ITF Taekwondo Patterns (with Video & Written Instructions)

This page provides free video and written instructions for all of the ITF Taekwondo patterns 1 through 24. These color belt and black belt Taekwondo patterns are used by the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), one of the two largest Taekwondo organizations. If you are looking for the “forms” used by World Taekwondo (the other main Taekwondo organization), please go to the Black Belt Wiki section on Taekwondo Forms. Be aware that students are also frequently tested on the meaning of each ITF pattern. Therefore, you should also visit the Black Belt Wiki section focused on the meaning of ITF patterns in order to prep for a belt test.

Instructional BooksTaekwondo Books

ITF Taekwondo Preparatory Exercises – These exercises are often used in order to prepare beginning students for the traditional ITF patterns (i.e. Chon-Ji).

ITF Taekwondo Patterns – The patterns below include free video and/or written step-by-step instructions.

  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 1 – Chon-Ji
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 2 – Dan-Gun
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 3 – Do-San
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 4 – Won-Hyo
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 5 – Yul-Gok
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 6 – Joong-Gun
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 7 – Toi-Gye
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 8 – Hwa-Rang
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 9 – Choong-Moo
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 10 – Kwang-Gae
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 11 – Po-Eun
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 12 – Gae-Baek
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 13 – Eui-Am
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 14 – Choong-Jang
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 15 – Juche
    • Juche officially replaced Ko-Dang in the 1980s. However, some ITF schools still include Ko-Dang as part of their black belt grading system. For more information & videos on Ko-Dang, please visit the ITF Taekwondo Pattern – Ko-Dang page.
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 16 – Sam-Il
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 17 – Yoo-Sin
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 18 – Choi-Yong
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 19 – Yong-Gae
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 20 – Ul-Ji
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 21 – Moon-Moo
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 22 – So-San
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 23 – Se-Jong
  • ITF Taekwondo Pattern 24 – Tong-Il

Reasons to Learn Taekwondo Patterns

Taekwondo patterns are also known as forms, teul, tul, poomse, poomsae, hyeong, hyung, etc. In Karate, this technique is known as kata. Taekwondo patterns are used to practice techniques (i.e. kicking combinations) as well as for improving strength & conditioningbalance, focus/concentration, etc.

To master ITF patterns, martial arts students should try to imagine that they are fighting an imaginary opponent. This allows students to practice “offensive” and “defensive” techniques (i.e. strike the imaginary opponent’s neck at the correct height and angle) versus just going through the motions in order to pass a belt test.

You should also visit Black Belt Wiki’s sections on The Benefits of Kata, Forms & Patterns and Are Forms & Patterns Useful or Useless.

History of ITF Taekwondo Patterns

According to the International Taekwon-do Federation, “General Choi developed twenty-four Taekwon-Do patterns. He chose the number 24 to correspond to the 24 hours in the day, a continuously repeated cycle that represents eternity. He named each pattern (except Chon-Ji) after important people in Korean history, as a reminder of the importance of honoring and cultivating respect for those who have accomplished great things. For certain patterns, the shape of the diagram and the total number of movements representing the pattern are also significant. A Taekwon-Do pattern is a choreographed sequence of fundamental movements in an imaginary fight against one attacker or several. The execution of the movements requires the application of the Theory of Power. Correct breathing generates internal energy, which increases power”.

ITF Taekwondo Pattern Questions

What are Taekwondo patterns?

Taekwondo patterns are a series of standardized movements that Taekwondo students use in order to practice “offensive” and “defensive” techniques without a partner. Taekwondo students must perform the movements correctly in Taekwondo patterns in order to pass belt tests. Beyond helping Taekwondo students to practice Taekwondo kicks and strikes, patterns are also used to improve a student’s physical conditioning, muscle memory, focus/concentration, balance, etc.

How many patterns are there in ITF Taekwondo?

There are 24 official ITF Taekwondo patterns. The number of patterns was chosen by General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of ITF Taekwondo, because 24 was symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. The names of the 24 patterns are based on important events or people in Korean history.

What does ITF Taekwondo mean?

ITF Taekwondo stands for the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). The International Taekwon-Do Federation focuses on Taekwondo, a Korean martial arts style.  The ITF was founded in 1966 by General Choi Hong Hi. The ITF is one of the two largest styles of Taekwondo. The other being the World Taekwondo (WT). The ITF teaches slightly different Taekwondo techniques (i.e. stances) when compared to the WT. In addition, ITF Taekwondo patterns are completely different versus WT Taekwondo forms.

What are the fitness benefits of Taekwondo patterns?

The performance of Taekwondo forms & patterns has many fitness benefits. For example, forms & patterns can help students to lose weight given the significant calorie expenditure achieved during training. They may also improve a student’s muscular strength and muscle tone given their use of powerful kicks, punches, leaps, etc. Moreover, the conditioning required to perform numerous form & pattern sessions also improves a student’s stamina and energy.

Another fitness benefit is that forms & patterns can improve a person’s balance because they need to learn and practice different stances, kicking positions, etc. Furthermore, forms & patterns can improve eye, hand and foot coordination because students need to combine a wide variety of kicks, punches and stances. It also has the fitness benefit of enhancing flexibility because students need to master difficult or advanced form & pattern techniques.

Finally, Taekwondo forms & patterns has the fitness benefit where it can help with the athletic performance in other sports. It provides excellent cross training and thus improves an athlete’s overall coordination, balance, strength, stamina, etc.

ITF Taekwondo

Taekwondo Patterns

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons via its Creative Commons license

References

  1. Taekwondo pattern information kindly provided by TaekwondoAnimals.com and this information may not be copied, http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-ITF-forms.asp
  2. International Taekwon-do Federation, About ITF Taekwon-do, http://www.tkd-itf.org/about-us/about-itf-taekwon-do/overview-of-itf-taekwon-do