Difference between revisions of "Choose a Taekwondo School"
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| − | {{fa}}There are a lot of factors that go into [[Choose a Martial Arts School|choosing a martial arts school]]. Unfortunately, there are many schools that are more interested making money than in teaching martial arts, and these are often called "McDojos" in reference to questionable practices and standards.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDojo</ref><br> | + | {{fa}}There are a lot of factors that go into [[Choose a Martial Arts School|choosing a martial arts school]]. Unfortunately, there are many schools that are more interested making money than in teaching martial arts, and these are often called "McDojos" in reference to questionable practices and standards.<ref name="rf1">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDojo</ref><br> |
<br>How do you spot the red flags and avoid a school that teaches you a watered down version of a martial art? Or find a school that gives you (or your children) belts based on ability, rather than ability to pay? This article will focus on warning signs that are specific to Taekwondo. | <br>How do you spot the red flags and avoid a school that teaches you a watered down version of a martial art? Or find a school that gives you (or your children) belts based on ability, rather than ability to pay? This article will focus on warning signs that are specific to Taekwondo. | ||
[[Category:Taekwondo]] | [[Category:Taekwondo]] | ||
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#*For WTF Taekwondo: The South Korean government recognizes the Kukkiwon in Seoul Korea as the World Taekwondo Federation Headquarters. The Kukkiwon issues international black belt certification, instructor certification, publishes the Kukkiwon textbook, sets the standards for techniques and forms and holds an international tournament each year called the Hanmadang. ''Many unqualified WTF instructors do not even know what the Kukkiwon is.'' A WTF instructor who is not certified by the Kukkiwon may still be qualified, but they should at least be familiar with the Kukkiwon; their qualifications can be judged by the remainder of the steps below... | #*For WTF Taekwondo: The South Korean government recognizes the Kukkiwon in Seoul Korea as the World Taekwondo Federation Headquarters. The Kukkiwon issues international black belt certification, instructor certification, publishes the Kukkiwon textbook, sets the standards for techniques and forms and holds an international tournament each year called the Hanmadang. ''Many unqualified WTF instructors do not even know what the Kukkiwon is.'' A WTF instructor who is not certified by the Kukkiwon may still be qualified, but they should at least be familiar with the Kukkiwon; their qualifications can be judged by the remainder of the steps below... | ||
#*For ITF Taekwon-Do: Does the instructor claim to 'do ITF Taekwon-Do' yet is not qualified by the ITF. The ITF has split into 3 factions, however anyone teaching ITF Taekwon-do should be recognised by at least one of them. The ITF set the technical standards and approve gradings. | #*For ITF Taekwon-Do: Does the instructor claim to 'do ITF Taekwon-Do' yet is not qualified by the ITF. The ITF has split into 3 factions, however anyone teaching ITF Taekwon-do should be recognised by at least one of them. The ITF set the technical standards and approve gradings. | ||
| − | #*How long has the instructor been practicing? What is the instructor's rank? For WTF Taekwondo, the Kukkiwon recognizes 4th degree black belt as the minimum rank required for instructors. This usually takes a minimum of 12 years of training.<ref>http://www.natkd.com/selecting_a_school.htm</ref> | + | #*How long has the instructor been practicing? What is the instructor's rank? For WTF Taekwondo, the Kukkiwon recognizes 4th degree black belt as the minimum rank required for instructors. This usually takes a minimum of 12 years of training.<ref name="rf2">http://www.natkd.com/selecting_a_school.htm</ref> |
#*Find the instructor's certification and research the organization that issued the certification. Call and verify the certification. | #*Find the instructor's certification and research the organization that issued the certification. Call and verify the certification. | ||
#*Get professional references and verify them. Other reputable instructors that can vouch for the instructor is a start. Professional associations are another place to check. | #*Get professional references and verify them. Other reputable instructors that can vouch for the instructor is a start. Professional associations are another place to check. | ||
