Everything wrong with taekwondo... 

I wish I had you as an instructor. I DO NOT HAVE THE typical “body” for TKD and I honestly get discouraged but I try to push through it.

I just recently quit my job at a school and left my role as instructor (and student) because of pretty much everything you said in this video. It was probably the most difficult decision I have made in a long time.

I agree with you. Too many people let the black belt get to their heads, which creates too many cooks in my academy. Often, I come out of a class feeling hacked off as I can't seem to do anything right. I can't say that I have come across any big-headed Grand Masters. However, I do come across assholes in online groups who think way too much of themselves. They don't understand Poomsae, WTF Sparring and don't embrace to different practices in Tae Kwon Do. In my humble opinion, a good TKD academy drills home the basics (punching, blocking, stances, etc), teaches Poomsae, the WTF way of sparring (if the academy is WTF oriented) and the self-defense aspect. I prefer to earn my belts. I don't want something for nothing or as a teacher's pet. Nor do I want to achieve a grading based on financial exchange. Thanks to your RU-vid and others, such as Alex Wong, I am getting in some good practice in this lockdown. Thanks!

Thanks for this video. I, one day, want to open my own school. This gives me a lot to think about!

Thanks for putting this up, it’s real. Being in this basically all my life, in recent years I struggled with this internally, about where I “should have been” skill-wise in certain areas for my rank and everything. Networking and seeing how others run their schools is eye opening, from both points of view

Bro i love you, i needed a source for controversy in taekwondo and this was the best reference source for my inform speech. Thank you so much don!!!

thanks for putting this message out there! ❤️❤️

can't agree more, great video well done and thank you for all you do!

One of the best conversations about martial arts period. Thank you for posting this video.

Words of wisdom sir. I've been doing TKD for 20 years, tought tkd in the Army, and competed in MANY tournaments. Seen many toxic colt leaders that make tkd their ego booster. Glad to see people like you, and my grandmaster that are so compassionate and level headed. Keep it up my friend

Donovan this is a breath of fresh air to hear. I have felt that martial arts has had some individuals with ego problems. You talking about this reminded me of a quote Jeff Speakman said "a martial artist is one that builds people up, and a martial fighter is one that knocks people down."

Hello Donavan. I watch and practice a lot of your TKD vids. I have to say this is one of the best, most insightful video I think you produced. I vetted how my dojang instructors carry themselves, instruct, and award belts with what you said and am relieved that they fall into the respectful category, meaning they respect the traditional art and try to advance it. Thanks so much for this in-depth video, Sir.

I can relate, I really wanted to compete at a very high level in taekwondo and immerse myself in the art. I trained for a solid 4 years and eventually I was in my teens but the club became more and more like a day care with all the little 5 year olds running around. I got my junior black belt, injured my hand right after, got busy with school and then 5 or so years later I wanted to go back in 2019.so I did, at least to finish my basic training and get my black belt. But when I went back adult TKD wasn't really available and was instead just beginner self defense classes and gymnastic like movements. I was the only one with a uniform and I felt so out of place. I don't know if my school is kukiwon certified, I never bothered to ask, I was the only kid who seemed who cared about the art. So I figured I would just stumble my way into competition and funny enough the olympics. I never knew that you need certifications from s.korea or travel to different tournaments or any of that. But whenever I do boxing or kickboxing I can always handle myself on my own from the very beginning with just my tkd training and common sense. I never owned gear, I never competed, I knew all that katas and the korean terms and man was the physical training grueling (more than boxing for sure) Now it's really hard because I am older and I don't want to waste anytime with some little kids (my ego talking) and I have this burning passion to just achieve one win in at least one competition for heaven's sake (also my ego? Or just childhood dreams). And it really sucks because from the get go I had talent just like you said and wanted to pour everything into it and I just understood kicking and blocking so naturally. But now I don't know...Ive done kickboxing but it's just not the same, it's actually easier. I want that shit at glory for self validation, for a chance to say hey I really had a chance at this or maybe I never had a chance and I want to know so bad. I went to all th seemingly good tkd schools in my city and they are all so filled with little kids and no one near my age. When I want to kick someone , I don't want to just score a point. I want to break their ribs. I want them to never be able to lie down properly, this is the kind of martial artist I am or at least like to think I am. But I don't know if I'll ever find myself in a legitimate competition, just to see what I have to show for. I would rather win a state championship in taekwondo than a world title in boxing. I'm just venting what I've never been able to express. Any advice? All is welcomed.

