When people think of Taekwondo, they usually picture Olympic-style competition kicks and sparring. What most people don't realize is that there are two distinct branches of Taekwondo, and the one we teach at PBBA Fort Worth has a very different origin and philosophy.
The Founder: General Choi Hong Hi
ITF Taekwondo was developed by General Choi Hong Hi, a Korean military officer and martial artist who began formalizing his system in the 1940s and 1950s. Choi founded the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) in 1966 with the goal of standardizing the art and spreading it worldwide. His system emphasized precise technique, a structured pattern system called tuls, and a philosophical framework rooted in self-discipline, respect, and perseverance.
The tuls are a series of 24 patterns, each named after significant figures or events in Korean history. They are not just exercises. They are a way of ingraining proper technique, balance, and movement so deeply that it becomes instinctive. Every student at PBBA learns tuls as a core part of their progression from white belt to black belt.
ITF vs. WTF/WT Taekwondo
The version of Taekwondo seen in the Olympics is governed by World Taekwondo (formerly the WTF). While both systems share Korean roots, they diverged significantly after the ITF was founded. Olympic Taekwondo is heavily focused on sport competition, particularly high kicks and point scoring. ITF Taekwondo retains a broader self-defense application, incorporates hand techniques more extensively, and places greater emphasis on the pattern system and philosophical development.
Neither is better than the other. They serve different purposes. At PBBA, we chose ITF as our foundation because of its emphasis on technical precision, self-defense applicability, and the structured development path it provides for students of all ages.
The Other Disciplines We Teach
ITF Taekwondo is the foundation of our curriculum, but PBBA has always believed in well-rounded martial arts training. Here's how the other disciplines fit in:
American Karate adds power generation and versatility to our striking. Karate's emphasis on chamber and drive complements the speed and precision of Taekwondo, giving students a broader toolkit for both competition and self-defense.
Jiu-Jitsu addresses what happens when a confrontation goes to the ground, which real-world altercations often do. Ground work, submissions, and control techniques give students practical tools that pure striking arts don't cover. It's also the discipline we focus on in our women's self-defense seminars, where technique matters more than size or strength.
Kickboxing builds conditioning, timing, and combination fluency. It's one of the most effective ways to develop real striking power and cardiovascular fitness at the same time, and it translates directly into better performance in every other discipline.
Why the Blend Matters
A student who only trains one style has gaps. A student who trains in a well-integrated system has options. At PBBA Fort Worth, the goal has always been to develop complete martial artists: people who can strike, defend, and move with confidence in any situation. The curriculum Master Buddy Hudson built over 40+ years reflects that philosophy, and it's what we bring to the mat every day in Fort Worth, Haslet, and Keller.
If you want to see the curriculum in action, come try a free intro class. No experience needed.