White Belt
Form: Ki-Bon Pattern
Patterns are an important aspect of training in Taekwondo. Patterns help develop proper technique and focus. Patterns also build muscle and improve both flexibility and accuracy. For each different colored belt, the pattern changes and becomes more complicated. The majority of the patterns (except Yul- Gok, Ul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes Taekwondoʼs defensive nature. All of the patterns start and end at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction. There are 24 patterns in the ITF style of Taekwondo; this is symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns; such as the number of moves, the diagram, or the way the pattern ends may also be historical references.
One-Step Sparring
One-step sparring is the most controlled method of sparring. Students practice fighting combinations with a stationary opponent without contact. One-step sparring teaches students how to hit critical target areas on the human body and encourages students to use a wide variety of fighting techniques. One-step also help students develop physical control of these techniques and teach them the proper distance from a target that a technique should be executed. White and Yellow belts are required to learn pre-arranged one-steps as part of their training.