Wow, thank you for making this video. I hear what you are saying. Im having a lot of problems with the Taekwondo club I was associated with recently, so much so I have had to leave and now I am without any club in my area. I feel really lost. I have had 2 other martial arts trying to get me to train with them but I can't bring myself to try them. I wished I still had my original instructor from 20yrs ago as he was passionate, humble and really lived by what he preached and tought in and out of the dojang. He was also non-for profit with his school. I miss him terribly. Thank you so so so much. I will be watching this video again and again and again. Your fantastic Thank you from South Australia

I completely understand and 100% agree!

All great points!

Wow I've had these feelings about my taekwondo school for a while but I thought it was in my head. I've felt like my instructor doesn't spend the time to help us perfect anything. I also find my school to be really cliquey including my instructor. I grew to love taekwondo but honestly as a college student who was making min wage I really wish I got my money's worth of training

I definitely think you look better with a beard than without :) Also, thanks for talking about this. It's important not just for TKD, but for any martial art in my opinion.

This was actually very awesome

I agree with you 100! I go to a wonderful school which really focuses on the basics. The black belts vary in skill due to age and body type, but everyone is coached to perform the basic techniques with precision and power.

I am so glad to hear your insight. I have to consider myself lucky, my schools great. my grandmaster is laid back and humorous but also kick ass will technical knowledge he can demonstrate even with bad knees. the instructors regret at technique and want you to learn and succeed. And they are patient even with me (I'm in my 50's) and I've gained skills most in my age bracket can't do. Not to many fifty somethings can't do a tornado kick hahahaha.. the kids train hard for tournaments and alway medal. wanna give a big shout out to Chun Lee Tae Kwon Do in Rosemead CA

This is funny. . .but true. Not only taekwondo ,but alot of martial arts do this.however dont take anything away u get some amazing coaches and at the end it comes down to how much work you put in! Also how far you want to get! Wellsaid sir!

Thank you for posting this video I'm also taking Taekwondo and I love her very much I am a green belt but I'm like you I like I got natural Talent but I want to be in better thank you for posting this video

Great topic

I love you so much. Everything you say is 100% true

Hey! We started training together back in early 2008-9 before you had your black belt and it’s been great to see where you’ve gone! In my own personal time I ended up being in domestic violence and losing a lot of my strength and I really want to learn how to protect myself again and be stronger. Are you currently at any physical location or the same place? Or do you do all of your classes virtually/social media?

Need more like you in all the Korean martial arts- kudos.

Thank you for sharing your opinion.

You are so right! But this is not just Taekwondo, i have witnessed it in karate aswell. So great that you stand up for those kids and reward hard work instead of just what parrents pay the most $. I started late but have a great master that also had me start poomsae competitions too, my third one taking place online next weekend.

I just Subscribed to your channel. You have some great views and thoughts. You really explain all this very well for inprov here. Everything you are saying is so true in the UK. I will add when I got to teaching at my "Masters" school he dropped me. One day he was there then he just stopped talking to me. I found out later he did not like me "Stealing" his light. Though at the time all I wanted to be was like him.

Yes to all of this!!

I agree with everything you've said, and that makes me so sad.

