Patterns

What is a pattern?

A central part of the Tae Kwon Do syllabus is the teaching of Patterns. These are similar in concept to Kata in Karate. A pattern is a series of pre-defined techniques played out as if facing an imaginary opponent. Each grading that a student undertakes will involve perfoming one or more patterns which increase in complexity as the grade rises.

Each pattern consists of a set number of techniques performed in a pre-defined sequence. Each has a meaning which must be learnt and understood.

For more information about the concept of patterns see the ITF Patterns page.

Patterns and Grades

The following table highlights the patterns which must be learnt for each grading. Click on the name of the pattern to display more details.

* Saju Jirugi is technically an exercise rather than a pattern.