The Difference between WTF and ITF
These are two different styles of the same type of martial art. The two styles have a few listed similarities but to the trained eye, there are major differences. WTF has a set of patterns that is different from that of ITF. Competitors in WTF are allowed to wear protective gear during sparring. One is not allowed to punch the head and should only punch the body. Moreover, it involves a lot of kicking as compared to ITF.
ITF is relatively an older technique than WTF and it is somewhat similar to karate. It allows competitors to use their hands to attack the body and the face. Competitors who have specialized in this training are able to use their hands and feet effectively. Body shields are not allowed in this form of taekwondo and competitors rarely use their feet on their opponent's faces. The curriculum for ITF teaches the use of a variety of weapons, sparring, board breaking, etc. It also includes some Chinese martial arts techniques and the use of balance for the hands and the feet.
WTF is basically what you see in the Olympics. They do not involve the use of weapon training and they mostly use their feet. The hands are also used but rarely. This technique also incorporates board breaking just like ITF.
General Overview Of A Taekwondo Class
If you are a beginner, this is just an example of what you should expect to happen in a taekwondo class and it is not necessarily how it will work. However, it will help to give you a brief idea.
- The students will line up to form a grid. Students with the highest ranking belts will arrange themselves from the right corner of the grid in order. Stand in front of the class the instructor and the students will bow to the taekwondo flag, following which the class will then bow to the instructor.
2. The class will begin with a basic warm up led by the instructor. Dynamic and static stretching as well as cardio will be involved.
3. Once the warm up session is over, the students will then go into fundamental practice which basically involves hand and kicking techniques.
4. Patterns will then follow the fundamental practice session. Students are only allowed to perform patterns that within their belt level.
5. The next step will be to work on target kicking. This part mainly focuses on accuracy, speed and coordination. This is a very crucial part of taekwondo being that the art involves a lot of kicking.
6. The last part of the class involves step or free sparring. For attack or defense, the students will learn step sparring while free sparing is mostly for friendly fights among the competitors. During the lessons, protective gear will also be utilized.
7. Finally after all the six sessions have been completed, the class will bow out to the instructor and to the taekwondo flag.
Note that most students spend about two to three days at the gym training while others may train almost every day. Remember that you will not be able to realize progress if you do not practice.