I'm a second Dan black belt with rheumatoid arthritis and I have been in more than 5 schools with these characteristics. The body shaming is so real I can't even start with it, but more importantly: I cannot run, jump repeatedly or do sit ups, which leaves me with "few options" to do a correct warm up, right? Well the answer is no. I was diagnosed when I was 18, and I mostly ignored the recommendations of the doctor to avoid these exercises, after all I was preparing my second Dan at the moment and I really did my best because I got it. But then my legs got worse. Excluding the two schools in which I train (depending on whether I am in Madrid or Galicia), no instructor has helped me to adapt my training and warm-up so that I don't hurt my legs. It's been 4 years and I have finally created an adapted warm-up for me, which my masters expect to see when I get back to the dojang. They obviously don't have enough information about how to adapt exercises because it is not given in the courses or anywhere, but they support me. I cannot say that from the other instructors or even masters I've met, and I fear that whenever I have to train in another school I will be treated badly because I cannot do some things. The truth is, I can perform every poomsae, with kicks and even jumps (I can perform taegeuk 8 jang two or three times without a problem) but what I cannot do is jump for 15 minutes straight, so I learned to make the most out of the little time I can practice jumps, BUT I CAN DO TAEKWONDO WITH ARTHRITIS. I even go to tournaments sometimes and although I don't win because I have to many things to improve, I'm working on it, and it makes me sick how people who are supposed to teach you, train you and support you, do exactly the opposite. This video was necessary because even if my problem is not common, there are people with all kinds of situations and if they don't find a good school they will not have a good outcome. The belts are another world, in one of my previous schools I've seen kids with a red belt who didn't even know Taegeuk 4 jang correctly (in my country this poomsae is compulsory for the orange belt exam...which is between yellow and green), just because they had to get that rank to go to a sparring tournament. I expect to open my own school some day, I just hope I can improve the situation. Thank you so much for this video 💙

You are the lady gaga of taekwondo

at my tkd school its actually really nice and I'm sooo glad I found this amazing school :D just lovin' it

I think I was lucky and landed a a tkd school that happens to be just what I need (I've been there for twelve years now). It was my instructors' effort and skill that attracted me and has kept me there. Even though it is quite obvious that I'll never be the best student, they always saw what I would be/ am: a student who works his hardest, fails sometimes and gets back up to kick again. I'm kinda rambling, but I love the respect that we give each other in the school I attend. We all come and just like, try our best. ANyway, I love me some tkd.

Haha, Don the Dan. On a real note tho, this video is really insightful and I agree with it on so many levels. Although taekwondo is not my art, I have noticed that taekwondo is just way more political than it should be and unfortunately some schools only care about the money and it gives TKD a bad name. I do Tang Soo Do and I agree that my martial art is my life and I love it like you love taekwondo, so I know exactly what you mean when you say that it’s kinda frustrating to see others just handed the belt or certificate when they only put in time, not work. Thanks for the video, it was a pleasure to watch. 🙏🏻

I don’t understand why people make comments about taekwondo saying it’s fake. I do karate and I find taekwondo martial artist kicks so beautiful and clean. Once I got my first degree black belt in karate I’ve wanted to get one in taekwondo to better myself and to better my kicks. And with the belts it happens a lot in karate too that why me and my dad stared our own dojo. We bring different people from all martial art styles because they all have unique ways of dealing with things and the exposure is great too

Very well said. As a parent I saw that a lot in our studio. It seems like the quality and art of Taekwondo is deteriorating.

You are just spitting straight facts through this whole video. I like what you said about schools where the students have no technical ability whatsoever. It’s really bad when you see BLACK BELTS that only use round kicks and front kicks because they literally can’t throw a side kick, let alone something like a hook kick. Like you said, it’s not about being super fit, it’s technique. And it’s not like a side kicks is some crazy, far-out technique. Naturally you’re going to have to develop your flexibility (which will come with training) but having sound technique and knowledge of the material learned should be an absolute requirement to have a black belt. I also like what you said about how you learned most of your technique through watching RU-vid and practicing on your own. That’s another thing. Practicing on your own time is what really makes a master and schools ought to encourage cross training and learning from other sources, not just going strictly by their material alone. I’m nowhere near your level but I have vastly improved my skills by practicing at home and really analyzing my kicks to improve them. I’ve been doing Jiujitsu for several months now and the mindset is completely different. Schools are focused on technique and quality, encourage genuine respect and humbleness, are always looking for ways to expand upon and improve their martial art, and you better believe that the instructors can perform what they’re teaching. If Taekwondo did the same it would be MUCH better. I’m hoping to see changes in the future.

You are a humble martial artist. Greed and ego wow that hit the nail on the head. I was only paying $65.00 a month at Camp Red Cloud a small Army base in Korea my instructor was GM Lee he was very humble and just loved to teach. Coming back to the US the price for classes and $1000 contracts was a major issue for me. Do you think just doing TKD at home is good. I’m a Kikkiwon 2nd Dan, and in my 50’s any advice would be welcomed.

