Tip 12/02

Patterns: Head Posture.

No matter which family series of TKD patterns that one may practice, we are always searching for better execution presentation. One key area is that of optimal head movement.

Before we make a turn in a pattern, most of us are mentally preparing ourselves for it, consciously or not. We know the motion down pat (of course, knowing the motion and knowing it's meaning are two different things, ok?), and we execute it as such.

The purpose of the turn in most patterns is to meet a new (virtual) threat. In order to do so, wouldn't it be better to try and properly identify the threat first? To this end, turn your head first into the direction of the threat BEFORE executing your stance and blocks. Besides being more realistically correct, it also looks far better to knowledgeable observers.

An example, utilizing the first step of KeeCho Hana, aka KiCho Il Bo:
1) ChoonBe;
2) Turn the head to the left (threat identification first);
3) Turn the body to face the threat, drawing the feet into a transitory stance, simultaneously preparing for the lower or down block (readying the response);
4) Move into appropriate front stance and execute block (threat neutralization).

TQ: Master Tony Tay