A Short Comparison Of WTF Vs ITF Taekwondo Organizations

Fitness Category RSS Feed - Subscribe to the feed here

By: Jason Arnold
Submitted March 21st 2011 & consists of 901 words.
Located in our collection of fitness articles.

Read 324 times

When doing a comparison of WTF vs ITF Taekwondo, it will be important that an individual bear in mind what their goal for training in this martial art is. Although the differences may seem subtle between the two organizations, they are important differences that will lead the student down different paths as an athlete or an individual who developes the confidence to protect themselves when confronted by an aggressor.

In 2000, the Olympic welcomed WTF Taekwondo as an official sport in the field of competition. This acceptance of this ancient martial art was the culmination of efforts that include a demonstration provided to the committee in 1988. This is a main difference between the two organizations. WTF Taekwondo is a full contact sport that is based on power and speed. ITF Tae Kwon Do, however is a semi-contact martial art that emphasizes training in traditional methods and techniques that are more precise and controlled.

A person who is interested in learning self-defense and is not planning on competing in the “sport” of Taekwondo may find the ITF will be a better match for their needs. This group trains participants to use hand techniques as well as their legs in sparring. No protective gear is worn and execution of techniques tend to be a little lower, relying on sine waves which make it look more like Karate. There is less emphasis on the sport of Taekwondo and more on theory with sparring consisting of controlled kicks and an attack-block-counter attack method of sparring.

As a full contact sport, the WTF methods are comprised of attack-counter attack, emphasizes use of the legs much more heavily. Training includes keeping arms lower and the body relaxed to create powerful kicks at a much greater acceleration than the ITF method provides. In addition, blocking with the arms is largely ineffective when this method is used. The powerful kicks, including wheel kicks and 360 half turns, among others are not taught in ITF sanctioned schools.

Sparring differences can make it hard for a student from an ITF school to participate effectively against a student of a WTF school. This is due primarily to the different emphasis on training. WTF focuses on power, strength, and speed incorporating several variations of the traditional Taekwondo pattern. Another notable different in sparring are that the ITF allows kicks and hits to the face, groin and all legal parts of the body, while the WTF combatants are not allowed to use hand techniques on the face, grapple, or hit below the waist.

In order to qualify for the Olympic Team a student must develop their skills through the WTF organization. A person with ITF training alone will find that the techniques they have developed will place them at a disadvantage both in style and speed of sparring when applied to the “sport” of Taekwondo. Most schools have separate classes for students that want to develop the skills necessary for Olympic qualification.

Based almost entirely on Japanese principles, techniques and concepts, ITF Tae Kwon Do adheres to four core training methods. Patterns (Poomse or Hyung), breaking (Kyukpa, Sparring (Kyorugi), and self-defense (Hoshinsul) are emphasized with equal importance. The WTF follows Chinese philosophies including Palgwe, Yudanjo and Taeguk theories, concepts and principles. This training emphasizes attitude, vital points, blocking, punching, stance, kicking, one/three step sparring, and Poomse.

Many schools affiliated with the ITF organization have aligned themselves with the WTF so that students can qualify for competition leading to the Olympics. These schools often have instructions that have been trained in both styles of Taekwondo and are able to provide a holistic program that meets the needs of individuals who want to learn traditional Taekwondo and athletes that want to enjoy the challenge and excitement of the fast moving sport that has evolved through the WTF organization.

Get complete details about the the difference in techniques and styles of WTF and ITF Taekwondo. If you want to enjoy the challenge of the fast paced WTF Taekwondo and potentially make the Olympic Team, you can learn about the steps you will need to take fast now!

Related Blogs

HTML Ready Article You Can Place On Your Site.
(do not remove any attribution to source or author)

