International Taekwon-Do Federation

International Taekwon-Do Federation

Formation	22nd March 1966

The International Taekwon-Do Federation was founded in March 22,1966 by General Choi Hong Hi (최홍희) in Seoul, Korea. The International Taekwon-Do Federation, or (ITF), exists to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of taekwondo. Its main functions are to coordinate and approve tournaments and seminars, set standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborate with affiliated member organizations, and service members in regards to rank and certifications.

Patterns

Main article: Hyeong

Patterns, or teul (틀) in Korean (old romanization: "tul"), originally called hyeong (형), form an important aspect of training in taekwon-do. They are equivalent to the kata in karate. The majority of the patterns (excepting Yul-Gok, Ul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes taekwon-do's defensive nature. All of the patterns start and end at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction.

There are 24 patterns in the official ITF syllabus; this is symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references, such as the number of moves, the diagram, the way the pattern ends, and so on.

Sparring

ITF competition sparring rounds are 2 minutes and in national and international levels of competition they hold two rounds each 2 minutes with a one minutes rest in between. Certain rules are no strikes below the belt, no hitting to the back of the head, no elbow strikes, no knee strikes, no out of control fighting, no falling down, no going outside of the ring. The ring is a 9 metre by 9 metre (8 x 8 metre optional) ring marked by square mats or tape instead of a traditional style kickboxing rings with ropes. It has no sides allowing the fighter to move out of bounds. Whenever a fighter creates an infraction of the rules the centre referee will issue a warning to the fighter who created the infraction. 3 warnings equals a minus point. If a fighter uses excessive contact, he or she will be given a foul, which is an automatic minus point ; three fouls in a bout results in disqualification. ITF taekwon-do is fought in continuous point sparring. Four judges score the fights in each of the corners in the square ring. After the fight, a judge votes for which ever fighter has the most points and a winner is declared. In the case of a draw the fighters go to a one minute overtime round. If there is another draw the fighters go to a sudden death round where the fighter who scores first is declared the winner.

The official rules for ITF sparring competition are available at the ITF website.

Ranks

The ITF ranking system consists of six solid color belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.

Coloured belt ranks are defined as follows (from lowest to highest rank):

• white (10th gup)
• white with yellow tag (9th gup)
• yellow (8th gup)
• yellow with green tag (7th gup)
• green (6th gup)
• green with blue tag (5th gup)
• blue (4th gup)
• blue with red tag (3rd gup)
• red (2nd gup)
• red with black tag (1st gup)

Black belt ranks are divided into 'dans' or 'degrees' as follows:

• 1st-3rd dan (Assistant Instructor)
• 4th-6th dan (Instructor)
• 7th-8th dan (Master Instructor)
• 9th dan (Grand Master)

The reason for nine black belt degrees is that the number nine is not only the highest of the single-digit numbers, but also is the number of three multiplied by three. In the Orient, three is the most esteemed of all numbers. The Chinese character for 3 is three horizontal lines, one above the other. The bottom line represents earth; the middle line represents mortals; the upper line represents heaven. It was believed that a man who could unite the three realms in himself, would aspire or be reborn into a king.

Philosophical meaning

• White - Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
• Yellow - Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid.
• Green - Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
• Blue - Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
• Red - Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
• Black - Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do, also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

Black belt promotion

Up to 7th dan, all ranks require the student to perform a test of all skills and knowledge up to their rank to be promoted. Ranks above 7th dan may be awarded with consent of the promotion committee with no physical test required; due to the nature of and responsibilities of a master no longer being centered on the physical development of students. However, if the recipient desires, a demonstration may be performed. 9th degree (being the highest) can only be awarded when the special committee examines and reaches a unanimous consent. There are minimum times that practitioners must remain at a black belt degree before being promoted to the next grade: 1st degree: minimum 1½ years as 1st degree before promotion to 2nd degree; 2nd degree: minimum 2 years; 3rd degree: minimum 3 years; 4th degree: minimum 4 years; 5th degree: minimum 5 years; 6th degree: minimum 6 years; and so on.

