International Taekwon-Do Federation

Vorlage:Infobox Organization

The International Taekwon-Do Federation or (ITF) exists to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do. Its main functions are to coordinate and approve tournaments and seminars, setting standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborating with affiliated member organizations, and servicing members in regards to rank and certifications.

The International Taekwon-Do Federation was founded in 1966 by General Choi Hong Hi in Seoul, Korea. In 1972 the headquarters for the ITF was moved to Toronto, Canada. In 1985 the headquarters for the ITF was moved to Vienna, Austria. Since the death of General Choi Hong Hi the Administration headquarters has moved to Rome, Italy.

ITF Patterns

Patterns or tuls in Korean, originally called Hyung, are considered by many to be one of the most important aspects of training in Taekwon-Do. In Karate they are equivalent to the kata. The majority of the patterns (excepting Ul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes Taekwondo'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.Vorlage:Fact

There are 24 patterns (틀) in the official ITF syllabus. The names of these patterns typically refer to a patriotic instance or person of Korean history. They are as follows (with Hangul/Hanja names, and with related articles:Vorlage:Fact

• Cheon-Ji (천지/天地)
• Dan-Gun (단군/檀君)
• Do-San (도산/島山)
• Won-Hyo (원효/元曉)
• Yul-Gok (율곡/栗谷)
• Joong-Guen (중근/重根)
• Toi-Gye (퇴계/退溪)
• Hwa-rang (화랑/花郎)
• Chung-Mu (충무/忠武)
• Gwang gae (광개/廣開)
• Po-uen (포은/圃隱)
• Gye baek (계백/階伯)
• Eui-am (의암/義菴)
• Chung jang (충장/忠壯)
• Juche (주체/主體)
• Samil (삼일/三一)
• Yusin (유신/庾信)
• Choi-yeong (최영/崔榮)
• Yeongae (연개/淵蓋)
• Ulji (을지/乙支)
• Munmu (문무/文武)
• Sosan (서산/西山)
• Sejong (세종/世宗)
• Tong-il (통일/統一)

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 24 foot by 24 foot 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 center referee will issue a warning to the fighter who created the infraction. 3 warnings equals a minus point. If a fighter does not listen to the referees instruction he or she may be given a foul which is an automatic minus point and if the fighter continues to not listen they can be disqualified. ITF Tae kwon 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.Vorlage:Fact

Ranks

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

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

• 1st-3rd dan (black) with the title of Assistant Instructor (Boo-sabum)
• 4th-6th dan (black) with the title of Instructor (Sabum)
• 7th-8th dan (black) with the title of Master (Sahyun)
• 9th dan (black) with the title of Grand Master (Saseong)

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.

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 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 6th dan, all ranks require the student to perform a test of all skills and knowledge up to their rank to be promoted. Ranks above 6th 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 18 months as 1st degree before promotion to 2nd degree; 2nd degree: minimum 2 years; 3rd degree: minimum 3 years; 4th degree: minimum 4 years; and so on.

See also

• Taekwondo
• World Taekwondo Federation

External links

• International Taekwon-Do Federation - President Master Trân Triêu Quân