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Patterns serve several purposes. They force students to practice techniques that are not normally used. They provide a history lesson of the development of Taekwondo and are a storehouse of decades of Taekwondo knowledge. Patterns contain techniques that are still effective even though they are not pertinent to modern competition sparring. Patterns provide a way to compete for students who do not compete in sparring. Patterns allow students to express their artist abilities. Patterns may be effectively performed either individually or in a group.

Pattern movements have little to do with sparring or self-defense. No one in Taekwondo believes that it is possible to practice techniques in patterns that would cover the huge number of attacks available to opponents or assailants. The first patterns that were developed were based on actual combat techniques and were used to record them. Many techniques in modern patterns are there just for flash, some may be useful, but most are useless. Combat strategy is not to have a vast repertoire of techniques, but to perfect a few effective techniques. This is the same strategy used by good tournament fighters. Masters of old practiced one or two patterns until the techniques become instinctive. Now we have so many patterns to practice that their usefulness is diluted.

Some criticisms of pattern movements include:

• Many movements used against multiple attacks by one attacker or against simultaneous attacks by multiple attackers. The chances of an attacker attacking with more than one technique at the same locations required in a pattern movement are slim. The same holds true for multiple attackers simultaneously attacking the required locations.  

  • To be useful, the movements in patterns should not be reliant upon the opponent performing a sequence of actions. They should only deal with the first attack or be preemptive. From then on, the movements should give the opponent no opportunity for any choice of action. While it is true that some techniques flow naturally from one to another so that, if your opponent uses one technique, there is a good chance that the next move will be predictable. However, as the sequence gets longer, the less likely it is that the opponent's movements will flow predictably.

• Some movements rely on your sixth sense to detect an attack from behind and successfully block it. When concentrating on an attacker in the front, you will not be aware of another attacker to the rear no matter how good you are.

  • When making movements to defend against another opponent to the rear, think of the movement as a reaction to a single opponent who move around to that side.

• Too many movements are against long range attacks. While it is true that practically all sparring occurs at medium or long range, most real fights are at close range.

  • Since close range fighting is often neglected in Taekwondo training, many students look to other arts for grappling experience.

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