When I first visited my local Rhee TKD dojang and observed a full lesson, I thought that the style was exactly the same as the ITF (International TaeKwon-Do Federation) style.
Boy was I wrong!
Over my first month of training in Rhee TKD, I've discovered quite a few differences that I would like to share.
So here we go-
#1. UNIFORMS:
I know I have already touched on this subject before but it really is a significant difference.
As I've said, the ITF uniform is called a Dobok. It is a lightweight material and the current design features a velcro piece in the center of the kimono jacket to keep the two sides together.
It also features several official ITF logos on the pant legs and breast of the jacket.
Some students also wear the jacket which just slips over the head like a shirt.
However I have only seen this style of dobok worn in ITF by two people and am aware that this is usually the style worn by WTF (World TaeKwon-Do Federation) students.
The Rhee TaeKwon-Do uniform is completely different. The two most dramatic differences are the weight of the material and the way the jacket keeps together which rather than having velcro to connect, it uses string the same as a Karate Gi would use.
It's weight and thickness alone is very difficult for the body to breathe through. However it gives a very satisfying 'snapping' audio feedback when performing kicks which is something I now look for to tell me my kick is on point.
Another thing I really like about this uniform is it's simplicity. I'm not being bombarded with Federation logos but rather just two simple, meaningful symbols. On one side the Rhee TKD logo and on the other Rhee TKD in Korean characters.
Lastly the thing I like most is that everyone has the same uniform. In ITF some people have the Dobok from 10 years ago, others the newest version but in Rhee TKD there is only one.
#2. BOWING:
This is minor, but has been something I have been constantly needing to remind myself to correct. The way one should bow in ITF is heels together toes pointed outwards and hands in fists out to side.
In Rhee TKD it almost identical, except the hands need to be down next to the side of your body rather than outwards.
As I said, minor difference, but still one to easily mess up.
#3. KIHAP AFTER PATTERNS:
Kihap is the Korean word for "yell". In ITF once you have completed your pattern you need to yell the name of the pattern, for example after finishing the pattern 'Dan-Gun', one would yell with passion "DAN-GUN!".
But in Rhee TKD one simply needs to yell in anyway they see fit. A quick, "HAAAP!", is my personal favourite.
#4. RESPONDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR/BLACK BELTS:
ITF commands are very militant. When asked a question formally by your instructor you should come to attention and yell "SIR/MA'AM!" followed by your answer. Or if the instructor says "Everybody to the front!" the response is ALWAYS, "YES SIR/MA'AM!".
Whilst not always a serious matter in your own dojang, it is vital during grading and is a sign of respect to the black belts and instructors.
In my local Rhee TKD dojang this response is not necessary, not because of a lack of respect but simply because the foundation of respect is already grounded. Nobody is rude to the instructor, everyone follows the rules and therefore the need for a military style "SIR YES SIR!" isn't needed. The respect is demanded without having to say anything.
#5. SINEWAVE:
For anybody who is unaware of what sinewave is in regards to martial arts, let me give a brief overview.
I was taught in ITF that a movement such as a punch requires some sort of kinetic energy to gain more power, so to acquire this extra power, rather than standing still and throwing a punch, you would bend the legs down slightly, bring them up and as you lower down into your stance you would perform the punch. This creates a 'down-up-down' motion which ITF students use in all movements.
Rhee TKD students, do not use this.
In fact, most martial arts styles do not incorporate the sinewave motion into their techniques.
This is by far the hardest habit to try and break. Although keeping the body on one level sounds easy, this motion has been drilled into my system and I find myself subconsciously falling into the 'down-up-down' movement.
In Rhee TKD sinewave is unnecessary and the power of each movement comes from keeping the body relaxed before exerting all your energy into one solid strike or block.
-
So these are the five main differences between ITF and RTKD all of which work for their particular style and switching from one to the other will take some getting used to.
Either way each style embodies the spirit of TaeKwon-Do and at the end of the day that's all that matters.
Thanks for reading!
-Kirstine
Boy was I wrong!
Over my first month of training in Rhee TKD, I've discovered quite a few differences that I would like to share.
So here we go-
#1. UNIFORMS:
I know I have already touched on this subject before but it really is a significant difference.
