A Pattern is a set of fundamental movements, mainly defence and attack, set in a logical sequence to deal with one or more imaginary opponents. Patterns are an indication of a students progress, a barometer in evaluating an individual’s technique.
We prasctise patterns to improve our Tae Kwon Do techniques, to develop sparring techniques to improve flexibility of movement, master body shifting, develop muscles, balance and brath control. They also enable us to acquire techniques which cannot be obtained from other forms of training.
The reason for 24 patterns in Tae Kwon Do is because the founder, Major General Choi Hong Hi, comared the life od=f a man with a day in the life of the earth and believed that some people should strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy to forthcoming generations and in doing so gain immortality.
Therefore, if we can leqave something behind for the welfare of mankind, maybe it will be the most important thing to happen in our lives
As the founder said:
“Here I leave Tae Kwon Do for mankind.
As a trace of a man of the 20th Century.
The twenty four patterns represent twenty four hours,
One day or all my life.”
When performing patterns –
- Patterns should begin and end on the same spot. This will indicate the students accuracy.
- Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
- Muscles of the body should be tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moment in the pattern.
- Each movement should be accelerated or decelerated according to instructions.
- Students should perform each movement with realism.
- Students should know the purpose of each movement.
- A pattern should be performed in a rythmic movement with the ansence of stiffness.
- Each pattern should be perfected before moving onto the next.