Scott James

Many MA look down on TKD because of what TKD in general has become offensive to them. NOT ALL TKD schools do this.... However since it's push into the Olympics TKD world wide has become watered down and become a Sport, not a Martial Art. This is offensive to other more traditional artists. Furthermore, because of it's popularity, there are many more Mc Dojo's that push ever futher watered down garbage to the unknowing public that they call TKD. 5 year Black belts, Unskilled upper belts, lack of application. This is something else that Traditonalist find even more offensive. I guess you could say it's not the art that they look down on, it's how it is being market.

Scad, your school is mixing things up. Many WTF schools do not teach any HKD.

First let me say that I appreciate someone seeing the ease of promotions in some schools. I was offered my Dan at serveral schools before deciding where to test. The reason I chose the school I did was because it was a test. Last time I was in Korea I sat in on a HKD class. The instructor was good, but his Black Belts ranged from good to what I felt was really bad (based on my Jujitusu training). I got the feeling he just promoted everyone on a schedule not skill. I cannot believe that all the schools are like this. Just like here in the US you need to shop around and find a school that promotes based on skill and not some time table. As for knowing when you are ready, you just know. Just recognizing that time at a school is not enough means you recognize the need for progression, not just time served.

Most Korean Forms are based on Japanses forms. Choi's ITF forms and the Palgue and Tae Guk forms are Korean, but if you have looked at both styles you can see simlalarities in patterns. TSD forms were taken by Whang Kee from Shotokan. To take a step further back, many of the Karate Do forms were taken from Okinawa. Jin do/Chinto I do not think is as common in Korean schools outside of TSD. However, I have never meet a BB who did not know Passai/ Bassai. Every school I have ever worked with does some version on this form.

Just do it. Do a web search for local tournements or local circuts. You may want to aks one of the instructors. They may not promote competitions in class, but I am sure some one there knows about local competitions.

I have seen so many variations of these forms. You need to learn the variation your school uses. Most of the Japanese Ryus have variations of these forms. The shotokan variety are what Korean schools mostly use, but even between korean schools I have seen so much variation. I have seen at least 4 versions of Bassai and much more of Jin do/Chinto. Besides, learning the forms too fast will screw you up. lessons and techniques from pervious forms must be understood so that new applications can be learned in later forms.

If someone is dedicated, it's worth the time to train with a good school.

BJJ defines a BB as a master whereas other MA define it a some who has mastered basics

There's a guy in my town who is from Yong In university. I checked out his school, and he pretty much bad mouthed TSD. I find that an unprofessional attitude to begin with. Anyway the students he has are not very good. I can not comment on his skill level, but looking at his students I would say he's not a very good teacher. His marketing appears far more interested in pushing his after school program than his MA classes. This has been my experience. However, in your case, It doesn't matter where he's from or where he's trained. What matters is can he teach you what you are seeking to learn.

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I have never been too impressed with the Kukkiwon. It really appears to be a poorly managed organization administratively. I am sure they have the records. The question is not do they have the answer, but how do you manage your way through the buracracy to find someone who can or will help you. Did you try going to the musem? perhaps some one there could point you in the right direction.

Tompkins Karate Association TSD, not TKD, bit I think you find them more traditional https://www.tkasudo.com