So what's the difference between styles?

[MMAfighter]

i've heard of WTF TKD and a few others, but what are the differences? Also, how different is the combat TKd they learn in the army?

 

[matt.m]

It is the forms that separate the ITF and WTF. Some schools like mine require both sets of forms to be learned. I.E. you have to learn the Tae Guek line or the Chongi line. That is the main difference between the ITF and WTF orientated schools.

Combat Tae Kwon Do that was taught to us in the Marine Corps was not practical at all. Don't get wrapped up into that kind of stuff. Just find a school, go to class and train hard. It will be all good.

 

[Last Fearner]

The ITF and the WTF are not the same any regard. The only remote similarity is that the ITF has rules for running it's own tournaments, and the WTF has rules for international competitions sanctioned by national governing bodies and run by host organizations.

Organiztions in Taekwondo are either instructional in nature, or regulatory, or a combination of both. The ITF is both in that it has instructors who are "members" and follow ITF "instructional curriculum" from white belt up to Black Belt, and each of the degrees. They certify their instructors and regulate functions approved by the ITF.

The WTF is strictly regulatory. Think of it as the Martial Art equivalent of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC does not teach the athletes how to perform or compete. The IOC approves of the events, sets the rules, and oversees the results. The WTF does not have individual members. There are no students of the WTF, and there are no instructors who are "members" of the WTF. The WTF does not even deal with rank certification of the Black Belts anymore (that is the Kukiwon's authority). So-called "WTF schools" are those whose instructors teach "WTF" approved forms for competition, and WTF sparring rules. Some schools teach more than one system of forms and sparring rules, but none of them are "members" of the WTF.

Any school that is member of any organization, typically follows the format, and philosophy of their organization's leadership. Individual, independant schools do whatever they want. Small, independant organizations generally answer to no one outside of their group. American Taekwondo Association (ATA) was always this way in the past, but has grown to a more international standing with the "Song Ahm Taekwondo Federation" branch. If an organization, such as the ITF, has branch schools in multiple countries, then it changes from a "National" organization to an "International" one.

There are many organizations of various size, new and old, that fit this description. Their curriculum varies with focus on forms, tournament sparring, fitness, self defense, etc. Some look very similar, while others have clear differences. These organizations either operate under the same leader until he dies, or they vote for their officers. You can compare these organizations to the ITF, but the WTF is a different kind of governing body. It's like comparing apples to the FDA.

CM D. J. Eisenhart