How can I select the best Taekwondo center for my son? ?

Question

My son has been a student at a Taekwondo center for about 6 years and earned the rank of second degree black belt. Now, we will have to withdraw from that center because it's moving to a new location and it will take too long to get there, especially on school nights. I'm trying to find a new Taekwondo center for him, and I find that they're all so different. Some centers are WTF, some are ATF, and some are neither. Many are unfamiliar with the forms my son has completed, and each center seems to use its own forms. I was very surprised by the lack of continuity within the sport of Taekwondo, and I didn't expect to have this much trouble with the selection. Should I select a WTF center because that's what is used in Olympic competition? Or should I just look at what is most customer-friendly to a pre-teen or teen since my son is 11 and has ADHD? Thanks.

Answer 1

I am a black belt in 6 different types of Martial arts. they are supposed to teach the way they learned, but create their own style, that is encouraged all over. now I am a 2 degree black belt in Ninjitsu, although my trainer never gave me a belt, he said that was just to hold up your pants. I was in it for 22 years.  your son will have to decide for himself what he feels the most comfortable with. he needs to write down on paper what he already knows & keep practicing it, even though he learns a different style. even more better, it would be better if he opened his own dojo, & taught what HE knows.

Answer 2

Go check out a couple of nearby schools and meet the instructors.  The instructor is WAY more important than the school / style / federation that they are affiliated with.

No matter what your son will probably have to start over - black belts don't transfer like college credits do.  Your son will probably move up the belt ranks very quickly, but he won't go in as a black belt at any new school.

In truth Tae Kwon Do has some basic principles that carry over.  It is an athletic style that is set apart by the versatile kicks that are employed.  Outside of that there are different approaches - some instructors prefer an Olympic competition format, some teach a more "self defense and street" oriented approach (many schools teach TaeKwon Do and Hapkido as both are Korean arts).  So the skills your son has learned should translate well no matter what decision is made.

The key is getting your son to decide what direction he wants to take.  Let him inform your decision - if he doesn't like where he goes, he won't perform well.  Take him to a couple of schools and talk it over.  He'll help you more than Yahoo Answers will.

Answer 3

What federation was your first TKD center affiliated with?

There are 3 main TKD federations, the WTF, the ITF and the ATA.

All three of these use different forms, but other than the forms, there are alot of similarities.

Also, the ITF and the WTF will merge sometime in the future.

If you believe your son has Olympic potential, then I would definitely say to go with a WTF school.  But if you don't think your son does, then it really isnt that important.

If you want to email me I'll be glad to help.

James

Answer 4

I think you should stop in and talk to the people running the dojo . Who they are registered with does not really make them any better or worse it to me seems to be how I feel about the instructor and the guidelines they base their art on . I worked with a Special education teacher in our home town with ADHD kids and karate it was absolutely awesome for their focus and self esteem. Your son has seems to be in it long enough he will be able to help some too .