ITF Certification

[karatekid1975]

Hiya all.

I was wondering with all this Kukki-cert talk, that someone can chime in about the ITF certs. My dojang is part of a small org. And I was wondering how I would go about getting my ITF cert when the time came. Or does it really matter? I do get a BB cert signed by my instructor's instructor, but I don't think it's an actual ITF one. Would I have to get it seperate, like I would the Kukki-cert (like at my old dojang)?

 

[IcemanSK]

Hiya all.

I was wondering with all this Kukki-cert talk, that someone can chime in about the ITF certs. My dojang is part of a small org. And I was wondering how I would go about getting my ITF cert when the time came. Or does it really matter? I do get a BB cert signed by my instructor's instructor, but I don't think it's an actual ITF one. Would I have to get it seperate, like I would the Kukki-cert (like at my old dojang)?

I don't know much about it, but I looked into the ITF last fall. I was told that when General Choi died a few years ago, instead of uniting, the ITF splintered into at least 3 parts. Each claiming to be the "real ITF." My advice (for what its worth) is to get the cert. from the org your school belongs to. It shouldn't be a separate thing for your school. I'm sure Kacey could give better details.

 

[searcher]

I just checked here not to long ago and I was told that you must train in an ITF certified school before they will test and certify you. I said screw that and went to the ITA. It makes little difference who you get certified from. Let your skill speak for you. I used to think it was all about who you were certified with and who you train with. It makes little difference if you can't back it up with some skill.

 

[karatekid1975]

I just checked here not to long ago and I was told that you must train in an ITF certified school before they will test and certify you. I said screw that and went to the ITA. It makes little difference who you get certified from. Let your skill speak for you. I used to think it was all about who you were certified with and who you train with. It makes little difference if you can't back it up with some skill.

I'm kinda with you there. We are with GM Park (linage sp?), but if we wanted a ITF cert, we would have to fly him here or fly down there and test under him. But, like you said, skill talks. But then again, I wanna open a school once I hit 3rd dan, so I think it matters. Or does it? It would be costly to do so, though. I really like the ITF, though. Or, at least, what I learn now. Help me folks. I really like this dojang.

 

[searcher]

Traveling to test is more and more common in today's modern society. I have to travel to St. Louis to test at our national convention. This is fine and all, but can be very costly. I think around 3rd or 4th Dan I realized the insanity that society has laid upon titles. Even though I am still proud of the ranks that I hold they are meaning less and less to me every year. I hope that it is humility kicking in, but who knows.

 

[karatekid1975]

Traveling to test is more and more common in today's modern society. I have to travel to St. Louis to test at our national convention. This is fine and all, but can be very costly. I think around 3rd or 4th Dan I realized the insanity that society has laid upon titles. Even though I am still proud of the ranks that I hold they are meaning less and less to me every year. I hope that it is humility kicking in, but who knows.

Good point. I'm a technique freak, so I hope my skill talks before a piece of paper. But not always. We'll see. GM Park is expensive.

 

[cali_tkdbruin]

Traveling to test is more and more common in today's modern society. I have to travel to St. Louis to test at our national convention. This is fine and all, but can be very costly. I think around 3rd or 4th Dan I realized the insanity that society has laid upon titles. Even though I am still proud of the ranks that I hold they are meaning less and less to me every year. I hope that it is humility kicking in, but who knows.

Well Searcher, I just want to earn my 3rd dan before the insanity gets any worse...:ultracool

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

Well I hold a 4th Dan in the ITF and received it sometime around 1994. If you want ITF certificates then probably you will have to train in an ITF certifide school. If you already know the forms then probably it would not take very long. However, since General Choi's death the ITF has splintered and yet it is a still a very big organization.

Having said that your instructors certificate would be more important in my opinion because it is a link to who you train with. That and your skill
are what is important. Good luck with you training.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

 

[Fluffy]

You could look at the USTF:

http://www.ustf-itf.com/index.html

They are the former NGB for the ITF before Gen. Choi's death. I feel they are as "real" as any of the other ITF's out there - and still hold to the Generals strict standards.

 

[searcher]

Another option is the ITA under Stephen Benko. They are based off of the Chong-han forms.

 

[Fluffy]

Another option is the ITA under Stephen Benko. They are based off of the Chong-han forms.

And you can find them at....

http://www.itatkd.com/

 

[stoneheart]

I think certification in TKD is especially unimportant. There's so many associations out there and none of them really seem to do a great job of providing benefits for their members, except for the more commerical ones, and those I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. If you don't plan to train students to compete in the Olympics or in AAU, it really makes no difference to your students which org you belong to, or even if you belong to one at all. The only reason I could see where membership is important is if you wish to continue to achieve rank and have it bestowed by someone.

 

[Fluffy]

Yes but if he wants to stay with the same basic style, he needs to ask. I mean there is ATA, ITF (multiple clubs and orgs) and WTF (Sport and otherwise). He wants to keep his rank, and be comfortable doing so - I still think he should call some of the schools down there.

 

[jstreet]

Another option is the ITA under Stephen Benko. They are based off of the Chong-han forms.

Is the ITA a splinter of the ITF or is it different all together?

 

[stoneheart]

There's also a International Taekwon-do Alliance (ITA) which I understand was created by some ATA defectors. Talk about alphabet soup!

 

[Fluffy]

Is the ITA a splinter of the ITF or is it different all together?

Don't know - they claim ties, but who knows nowdays.

 

[Fluffy]

There's also a International Taekwon-do Alliance (ITA) which I understand was created by some ATA defectors. Talk about alphabet soup!

Yup, and there is the HTF, ITC, TA and more and more ATA splinters every year.

 

[karatekid1975]

LOL Ok don't confuse me folks LOL. I'll check out more of our linage, and some of you made very good points. Lots to think about. I do know that we do the Chong-han forms with no shine wave. That may be a clue for some of you. Hopefully this will help.

 

[IcemanSK]

LOL Ok don't confuse me folks LOL. I'll check out more of our linage, and some of you made very good points. Lots to think about. I do know that we do the Chong-han forms with no shine wave. That may be a clue for some of you. Hopefully this will help.

With NO sine wave? That's probably not the USTF then. I think that's a big part of their stuff.

 

[Fluffy]

What year was the 'sine wave' introduced? I know it was before 1983-84 when the ATA left the ITF.

As I said, the USTF is what the ITF should be. Good group with great leadership.