A Pattern, or Tul consists of various fundamental movements, most of which represent either attack or defence techniques, set to a fixed or logical sequence. The pattern should begin and end on the same spot.
The majority of patterns, with Yul-Gok, Ul-Ji and Tong-Il being the exceptions, begin with a defensive movement which emphasises the defensive nature of Taekwon-Do. The names of the patterns refer either to key events or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references, such as the starting position, the number of movements, the shape/diagram of the pattern and the way the pattern ends.
Correct stance length, width and direction ensures that the practitioner finishes on the same point from which they began the pattern. Pattern practice enables the student to practice many fundamental movements in a series, to develop sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movements, master body shifting, build muscles and breath control, develop fluid and smooth motions, and gain rhythmical movements.
Important Points for Practicing Patterns
Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer’s accuracy.
Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.- Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
- The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
- Movement should be accelerated or decelerated according to the instructions in this book.
- Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next.
- Students should know the purpose of each movement.
- Students should perform each movement with realism.
- Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.
The Reason for 24 Patterns
The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity. Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day.
It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount of time. Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives.
Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th century.
The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.
General Choi Hong Hi, Founder of Taekwon-Do