ATA

[theadric]

I've done some reseach. Been to several classes. I'm just curious what people think? How many people are ATA here? Or have been at one time. I'm not looking for a flame fest. I would ask that you respectfully post you opinions.

Thanks!

[orion82698]

I love that emoticon!

[jdhunts]

The ATA varies greatly in both price and quality from instructor to instructor. Be very aware of what you may be getting into (e.g. contracts).

[robsnotes4u]

I am involved with ATA, so I do believe I can make a good assesment of what our school is like, but I can not talk about every ATA school. If you would like your child or yourself to learn martial arts, and leadership skills I would highly recommend it. Their leadership program is fantastic, in fact, I use it a lot in my Sales meetings. Awesome information. We train to spar in tournaments if you like, but also train to protect yourself in true life. The difference is being able to control yourself in the right situation. Part of being a true martial artists is learning to control the situation.I am sure you would fight differently, have control, with a friend, compared to a gentleman who broke into your house.

The funny thing is when there is an open tournament in our area, our ATA members take home more than there share of the hardware.

[Shinobi187]

ATA is OK for sport TKD, not for self defense. Make sure you read the contract carefully at an ATA school, they like to use 24 - 36 month contracts.

[robsnotes4u]

ATA is OK for sport TKD, not for self defense. Make sure you read the contract carefully at an ATA school, they like to use 24 - 36 month contracts.

Again, I can't talk about all ATA schools, but we do not have contracts. I think you should elaborate on all the ATA students you have been in contact with in fighting situations. Why do you feel it is only for sport, because you read it, or because you experienced it. If you want it to be for sport it will be for sport. If you want to use it for self defense you can use it for self defense. It is not the organization it is the instructor.

[Shinobi187]

ATA is OK for sport TKD, not for self defense. Make sure you read the contract carefully at an ATA school, they like to use 24 - 36 month contracts.

Again, I can't talk about all ATA schools, but we do not have contracts. I think you should elaborate on all the ATA students you have been in contact with in fighting situations. Why do you feel it is only for sport, because you read it, or because you experienced it. If you want it to be for sport it will be for sport. If you want to use it for self defense you can use it for self defense. It is not the organization it is the instructor.

I agree, it is based on the instructor not the organization as a whole. Perhaps the ATA students I met didn't come from the best of schools. I encourage people to evaluate several schools to get a good feel. Most schools should let you take at leat a couple of free classes. I also reccomend that you watch a black belt class to see the quality of the black belts in the school. Watching low level color belts isn't the best way to evaluate the school as a whole. On a side note ive met some really crappy WTF and ITF TKDist as well.

[robsnotes4u]

I think it is really tough so many to choose from. How does a person know if he has no knowledge on the martial arts. I think everyone, including myself, believes their style is the best. I can't wait to be involved longer, and try out different styles. One of our ATA instructors is getting his black belt in Judo very soon, and plans on teaching some ground fighting techniques once a week. I can't wait. I came from a wrestling background. Diversification is awesome. Thank you for emphasizing the contract issue. If you have to have contracts to keep people in your school, you better look in the mirror and correct something.

[Aodhan]

I agree, it is based on the instructor not the organization as a whole. Perhaps the ATA students I met didn't come from the best of schools. I encourage people to evaluate several schools to get a good feel. Most schools should let you take at leat a couple of free classes. I also reccomend that you watch a black belt class to see the quality of the black belts in the school. Watching low level color belts isn't the best way to evaluate the school as a whole. On a side note ive met some really crappy WTF and ITF TKDist as well.

At least you have an open mind about it. A lot of times when I mention that I am ATA, I get a rabid anti-ATA response.

We use contracts in our school, we have a 6 month intro contract, and then 1, 2 and 3 year (Depending on goals, intentions, etc). If you move more than 30 miles away from the school, you can get out of the contract, and you can "freeze" your contract as well.

We also offer a 30 day free introduction, or if they take a couple classes and really like it, then they can apply that 30 day free value towards the contract.

And, it does depend on the school. I know some ATA black belts I wouldn't trust with a foam pillow, and there are others I would run screaming in fear from. (I hope I fall somewhere in the middle )

I am a 2nd degree, and just finished my instructor certification, so if you have any questions, feel free to fire away! (I've been away for a while concentrating on getting said certificaiton, so that's why I'm late to this thread).

Oh, and as far as the sparring, our tournament sparring is a very "tag" styled point sparring, but our school also teaches a more agressive sparring (street style) as well as the joint locks and some basic ground fighting skills.

Aodhan

[MasterH]

I'm also an ATA certified instructor, I'm also ITF/ITC certified, and HTF certified. I'm an ATA 4th Degree, ITC/ITF 4th DAN, and a HTF 5th Degree - Master Instructor, in other words I've been around the block. I can tell you thru experience that the ATA has a couple bad apples - no doubt about it. But for every bad instructor you can name I can name 20 good ones. The ATA has the most intenceive intructor certification program in the US, by far. You are tested not only on the physical material, how how teach it, the buisness of the martial arts, and you need. I think Adohan can get more into the certification program, considering he just went thru it.

Almost every succcessfull martial arts school nowdays have contracts, there is no way around it. I have issues with people at the top of the ranks in the ATA, some of the buisness decisions have been very questionable. But the normal ATA instructor has no real control over thoes decisions.

I thank you, as did Aodhan, with your open attitude, it is refreshing. If there are any questions you can ask either of us.