I loved this! I think I'm luck but I feel like my TKD school is pretty high level. There are definitely some kids that seem to have just gone through the motions and paid their money to get where they are, but I don't think that's on our instructors (I think some of it is unmotivated kids, but with aggressive parents that need to be satisfied). We have a lot of really great martial artists at my school and I'm super proud of it. My instructors always explain things and give us new drills or additional explanations. We have a really supportive environment Though when I was a teenager, we had a sparring team and those kids had huge egos. I didn't have much of a passion for sparring then, so I wasn't any good at it. They made me spar one of the team sparring kids and he put in no effort. I don't even think he threw one kick. It's attitudes like that I hate (we don't have a sparring team anymore if that says anything). Though as an adult the people I spar are better than me, but they still try their hardest which has given me a growing love for sparring. (sorry for the novel length comment)

The same is true for a lot of martial arts, thats why I left my old one (did something else beforeTaekwondo). Fortunately I found an excellent Taekwondo school in my town. The ITA in Ireland seem to be very good .

Subscribed yo

Yeah, it's tough looking at the 3rd dans in my school do their forms like red belts.

HI Donovan, I can relate to everything you said. Trophies and fake certificates for moving up each belt promotion.

I know it’s kind of random to ask you on that video but can you do a sip jin tutorial?

I'm not gonna be the one who's "it was better before..." But it was different. Not saying better or worse. I was active 1981- 2000 and all I can say is that it's changed a lot. But all you puppies and kittens... Remember to have fun. Nothing else matters❤️

When I was in my 20s and working full-time as a gyosanim for a large association, I could kick 7' and could break a speed bag with a spinning heel kick. My instructor was an excellent martial artist from Korea but he wouldn't promote me because I have some serious injuries and a twisted right hip, so my form on certain techniques looked strange. I eventually did earn my dan rank and have trained for decades now, and despite age and it's problems I still do well, but I will probably never be a "TKD" instructor or work for an association again. I teach Chun Do Kwan, old-style and don't care about the laughable TKD, I see around the Olympic training center here in CO.

What I love about my 'dojo' is that really just amaters teach the beginners. Like is a university sports program, so it's very cheap and the people who teach are also just students doing it for a couple of years. So the teachers are a black belt (an actual professional), a brown belt and a green belt. So basically there are 2 classes at the same time, shared warm ups, the black belt is teaching advanced classes, the brown the beginners and the green belt is looking out for beginners, especially if you were sick for a while or cleaning up individual flaws in technique. And sometimes the black belt teaches the beginners while the advanced class practice themselves with help of the brownbelt. (also advanced is like orange to green there is also another more advanced class at another time) It's also really cool to have basically 3 different people with different insights. Like peer teaching works so incredibly well, I do that too in swimming as a coach (which I did for years) and is also really a lot of fun.

My teacher doesn’t wear his belt in the classroom. When I asked he said he there’s nothing we need to prove to anyone else except ourselves. And that the belt doesn’t define him but it’s what you do with it that does. He very humble, very good at training very involved, and so are his staff, very respectful, involved and just very humble people. They help people who can’t make payments on time and the classes are already really cheap. He is certified through the Chung do kwan. We do WTF style sparring and attend open tournaments. Very good environment and testing is crucial, he doesn’t give away belts, in fact black belt certification varies, but usually 5-6 years. While my local Tiger Rock academy hands them out as long as you pay them and usually within 2-3 years you can become a “certified black belt”. It’s sad how some choose profit over actual development.

Thank you for giving information to the people🥹

I do keysi fighting and my instructor tries to push us as far as we can go and beyond. He’s a good teacher and it pains me to hear that people aren’t getting pushed and that they’re being told that they can’t do it or they don’t have the right body type