Some national associations, such as National Taekwon-Do Norway, have longer training times between each black belt grade.

A 4th degree may grade students up to 2nd degree. A 5th or 6th degree International Instructor may grade students up to 3rd degree, while a 7th degree Master may grade students up to 5th degree. An 8th degree Master may grade students up to 6th degree. Promotion to 7th degree or above must be done by the ITF's Master Promotion Committee. (Taken from http://www.itf-administration.com/download/FEE_STRUCTURE_05-02.pdf)

Philosophy

The upsurge in aggressive behaviour in today’s society, has led to a loss of the basic moral values that many people once shared. Analysts have noted that many people are misguided, left to search for their own values in a disillusioned society where of war, crime and corruption is common. General Choi Hong Hi believed through the philosophy of taekwon-do that we could make the world a more peaceful place. In a time where much is corrupt it is hard for one to find their own way, to tell right from wrong, or to even resist temptation into doing that which believes is wrong.

The philosophy of taekwon-do is summarized in the oath and the tenets.

Taekwon-Do oath

I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.

All students must swear to carefully observe, acknowledge and live by each one of the taekwon-do tenets. Here is a brief and basic explanation of each:

I shall respect the instructor and seniors.

A student vows to respect their instructors and those senior to them (both in age and rank). An instructor must also act respectfully to all students and persons in order to be respected and therefore not misusing Taekwon-Do.

I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.

One will never misuse Taekwon-Do to harm other, for their own personal gain or for any other manner that is unjust.

I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.

The 4th line, “I shall be a champion of freedom and justice” can apply to many areas of life and although many may think one would have to do something amazing to achieve this, this part of the oath can be respected by even the littlest things in ones daily activity. If one becomes more open-minded to understanding others ideologies or the way others go about their lives instead of being quick to judge, then maybe the world would be a more understanding and accepting place. Thus allowing people to have the freedom they deserve. By accepting this belief one is bringing justice to this world and therefore being a champion of justice. As we often see, conflicts can occur over common misconceptions of information. One must understand the full story and have all the facts before he can truly make a proper judgement.

I shall build a more peaceful world.

The final line of the oath is “I shall build a more peaceful world”. One can also easily obtain this goal by going about their daily lives in a more peaceful manner. If everyone did this, the world would obviously become a more peaceful place. As we often see, conflicts can occur over common misconceptions of information. One must understand the full story and have all the facts before he can truly make a proper judgement. However, this does not mean a student cannot defend themselves against aggression directed towards themselves as that would defeat some of the purpose of taekwondo, an art of unarmed self-defence. That does not mean though however a student can provoke aggression towards another individual, as that would breaking the oath. As we often see, conflicts can occur over common misconceptions of information. One must understand the full story and have all the facts before he can truly make a proper judgement.

Taekwon-Do tenets

There are five tenets defined in the ITF.

Courtesy (Ye Ui / 예의)

Showing courtesy to all, respecting others, having manners as well as maintaining the appropriate etiquette at all times, both within and outside the dojang (도장) (designated training area).

Integrity (Yeom Chi / 염치) Although may be similar, this form of integrity takes on a more wider role then defined in the common dictionary. In taekwondo, integrity means not only to determine what is right or wrong but also having the conscience to feel guilt if one has done wrong and to have the integrity stand up for what is right.

Perseverance (In Nae / 인내) One will persevere time and time again until they have achieved a result which is adequate towards what one was trying to achieve.

Self-control (Geuk Gi / 극기) This means to not only have control over one's physical acts, but also their mental thoughts and actions.

Indomitable spirit (Baekjeol Bulgul / 백절불굴) To have indomitable spirit means to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in , no matter what odds you are up against, and to always give 100% effort in whatever you do.

See also

• Korean martial arts
• Taekwondo
• World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)

External links

• ITF-V
• ITF-NK
• ITF-C