my old training partners opened a school for TKD but also offers training in BJJ and Weeping Juijitsu.
If they do offer more than one art is it in the same class or is it a seperate class? Does it cost extra? You want to find a place that has integrated self defense and other arts into it TKD training.
Remember to keep an open mind do not belive everything you read on these post. Some people have had bad experience and others have had good in TKD. Find out what philosophies the school owner has about his training and other arts. Everything has its own value.

[Sasami2000]

what is the best style of TKD to get in to.

I've only seen ATA schools as far as Tae Kwon Do is concerned, and my only thoughts on this are to avoid all ATA schools. Unless, of course, you just want to own a black belt within 2 years and kick fancy, I'd say to stay clear of them. Granted there are a few schools out there that teach ATA and don't suck, but they are so few in numbers. Personally, I think ATA TKD is the reason TKD in general has such a bad name because they aren't really a martial art anymore, they are a business.

[bvermillion]

I've only seen ATA schools as far as Tae Kwon Do is concerned, and my only thoughts on this are to avoid all ATA schools. Unless, of course, you just want to own a black belt within 2 years and kick fancy, I'd say to stay clear of them. Granted there are a few schools out there that teach ATA and don't suck, but they are so few in numbers. Personally, I think ATA TKD is the reason TKD in general has such a bad name because they aren't really a martial art anymore, they are a business.

OH NO YOU DIDN'T! LOL Now come on lets give the ATA a little respect here. There are good instructors in the ATA. I believe there to be more good then bad. If you had a bad experience then that was the school you were at. And you sure as heck aren't getting a blackbelt from the school I go to in two years. If you meet all requirements and don't miss a testing the minimum you can get your blackbelt in is 3 and a half years. There is alot offered in the ATA you just have to take advantage of it. Through the ATA you can get a basic understanding(not a blackbelt) of numersous arts through the many certification programs. They also offer certifications in many other programs like joint locks and many exotic weapons. At Black Belt camp this year the spear was taught. Now as far as the ATA being the reason that taekwondo isn't an art anmore .............Come on!! We all know the WTF is the downfall of taekwondo. Whenever you take a martial art and turn it into a sport with as many limitations as the WTF has you destroy the martial art. Of course there are many good WTF instructors as well though. And I can hear you right now "THE ATA HAS LIMITATIONS ON THERE SPARRING TOO" . Yes we do but if you find a good instructor he is going to realize there is a difference between what an adult can handle and what a child can handle. Just tuesday night I came home with a black eye. During the adult class when we have students there that are interested in full contact he obliges. Tuesday night we had sparring with the only rules being no biting, eye gouging, and once you got them to the ground you could grapple but no pounding on the face. We have alot of fun doing stuff like that. We also box, sparr with weapons, and grapple on a regular occassion. So what we might be the exception. I have one more point before I end my book here. Numbers do mean something and the ATA is the largest martial arts organization in the WORLD. I had it stated to to me before though Quality befor Quanity. That is true. But in most cases it takes quality way before quanity comes into play. Why would it be different for the many many members of the ATA. Every organization has its down falls. Especially when your as big as the ATA you have that many more people to make happy. Grandmaster is doing a good job. It may have taken a while but he is getting things done.

[Sasami2000]

Oh yes...I remember when I was very loyal to the ATA. I've been to a lot of ATA schools and a lot of tournaments. I've seen instructors advertise that they could "make you a black belt in 1 year" and then they tested them every month. In fact, I really have NEVER met an ATA black belt that took more than 2 years to get a black belt EVER. (Minus ones that hardly attended class and traveled a lot) Everyone is tested every two months. It's not like any of those forms or one steps are hard, and the board breaks (on the plastic boards) are not hard. I've even seen instructors give out a black belt to a purple belt so that he could go start a class/school and test up for his black belt. I can go to elemetary schools and find black belts in kindergarden and 3rd degree black belts in the 6th grade, does that not seem wrong to you? 2 Years ago the ATA actually made a separate division for 5-6 year old black belts because they were growing in number so much. My family even bought the KFK/Tiny Tigers franchise, so I know about their step by step method of making money. "Follow our way because we have 30 years of tested experience". I tried to memorize the pitch book, but even then as a teenager I knew it was propaganda. Every KFK instructor I know works at his school full time and is making a lot of money, and that's all they are doing. The ATA jacks up the prices on everything; you wouldn't believe how much they make off you at every step of the way. Point sparring is the most contact I've ever seen, a lot of them were not allowed to contact until black belt. And in the schools that allowed a little contact you couldn't hit to the head, trip, throw, hit below the belt, hit to the back, tackle, etc. The last one I saw was sad; no one could stop a punch or kick to the head because they always anticipated the attacker to stop the attack. Oh and those self defense techniques? LOL!
The facts are the ATA has become a money making business, set up so that once you get black belt they are going to be encouraging you to get your own school, that way your instructor will make money off of you. The majority are belt factories or Mc Dojos, plain and simple. There are maybe a few out there that are alright.