As an instructor, I can completely agree with everything you pointed out. It’s crazy seeing it at tournaments for sure. I was always taught by my master to stay humble and in order to be a good instructor you have to have a servants heart. If you teach from your heart and not for yourself it is much more rewarding. You can see a difference right away in how people are teaching whether they are doing it from a place of boosting their own ego or from a place where they genuinely care. I think my I’m at a point where it’s really difficult to stay motivated for myself when I give everything I have for the day to the kids teaching multiple classes. And it’s hard because some kids just come and do the bare minimum. Then some kids are doing so great and you spend a lot of time and pour a lot of your heart into teaching them, then they just leave and give up even though they were doing so great. It’s hard emotionally being a teacher sometimes because I don’t see these students as money signs. It’s so rewarding for me watching them grow and progress. But it’s hard when you get attached. anyway, I love your flexibility course so much. The way you teach is from the heart and your course shows that. I was your recent success story :-) I can’t believe how much better I feel and how less stiff I wake up in the morning now that I have incorporate a lot of what I have learned from your course in just a week. Not to mention a crazy at least three inch drop in my splits just by doing the way you suggested. It’s easier than everything I was putting myself through and you made everything much more enjoyable because you changed my mindset about it. Thank you Donavan!

i completely agree with you sir.

I'll be honest, I'm a black belt and I don't really feel like I deserve it, I can't even kick hard

Couldn’t agree more, everytime i come out of class i feel like im gonna collapse😂👍

When I was self-trained in martial arts back in high school, I learned martial arts from a guy I met at the school's martial arts club and he would say a lot of discouraging things like I can't practice a certain martial arts style because of my body type, that I was fat, etc. He happened to be a legitimate black belt, too. Back then, I just thought it was him being very critical. I now train at legit schools, my Muay Thai coach is pretty hard on me, but all the instructors I trained under never insulted me like how that guy did. I even met the guy's instructor years later, because he was well-known in the martial arts community and that instructor was really friendly.

i agree with you on alot of these points. For some context i am a first don black belt who has been doing for 10 years (started when i was 5 and i am 15 now) The dojang i used to go to told me that i was progressing too slow and i wouldnt become a black belt. and yeah i was progressing slow but i did it by working harder than anyone else. Then when i was a blue belt i switched over to a new dojang and they helped me, The master knew what he was doing and he charged just enough to cover costs and no more, The black belts wernt egotistical and people actualy knew what they were doing and we were taught actual close combat defence as well even if it wasnt in the traditional curriculum for taekwondo. My point is that taekwondo can be good and you just need to find the right school. I still have a ways to go and im working on it slowly. I found the right place and i hope yall can as well.

🥺 Wow, #Modesty 🖤 Love you, Donavan and all that you do. You inspire my child and I so much. I am not on youtube much but appreciated your reply to me tremendously (I did not see until now). Inclusion is so important. TKD has provided us, as autistics, with so much structure and it aligns with our values. However, the social structure is certainly so confusing and overwhelming to navigate. I truly don't understand hierarchy... though I do have tremendous respect for our Grand Master, Masters and peers. Being an instructor has been a wonderful experience. There are high standards in our dojan and I am always nervous to fail. I care so much, though.We practice ITF TKD. We have phenomenal training but I struggle with things that they are not able to accommodate (headphones for sensory overload, communication differences, even trans-friendly space **it's not**etc..). *it is true that you can learn a lot from RU-vid... I could never do splits until I added your stretching tips into my regimen!

So true, , well said

There are a lot of truths here and not only just for TKD. This is true across every martial art I have any experience with.

Very good points. I first started in 1996 and seriously in late 2000. I gor my 1st Dan in 2004. Comparing the early 2000s and late 90"s, to the 2010 onward, the standard has definitely fallen and you sre right about ego, atitude and money. However, there are still many good people in TKD in Australia; I think this might be more of an issue in the US

@Donavan Barrett you should pick up the book “Tao of Jeet Kune Do” by the late legendary Bruce Lee….solid info on Self-Defense…..

Completly agreed man, all true, I have been a taekwondo athlete for 10 yers and see almost all the same things here in Brasil. the only thing I have never seen is this "body shaming" that u talked about, this doesn't happen at all.

I live in Taiwan and here, there is actually tests and like rules saying that you need to pass the tests to get the belt(people failed way more then succeed)

As a ITF TKD student it's hard to hear this is happening in WT. This is happening in all schools and martial arts. They called MAC Dojos. You make a valid point dude. Unfortunately a black belt is a false sense of security for 90 percent of martial artists in all styles. I am continuing my TKD journey but to be honest I did branch of to Muay Thai and kickboxing and realised there is a big difference between traditional and fighting arts. I plan to change things for TKD , they way we train, the way we condition and seeing as sparring looks completely different to Patterns I am going to incorporate a lot of things into my syllabus so that I know I can confidently put TKD student into a Thai Boxing ring and he / she will be able to take it, give it, and bring it against trained fighters. That and standard TKD sparring. Things need to change and while I will stick to TKD I by no means a purist. If you look at styles like BJJ and even what it means to be a purple belt it's a big thing. It's all about quality and standards. MMA is killing traditional martial arts for many reasons and the reasons you listed here is one of them. Wishing you good luck on your Journey.