As I've said, the ITF uniform is called a Dobok. It is a lightweight material and the current design features a velcro piece in the center of the kimono jacket to keep the two sides together.
It also features several official ITF logos on the pant legs and breast of the jacket.
Some students also wear the jacket which just slips over the head like a shirt.
However I have only seen this style of dobok worn in ITF by two people and am aware that this is usually the style worn by WTF (World TaeKwon-Do Federation) students.
The Rhee TaeKwon-Do uniform is completely different. The two most dramatic differences are the weight of the material and the way the jacket keeps together which rather than having velcro to connect, it uses string the same as a Karate Gi would use.
It's weight and thickness alone is very difficult for the body to breathe through. However it gives a very satisfying 'snapping' audio feedback when performing kicks which is something I now look for to tell me my kick is on point.
Another thing I really like about this uniform is it's simplicity. I'm not being bombarded with Federation logos but rather just two simple, meaningful symbols. On one side the Rhee TKD logo and on the other Rhee TKD in Korean characters.
Lastly the thing I like most is that everyone has the same uniform. In ITF some people have the Dobok from 10 years ago, others the newest version but in Rhee TKD there is only one.
#2. BOWING:
This is minor, but has been something I have been constantly needing to remind myself to correct. The way one should bow in ITF is heels together toes pointed outwards and hands in fists out to side.
In Rhee TKD it almost identical, except the hands need to be down next to the side of your body rather than outwards.
As I said, minor difference, but still one to easily mess up.
#3. KIHAP AFTER PATTERNS:
Kihap is the Korean word for "yell". In ITF once you have completed your pattern you need to yell the name of the pattern, for example after finishing the pattern 'Dan-Gun', one would yell with passion "DAN-GUN!".
But in Rhee TKD one simply needs to yell in anyway they see fit. A quick, "HAAAP!", is my personal favourite.
#4. RESPONDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR/BLACK BELTS:
ITF commands are very militant. When asked a question formally by your instructor you should come to attention and yell "SIR/MA'AM!" followed by your answer. Or if the instructor says "Everybody to the front!" the response is ALWAYS, "YES SIR/MA'AM!".
Whilst not always a serious matter in your own dojang, it is vital during grading and is a sign of respect to the black belts and instructors.
In my local Rhee TKD dojang this response is not necessary, not because of a lack of respect but simply because the foundation of respect is already grounded. Nobody is rude to the instructor, everyone follows the rules and therefore the need for a military style "SIR YES SIR!" isn't needed. The respect is demanded without having to say anything.
#5. SINEWAVE:
For anybody who is unaware of what sinewave is in regards to martial arts, let me give a brief overview.
I was taught in ITF that a movement such as a punch requires some sort of kinetic energy to gain more power, so to acquire this extra power, rather than standing still and throwing a punch, you would bend the legs down slightly, bring them up and as you lower down into your stance you would perform the punch. This creates a 'down-up-down' motion which ITF students use in all movements.
In fact, most martial arts styles do not incorporate the sinewave motion into their techniques.
This is by far the hardest habit to try and break. Although keeping the body on one level sounds easy, this motion has been drilled into my system and I find myself subconsciously falling into the 'down-up-down' movement.
In Rhee TKD sinewave is unnecessary and the power of each movement comes from keeping the body relaxed before exerting all your energy into one solid strike or block.
-
So these are the five main differences between ITF and RTKD all of which work for their particular style and switching from one to the other will take some getting used to.
Either way each style embodies the spirit of TaeKwon-Do and at the end of the day that's all that matters.
Thanks for reading!
-Kirstine
Well said. You are a student of Taekwondo. Keep it up
ReplyDeleteHi. I am a Rhee Taekwondo 1st kup (black tip. There are a lot more differences than than just 5. In ITF this is mainly for tournaments. Only having to make contact with a pad on a torso or a head gear. In Rhee Taekwondo it is traditional military combat style. If this was to be used in a tournament people either extremely hurt in hospital or dead. The power of the punches and kicks have the potential to kill someone with 1 strike. For this reason master Rhee will not allow students to enter tournaments. It is extremely old school traditional taekwondo. The real deal. This doesn't exist much anymore. Real martial arts is dying.
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