[El Mastero]

Dear Sir,

I am a student of the Oh Do Kwan...The original for of Taekwon-Do encompasses defensive techniques far beyond punching and kicking.

"The five original Korean Kwans ("schools") were: Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan (the art of Tang Soo Do), Yun Moo Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, and Chi Do Kwan. These were founded in 1945 and 1946. Three more Kwans were founded in the early 1950's - Ji Do Kwan, Song Moo Kwan, and Oh Do Kwan."

I wouldn't call Oh Do Kwan the original form of Tae Kwon Do.

The cirriculum consists of throws, releases, joint destruction, defense against weapons of war such as pistols, knifes, blunt objects, rifles (w/ bayonets) ect. It encompasses a wide array of ranges and situations!For those not aware...Oh Do Kwan is where the famous RoK Spec Ops trained as well as there GI's....Some of us are fortunate enough to find instruction from true instructors (that are not sport based)!

From here:http://members.aol.com/ustccolospgs/KwanHistory.htm

"OH DO KWAN stands for Gym of My Way. Oh Do Kwan opened between 1953-54 during the Korean War. Oh Do Kwan was considered a sub kwan of the Chung Do Kwan. Oh Do Kwan was mostly known for its Side and Jumping Side Kick, possibly influenced by Chung Do Kwan. General Choi was the founder of this Kwan."

From here: http://www.chos-tkd.com/tkd.htm

"General Choi Hong-hi required the army to train Taekwondo, so the very first Taekwondo students were Korean soldiers. The police and air force had to learn Taekwondo as well. At that time, Taekwondo was merely a Korean version of Shotokan Karate."

It doesn't quite sound like the stuff you're being taught. Do you have a link to your schools website and instructor? It sounds like he might be incorporating Hapkido into his classes. It sounds like a good attempt at a self defense oriented program. Unfortunately alot of TKD schools don't teach that type of curriculum. And when they do teach some self defense techniques it consists of static drills. Not very applicable against a resisting opponent.

Furthermore, the WTF (mainly seen as olympic TKD) has several instructors who are combat efficient and will train with defensive emphasis as opposed to sport emphasis if approached correctly!

As I stated before, the training might be different from instructor to instructor. So I guess if they cross train in other systems then they could cover more ranges of fighting and teach a more combat effective system.

( Do not demoralize that of which you do not know!)

Sir, I believe that you are a tad misinformed my friend. So good day to you sir. I SAY GOOD DAY!

[John68]

hi there is a TKD school pretty close to my house and i was thinking of what questions i should ask and what should i look for? and another thing ive alwas wanted to see what TKD was about and take a class in it but from what every one on this forum say is that it really sucks.

p.s what is the best style of TKD to get in to.

I have been studying at a WTF school for about 14 years. I can't speak for all TKD schools but mine is excellent and I wouldn't go to any other. What are you looking for in a martial arts school? Is it enough to learn the best methods of fighting? Or do you want to learn a way of life that will develop your mind body and spirit. Some schools stress fighting, some stress competition, some stress spiritual and mental development and some may have a good mix of all of those things.

I think it is important to be clear about what you are looking to get out of a school and then find an instructor who can teach you that. When you go to this school watch a class and see how the teacher interacts with the students and what he is teaching. Also watch how the students respond and how they treat each other.
Good luck,
John