Summary; TKD isn't be a fake fighting systems as most MMA fighters can prove their TKD Efficacies, the only matters in Olympic programme were regarding about a political ranking bracket as which complicated to understand

Sir, what you all said in this video is very true.

You essentially described my club when I transferred to university in 2015. Our belt tests were at the end of the semester, so we had about 2-3 months of training. Mind you, I was new to formal martial training and thought this was the norm. However, our Masters (who were uni alumni and had taught us for free) basically passed everyone based on whether or not they knew Poomsae and one-steps, regardless on their sparring, techniques, etc. It didn't help that we were tested on techniques that we seldom practiced (eg: flying side kicks, which is not only crucial for safety reasons but also higher belts). Fast forward to 2018 where I became a junior black belt, but held off on testing with a friend for our 1st degrees because I wanted to train more and ensure I was at the level I needed to be. Our club was..."flawed". Not up to par with sparring, techniques, stagnant regimens, outdated routines. One of our former club presidents, not to body shame him, was not in the best shape nor the best example for representation (he couldn't spar longer than 40 seconds, he wasn't that flexible, lacked stamina, and overall just wasn't fit). This same club president told me I was one of the people who "coasted" by (though others have told me how hard I've worked and far I've come, but I know even today I have a lot to improve). I can't speak too much on egos and money, but I won't say I haven't heard cases or caught whiffs of a few individuals with overconfidence.

my dad loves taekwondo, he has done it for 41 years yesterday, he agrees with most of these

I personally believe that the perfect structure for me is more of a muscular build, Doesnt mean that its perfect for everybody. I do calisthenics and weights on the side, but everyone else doesnt have to. I like the greek god look and my dream is to hit 225 by the end of the year, im 180. Honestly don you have been an inspiration to me, especially your stretching exercise videos and the personal ones about emotion. I feel like youd be the perfect fucking instructor to get anything done, chill but always striving forward.

Thanks

I think whenever something great that was created in another country touches America, it eventually becomes pretentious.

Belts have definitely lost their standardized meaning. A blue belt in one dojang could hold significantly more weight than another blue belt somewhere else. However, it is a good tool to measure your own students and place them where you think their skill levels are at so it can help you teach in a more organized fashion. I have been doing TKD for more than 10 years (I'm 19) and getting a black belt was not easy. When my instructors thought I wasn't ready, they told me I shouldn't test to spare my money. I've stepped into other dojangs to help proctor belt tests, and they are passing people for just showing up. Even when looking at the scores, the others and I at the table agreed that they should not pass, yet the "masters" said that we couldn't fail them because it would upset their parents. lol On a positive note, I respect you a lot for posting this video. There are a lot of new-gen TKD elitists who think this is absolutely fine and will burn anyone who points out faults in TKD. Hope everyone can make a change!

This is true. I am in a songahm taekwondo school and it is majority attendance and fee based. The sparring rules set you up to loose in a real or MMA fight. I feel that I am being rushed along, and real form and technique is not emphasized

hi Barrett. ever since the internet and mma exposed the traditional martial arts. they are videos on kung fu and mma getting into sparring sessions and mma fighters defeating a lot of traditional martial arts. I belive lot of traditional martial arts have lots to offer. including tae kwon do. lets say that every body can train karate not all the techniques will work for them. that's why bruce lee said use what is use ful a little bit of boxing , a little bit of tae kwon do, a little bit of judo etc. but you can use tae kwon do kicks in mma. I seen videos that mma fighters use tae kwon do and succeed in a fight. I like to see more of those videos you make like this one you made. thanks

I do aikido and they have tests for each belt with specific moves for each belt

Great video and well said. All martial arts even Krav Maga and Jui Jitsu are getting watered down by greed. A lot of places get as many students as they can rush them to black belt then get more students TKD was the first martial art to experience this. The others are soon to follow. Just like you said try to find a good school. Check out several before you commit.

