Talk:American Taekwondo Association
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[edit] Redirects
WTTW (this is pointing to an article on a television station) and WTTF don't go to anything realted to Taekwondo.RJFJR 19:45, August 27, 2005 (UTC)
Should it be Taekwondo or Tae kwon do? The article uses one and the title uses the other. RJFJR 19:45, August 27, 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Cannot copyright a martial art form?
How can you copyright a martial arts form? Exactly what law says I cannot watch someone do an ATA form and then mimic the movement in demonstration for others? The closest thing I can find is a copyright on choreography, but a (for example) ballet dance is substantially different from a martial arts pattern. Have they ever brought a successful copyright claim? Mbac 21:17, 3 March 2006 (UTC)
Also, we need to bring the ATA image into this article. It has A(red) T(blu) A(red) with a white figure kicking through it. P
[edit] This reads like an ad.
This article is directly from the corporate website. Someone needs to clean this.
[edit] My experience with ATA
My background - My family has been involved with the ATA for several years. I am an instructor (part time) and a black belt.
As someone pointed out, the original article is the 'company line'. The ATA vigorously protects and promotes its intellectual property. The member schools and clubs (smaller, part-time schools) are really franchise operations, and that really captures the essence of my opinions of the ATA, both good and bad.
If I had more time (and skill) I would edit the article with a bit more balance. Lacking that, here are some quick notes.
Pros and cons:
Pro -
Standardized Content – 1000's of schools around the globe, and they all teach the same thing. Your martial arts training will not suffer if you need to change schools. One look at your belt and rank stripes, and your instructor will know exactly what material you are working on. And there are many schools - 3 or 4 in my small city alone.
Challenging Content – ATA rank requirements are more challenging than 'plain old' TKD. We had some non-ATA students transfer in, and they had a lot of catching up to do. Example – 'plain old' TKD white belt form has one hand technique, and no kicks. The ATA white belt for has 2 hand techniques and 2 kicks.
Complete Content – Programs for kids, adults, physically challenged people, with lesson plans, teaching strategies, weapons, etc.
Instructor Certification – Instructors must be trained as teachers, certified, and background checked, not just know the material. (When you walk into 'Joe's Karate Parlor Jujistu Emporium' how do you know what his qualifications are? A neat looking certificate from Grand Master FooFoo?) That said, some ATA instructors will still rip you off – make you sign long term contracts, or make you retest and repay testing fees at any opportunity.
Well Policed – At ATA events, like tournaments, there is no macho posturing and no fights – unlike some 'open' tournaments. Instructors or members that get in trouble with the law can loose rank and loose schools.
Safe – Equipment and rules for sparring are safer than Olympic style TKD, and you must attain a certain rank before you can spar, and up to that part, you must complete drills that prepare you for sparring, to teach control. I have a small child who is now sparring, and I feel completely at ease. Furthermore, if someone wants to transfer to Olympic style, they usually do very well because ATA rules are more challenging. Some ATA students have performed very well in Olympic style.
Con -
Copyrighted Material – If you leave the ATA, your cannot legally teach the forms, etc.
Equipment Monopoly – To attend or compete in an ATA event, you must wear an ATA provided uniform, ATA sparring equipment.
Some in the leadership are all about making money - There is always some new program or offering from headquarters that are new ways to take money from people.
Neither Pro nor Con -
Costs – Schools are allowed to basically charge what they want. It can be expensive, like other martial arts schools, or next to nothing. Instructors set their fees (with upper end limits set by the ATA). Testing and equipment fees are fixed from that ATA, and instructors are allowed to add a percentage on that and keep the difference. (I teach as part of an after-school program. I don't make a dime, I just like helping kids.)
[edit] My personal take on the ATA
I'm an ex-member of the American Taekwondo Association and been with them for ten years (since 1992, quit 2002) earning my first degree black belt in 1996, and 2nd degree with trainee instructor status in 1999.
In response to the previous posting by an "instructor," here's what I think:
Quote: "The ATA white belt for has 2 hand techniques and 2 kicks." NOT exactly true. There are five hand techniques to the white belt form: high block, low block, punch, side block, and knifehand. There are only two kicks: front kick and side kick.
Secondly, there is no true monopoly on uniform and sparring equipment. While many schools obey this monopoly uniform policy including letting children wear uniforms with the lettering on their back, other schools choose not to pay the monopoly and find more affordable options. I've visited a few of these ATA tournaments and people use whichever brand, as long as they have headgear, hand, and foot.
Some other thoughts: I feel that the ATA is just like many other schools to be like a "McDojo" or what I call, a black belt factory. It's easy in the start, but as the ranks get higher, people (especially parents) spend more money investing in something that I feel has no real use in the real world (like who kicks above the waist and especially the head in a real fight?).
Also, why break boards? If you want a reference, watch the first season of the Showtime program called "Penn and Teller B.S." It's just science people!
Lastly... parents, don't bring your children to tournaments around the country to become "World Champion." They should be in school getting a real education with a real degree that is useful in the REAL world. Would you really put the words "World Champion" in your job resume? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Akit (talk • contribs).
- Maybe some people enjoy it? Are you so against participation in other sports? Baseball, football etcetera are no more useful than what they teach. kaiti-sicle 05:28, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
[edit] "Songahm Taekwondo" section
This section needs some work in a different direction than it is presently heading. I see this section as being more about the philosophy behind Songahm Taekwondo, the Songahm Star, etc. Thoughts? SchuminWeb (Talk) 05:32, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
- Isn't that what it should be about? I am a trainee instructor in ATA and that's what Songahm is based on. That section could be expanded on the differences between the Songahm forms and WTF forms, for example, however, the philosophy is a very important part of Songahm Taekwondo. Just personal opinion, however. Other thoughts?? Progdrummer17 17:37, 12 February 2007
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- That seems to be where I'm thinking. What makes Songahm Taekwondo "Songahm"? What makes it so? SchuminWeb (Talk) 05:27, 22 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Sparring segments, board breaks
It seems we need more information on these two elements of a student's training. Perhaps we could bundle this with one-steps? SchuminWeb (Talk) 05:28, 22 March 2007 (UTC)