| − | #*Do a criminal background check. This is important! A lot of people that have martial arts background but fail to legitimately make it in the business world will turn to martial arts as a career because it is not regulated by the government. It is relatively easy to fool the uneducated public about martial arts qualifications. Would you trust this person with your child/wife/husband? Some instructors abuse their position of authority and trust by treating children and women inappropriately.<ref>http://www.wtop.com/?nid=46&sid=936210</ref><ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE2DE1338F932A05751C1A96F958260</ref> Remember that instructors aren't regulated, so it is up to you to decide whether this is someone you trust your loved ones with. | + | #*Do a criminal background check. This is important! A lot of people that have martial arts background but fail to legitimately make it in the business world will turn to martial arts as a career because it is not regulated by the government. It is relatively easy to fool the uneducated public about martial arts qualifications. Would you trust this person with your child/wife/husband? Some instructors abuse their position of authority and trust by treating children and women inappropriately.<ref name="rf3">http://www.wtop.com/?nid=46&sid=936210</ref><ref name="rf4">http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE2DE1338F932A05751C1A96F958260</ref> Remember that instructors aren't regulated, so it is up to you to decide whether this is someone you trust your loved ones with. |
#*A real master is someone with an unusual level of skill that is usually accompanied by an unusual level of humility and dedication to serving others. In ITF Taekwondo the rank of master is given to 7th and 8th Dans, and the title of Grandmaster is given to 9th Dans. Beware of anyone claiming to do ITF Taekwondo and claiming to be a 10th Dan as no such grade exists in the ITF. | #*A real master is someone with an unusual level of skill that is usually accompanied by an unusual level of humility and dedication to serving others. In ITF Taekwondo the rank of master is given to 7th and 8th Dans, and the title of Grandmaster is given to 9th Dans. Beware of anyone claiming to do ITF Taekwondo and claiming to be a 10th Dan as no such grade exists in the ITF. | ||
#*See if the instructor has a Facebook or other social network profile. Beware the instructor who has filled this with foul language, insults of other martial artists and other examples of lack of respect. | #*See if the instructor has a Facebook or other social network profile. Beware the instructor who has filled this with foul language, insults of other martial artists and other examples of lack of respect. | ||
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#*Beware the instructor who is clearly unfit / overweight and does not join in anything physical him / herself. The instructors should be able to demonstrate anything that they teach you. | #*Beware the instructor who is clearly unfit / overweight and does not join in anything physical him / herself. The instructors should be able to demonstrate anything that they teach you. | ||
#*Ask the instructor to show you the practical applications of the techniques you are being taught. If they don't work then find another instructor who can show you how to do them so that they work. | #*Ask the instructor to show you the practical applications of the techniques you are being taught. If they don't work then find another instructor who can show you how to do them so that they work. | ||
| − | #[[Study|Study]] the costs. Some schools place more emphasis on profits than on discipline and skill. Sometimes there are associated fees that you won't find out about unless you ask: belt test, association membership, and long-term contracts. It's not unusual for the school to ask for an annual contract (especially since most people quit within 6 months) but some schools will say that you can break the contract if you want, then when the time comes, they are uncooperative; and some schools have a “bait and switch” program in which they let you pay on a monthly basis for a certain amount of time, then require that you sign a long-term (2-4 year) contract in order to advance in rank. A good school should never have to resort to these tactics in order to gain students.<ref | + | #[[Study|Study]] the costs. Some schools place more emphasis on profits than on discipline and skill. Sometimes there are associated fees that you won't find out about unless you ask: belt test, association membership, and long-term contracts. It's not unusual for the school to ask for an annual contract (especially since most people quit within 6 months) but some schools will say that you can break the contract if you want, then when the time comes, they are uncooperative; and some schools have a “bait and switch” program in which they let you pay on a monthly basis for a certain amount of time, then require that you sign a long-term (2-4 year) contract in order to advance in rank. A good school should never have to resort to these tactics in order to gain students.<ref name="rf2" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
