Composition of Taekwon-Do (Taekwon-Do goosong)

1. Fundamental movements - gibon yonsup
2. Patterns - tul
3. Sparring - matsogi
4. Self-defence - hosin sool
5. Training - dallyon

Taekwon-Do is composed of fundamental movements, patterns, dallyon, sparring and self-defence techniques that are so closely related that it is impossible to segregate one phase of instruction from another.

Fundamental movements are necessary for sparring and patterns while both patterns and sparring are indispensable for the perfection of fundamental movements.

In the illustration, one can see it is difficult to distinguish the beginning of the cycle from the end. There is, in fact, like the deity, no beginning or end. A student will find that lie will have to return time and time again to the beginning fundamental movements to perfect his advanced sparring and self-defence techniques.

Each fundamental movement, in most cases represents attack or defense against a particular target area or definite action of an imaginary opponent or opponents. It is necessary to learn as many fundamental movements as possible and fit them into complete proficiency so the student can meet any situation in actual combat with confidence. The pattern actually places the student in a hypothetical situation where he must avail himself to defense, counter-attack, and attack motions against several opponents.

Through constant practise of these patterns, the attack and defense become a conditioned reflex movement. Power and accuracy must be developed to such a high degree that only one single blow is needed to stop an opponent, so the student can shift stance and block or attack another opponent. Each pattern is different from the other in order to develop reaction against changing circumstances.

Once the basic patterns are mastered, the student then begins to physically apply the skill obtained from fundamental movements and patterns to sparring against actual moving opponents.

Colloterally with sparring, the student must begin to develop his body and toughen his attacking and blocking tools so he is able to deliver maximum damage in actual combat. Once a student has applied himself to fundamental movements, patterns, sparring, and dallyon, then the time has arrived for the student to test his coordination, speed, balance, and concentration against spontaneous attacks; i.e., sell-defence. The student will constantly find himself returning, however, to his fundamental movements even when he has achieved the highest possible degree of proficiency in self-defence techniques. As in military training. Taekwon-Do progression follows a certain parallel:

1. Fundamental Movements = Individual solidier`s basic training.
2. Dallyon = Maintenance of equipment.
3. Patterns = Platoon tactics.
4. Sparring = Field exercise in simulated combat conditions.
5. Self-defense = Actual combat.

Fundamental movements - gibon yonsup

Fundamental movements („gibon yonsup“) in Taekwon-Do is core of training. It is usually a combination of designated positions with some specific techniques of hands, feet or other body parts (eg head), or combination thereof (eg hands and knees). Taekwon-Do ITF contains three thousand accurately described techniques.

Along with the training of basic movements, student also has to know on the one hand attacking (contact) tools of all techniques and on the other hand vital spots of the opponent body. Only a very good knowledge of all these things can be our defense or attack effective.

Patterns - tul - 틀

The ancient law in the Orient was similar to the law of Hamurabi, „an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,“ and was rigorously enforced even if death was caused accidentally. In this type of environment, and since the present system of free sparring had not yet been developed, it was impossible for a student of the martial arts to practise or test his individual skill of attack and defense against actual moving opponents. Individual advancement was certainly hindered until an imaginative practitioner created the first patterns.

Patterns are various fundamental movements, most of which represent either attack or defense techniques, set to a fixed and logical sequence.

The student systematically deals with several imaginary opponents under various assumptions, using every available attacking and blocking tool from different directions. Thus pattern practice enables the student to go through many fundamental movements in series, to develop sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movements, master body shifting, build muscles and breath control, develop fluid and smooth motions, and gain rythmical movements. It also enables a student to acquire certain special techniques which cannot be obtained from either fundamental exercises or sparring. In short, a pattern can be compared to unit tactics or a word, if fundamental movement is an individual soldier´s training or alphabet. Accordingly, pattern, the ledger of every movement, is a series of sparring, power tests, feats and characteristic beauty. Though sparring may merely indicate that an opponent is more or less advanced, patterns are a more critical barometer in evaluating an individual´s technique.

The following points should be considered while performing patterns:

1. Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer´s accuracy.
2. Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
3. Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
4. The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
5. Movement should be accelerated or decelerated according to the instructions in this book.
6. Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next.
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each movement with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.

There are a total of twenty-four patterns in Taekwon Do. 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 travellers who pass by the eternal years of an aeon 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." (gen. Choi Hong Hi)

The name of the pattern, the number of movements, and the diagrammatic symbol of each pattern symbolizes either heroic figures in Korean history or instances relating to historical events.

Sparring - matsogi - 맞서기

Sparring is the physical application of attack and defence techniques gained from pattern and fundamental exercise against an actual moving opponent or opponents under various situations. It is, therefore, not only inseparable from pattern and fundamental movement but also indispensable to promote the fighting spirit and courage, to train the eyes, to read the opponent´s tactic and manoeuvers, to forge the attacking and blocking tools, to test his or her own skills and ability and to learn other movements hardly to be gained from pattern or fundamental exercise.

Self-defense - hosin sool - 호신술

These techniques are not only the most interesting in Taekwon-Do but also the most advanced. They are, in every sense, for practicai self-defense. These techniques are the logical application of various motions acquired from patterns, sparring, and fundamental movements to be used against a sudden attack by an armed or unarmed opponent.

The defender must know how to make use of his opponent´s momentum and force while utilizing his or her dynamic and reflexive actions against a momentarily undefended target.

Certainly, these self-defense techniques can only be effective if the student takes the time to constantly train with them under realistic conditions.

Training - dallyon - 단련

The training is basic unit, serving to increase both the technical as well as fitness readiness of each student Taekwon-Do. The aim for every coach is that his students achieve in these areas the best possible results. This practice has very much both specific and nonspecific exercises, e. g. development of mobility, maneuverability, speed, power, resistance or a hardening thrusting surfaces. Only if student practices these exercises Taekwon-Do techniques can be effectively applied in real combat.