Picture courtesy of NTN Trondheim TKD Klubb

Young People & ITF Taekwon-Do

Young people – children, pre-teens, and adolescents – are an extremely important clientele for ITF Taekwon-Do schools. In fact, our young people represent the future of the ITF.

Taekwon-Do is a healthy outlet for the energy that young people seem to have in abundance. In fact, many students are first attracted to Taekwon-Do because of the physical activity. For those who are interested in learning a combat sport, ITF Taekwon-Do offers that… but also much more. We encourage our students to value and cultivate the tenets of ITF Taekwon-Do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.

The Benefits of Taekwon-Do for Young People

Experts tell us there are many reasons to encourage young people to participate in a martial art such as ITF Taekwon-Do or in another structured physical activity. It can increase their self-knowledge, build character, and improve leadership skills. Students learn how to have a healthy life style and that can help to reduce the risk of many health problems later in life.

Teaching the Do to Young People

If Taekwon-Do were just a combat sport, young people would practice it for the physical activity itself and for the possibility to compete against others. Since Taekwon-Do is a martial art, the student will strive to surpass himself or herself rather than making comparisons with others. Keeping the focus on self-development and self-improvement is a sure way to help young students become mentally strong.

This is where Taekwon-Do has a great advantage, because Taekwon-Do is more than a sport. It is based on a philosophy – the Do – that promotes basic human values and has the goal of creating a better and more peaceful world.

ITF Taekwon-Do teachers are now being encouraged to put more emphasis on teaching the Do and to apply its principles in their classes and also in their daily life. Students must be taught not only what behavior is acceptable, but also the principles behind the behavior.

Elite competitors

I always say that everybody should be able to practice Taekwon-Do. But it takes more than just desire to become an elite competitor. To become a champion, a student needs both talent and excellent coaching. From my personal experience, I believe that a club needs a talent detection program. For example, I added a special box on examination forms that the examiner would check if the student showed unusually strong technical qualities.

Safety in Competition

The ITF is very concerned about the safety of all its members and athletes. Though other martial arts and combat sports allow knockouts, the ITF allows only light contact, and contact to the head and face is forbidden for children and for all the color belts in many countries.

The ITF philosophy is reflected in the tournament rules, and this is why we do not tolerate violence. Our students are encouraged to develop good technique and, more importantly, good control.

Modify Your Methods When Teaching Young People

The teaching of Taekwon-Do, the Do in particular, must be adapted to the age of the students. For example, even young children can learn to stop and think before acting and to base their decisions on the basic principles, starting with honesty and respect for others. At the same time, they will also be learning the importance of self-control.

In the martial arts tradition, the teacher tries to correct what his students are doing wrong, but we need to move to a more positive approach so as not to discourage our young people. To motivate our students, we need to encourage them by pointing out what they are doing right, identifying where they could improve, and helping them to find ways to do so.

Involve the Student’s Family & School

Taekwon-Do teachers should try to work with the education system. Ideally, the dojang, the family, and the school should all work together to educate our young people. That way, the principles of the Taekwon-Do philosophy can be integrated into the student’s everyday life at home, at school, at the dojang, and everywhere else.

A Career in Taekwon-Do

Teaching ITF Taekwon-Do is an interesting and challenging career. A Taekwon-Do teacher can build his or her own business. There will be opportunities to travel and visit other countries. And a Taekwon-Do teacher earns his or her living doing meaningful work, reaching out to people of all ages and helping them to live a healthier, happier life.

So we should encourage our young students to plan for a career as a Taekwon-Do teacher. They can start by assisting their teachers to teach classes. Then in secondary school and university, they can choose subjects that will be useful in their future career. This would include physical education but also psychology, kinesiology, business administration, marketing, and many others.

Be a Good Example

Teachers and coaches must always insist that their students show good behavior. They should explain to students who do not act appropriately why that is not acceptable.

And of course, teachers, coaches, and parents must all set a good example in every way. This means that we must demonstrate the characteristics that we tell our students they need to cultivate: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Our example will help them to make good decisions based on principle and to have the courage to do what is right even if others put pressure on them.

Keep Them Motivated

Young people will remain motivated if their Taekwon-Do activities are dynamic, if they enjoy training, and if they can measure their progress by concrete achievements. They will be encouraged if other family members participate or show interest, if they feel part of the group, and if their teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

On the other hand, if young students are bored in class, if they repeatedly fail to reach unrealistic goals, or if the teacher embarrasses them in front of the other students, they will soon become discouraged and drop out.

In Conclusion…

ITF Taekwon-Do is an excellent product that offers positive benefits to people of all ages, but it is a great advantage to start young.

I strongly encourage all parents, teachers, and coaches to continue to support their young people as they learn to live the Taekwon-Do way of life.

I sincerely believe that the complete Taekwon-Do program – when taught in conformity with the ITF by competent, experienced instructors and reinforced by appropriate support from the student’s parents and school – can help even our youngest students to develop a strong mind in a healthy body and, thus, to become good citizens helping to build a better world.

Sincerely yours,

Master Trân Triêu Quân
President of ITF
November 7th , 2007