Patterns
A pattern is a set of fundamental movements, both attack and defence, set in a logical sequence designed to deal with one or more imaginary opponents. Patterns are an indication of a student's progress, or a barometer in evaluating an individual's technique.
Patterns are performed to improve Taekwon-Do techniques, to develop sparring techniques, imrpove flexibility of movement, master body shifting, build and tone muscles and improve balance and breath control. They also enable the student to learn techniques which cannot be found in other forms of training. There are 24 patterns in Taekwon-Do, because the founder, Major General Choi Hong Hi, compared the life of a man with a day in the life of the Earth. He said, 'Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of a man of the late 20th century. The twenty four patterns represent twenty four hours, one day for all my life'. Follow the links on the left for the nine patterns learnt through the colour belt grades of Taekwon-Do, with videos and pattern meanings. In addition to the nine colour belt patterns are the initial choreographed movements learnt by the Taekwon-Do beginner - saju jirugi and saju makgi. |