Recognised by:
Kukkiwon
The World Taekwondo Federation
European Taekwondo Union
British Taekwondo Council
British Taekwondo Control Board
Taekwondo Chungdokwan GB
British Students Taekwondo Federation

CONTACT:
Tel - 02072776024 / 07908917097
Email - enquiries@sbtkd.com

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PATTERNS:
Patterns or forms (poomsae in the Korean language) are a pattern of defending and attacking movements against imaginary opponents from all directions.  Poomsae show the essence of taekwondo spirit and the technical system of the art.  All grades learn and practice poomse.

Members can view all pattern movies and print pattern sheets in the members area.)

Through the practice of poomsae, students come to learn the applications of the various techniques of taekwondo.  They serve a multidimensional role, aiding in development and refinement of balance, breath control, coordination, rhythm and timing.  All are essential to the        

They are a unique and scientific form of technical sequences, which preserves the centuries-old traditionalism of Korea.  Thus it is said, “without forms there is no taekwondo”.  They start with basic movements and progress in difficulty.  The student learns patience through repetition, providing the opportunity to review and perfect their techniques.  Click on a link below to find out more:

History:
In ancient times, poomsae was the only method of initiating the secret of the martial art from Master to student.  There are three types of formal exercises fundamental to the study of taekwondo; basic or base forms, law or command forms and taegeuk (bigness, eternity) forms.  Each set of forms was conceived with a particular philosophical viewpoint: a reference to the ancient Oriental concept of yin and yang - two opposing forces interacting, forever changing yet always constant.  They contain the essence of everything.  Thus, taegeuk has no form, no beginning and no ending either.  Nevertheless, everything comes from taegeuk.  When performing poomsae, the student should bear in mind that we are all born as we shall die, naked, bringing nothing into this world and taking nothing out of it.

The Kukkiwon uses the word pumsae for form. Pumsae philosophy originates from the book 'I Ching', a Chinese oracle. The I Ching has 64 hexagrams, a combination of two sets of three lines, closed or broken. The sets of three lines are called trigrams. The closed lines represent Yang, the open lines Yin. In the Chinese language, the unity of Yin and Yang is called 'taich'i'. In the Korean language, the unity is called Tae-geuk. This explains the term pumsae Taegeuk. The eight trigrams together are called Pal-gwe as in pumsae Palgwe.

Most Kukkiwon schools will use the pumsae Taegeuk whereas a few schools will use the pumsae Palgwe. The meanings, trigrams and symbols are shared by both pumsae Taegeuk and pumsae Palgwe, however the sequence of movements is different. The first 8 forms of the set of pumsae differ from each other, whereas the last 9 forms of the set are shared between the two sets.
Palgwe pumsae were used from 1967 to 1971. Taegeuk pumsae have been in use from 1971 to the present time. Kukkiwon states that Palgwe pumsae have been eliminated.

The official forms for Kukki-Taekwondo, as mandated by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters), are the Taegeuk pumsae. Pumsae is sometimes written as poomse; however this would lead to an incorrect pronunciation as the Hangeul for the term uses the same Jamo as the Tae in Taekwondo, not the sound "Sey" (comparison: Teh-kwon-do not Tay-kwon-do nor Tie-kwon-do). However, many dialects of Korean pronounce the jamo ae and e almost identically. The Hanja meaning for pumsae is "Quality Shapes of Strength"

On February 26, 1987, the Kukkiwon amended the spelling with it being interpreted as poomsae, which changed the Hanja character from the earlier "se" to the current "Sae". This also changed the meaning to one that is more complex. This has been reflected in the WTF World Poomsae Championships and of which the inaugural event was held in Seoul, South Korea in September 2006.