Are Patterns Useful In Modern Taekwondo ?

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.