The martial art/sport of Tae Kwon Do has gained worldwide popularity since the mid 50's when it was officially founded as an attempt to unify various Korean martial art styles/schools. Since that time many instructors, schools and associations have splintered from those original groups and this has resulted in many different ways of doing the art. Today one can find a "night and day" difference between schools/styles. From the methods and intensity of the sparring to the forms (routines) practiced, TKD schools today come in a variety of practices, preferences, traditions and styles. Some perform harder sparring than others, and some have very different rules for sparring. Some train with more intensity than others. Some are more conservative in the issuance of belt ranking than others. Some are obviously more self-defense than sport oriented. What binds together nearly all TKD systems are the central practices of forms, sparring, self-defense/one step sparring. The areas on which they place the most emphasis are up to the discretion and preferences of the instructor. With some minor exceptions, TKD is almost entirely a "stand up" art, meaning that it revolves around various forms of strikes and an avoidance of ground fighting/grappling.
In 1955 a meeting of Korean martial art masters was held. The topic was the possible unification of Korean martial artists into a central format, under a central leadership. This came amid post Japanese occupation resentment, at a time when Koreans were struggling to re-establish a national identity and culture, free of the Japanese identity. General Choi Hong Hi suggested the name "Tae Kwon Do" at this meeting, which was eventually accepted by most parties. The name united many Korean kwans (schools/styles) into a format which would be administrated and governed by him. He determined the patterns to be used in training (Chang Hon patterns), some of which were simply adapted from Shotokan Karate in which he also held a black belt. Some of the patterns (especially the later ones) were actually created by him, and differed considerably from Shotokan. From all his meticulous documentation it is obvious today that this original TKD style was almost identical to Shotokan with few exceptions, in an overall sense.
Years later, Gen. Choi would be embattled in political struggles with other martial artists and the Korean government itself. He elected to leave S. Korea and move himself and his TKD organization to Canada. This organization was known as the "International TaeKwon-Do Federation" or "ITF." The S. Korean government wasted no time in appointing new leadership to continue the martial art, and allowing this leadership to modify and create its own TKD. This TKD would persist as the "official" and nationally endorsed art. Gen. Choi was no longer recognized by the S. Korean government as holding any position in the art. The government would eventually call their new organization the "World Tae Kwon Do Federation." The WTF created its own patterns which resembled Shotokan less than the Chang Hon patterns. Sparring was modified so that no punches were thrown to the head, but kicks to the head were emphasized. This resulted in a greater emphasis on high and skillful kicking. In many ways the WTF actually succeeded in distinguishing itself as a unique Korean art to greater degrees than the original ITF version, which continues to resemble Japanese Karate to this day. Both organizations survive, but the WTF is a much larger organization today, probably due in large part to its eventual inclusion in the Olympics. Gen. Choi had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate ITF TKD as an Olympic sport, but it was the WTF that succeeded in gaining inclusion.
Upon the death of Gen. Choi, the ITF split originally into 3 splinter groups, with each claiming to be the legitimate succession. Since that time, further ITF splinter groups have come into existence. The WTF remains the officially recognized authority and national governing body of Tae Kwon Do in S. Korea. Many leaders have broken away from the ITF and WTF, claiming discouragement with politics, tight rein over curriculum, or in many cases, creative differences. Many oustanding leaders of TKD simply wanted the freedom to practice the best TKD they could, and felt that this could only be achieved by practicing a combination of methods, and not siding with the ITF or WTF in stylistic or political disputes. Many have criticized the apparent power struggles between the two, with both claiming to be the sole authority on international TKD. As many historians have noted, it is the practitioners who suffer when political power struggles waste time and energy. This explosion of different TKD styles has resulted in many, many exciting and interesting variations of TKD worldwide. Today there is no single, ultimate authority on TKD, but rather many different authorities teaching many different ways. If the quality of the art is good, all of these ways have their own legitimate purpose and place in the world.
Since it first came to our shores, the United States has always been a melting pot of martial art and Tae Kwon Do, largely because there has never been government regulation, intervention or endorsement of one party over another. This means that TKD practitioners join the styles and organizations they prefer. Many schools in the United States today are part of the WTF or ITF, but probably just as many are independently governed or members of organizations other than ITF and WTF.
Mr. Boxx began TKD training in the mid 80's. He is a certified 6th degree black belt and Master Instructor in Tae Kwon Do. He has studied many forms of TKD, including ITF based and WTF based. He has studied with many independent schools as well, learning curriculum that has developed since the ITF/WTF split. In the late 80's and early 90's he was a very successful tournament competitor in traditional TKD forms, creative forms, weapons and sparring. He has participated in full contact sparring, both ITF and WTF style, as well as full contact kickboxing. From this base of experience, Mr. Boxx has compiled his own system of Tae Kwon Do which uses a mixture of traditional ITF and WTF forms, both ITF and WTF style sparring, one steps, three steps, and self-defense. Our blend of TKD honors the entire spectrum of methods.
Students may wear our special footwear through the entire classs - they are not required to participate barefoot. Adult students are not required to perform contact sparring, although they almost always choose to do so. The methods we use and the protective gear we require makes our sparring much safer than average sports such as baseball or soccer. Our team functions as a family, and you will find quality sparring without bullying or intimidation. Board breaking is offered, but not required. There is truly something for everyone interested in learning Tae Kwon Do.
All ranks also have degrees (numbers) assigned to them. Under 1st degree black belt, these ranks are known as "gup" and degrees of black belt are known as "dan."
10th gup white (A uniformed beginner automatically starts here.)
9th gup white
8th gup yellow
7th gup yellow
6th gup green
5th gup green
4th gup blue
3rd gup blue
2nd gup red
1st gup red
1st through 10th dan black (earned one degree at a time)