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My kids currently train under UKTF, which follows ITF guidelines and techniques. Will this cause problems if they move to a WTF trainer? They aren't quite at black belt yet, so I'm hoping that if they do transfer it won't be too much of a problem.

Are there differences in technique or style that would make this a difficult transition?

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I know the main difference in the two different Tae Kwon Do bodies in the UK is one is aimed at Sport and the other Self-defence. But I don't know which is which, so I can't really answer. – Pureferret Feb 1 '12 at 0:17

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The main difference between WTF and ITF is WTF is South Korean and ITF is North Korean. The forms are different, kicks are the same. Attitude in ITF may be geared more towards self-defense and WTF is certainly geared more towards sport sparring in most dojos.

ITF Wiki WTF Wiki

Actually to better answer your actual concern, would it be difficult for your kids to transition:

This depends. The new things that they would have to learn in WTF, such as forms and one step sparring, will be easy to pick up. Things that they have already learned, like kicking and blocking, may be difficult if the WTF instructor teaches those moves with a different variation. Its always harder to change a habit. (Or the teacher will see it as something to fix) Best bet is to go to the WTF school/s you're interested in, talk to the instructor, see if they can take a class, and see if it fits. A good instructor will be able to tweak things that aren't consistent to his style over time.

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"The main difference between WTF and ITF is WTF is South Korean and ITF is North Korean" This is partially true now, but wasn't always. Both ITF and WTF originated in South Korea, ITF is now the name of at least three different legal bodies, one of which originates from North Korea (the others being located in Kanada and Germany). To learn more about the history of Taekwondo read A killing Art by Alex Gillis – Sean Patrick Floyd Feb 1 '12 at 9:21
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And: "kicks are the same". I'd challenge that as well. There are subtle differences in both technique and terminology. That's like saying Karate and Taekwondo Kicks are the same. They are similar, but far from the same. E.g. ITF distinguishes between thrusting and piercing variations of a side kick (as in Shotokan Karate), WTF doesn't have that distinction. – Sean Patrick Floyd Feb 1 '12 at 9:24
Well if you mean doing side kick with the heel vs the blade of the foot, then I have learned both of those at my school which is WTF. Then again my teacher takes here and there from other arts. – riotburn Feb 1 '12 at 18:40
Same here. I had a master who formally belonged to the WTF but had learned traditional TKD way back in the old days. But I'm talking about official techniques, not individual interpretations. – Sean Patrick Floyd Feb 1 '12 at 19:58
The scoring in ITF is also different from WTF. In ITF, punching is emphasized more and kicks are for "finishing moves," while WTF is all about kicks. – Russell Mar 14 '12 at 23:31
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Will this cause problems if they move to a WTF trainer? They aren't quite at black belt yet, so I'm hoping that if they do transfer it won't be too much of a problem.

Answering the other half of the problem: what problems will the kids face?

Techniques problems: no. There are differences in technique and forms. If the kids are nearly at Cho Dan, they'll know how to accept direction from the new instructors. The different viewpoint might make it more interesting.

Advancement problems (very important to some kids): It's going to depend on the school. There are some schools that could get sticky about a non-black belt retaining their rank and insist that they start over at white belt. My instinct would tell me that such a school would be great and accepting my money and not so great at instructing my children.

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