ATA FAQ: No more ATA threads to be posted after this:

[LikeWater]

Oh boy...

Who cares? ATA is just another McDojang chain.

I debated on whether or not to bite at a troll, but just in case it wasn't clear in my first post, I was just offering up perspective. No one said anything until now, so I haven't posted since then. I'm not on a crusade to win forum debates to make people think differently about ATA, just to say there are a few (myself included) who do things differently and think we can change it from the inside and make it a part of the larger respectable martial arts community.

So unless you're scheduling a throwdown to put some walk to your talk, come at us with at least a degree of intelligence next time.

[It is Fake]

Apparently, you do since you bumped a 6 month old thread.

[kenburke]

Who cares? ATA is just another McDojang chain.

[LikeWater]

Hi all, I wanted to PM some of the more experienced posters in this thread before I did any posting but if there is any chance to update the FAQ and to answer more I'd like to help where I can. I used to train with shu2jack in Tecumseh back in the day. If he's still lurking around here: Hey Jack, it's been a long time but I hope all is well.

So if you'd like to talk to someone part of the ATA but not a clown like so many of the posters here seem to be, just get a hold of me, I'm not interested in sugarcoating anything and will be frank and honest. Many thanks guys, love the site.

[Krijgsman]

This thread is wonderful

I come from an ATA school as well. I have referenced my TKD background a few times in various threads, but I haven't really been around this forum long enough for people to know who I am, so I will tell my story briefly to contribute to the knowledge base.

I took TKD in the early 2000's for about 4 years, earning a Black Belt Recommended (I was surprised no one mentioned the two different ranks within each belt... that might be a regional thing). From other people's stories my club was pretty decent. We mostly did forms but also made time for physical conditioning and medium contact sparring (no face punches). I suspect most of my positive experience comes from the fact that the instructor was an honest, realistic dude. He told us to cross train if we wanted to get better, that boxers would manhandle us, and so forth.

However, testings were always silly. It was memorization of one steps and forms and no-contact sparring (and I always ended up paired with some 8 year old... which as a 6'3" man makes no-contact sparring look even more unimpressive). The only people who were ever failed were people who completely failed to fulfill the "know your form" paradigm.

After leaving (and several years of no martial arts) I eventually ended up at an MMA gym that emphasized no-gi MMA. There I learned that I had no ground game or sub defense. The kickboxing classes there also taught me that I had little to no kickboxing skill beyond a nice left - right - front kick combo that my TKD instructor liked.

Eventually I took up Judo. I learned that I could be taken down at will by anyone who was trained in grappling. I also learned that the friendly Dojo atmosphere of friendship and mutual learning was something that could be found in more practical martial arts.

I think ATA TKD taught me a few things. I did learn to punch and kick hard, and to do some of the more practical spinning kicks pretty well (back - kicks etcs). I credit my instructor actually bothering to emphasize good technique with the teens and adults with doing that. But really, it did not teach my to fight.

Do with that as you will.

[INOTKNOW]

ATA sucks and is the image for MCdojo

yes and?

[IRONEGGS]

see alos Master Ken on Youtube prime example of a ATA achool

[IRONEGGS]

ATA sucks and is the image for MCdojo

[Omega Supreme]

I've met people from that era. Seriously not saying much.

[TKDMDK]

Former ATA member

Thank you for putting up that information if only for the fact I dont have to read every single thread titled ATA to get the full picture.

The ATA I know is not the ATA I was in. The ATA now is colorful, the ATA then...was combative "Now that's Arts".

[slamdunc]

Anyway, I'm surprised to see that some students who have made red belt still have sloppy technique, are out of shape, and can't do a round kick or side kick above belt level yet.

What about this surprises you? Many instructors will retain and promote students to keep the bank account flush and for word of mouth. If you didn't realize it, a lot of TKD students care more about getting to the next belt, than actually learning shit that will work.

There's alot I like about ATA in the sense that some of my instructors are really good, but others...well....no comment but you get the idea.

Typical internal politics; it is the same (actually worse) with WTF.

I look at it this way though...you get out of it what you put in to it. If some want to just slide by doing the minimum, that's their problem, not mine.

Some want to slide by and do less than the minimum; they would rather 'get over' than to do the right thing.

[JAFMAS]

Last month I returned to ATA after being off for a year and a half due to some rotator cuff issues, plus I had to have neck surgery...a two level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

I've found myself having mixed feelings now after being off for a year and a half. I was in their leadership program and helping with teaching white, orange and yellow belts under the instruction of a 5th degree black belt. Upon my return I was really surprised...more like shocked...to see that the orange belts I was teaching are now red belts...in a year and a half? Come on! It took me a year and a half to reach blue belt and yes I passed all the testing.

I'm taking it for what it is for me...good exercise, a chance to have some fun, and learn some basic techniques.

Personally I'm not at all crazy about the point sparring. Someone taps you on the chest pad and that's a point? Doesn't make sense to me.

I'm 52 years old and am one of the stronger students in the adult classes and despite the layoff from the surgery, I'm pretty close to being in the same shape as prior to to my surgery...still some right side weakness but my strength on the right side is about 90% until that nerve heals...if it ever does fully.

Anyway, I'm surprised to see that some students who have made red belt still have sloppy technique, are out of shape, and can't do a round kick or side kick above belt level yet.

There's alot I like about ATA in the sense that some of my instructors are really good, but others...well....no comment but you get the idea. Being off for a year and a half and then returning opened my eyes a bit.

I look at it this way though...you get out of it what you put in to it. If some want to just slide by doing the minimum, that's their problem, not mine. Sorry for the rambling...just a little "surprised" after returning.

[Shu2jack]

Be careful with the "but your technique is strong" thing.

You wrestled in school. If you couldn't sprawl to stop any kid's take down would anyone tell you that you had a good sprawl? Or even that you have good sprawling technique? If you can't make it work (practical application), then something is wrong with your sprawl.

I only bring this up because when I did the tournament scene in the ATA (and I have no doubt this is the case in any forms competition in any circuit or organization) I saw a lot of people who had good-looking, "strong" technique, but it would be ineffective against resistance. This is how we wind up with XMA.

[Kiykiy21]

The boys are six (almost seven) and eight. The people are working really well with the oldest who is ADHD and ODD, which is a plus. The contract is either one or two years (without looking at the paperwork not sure which). I spoke with a coworker who knows more about the martial arts scene - which he didn't mention until after I joined ATA - and he turned me on to some other places that aren't as obvious to the uninitiated. He talked with me some and says that my technique is strong, even if I am lacking in practical application.

As for my background, I have dabbled in a lot of things. Wrestled in school, done some fencing, various sports. Some form of martial arts is something I've always wanted to do, so... I'm going to try and make my best of what I've got. Thank you all for your responses.

[brihno360]

Sorry that was not what I meant