Major General Choi Hong Hi 9th Degree

Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit

White signifies the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of TaeKwon Do

I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do. I shall respect the instructor and seniors. I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do. I shall be a champion of freedom and justice. I shall build a more peaceful world.

Chon Ji' literally means Heaven and Earth. In the orient it is interpretted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, therefore it is the initial pattern played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts, one to represent heaven the other to represent the earth

An 'L Stance' is formed by placing the leading foot facing forwards one and a half shoulder widths in front of the rear foot (measured from the toe of the front foot to the outside of the rear foot) which faces to the side creating an L shape with the feet. 70% of the body weight is placed on the rear foot. This enables the practitioner to react quickly with the front foot to any attacking or defending situations

Three step sparring is designed for the beginner to practice basic techniques with a partner. It teaches the student many things including 1. correct stances 2. correct facing 3. accurate blocks 4. counter attacks 5. timing 6. co-ordination 7. proper distance 8. and forearm conditioning All attackers start in left walking stance, low outer forearm block. All defenders start in parrallel ready stance

Bakat Palmok or Outer Forearm

Yellow signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Tae Kwon Do foundation is being laid

Ap Kumchi or Ball of Foot

To jump, kick or smash with the foot

To punch or destroy with the hand or fist

Art, method or way

Green signifies the plant's growth as TaeKwon-Do skills begin to develop

4th July 2009

22 March 1966

Twin forearm block is made of two blocks - an outer forearm block to the front which finishes with the fist level with the shoulder and an outer forearm rising block to the side to protect the head. This technique is designed to defend against two possible attacks at the same time

Charyot Sogi - Attention Stance. Narani Sogi - Parallel Stance. Annun Sogi - Sitting Stance. Gunnon Sogi - Walking Stance. Niunja Sogi - L Stance.

Kaunde An Palmok Makgi - Middle Inner Forearm Block. Najunde Bakat Palmok Makgi - Low Outer Forearm Block. Chookyo Makgi - Rising Block. Sonkal Daebi Makgi - Knifehand Guarding Block. Sang Palmok Makgi - Twin Forearm Block.

Wedging block is used as a defence against a grasp to the neck, shoulders or head or as a defence against a twin vertical punch to the head. The arms drive upwards in a wedging motion between the attackers arms and then pull down and out to shoulder width forcing the attacker to release their grip. The arms remain at shoulder width during the performance of a counter to afford the defender a level of defence and have the arms in position to do a follow up counter quickly.

The reason for 24 patterns is because, the founder Major General Choi Hong Hi compared the life of man with a day in the life of the earth. He believed that people should strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy to coming generations and in so doing 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 said: ‘Here I leave TaeKwon-do for mankind, as a trace of a man of the late 20th century

Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938) who devoted his entire life furthering the education of Korea and it's Independence movement.

Blue signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in TaeKwon-Do progresses

WON-HYO was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 A.D.

Two Step Sparring is designed for the intermediate student to practice more advanced techniques whilst still maintaining the same distance ands timing as in Three Step but with more varied techniques thus allowing the student to develop various combinations. All attackers start in right L Stance Forearm Guarding Block and all defenders start in Parrallel Ready Stance

Ap Kumchi - Ball of Foot. Balkal – Footsword. Baldung – Instep. Dwit Chook – Back Heal.

Sonkal – Knifehand. Sonbadak – Palm. Sonkut – Finger Tips. Ap Joomuk – Forefist. Dung Joomuk – Back Fist.

Free sparring is when two students are allowed to practice controlled kicking and punching against each other. Each student is trying to land a successful strike or kick to specific targets on their opponent, whilst keeping their own defences tight. Safety equipment must always be worn. This type of sparring must only be carried out under supervision of a qualified instructor. Both students start in a right L¬stance forearm guarding block. Tournament sparring must be seen purely as the sport side of Taekwon-Do and not confused with self defence, it is totally different and must be approached in a totally different manner. To be a competent tournament fighter certain skills have to be developed such as speed, stamina, timing, balance and flexibility. Most students when they attempt tournament sparring for the first time tend to attack without thinking about a good tight defence. Even when all the skills have developed it still does not guarantee success, as with most things there is no substitute for experience.

