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Comparison
of ITF Taekwon-Do and WTF Taekwondo
by Paul McPhail, VI dan
Director, ITFNZ Techniques Sub-Committee
The history
Taekwon-Do founded and named in 1955 by General Choi Hong Hi. ITF
formed in 1966 with 9 member countries, Gen. Choi President.
Gen. Choi moved HQ to Canada in 1973 then later Austria where it
has been ever since.
South Korea set up the WTF in 1973.
Spelt as one word: “taekwondo”, rather than the ITF
spelling “Taekwon-Do”.
The techniques
General Choi created 24 patterns (called Tul) that were published
in the book “Taekwon-Do The Art of Self- Defence,” in
1965. The Tuls they practice were created by General Choi, each
one having been named for some person or concept significant to
Korean history.
The method of performing individual techniques, as well as the
techniques themselves are quite different from WTF. Techniques start
and finish in different positions and are executed using a sine-wave
motion.
WTF has gone through several different sets of forms which they
now call, “Poom-Se”. The original Poom-Se practiced
by the WTF were Ki-Cho one through three, and Pal-Gwe one through
eight. Most WTF schools no longer practice these, choosing instead
to practice Tae-Kook (Tae-Guek) one through eight for students who
have not yet earned their black belts. At the black belt level,
there exists an entirely different set of Poom-Se.
WTF do not use a sine-wave motion.
The terminology
Gen. Choi named all 3500 ITF techniques with both English and
Korean terminology.
The terminology in WTF is completely different from the ITF,
both in English and Korean.
The competition rules
ITF competition includes four equally important individual events:
patterns, free sparring, special techniques and power. There is
also a team event.
In ITF free sparring, students wear foam rubber hand and foot pads
aimed, primarily, at minimizing damage to their opponents. Students
are allowed to kick and punch to both the head and body of their
opponent. Illegal targets are the back, back of the head, and anywhere
below the belt. Contact is restricted to “touch contact”.
WTF have only sparring events.
In WTF free sparring, students wear thick chest padding similar
in appearance to, although much lighter than, a bullet proof vest.
They also wear foam rubber head gear. WTF competitors do not typically
wear anything on their hands and punching to the face is illegal.
Rules are “full contact”.
The uniform
The ITF uniform is white and zips up in the centre. Black belt
holders have a black stripe on the bottom of the jacket, 4th dans
and above have stripes down the sleeves and pants.
The WTF wear a V-neck uniform with various colours on the v-neck.
There appears to variations of the uniform with some having checked
fabric also. WTF members also often wear shoes.
The ranking system
ITF system of rank is made up of 10 grades and 9 degrees of black
belt. The title of Master is reserved for 7th degree and above only.
WTF generally refer to 5th dans as Masters and have up to 10th
dan.
The philosophy
ITF Taekwon-Do follows the tenets of Taekwon-Do and philosophy
of General Choi Hong Hi, founder of Taekwon-Do. There is a heavy
emphasis on theory and philosophy, patterns and technical perfection,
as well as the sporting aspects.
WTF is primarily concerned with the sporting aspects of their
art. Most WTF classes consist of sparring drills, pad work and free
sparring.
