There are many more Taekwondo organizations than the two you mentioned. And there are at least 75 different styles of Taekwondo that are recognized by the Korean Government as being legitimate TKD styles.
The question is not what style, but what school instructor. Train with the best instructor you can find and you will be fine. Just avoid any ATA school they are one of the worst rip-off groups around.
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Funny as they might sometimes be names are irrelevant.
If you want to get the best out of TaeKwonDo then visit all the schools that claim to teach it, have a trial lesson if one is available, watch the class if it isn't, hit the teacher up with a few questions then AFTER you've visited them all decide which one has the best teacher, classmates and training that you'd rather train at and choose that one.
I hate to compare martial arts to window shopping but visit, observer, try, compare, pricematch then choose.
WTF is more associated with Olympics, it is the organization that the IOC deals with. However, this style of TKD is more correctly called "kukkiwon", not "WTF". That is because Kukkiwon is the head of the style that defines the techniques and forms, and certifies instructors and dan grades. Nevertheless, everyone calls it "WTF" because it's easier to say and spell.
ITF has branched into several organizations all claiming to be ITF - and they are.
The techniques are generally the same, but the forms are completely different. As to sparring, the rules vary, but generally, they favor kicking rather than hand techniques. WTF officially is full-contact, and as to ITF it always depends on the school or host sponsoring an event.
Earning a black belt in one style is no guarantee that you can assume the same grade in the other. Some schools will allow you to wear your black belt and compete as one (as they should), but officially, it gets tricky when you are 2nd dan and above, due to the fact that time must be spent at each dan before moving on.
For WTF, there are waivers that allow you to get in at a certain rank other than 1st dan, and you generally have to file paperwork, seek affidavits, etc, but it can be done. As to ITF, it depends on the head organization, but it's been done. ITF fighters often compete in WTF events, since WTF events are more frequent, but the reverse occasionally happens. It is best to preserve black belt status when competing in this matter, in order to preserve the integrity of the competition (you don't want a black belt from ITF competing as a white belt in WTF events, that's not fair).
I can't believe they went with the name World Taekwondo Federation, I mean WTF?
I want to start with taekwondo but i have heard about there being like wtf taekwondo and ITF Taekwondo, what's the difference and what do you recommend?
