Note: This is the second installment of a two part
series describing the key differences between International Tae Kwon Do
Federation (ITF) and Han Moo Kwan (HMK).
The first part described how ITF came to be and two of five areas where
we differ. In this second part, I will
describe the other three areas (sparring, forms, and ranking).
1.
Sparring differences/rules
In order to
objectively judge competition and for safety reasons, techniques and permitted striking
areas are limited in ITF. According to
the International
Taekwondo Federation Tournament Rules (Ref. 1), the following are permitted areas
(targets):
T33. Target Area
- Head at the front, sides and top of the head but not
at the back.
- Trunk of the body from shoulder to navel vertically and from a line drawn from the armpit vertically down to the waist on each side (that is frontal area only, excluding the back).
Note, the rules
talk about legal hand and legal foot attacks, but no details could be found on
what was legal specifically in Ref. 1, but there are specifics on what results
in warnings, deductions of points or disqualifications:
T 36. Minus
Points/Fouls
- Heavy contact.
- Attacking a fallen opponent.
- Leg sweeping.
- Holding/grabbing.
- Intentional attack to a target other than mentioned in art. T33.
T37. Warnings
- Pretending to have scored a point by raising one or
both arms.
- Stepping completely out of the ring (both feet).
- Falling down, whether intentional or not (it means
any part of the body, other than the feet, touching the ground).
- Faking a blow, pretending to be injured to gain an
advantage.
- Intentionally avoiding sparring.
- Adjusting equipment during the bout without the
consent of the Centre Referee.
- Unintentional attack to a target other than mentioned
in art. T33.
- Pushing with the hands, shoulders or body.
T 38. Disqualification
- Misconduct against officials or ignoring
instructions.
- Uncontrolled or excessive contact.
- Receiving three (3) minus points/fouls directly given
by the Centre Referee.
- Being under influence of alcoholic beverages or
drugs.
- Loss of temper.
- Insulting an opponent, coach and or official.
- Biting, scratching.
- Attacking with the knee, elbow or forehead. Causing a KO.
As noted in the
blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:
When we spar in HMK, we do limit the permitted area (targets) to some
extent and have a couple prohibited acts (more in intermediates class than
advanced class until students demonstrate the control required). Those permitted areas (targets) are in place
to ensure the safety of our students.
For safety reasons, we do not allow lower ranked students to strike
towards the head until they show control.
Due to the weakness of the knees/groin, we do not permit students to
strike each other’s knees or groin but do practice knees as targets in a slow,
controlled manner as well as pinning/trapping the knee. In addition, at the Intermediates level we
limit attacking fallen opponents and grabbing opponents.
For advanced students as we practice combat (separate from sparring) which
promotes continuing an assault until the opponent is disabled (or the referee
determines sufficient damage has occurred) we also allow strikes to the head,
attacking fallen opponents, grabbing if it is safe and effective, etc.
From a HMK perspective where the focus on self-defense and sparring is
a form of self-defense (for more information on my views of sparring versus
self-defense, please read my October 2009 blog, “Sparring vs Self Defense”, www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html),
limitation of techniques, target areas, etc. limit’s a person’s effectiveness
to defend themselves. So, for any reason
other than safety, if you are training for self-defense purposes, I believe you
should minimize any limitations of techniques (weapons) or permitted areas (targets).
2.
Forms (Hyung)
ITF currently has 24
forms and is said to be 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, and the way
the pattern ends, and so on. (Ref. 2).
“The names of the
patterns are derived from the most illustrious people to have been produced by
nearly five thousand years of Korean history. A proper understanding of the
patterns leads inevitably to the realization that Taekwon-Do is a martial art
to be used only for self-defence and only in the cause of justice” (Ref. 3). Unlike WTF and similar to HMK, ITF forms are
intended to be another means to practice techniques whose purpose is
self-defense. In Choi’s words, “I
created a wide variety of techniques that can be used in almost any situation.
(Ref. 3)”
As noted in the
blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:
HMK teaches 15 forms (hyung).
The history and genesis of the forms is from Okinawan and Shotokan
Karate. To learn more of the origins of
the HMK forms, refer to my three part blog series Origins of HMK Forms - Part
I, II and III posted in Feb 2010 (www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html),
March 2010 (www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html),
and Apr 2010 (www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html),
respectively.
3.
Ranking
As noted in the
blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:
Until the late 1800’s, there
were no belts at all worn as part of martial arts uniforms, then there was
black, then black and white and then additional colors were added. One reason for adding colors was to encourage
students (mainly children who tend to require more constant feedback to assess
their abilities).
ITF appears to have
a standard of 11 ranks (belts) (including stripes): White Belt, White Belt
Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt, Yellow Belt Green Stripe, Green Belt, Green Belt
Blue Stripe, Blue Belt, Blue Belt/Red Stripe, Red Belt, Red Belt/Black Stripe,
and Black Belt (up to 9th degree).
Each belt color is symbolic and represents continued growth and
maturity. Interesting note on the ITF Wikipedia page
(Ref. 3), each belt has a minimum enrollment time requirement. If you add up
the minimum time, then it would take at a minimum of 43 months before one could
become a black belt. The process and
promotion to black belt is also standardized, and qualified instructors may
test up to one half of his/her holding degree (e.g., 4th degree may grade students up to 2nd degree and a 6th degree
may grade students up to 3rd degree). However, promotion to 7th degree or above
must be done by the ITF's Master Promotion Committee.
As noted in the
blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:
HMK has six (6) ranks (five different belt colors and one which has a
stripe). When the Sunnyvale HMK Club was
founded, the founders were adamant that we limit the number of ranks/belt
colors. For the most part, various colors were
introduced for instructors to indicate a student’s level, other students
understand that level so they can train with them appropriately. And so students understood their ranking and receive
feedback on the intermediate improvements from beginner to a first degree black
belt. Also, rankings provide an
indication of various levels of skills which helps students to understand who
are the upper rank students are to take any queues from.
In addition, HMK Club has no minimum requirement for time in
a rank before they are eligible to be promoted to the next rank. We do, however, have a minimum time in the dojang
under a certified instructor before we allow one to test each session. In addition, Club Members testing at any rank
of black belt must be judged by two black belts (interim or above) of higher
[point score] rank under the guidance of the Chief Instructor.
As noted in the
blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:
For more details on the history
of belts and rankings please read the June 2012 blog, “History of Belts and
Rankings”, www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html.
While HMK is
different than both ITF and WTF, it is closer to ITF in philosophy. While ITF does advocate that part of learning
the art is a sport, the philosophy of ITF is structured around learning
self-defense for self-protection purposes only.
Regards,
Kelly
“If we consider
ourselves as one with Taekwon-Do, we will respect it as we respect our own
bodies and Taekwon-Do will never be used in a dishonourable way.” ~ Choi Hong
Hi (1918-2002), South Korean army general and founder of International Tae Kwon
Do Federation (ITF).
References:
- ITF World Junior &
Senior Tournament Rules – Rules and Regulations, January 2013, www.tkd-itf.org/competition/#rules-regulations. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Taekwon-Do_Federation.
Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Taekwon-Do"
(The Korean Art of Self Defence) by Choi, Hong Hi, 1999
