What is a Pattern (Tul)?
A pattern is a set of fundamental movements, mainly defense and attack, set in a logical sequence to deal with one or more imaginary opponents. Patterns are an indication of a student’s progress a barometer in evaluating an individual’s technique.
Why do we perform Patterns?
We practice patterns to Improve our Tae Kwon Do techniques, to develop sparring techniques, to improve flexibility of movement, master body-shifting, develop muscles, balance and breath control. They also enable us to acquire techniques which cannot be obtained from other forms of training.
Why are there twenty four Patterns?
The reason for twenty four patterns in Tae Kwon Do is because the founder, General Choi Hong Hi, compared the life of man with a day in the life of the earth and believed that some people should strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy to coming generations and in doing so gain immortality.
Therefore, if we can leave something behind for the welfare of mankind, maybe it will be the most important thing to happen in our lives, as the founder says:
“Here I leave Tae Kwon Do for mankind. As a trace of a man of the late 20th Century. The twenty four patterns represent twenty four hours, one day or all of my life.” For any student to say “I do not like patterns!” is a statement saying you do not like Taekwon-Do!
There is no 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 You Tube, 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.
“Do not chase belts, chase proficiency and understanding of technique”