Technical Corner

PATTERNS

For any student to say “I do not like patterns!” is a statement saying you do not like Tae Kwon-Do!

There is no ITF Tae Kwon-Do without fundamental movement and the practice and understanding of the Pattern.

Pattern practice enables the student to go through fundamental movement in series, developing sparring technique, improving flexibility of movement, master body shifting, build muscles and breath control, develop fluid and smooth motion, and gain rhythmic movements.

There are many patterns champions videos on Youtube, but since the Generals death in 2002 when compared to the Generals own DVD “The Legacy” the patterns performance in competition seem to have moved in a different direction. There unfortunately seems to be two separate styles of pattern one for fundamental movements and one for competition. I personally will always teach patterns as laid down by General Choi Hong Hi, the founder, as fundamental movement following the key principals.

1. Patterns should begin and end at exactly the same spot.

2. Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all time.

3. Muscles should be either TENSED OR RELAXED at critical movements in the exercise

4. The exercise should be performed in a RYTHMIC MOVEMENT ABSENT OF STIFFNESS

5. Movements should be ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED according to the book.

6. Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next

7. Students must know the purpose of each movement.

8. Students should perform each movement WITH REALISM

9. Attack and defence techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.

“Do not chase belts, chase proficiency and understanding of technique”