style?

[Altek]

which style of tae kwon-do do you prefer? ITF, WTF, ATA,....etc

[ninjanurse]

Since I have only direct experience with WTF I will say WTF, however, ........it has been my experience with several WTF schools, that they vary significantly from school to school.

[isshinryu5toforever]

I've practiced with guys from ITF, WTF, and ATA. The ATA stuff seems awfully close to Shotokan. I don't have a lot of experience with members of that TKD group though. I have noticed that even though the ITF guys I have been around are from far different place, Bulgaria, Connecticut, and New Jersey, all of their stuff is exactly the same. They do tul the same, kicks the same, stances the same, absolutely everything. The different WTF schools I have seen have varied massively. One I've seen does only Taeguk forms, another does Palgwe and Taeguk, one does only Palgwe. The ITF seems to be much more uniform. I guess I like that uniformity. I like doing Isshin-Ryu here and knowing that the same katas I do, they will do no matter where I go. There may be some slight differences, but the katas will be fundamentally the same. So, I like ITF the most.

[rnord1944]

Greatings!

I have been lurking around this site for a short while and thought it was about time to post something.

I have no expiernece with ITF or WTF but I am currently studying with the ATA. The ATA curriculum seems well rounded and coming from Shotokan I have to agree with Isshinryu5toforever that the styles are very similar(punches, basic kicks, stances, and blocks).

Looking forward to joining more discussions on this board.

[niel0092]

I've never seen an ATA school. My general opinion is that the Organization has less to do with what is taught than the individual school or instructor.

And welcome to the boards rnord1944!

[Aodhan]

I've never seen an ATA school. My general opinion is that the Organization has less to do with what is taught than the individual school or instructor.

And welcome to the boards rnord1944!

Actually, the ATA organization has everything to do with what is taught. EGM Lee created the Songahm forms in the early 1980's, and EVERY ATA school uses them. They are actually copyrighted, and mandatory curriculum if you run an ATA affiliated school. Also, every instructor in the ATA must be certified through headquarters.

Aodhan

[niel0092]

Like I said, never saw an ATA school. I cant give an informed opinion about what it is they do.

I have seen ITF and WTF though and for those organizations it was really more about the individual school than the governing body.

Just what I've experienced.

[karatekid1975]

I have only studied WTF style TKD. But I have seen ITF in action. All I have to say is, "WOW!" I never actually studied ITF, but from what I have seen is just awsome. So I have to agree with isshinryu5toforever. I have never seen or studied ATA, so I can't really judge them.

[yamesu]

ITF

those guys do some hella amazing kicks. Asthetically of course.

[MasterH]

ATA has a great curriculum, ITF has the history (in my opinion the real deal in TKD) but WTF has the money and the attention as the "olimpic sport" style. All have something, the best.......ITF. And this from a former ATA guy.