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd'><html><head><title>Health Hub Articles | A Short Comparison Of WTF Vs ITF Taekwondo Organizations</title></head><body><h3>A Short Comparison Of WTF Vs ITF Taekwondo Organizations</h3> By: Jason Arnold When doing a comparison of WTF vs ITF Taekwondo, it will be important that an individual bear in mind what their goal for training in this martial art is. Although the differences may seem subtle between the two organizations, they are important differences that will lead the student down different paths as an athlete or an individual who developes the confidence to protect themselves when confronted by an aggressor. In 2000, the Olympic welcomed WTF Taekwondo as an official sport in the field of competition. This acceptance of this ancient martial art was the culmination of efforts that include a demonstration provided to the committee in 1988. This is a main difference between the two organizations. WTF Taekwondo is a full contact sport that is based on power and speed. ITF Tae Kwon Do, however is a semi-contact martial art that emphasizes training in traditional methods and techniques that are more precise and controlled. A person who is interested in learning self-defense and is not planning on competing in the "sport" of Taekwondo may find the ITF will be a better match for their needs. This group trains participants to use hand techniques as well as their legs in sparring. No protective gear is worn and execution of techniques tend to be a little lower, relying on sine waves which make it look more like Karate. There is less emphasis on the sport of Taekwondo and more on theory with sparring consisting of controlled kicks and an attack-block-counter attack method of sparring. As a full contact sport, the WTF methods are comprised of attack-counter attack, emphasizes use of the legs much more heavily. Training includes keeping arms lower and the body relaxed to create powerful kicks at a much greater acceleration than the ITF method provides. In addition, blocking with the arms is largely ineffective when this method is used. The powerful kicks, including wheel kicks and 360 half turns, among others are not taught in ITF sanctioned schools. Sparring differences can make it hard for a student from an ITF school to participate effectively against a student of a WTF school. This is due primarily to the different emphasis on training. WTF focuses on power, strength, and speed incorporating several variations of the traditional Taekwondo pattern. Another notable different in sparring are that the ITF allows kicks and hits to the face, groin and all legal parts of the body, while the WTF combatants are not allowed to use hand techniques on the face, grapple, or hit below the waist. In order to qualify for the Olympic Team a student must develop their skills through the WTF organization. A person with ITF training alone will find that the techniques they have developed will place them at a disadvantage both in style and speed of sparring when applied to the "sport" of Taekwondo. Most schools have separate classes for students that want to develop the skills necessary for Olympic qualification. Based almost entirely on Japanese principles, techniques and concepts, ITF Tae Kwon Do adheres to four core training methods. Patterns (Poomse or Hyung), breaking (Kyukpa, Sparring (Kyorugi), and self-defense (Hoshinsul) are emphasized with equal importance. The WTF follows Chinese philosophies including Palgwe, Yudanjo and Taeguk theories, concepts and principles. This training emphasizes attitude, vital points, blocking, punching, stance, kicking, one/three step sparring, and Poomse. Many schools affiliated with the ITF organization have aligned themselves with the WTF so that students can qualify for competition leading to the Olympics. These schools often have instructions that have been trained in both styles of Taekwondo and are able to provide a holistic program that meets the needs of individuals who want to learn traditional Taekwondo and athletes that want to enjoy the challenge and excitement of the fast moving sport that has evolved through the WTF organization. Get complete details about the the difference in techniques and styles of WTF and <a href="http://www.tkdtv.com">ITF Taekwondo</a>. If you want to enjoy the challenge of the fast paced <a href="http://www.tkdtv.com">WTF Taekwondo</a> and potentially make the Olympic Team, you can learn about the steps you will need to take fast now! <h4>Related Blogs</h4><ul class="pc_pingback"><li><a href="http://www.selectism.com/news/2011/03/21/book-art/">Book art | Selectism.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.funnygamepics.info/mario-sonic-at-the-olympic-shock-fowl-play">Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Shock: Fowl Play | Funny Games ...</a></li><li><a href="http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=25908">the “the 'another easy method for roasting a pig' post” post</a></li><li><a href="http://health.sify.com/the-truth-about-strength-training-for-women/">The truth about strength training for women | Sify Health</a></li><li><a href="http://zhiphopcleveland.com/features/entertainment-news/lhatch/wtf-literally/">WTF! lol Literally! | ZHipHopCleveland - Z 107.9 Cleveland's Home ...</a></li><li><a href="http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/03/the-pros-and-cons-of-art-directed-blogs/">The Pros and Cons of Art-Directed Blogs | Webdesigner Depot</a></li><li><a href="http://www.tutorialchip.com/php/invoking-an-overridden-method-php5-oop-series/">Invoking an Overridden Method: PHP5 OOP Series | TutorialChip</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2011/03/21/environment-dont-have-expertise-to-review-speed-limits/">Environment 'don't have expertise to review speed limits' » News ...</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/03/20/sri-lanka-hosts-itf-wheelchair-tennis-once-again/">Sri Lanka Hosts ITF Wheelchair Tennis Once Again | The Sunday Leader</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sportsvideo.me/taekwondo-self-defense-techniques/">Taekwondo self defense techniques | sports video</a></li><li><a href="http://www.redstate.com/scipio62/2011/03/20/operation-wtf/">Operation WTF | RedState</a></li><li><a href="http://www.olympicgames2012london.org/whatdoeslondon2012olympics-mean.html">What does the London 2012 Olympics mean? | Olympics 2012 London</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsbucket.co.uk/2011/03/21/watching-the-olympic-games-2012-football-guardian/">Watching the Olympic Games 2012: Football (Guardian)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/en/2011/03/20/nepal-comes-out-first-in-itf-taekwando-championship/">Nepal comes out first in ITF Taekwando championship | Nepal ...</a></li><li><a href="http://www.martialartssparring.com/taekwondo-tournement-tomorrow-eep-help-sparring-pattern-information-within.html">taekwondo tournement tomorrow; eep! help sparring + pattern ...</a></li><li><a href="http://www.internalert.com/2011/03/united-states-olympic-committee-seeks-a-military-events-intern-9hr-colorado-springs-co/">United States Olympic Committee seeks a Military Events intern; $9 ...</a></li><li><a href="http://www.goldspor.com/taekwondo/wellington-ferreira-taekwondo-9819.html">Wellington ferreira taekwondo | Gold Spor</a></li><li><a href="http://www.goldspor.com/taekwondo/taekwondo-white-belt-test-by-patty-avi-9820.html">TAEKWONDO WHITE BELT TEST ( BY PATTY ).avi | Gold Spor</a></li><li><a href="http://www.goldspor.com/taekwondo/tavarez-taekwondo-rojo-vs-negro-mpg-9512.html">Tavarez Taekwondo, Rojo vs Negro.MPG | Gold Spor</a></li><li><a href="http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/audio-speed-changer-pro-1-3/">Giveaway of the Day - free licensed software daily – Audio Speed ...</a></li></ul> Article Courtesy of <a href='http://www.healthhubarticles.com'>Health Hub Articles</a> 
</body></html>

Firefox users may have to use 'CTRL + C' to copy once highlighted.

Find more articles written by Jason Arnold