Produced by the International Taekwon-Do Federation. This book contains the 24 ITF Patterns as designed by General Choi Hong Hi and the intent has been to standardize the pattern movements.The main idea is to facilitate an understanding and provide a clear interpretation of the patterns just as they are presented every year at the courses taught by these great masters.

The eagerly anticipated updated return of a bestselling martial arts classic The leaders of Tae Kwon Do, an Olympic sport and one of the worldÍs most popular martial arts, are fond of saying that their art is ancient and filled with old dynasties and superhuman feats. In fact, Tae Kwon Do is as full of lies as it is powerful techniques. Since its rough beginnings in the Korean military 60 years ago, the art empowered individuals and nations, but its leaders too often hid the painful truths that led to that empowerment „ the gangsters, secret-service agents, and dictators who encouraged cheating, corruption, and murder. A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do takes you into the cults, geisha houses, and crime syndicates that made Tae Kwon Do. It shows how, in the end, a few key leaders kept the art clean and turned it into an empowering art for tens of millions of people in more than 150 countries. A Killing Art is part history and part biography „ and a wild ride to enlightenment. This new and revised edition of the bestselling book contains previously unnamed sources and updated chapters.

..". another much needed resource for all students of Korean Martial Arts. Yes all Korean Martial Arts! " - Master George Vitale, 8th Degree Through the patterns of Ch'ang Hon (ITF) Taekwon-Do, thousands of students around the world have learned more about Korea and its history than by any other resource, due in no uncertain terms to the fact that General Choi Hong Hi chose to name the patterns after famous historical figures or events from Korean history, the patterns that hundreds of thousands of Taekwon-Do students now practice! However, with the name of each pattern, General Choi only left the smallest snippet of information on those people or events, which for years, has left many students wanting to know more. This book aims to fulfil that 'want' and provides a much deeper insight and background into the lives of the illustrious figures (or events) that so inspired General Choi. In this book you will learn more that you ever knew about these great figures in Korean history and understand what lead to them being chosen as a name for one of General Choi's patterns, but more importantly, their great contributions to Korea and its history, just as General Choi wanted! In General Choi's own words "A part of Korea therefore now exists across the whole world and Korea's nationality and history can never be removed by oppressors again." Apart from expanding on the histories behind each of the Ch'ang Hon (ITF) patterns, this book corrects some small errors and reveals some interesting titbits and revelations along the way. "It finally puts those last pieces of missing jigsaw in to place and completes the whole picture for the reader." - Master Ray Gayle, 8th Degree

..". the art merely became like a domesticated wild cat, content to sleep whilst still retaining a savagery at its heart enabling it to bare its teeth when required." - John Dowding, 4th degree Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul: Real Applications To The ITF Patterns, Vol. 2 continues where the ground breaking Vol. 1 left off. In Vol. 2 the senior patterns of the Ch'ang Hon System up to 2nd Dan, have gone through the same in-depth analysis as the lower grade patterns originally did, with each one having been examined, dissected and rebuilt to help the student of Taekwon-do to understand what is really contained within the patterns we practice in Taekwon-do. Patterns Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo, Kwang-Gae, Po-Eun, Ge-Baek, Eui-Am, Choong-Jang, Ko-Dang and Juche have been examined in-depth to find more realistic applications for their movements - based upon what the author refers to as their 'DNA'. In this volume, even the ready postures and stances have been examined and the results are documented in step by step photographic detail, using over 2,200 photographs. Comprising over 350 pages, this book not only shows more realistic applications to the Red Belt, 1st Dan and 2nd Dan patterns, but also explains how it is possible to achieve these applications in the first place, why General Choi, Hong Hi, the founder of Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do couldn't make the same conclusions, as well as expelling a falsehood that has been with Taekwon-Do since its inception! After reading this book, the patterns of Taekwon-do no longer seem just a collection of movements, performed in a dance-like fashion for competitions or gradings, but become realistic techniques that can actually be utilised as real world self defence applications - making this a must-read companion to Vol. 1, for all students who study and practice Taekwon-do.

