favorite poomse line and why

[matt.m]

So the question is this, which poomse line do you prefer? WTF or ITF, which do you find better/easier to learn/teach? I know there are variations of opinion so I am now opening the floor.

 

[searcher]

I have a limited level of experience with the WTF(I have a cousin who is a BB in WTF), so I have to go with the ITF(Chong Han) Hyungs. They seem to have a higher diversity of technique in the under BB forms. JMHO.

 

[karatekid1975]

My all time favs are the pyung ahns .... wait. You said WTF and ITF. Ok, never mind that. I am leaning more toward the ITF (Chong Han). I did the WTF and I learned all the taegeuks. Most were fairly easy, but for some odd reason #8 gave me problems to learn. And I really like #7 (I competed a lot with it). But, for me, the Chong Hans are a (you know what) to learn, specially the higher ones. Of course, I am playing "catch-up" since I recently switched over to ITF and they let me keep my rank. And I'm not learning them in order ... oops hehehehehe.

 

[matt.m]

My all time favs are the pyung ahns .... wait. You said WTF and ITF. Ok, never mind that. I am leaning more toward the ITF (Chong Han). I did the WTF and I learned all the taegeuks. Most were fairly easy, but for some odd reason #8 gave me problems to learn. And I really like #7 (I competed a lot with it). But, for me, the Chong Hans are a (you know what) to learn, specially the higher ones. Of course, I am playing "catch-up" since I recently switched over to ITF and they let me keep my rank. And I'm not learning them in order ... oops hehehehehe.

Yes Laurie, I kept the palgwae out because it is the ITF and WTF forms that are widely taught.

 

[Kacey]

I only know Ch'ang H'on (ITF) forms... so I can't choose between ITF and WTF. Of the ITF forms, it's hard to choose a favorite... because it all depends on what I'm working on at the time, and which form will best help me work on it.

 

[ajs1976]

Before tonight, I had only worked on Taeguk 1-6. During tonights class my instructor ran us through Palgwe 1-3. I liked the Palgwe 1-3 better then Taeguk 1-3. More variety in the techniques and movements.

Eventually, I would like to learn some forms from the other sets, but not for a while yet.

 

[zDom]

I like the Taegueks (WTF) for gup forms, but prefer ITF at black belt.

Tae Guek Chil Chong and Pal Chong are really nice. I guess I like Koryo OK, but with knee-head sidekicks instead of knee-waist.

But Gaebek is a really nice form for athletic 1st dans, and I just LOVE Yu Shin.

Even though I am "retired" from TKD, I still practice Yu Shin.

 

[matt.m]

I am such a dork. I asked a question and didn't answer it. Even though I like doing the WTF - Tae Guek forms I prefer the ITF forms. Only marginally, but I prefer Won Hyo over Sa Jang, and Dan Gun over EE Jang.

 

[Sirius]

I've seen the ITF ones and I don't like them as much as the WTF forms, but I've never actually done the former so it's just an aesthetic preference.

 

[TraditionalTKD]

I have seen video of the ITF forms and prefer the WTF Palgue forms, which I do. In my opinion, the Palgue forms do a very good job of preparing your body for it will need to do after black belt-much more so than the Taeguek forms. The ITF forms just don't impress me. Other than more kicking variety, they seem to be just rehashed Shotokan forms.

 

[karatekid1975]

I am such a dork. I asked a question and didn't answer it. Even though I like doing the WTF - Tae Guek forms I prefer the ITF forms. Only marginally, but I prefer Won Hyo over Sa Jang, and Dan Gun over EE Jang.

Dan Gun was the first one I learned. It is a pretty cool form. The highest ITF form I know is Chun Moo (so far), and that seems to be my fav (for now). BUT I should learn Chun ji (first form that I was SUPPOSED to learn first hehehehehe).

 

[fireman00]

we do both styles but I learned WTF at my previous school and am somewhat prejudiced towards them. They were developed to be taught to modern soldiers and are therefore "harder" - more straight line and less asthetically pleasing then ITF forms.

 

[IcemanSK]

I'm more partial to the Pal Gue forms than the Tae Gueks (don't tell GM Park, Hae Man). The Pal Gue forms have more interesting techniques & are just more fun to do. I did do the Chang Hon forms in one phase of my training. They were fun, also.

My favorite BB form is Koryo, still. Since it was held up to me in my early training as "the form you learn at black belt" it will always hold a special place for me. IL Yo is a pretty amazing form....but I've only seen it done on tape.

 

[tkd_jen]

My favorite BB form is Koryo, still. Since it was held up to me in my early training as "the form you learn at black belt" it will always hold a special place for me.

That is cool, I remember always watching the new Black Belts begin to learn Koryo and thinking 'I can't wait' Now when I am practicing Koryo the color belts always say 'That is a cool pattern, I can't wait.'

 

[IWishToLearn]

Koryo was the only WTF form I actually didn't mind practicing. Granted I had started the non-traditionalist mentality of kenpo by then so I was getting out of the traditional forms practice. But I did learn all 8 Taeguks (or is it 9..can't remember) and Koryo.

 

[zDom]

There are only 8 taegueks.

 

[Miles]

Favorite ITF form: Chung Moo-used to love the flying side kick and jumping spin with the U-shape block.

Favorite Kukkiwon poomsae below black belt: Taeguek 8-I like the emphasis on body-weight shifting and the philosophical underpinning of this poomsae.

Favorite Kukkiwon poomsae above black belt: Chonkwon-economy of motion, elegant techniques plus it has a jump spin crescent kick.

Miles