OUR CURRICULUM
WTF is NUTKD?
Here at Northwestern Taekwondo, we teach the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) style of taekwondo. This differs from traditional ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) in that WTF is less geared towards realistic situations and uses fewer hand movements. WTF is the style also used in sporting, like the Olympic Games.
What will I learn?
Our curriculum is geared towards both gaining traditional skillsets (poomsae, blocks, strikes, etc.) and towards the Olympic sports training (kicking drills, footwork, sparring, and competitions). This provides a balance between the art aspects of taekwondo and what is considered the modern sport aspect.
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Below are five important aspects of taekwondo we highlight in our practices:
KICKING
With a wide variety of classes, kicks are the main focus of taekwondo. Basic and advanced kicks can be combined in succession to create kicking sequences.
POOMSAE
"Poomsae" is the Korean word for "form". All students of Taekwondo are required to learn the form that corresponds to their belt. At NU TKD, we teach Taegeuk Poomsae.
BLOCKS
Blocks are often used in poomsae and sparring. Correct blocking techniques not only deflects attacks, but each block is also correlated to a specific attack.
BOARD BREAKING
We use breaks to assess strength, speed, and technique during belt testing. We also demo various breaks in the annual KASA Show.
SPARRING
Sparring is an opportunity to engage in combative techniques while being governed by a rule system. Students use footwork, strikes, blocks, and kicks in different combinations.
BASIC KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
No Taekwondo curriculum is complete without some basic Korean terminology. You'll learn the Korean names for kicks, numbers, and other useful terms for discussing Taekwondo.
BELT TESTING
At NU TKD, we conduct belt testing at the end of each quarter. We follow the belt advancement schedule as shown on the left. At the end of each successful test, each student will rise one rank.
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We have seen many people begin practicing Taekwondo here at Northwestern with no prior experience and attain their black belt within 4 years!