I do taekwondo but sometimes i wanna take a break

u r my only TKD master

I agree because there are some people in my school who are really bad but have high belts.

In my school they have 3 judges the 2 main teachers and the assistant they are all at least 4-5 degree black belts and they judge us well for testing

It looks impressive

I’m so glad I’m in itf

Luckily the taekwondo dojo i went to had none of these problems. I am very thankful for that.

Sorry, I'm about 2 years behind in commenting but I just found this video and got excited to learn that what I experienced in my early TKD training is exactly what you are describing here. I selected a place to learn that happened to be a chain of studios. By the time I got past the white belt level and was "accepted" into the Black Belt Club I quickly learned that it was all about the Business of TKD. By this I mean promoting students meant they were making money from students. I sparred one with a woman black belt level and clobbered her to submission until she claimed that she "bought" her black belt. I once paid for a promotion only to pull a hammy a few days prior. After recovering and returning the teacher simply gave me the promotion after class. It was not what I wanted to get out of TKD. So I had to move and establish residency well out of the area in order to be able to escape the contract. I haven't been back since but with you videos my drive to train has been sparked again. Thanks!

It took five years to get my provisonal black belt and 3 years to test for 1st degree

I have started my spilts training on 10th may and now I feel but flexible. Please tell me how long will it take to do splits. I work both morning and evening

100%. I received my black belt last year, and now that I have a "ticket" to compete at black belt levels, I am no longer going to be testing towards higher degrees. It just feels like a money making scheme that sends athletes forward without merit, and the fast pace of testing doesn't let me take my time to improve and focus on specific skills.

New sub here. Love your videos! I would want you as my instructor.

I used to do tkd 1981-2000 and of cause things change when it becomes so popular as it is today. Idk this but it seems like tkd has got some bad rep because some schools are pure business and when I see that kids get a black belt in 18 months... The quality will suffer

I'm not sure how belt ranking goes in the USA but where I live, you rank color belts at your school/club, but for a black belt, they get three people from the national taekwondo organisation and handle only a certain number of balck belts a year, and yeah you do get a kukkiwon certificate and all that jazz, but it is pretty plain and simple, you gotta be on the level of a black belt to get it

I recall when Tae Kwon Do was called “ Korean Karate”. Korean schools were always the most expensive. You would get a 23 year old second Dan get off the plan from Korea who is now a 8th Dan “GrandMaster”. Want to get the next belt? Have to complete in the tournament your teacher is promoting. Rank test??? Got to pay for it. I have never ever had to pay for any of my rank tests. I started in 1962.

In my country(Cyprus) almost all schools don’t teach Poomsae but they don’t say that they don’t! It’s bad...I can say that because I am a 2nd degree black belt who does Poomsae.

If the school owner isn't korean, don't bother.

I can totally agree to that. My roots are based on another martial art style. I joined TKD later on after 15 years of martial art expierence to extend my knowledge. Nobody knew what I was capable off and what I've done already. It is crazy , the attitude , how ppl are threathed. How people think about their skills. I went to 7 schools (germany) until I found one at least decent. You still can learn a lot from the others for sure, but for me in the first place, the technique is not the main thing. The way somebody talks to you, the passion they have for their sport...If I dont see that then I dont want to be there. Its a long and complex topic to put in one comment here. The way people act, how they interract with others shows a lot of them. Mostly that they didnt get the point. Its not all about the body also about the mindset. Be strong for the society, not yourself.

I'm 35 and started taekwondo again some yers ago. Originally I trained couple of years back when I was 17 . I never was that flexible and I still can't get my kicks above waist level . Still I am going trough an instructor course. We have only two instructors currently in our club, Another is legit 3 dan with a history in competing sparring, the other is over 60 year man who started only some years ago... So the situation is quite terrible. Any ideas on this ? We have barely functional group of active hobbyists and the instructors are tired.. We never do jumping kicks, we do a lot of hosinsul , even though taekwondo hasn't really any original self-defence.. We loan from another club's techniques which trains at our gym and some of us do that style also.

Where did the poomse forms come from. The hyung KATA are not better than older KATA

I hope when that guy told you you couldn't test in a black uniform that you busted out some splits and head kicks in that testing