Tae Kwon Do

Lex Luthor

I did Tae Kwon Do as a teenager and was a member of the RITA organisation. I want to get my son started next year so I looked on google for a school in my area and found 2. One is the RITA and another is the INTA.

Is there any difference between the 2?

ColinJennings

Basically the difference is politics. I have been a happy member of the RITA for years, so you'll have no complaints from me. I've never trained in the school in Naas, so I don't feel I should comment on the class.

Go to both. Pick the one you like.

Tim_Murphy

OP, don't get too bogged down in TKD acronyms, they usually don't mean all that much to be honest. Both of these groups are ITF, so they would both be doing pretty much the exact same stuff.

yomchi

Yep they are identicle, in fact the INTA split fom the RITA back in the day. ITF TKD is ITF TKD no matter where or who is the leader or whatever

Lex Luthor

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of starting up again after 20yrs so to keep the interest with my son. He might be more inclined to get over the first 6 months if I'm there with him and also, I'll be sitting watching, so I might as well join in.

I got as far as green belt back in the day, but I'll start from scratch again as I don't want to assume I'm at that level again, which I know I'm not. I'm sure most of the moves will come back to me within the first few months, but I'd rather start again. Anyway, I doubt any of my records are still around.

Do you think 6 is too young for him to start? He seems keen.

pma-ire

Lex Luthor wrote:

I got as far as green belt back in the day, but I'll start from scratch again as I don't want to assume I'm at that level again, which I know I'm not. I'm sure most of the moves will come back to me within the first few months, but I'd rather start again. Anyway, I doubt any of my records are still around.

See how you get on??

Lex Luthor wrote:

Do you think 6 is too young for him to start? He seems keen.

Most clubs start at 5 years old. But I've seen kids find it really hard to learn patterns at that age and a year in school does wonders for them!!

I take 5 year olds, but don't grade them onto full belts until they can do all requirements. Instead I'm thinking for giving them part gradings to give them a kick (pun) out of training by getting a badge or tip for each new skill learnt??

memphis

I'm a TKD student myself (aged 25) and it is often the case in my club that adult will join in cos of their kids being there. They sit through classes and obviously say to themselves, "Gosh, I might as well be training myself than sitting here watching".

And like you say it can be encouraging for your youngster to have you train along side him.... a bit of support and all that.

Give it a blast, you'll be glad you tried to get back into it. And I personally thik 6 is the right age to start them in TKD. It gives them a sense of discipline at that age, and if they train regularly they'll be junior black belts by the time they start 2nd level, which would mean that they'd learn that level of cop on and integrety, know right from wrong, and be able to defend themselves from playground bullies if need be etc.

Best of luck!

Lex Luthor

He's had his 1st year of school behind him so I think he might be ready. He's just started to settle down aswell and seems to have a bit more concentration than a few months back. Wife says its down to Omega-3 she's been giving him the last month. If it works.....

I'd rather join in so it helps him get involved if I am and it was also help him progress if I'm able to help him with the first few months. I remember I started when I was 10 and found the first 6 months the toughest. I didn't get through it then, probably because I didn't know anybody in the class. When I went back when I was 13, there were 4 or 5 of us from school and it helped us all to stick to it together and we stayed in for 3-4yrs.

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement

gymrabbit

hi lex that's awesome hope you both get involved in something.

NOt sure where you're located. If it's dublin get in contact with ko martial arts (c/o roper on this forum). I believe he has a club that caters for children and adults. My experience of it has always been positive.

ColinJennings

There may be problems with concentration of a 6 year old. My school does not take people on under 12, but that is partly caused by the time we train. Check with the instructor whether they cater for younger people. A lot of schools will have a separate time (such as Cold O'Reilly's cheeky monkeys session which is geared for younger kids). There should really be specefic training for younger people if they are to keep their interest and keep kids motivated to come back.

Lex Luthor

I'm in Naas. I just checked the times of the INTA school in Naas and they are Tue & Thur 8-9pm. I think these times would be a little late for him as he's normally in bed on weekdays by half 7. At 9pm he'd be asleep and he'd have no concentration at that time.

The R.I.T.A school is on my side of the town and classes are 7-9pm Mon & Wed. 2 hrs seems a bit long for a class so I need to find out do they split it for 1st hour for kids, 2nd hour for adults. I need to make a few calls on Monday and ask a few questions

47MartialMan

The age of a child is not the issue as much as the intellectual maturity.

Almost needless to state, that the bond between a parent and offspring grows stronger with joint participation.

However, I for one will not personally teach my children martial arts outside of defense.