Hey guys, just found out about this forum. I currently train Capoeira and have had increasing interest in TKD as well. The problem is that there are so many TKD places around here. I can think of 10 within a 5-10 minute drive. And most seem to be geared towards little kids who need some confidence. I want to steer clear from any sort of belt factory, McDojo, WTF/olympic style, etc. So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me, thanks!

Attention n00b!
WTF =/= McDojo. They're not even vaguely comparable, and do not belong on the same list. You'll find some of the best fighters at a good WTF place, if they're sparring-centric and very alive.

So, that aside, it's choices galore for you. I would suggest going to each of those ten tkd places, ask for a trial class at each, Watch out for signs of mcdojoism, defensiveness on part of the instructors or assistant instructors when asking them questions about their place and program etc. There should be plenty of time dedicated to full-contact sparring (without the instructor shouting "Don't hit so hard!" whenever there's a vaguely loud tap), and full contact drills.

I assure you, being olympic or not doesn't make a difference in it's likelihood of being a mcdojo, and you will find some VERY good fighters at a good olympic/WTF place. Each dojang is different, or at least is should be, based on the instructor. Look around is the best advice I can give you, and ask lots of questions.

Oh, and avoid long term contracts like the plague. They should be confident enough in their programs not to demand such a shackle.

I'm sorry. I wasn't saying WTF was a McDojo. Just meant it doesn't interest me.

What are your guys opinions on ATA?

I'm sorry. I wasn't saying WTF was a McDojo. Just meant it doesn't interest me.

What are your guys opinions on ATA?
Though there are many things I would like to say to that I will respond with "Don't waste your time on ATA". ATA is a money grubbing orginization with some of the worst practices I have seen anywhere. I would recomend you find a school that is not necissarily geared towards a specific federation of TKD. However, the two best federations are ITF and WTF. Either of those is good.

ITF definitely interests me. How do I find ITF affiliated schools? I went on their site and such and didn't see much.

I would say just visit all the schools you can and base your decision on what you see. Any school that says their "style" is ITF or WTF will be more sport focused, this wouldn't be so bad if they trained for more than one rule set.

I would suggest that you go to the school that appeals to you, irrespective of what style they practice. Most important: look at the quality of the black belts there, specifically those who had trained up there from dirt, or who best reflect the master's teaching. If you're impressed, and upon talking to them, think that's where you want to be, then by all means, go for it. Shop around though, see what's there, go with what appeals to you. Don't walk in with preconceived notions of what's good and what's not. If you like what they do and want to do it, then go for it! But watch out for contracts.

OK, now WTF ARE YOU DOING HERE?! Blizzard's making an announcement. Go back to checking that! Dumbasses!

Unfortunately there's not any ITF schools around me

Here are my choices of schools.

http://www.ataonline.com/

ATA affiliated school locally. I took a couple classes. They teach traditional TKD.

http://www.tkdcapistrano.com/index.htm

http://www.nationaltaekwondoacademy.com/

Traditional and WTF

http://www.atctkd.com/index2.html

http://nationaltkd.com/

http://www.jktc.com/

This place seemed to interest me the most. Just because it seemed the least hokey. Plus it's right down the street.



We teach a mixture of traditional Taekwondo and Olympic Style Taekwondo. We
are inline with the WTF, USA Taekwondo and the CTA.


I emailed the rest of the places but haven't gotten a response. I know you can't tell much about a school from the website, but let me know what you guys think! Any other questions I should be asking?

http://www.jktc.com/


If you're at all interested in training in Olympic-style TKD (WTF), it seems like you should give this school a shot.

Jimmy Kim won a gold medal in Taekwondo (Men's Heavyweight Division) at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. TKD was only a "demonstration sport" in the Olympics at the time, but still, that's pretty good right there!

:new_olymp

If you're at all interested in training in Olympic-style TKD (WTF), it seems like you should give this school a shot.

Jimmy Kim won a gold medal in Taekwondo (Men's Heavyweight Division) at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. TKD was only a "demonstration sport" in the Olympics at the time, but still, that's pretty good right there!

:new_olymp

Yeah, he seemed the most legit and modest. Although i wanted to steer clear from WTF he said he meshed it with Traditional. I will definitely give it a try.