ITF or WTF based school?

Question

I want to go to a tae kwon do school that's spars a lot and uses more kicks. I want to go into tournaments like these:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9VopHPJqiKc

http://youtube.com/watch?v=H5qvuPqOaQU

I'm not looking to do cool-*** kicks. I just want to compete like those people in tournaments a lot. Just for pure competition.

Lastly, I'm NOT looking for self defense. Although, it may be a good addition to the school I will take I just want to compete like those people in tournaments with kicking. I have self defense down as I am learning it, but I just can't compete. I want to do that and feel like a winner for once.

Also does anyone know a WTF or ITF taekwondo school in Honolulu that isn't a McDojo?!

Answer 1

Well, whether you intended to or not, you have picked videos that highlight both WTF and ITF tournaments. the first is, as it is titled, from a WTF tournament, and the second is actually from the ITF World Championships. Tournaments "like" these can be found in many areas, although fighting at the level you see in the ITF video (the second one you posted) takes years of practice to get to. The ITF World (for black belt and above) and the ITF World Cup (for high ranking colored belts) are highly competitive, and gaining entry into either one is quite a feat. You are already a winner at some level before you get there. They could be considered equivalent to making the Olympic team as a WTF student; both are held in high regard by their respective federations, and both pit the best against the best. No slackers at either tournament; you better bring your "A" game if you want to be even marginally successful.

Don't know about schools in Honolulu, but the one you should settle on will be one that is interested in teaching you at YOUR pace, not theirs, and is directly affiliated with the WTF or the ITF. Lineage of the school should be easy to trace, with no ambiguity. The instructor should be humble and respectful, as should the students. If the instructors resume sounds too incredible to be true, it probably is. If they require a contract to train, go elsewhere. If there are multiple "clubs" that you must join as a component of your advancement, find another school. If they guarantee you ANYTHING other than good training (i.e black belt in a year, etc.), walk away.

And don't be in such a hurry to advance that you blow through the fundamentals to get to higher rank (a good instructor won't let you do that, anyway). Get your fundamentals down, because they will be important as you progress. Be patient, accept critisicm of your technique, and if you train hard, you may get there oneday.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You seem to be looking for a WTF dojang. It's more sport based and focusses more on kicks than ITF style, which is more traditional and a better self defence.

Answer 4

Have a look in the yellow pages or your local phone directory under Martial Arts and I am sure that you will find what you are looking for. But I think that the WTF is the more sports or tournament focused.

Answer 5

Hm...because you are looking just for competivness, you seem like you should go to a WTF school. Actually, definetly go to a WTF school. ITF is traditional, and WTF is more of a sport, so go into WTF. As for the school, sorry, i don't know any there but its probly cuz I live in Canada XD Try typeing in on google "WTF taekwondo Honolulu schools", that might work. To see if it's a Mcdojo or not, your probley gonna have to go to the school and see for yourself.