gdragon

Dang! We just do KF for our tests! We also do the conditioning in class. I think it is incredibly beneficial. I think I could not possibly perform our techniques w/o really strong conditioning. You can really tell by looking at someone if they're barely strong enough to do their forms, etc. or if they have a nice reserve of strength. I really want to be able to do the demanding techniques well, so I love the conditioning. Our requirements are not formalized. I would not like to do the push ups, etc. during a test.

I am ITF, and I like it better (of course). But we don't do the bouncy thing. It seems there is a division amongst ITF stylists with the sine wave thing. We don't belong to the organization, which I like. I would never be able to stand being told what I can/cannot teach, but that's just me. I have a question, though. Does WTF have different "sects" (a better word is not coming to mind right now) like ITF?? Thanks

"(i'm after a change) and dont know just how different it is or what I should look out for. " I trained in TKD for 6 years, then when I was looking for a change I went for a soft style - kung fu. I kept reading about/hearing people talk about soft style/hard style and wanted a better understanding. Just a thought. I know you're looking at TKD, but it depends on how much different you want. By the way, I felt like an idiot for the first couple of months and loved every minute of it. Have fun!

Great points, Mamutti. Some parents bring their kids to MA classes for discipline, then object to discipline! Kids do respond to praise. When I am faced with this situation, one thing I will try is to praise the person standing next to the distracted student. "John is standing perfectly still. Good job." If wiggly boy is after attention, he will shape up fast, thereby setting himself up to be praised, which I do right away. Any time I single one kid out for a nice, low stance, the whole class gets shorter! I sympathise with the apathy. For some of these kids, it seems nothing works.