YUL-GOK is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi l (1536-1584) nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea" The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38 latitude and the diagram represents "scholar".

Explain what attacking tools you would use for certain targets- i.e. knifehand against a soft target like throat or neck, backfist to temple or nose, front snap kick to knee etc.

X Stance is a very convenient stance in particular for attacking to the side or front in a jumping motion. It is frequently used for blocking and serves as a preparatory stance for moving into the next manouevre. Body weight is on the stationary foot. When the weight is on the right foot it is a right X Stance and vice versa

Blue signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in TaeKwon-Do progresses

The name TaeKwon-Do was presented by General Choi Hong Hi 9th degree to a meeting of leading Masters, Historians and Politicians where it became officially recognised

Red signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, whilst warning the opponent to stay away.

One step is the most useful form of sparring there is. One step is practiced to develop the fast reflexes necessary for self defence situations. This form of sparring is completely different to any other form of Taekwon-do sparring, involving take downs, joint locks, strangles and restraints. Both students start in parallel stance. The attack is a front punch in walking stance and the defence and counter any block and counter you are familiar with. At this level you are expected to perform one step with full sine wave. This enables the defender to start developing predictive skills by observing shoulder twist, sine wave and weight transfer in their opponent. Body language is the most important indicator of an attackers intent and should be observed carefully.

JOONG-GUN is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. Ahn's age when he was executed in a Lui-Shung prison (1910).

U Shaped block is a defence against a Bow Staff attack enabling the defender to stop the attack and disarm the opponent

Patterns are practised to improve Taekwon-Do techniques, to develop sparring techniques, improve 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.

The name, the number of movements and the diagrammatic symbol of each pattern symbolize either a historical event, a heroic figure in Korean history or instances relating to historical events. These events are to be respected. Although the history is Korean, all people and cultures can relate to the struggle and triumphs. The messages and morals are universal and the purpose of memorising the meanings is to honour and uphold the people, actions and events, therefore representing the tenets of Taekwon-Do.

TOI-GYE is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 latitude, the diagram represents " scholar".

Red signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, whilst warning the opponent to stay away.

Ap Chagi or Front Kick. Bandal Chagi or Crescent Kick. Bituro Chagi or Twisting Kick. Dollyo Chagi or Roundhouse Kick. Dwi Chagi or Back Kick. Dwi Huryeo Chagi or Spinning Hook Kick. Eedan Ap Chagi or Jumping Front Kick. Geodeup Chagi or Repeating Kick. Huryeo Chagi or Hook Kick. Kawi Chagi or Scissor Kick. Meereo Chagi or Push Kick. Moreup Chigi or Knee Strike. Naeryeo Chagi or Axe Kick. Narae Chagi or Double Roundhouse Kick. Twi-myo Dwi Chagi or Flying Back Kick. Twi-myo Yeop Chagi or Flying Side Kick. Yeop Chagi or Side Kick.

Chookyo Makgi or Rising Block. Sonkal Daebi Makgi or Knifehand Guarding Block. Sang Palmok Makgi or Twin Forearm Block. Anaero Bakat Palmok Makgi or Inward Outer Forearm Block. Ollyo Sonbadak Makgi or Upward Palm Block. Hori Makgi or Waist Block. Dollymio Makgi or Circular Block. Palmok Daebi Makgi or Forearm Guarding Block.

Guburyo Sogi or Bending Stance. Gojong Sogi or Fixed Stance. Moa Chunbi Sogi A or Closed Ready Stance A. Niunja Sogi or L-Stance. Kyocha Sogi or X-Stance. Gunnun Sogi or Walking Stance. Charyot Sogi or Attention Stance. Narani Sogi or Ready Stance. Annun Sogi or Sitting Stance.

Black signifies maturity and proficiency in TaeKwon-Do. Also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa 9th Degree

HWA-RANG is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty around 600 A.D. This group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity

Major General Choi Hong Hi 9th Degree Grand Master

You should think about why you do Taekwon-do and how you practice it. There are no wrong answers to this question. The grading examiner wants to know want motivates you

See Patterns Sections

Black signifies maturity and proficiency in TaeKwon-Do. Also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.