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A pattern is like a song sung in a foreign language.
It sounds beautiful, but unless you understand
the language, its words are meaningless.

A pattern (also called a form) is a prearranged series of different defensive, counter, and offensive techniques that must be performed in a precise, logical sequence with specific foot movements and stances in imaginary combat against a number of assailants. The student must systematically deal with several imaginary opponents who are attacking with various techniques from different directions. The student begins a pattern by standing at attention, bowing, and then stepping with his or her left foot in a certain direction using a specific technique. Some patterns are performed solidly, some quickly with acrobatics, some gracefully, and some are performed very slowly with great muscle tension. The closest relatives of patterns are shadow boxing, dancing, or a gymnastics floor routine.  

"Hyung" (connected moves) is the Korean term for a pattern. "Kata" is the Japanese term for a form or pattern. The World Taekwondo Federation uses the term "poomse." The International Taekwondo Federation used to use the term "hyung," now they use the term "tull." The Taekwondo America organization uses the English term "pattern." TKDTutor.com uses the term pattern.

The "founder" of one of the "realistic" martial arts says that patterns are useless. He says that "Learning to dance is not learning to fight." In his opinion, pretending to learn how to fight while dancing is a way for instructors to drag out the time required to advance. Although patterns have been used by millions of great martial arts masters and their students for centuries, this "master" says it is all useless. As others of the same ilk have done in the past, if you do not enjoy doing something or you cannot do something, then criticize it and invent something you can do.

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