"The essential text on Taekwondo's widely practiced ITF patterns, written by the author of the landmark 896-page book, "Taekwondo: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique."" ----- This informative text provides a detailed summary of the 24 patterns historically associated with the International Taekwondo Federation, which are widely appreciated for their traditional qualities, aesthetic beauty, and technical variety. The patterns presented in this work are those sanctioned by the forms' creator, Hong-Hi Choi, at the time of his death. Clearly written and expertly designed and photographed by the author of the landmark 896-page "Taekwondo," this book is essential reading for all forms enthusiasts seeking a concise and accurate presentation of the entire ITF forms system. It includes: Over 3000 high-quality photographs and 380 illustrations A concise overview of the historical origins of forms and patterns An outline of general principles of execution and interpretation Underlying philosophical concepts and meanings associated with each individual ITF pattern, as well as other Taekwondo forms systems Detailed presentations for each of the 24 patterns, including alternate views, closeups of complex actions, footwork drawings, and pattern diagrams A highly practical and portable book for all Taekwondo practitioners Note: The information in this 180-page book comes from material extracted from the author's 896-page work, "Taekwondo: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique." Readers seeking a comprehensive presentation of Taekwondo should obtain the larger work. View sample pages, read book reviews, or get more information at marctedeschi.com

Taekwondo, which literally means “the way of the hand and foot,” is an indigenous Korean tradition and the world’s most popular martial art. This book is an excellent guide for people new to the sport as well as those familiar with the beauty, efficiency and sophistication of taekwondo. The chapters cover topics ranging from taekwondo’s origins in Korea and the meanings of both the martial art and sport to taekwondo’s rapid spread worldwide and adoption as an official Olympic event. Anything and everything about taekwondo is jam-packed in this book, which appeals to both the novice and the advanced black belt.

This Taekwon-Do ITF handbook is a comprehensive resource for all belt colours covering the theory, step-by-step guide to all the patterns, terminology, Korean terms and in-depth Taekwon-do meanings and power needed for each of the belt gradings up to Black Belt. The handbook also includes a step by step outlaying, in both English and Korean, of each move for all nine patterns up to Black Belt.It's a quick and easy reference listing the basic ITF curriculum needed to successfully pass the theory component of each grading. Including the belt colours, pattern meanings, taekwondo forms, kicks and order of patterns, Ki'haps, Korean terms, commands, directions and more, in both English and easy to follow Korean.There are corresponding English and Korean words for kicks, blocks, punches, thrusts, strikes and the various hand and body parts, all categorized and clearly laid out to assist referencing and study.

For the first time, all fifteen patterns [tul] of the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do that are taught within the black belt syllabus of the International Taekwon-Do Federation are presented here in a single volume. This landmark book shows every single move of each pattern executed by the internationally renowned Taekwon-Do exponent and instructor, Master Jim Hogan. Each movement is clearly illustrated with a full-length photograph accompanied by a detailed commentary, a diagram showing the position of the move within the pattern, an overall description of the pattern, and the Korean translation for every single technique.Together with the authors' earlier volume, Taekwon-Do Patterns from Beginner to Black Belt, all twenty-four Taekwon-Do patterns are now described and analysed in remarkable detail. The books are clearly focused on the needs of the Taekwon-Do practitioner, and are an invaluable resource for every Taekwon-Do student. Superbly illustrated with 1500 colour photographs, including full-length photographs and diagrams illustrating every single move of each pattern.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the historical, political, and technical evolution of taekwondo. Many of the supposedly ‘traditional’ and ‘ancient’ Korean cultural elements attached to taekwondo are, in fact, remnants of East Asia’s modernization drive, and largely inherited from the Japanese martial arts. The current historical portrayal has created an obstacle to a clear understanding of the history of taekwondo, and presents problems and contradictions in philosophy and training methodology. Using rich empirical data, including interviews with leading figures in the field, this book brings together martial arts philosophy with an analysis of the technical aspects and the development of taekwondo, and provides a detailed comparison of karate and taekwondo techniques. It debunks nationalistic mythology surrounding taekwondo to provide a reinterpretation of taekwondo’s evolution.

Carefully crafted entries on the history, philosophy, and evolution of the martial arts worldwide, including contemporary practice.