About The Project
The ITF patterns must be executed with utmost uniformity!
However, their applications must be tailored to the individual!
ITF Taekwon-Do’s essence lies in its 24 patterns, crafted by the late Gen. Choi Hong Hi, commonly known as “Tul” in Korean.
The ITF technical committee oversees the patterns´ performance and execution, ensuring they adhere to standardized guidelines.
Yet, the applications are meant to be individualized. Every technique and combination have multiple uses. The ones that are right for you hinge on factors like experience, physique, strength, flexibility, context, stamina, size, capability, mobility, attire, environment, and the opponent you face.
“Self-defense is a personal skill!”
Robert Boer
Beware of Stagnation
A most limiting belief is:
“We’ve always done it this way!”
The ITF Radix logo encapsulates our philosophy.
Inspired by the ITF tree found on every ITF dobok, it represents the ITF Taekwon-Do lineage initiated by Gen. Choi Hong Hi.
The yin and yang, in contrasting black and white, signify dualities - primarily heaven and earth, as alluded to in Chon-Ji Tul.
The wave symbolizes the sine wave, a distinctive feature of ITF Taekwon-Do.
The tree’s roots, representing “Radix”, are often concealed. To truly understand them, one must delve. These roots provide sustenance and hydration to the tree. Without them, the tree withers and becomes hollow. To truly nurture the tree, one must enrich the soil, hydrate it, and ensure it receives ample sunlight.
One who knows the meaning of the color belts can see the connections clearly as they also refer to soil, plants, and heaven. With the red belt signifies danger and the unknown in X, the last letter in Radix
We are searching for the unknown X in the hidden applications but keeps reminding ourselves of the challenges of being both traditional and innovative. Yet, the yin and yang guide us toward equilibrium.
“Applications must be tailored to the individual!”
— Roy Rolstad
The 4 stages of ITF Radix
Merely practising a pattern doesn’t guarantee its effective use against a real opponent.
Understanding Do and Sul!
Sul, as in Hosinsul, translates to technique. Do borrow from the Chinese Dao or Thao, which means the Way, art, or method.
Our belief is:
Refining Sul through rigorous training transforms it into Do.
It is like the difference between knowledge and skill. The difference between them is training.
You can learn something in five minutes, but it requires training to make it a useful skill.
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Learn the pattern with all the details, positions, turns, and so on.
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There are multiple applications to every technique. Be open-minded to solutions that you might have not seen yet.
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The most important rule! The more you play around, the more you find out. With both compliant partners, scaled resistance, and full resistance. keep it playful and competitive. Make the applications a part of you. Drill and experience.
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When you have played around with the applications so much that they are almost unrecognizable from the patterns, a natural part of your movement and handling of an opponent. Then you can fight with it.
“You must unlearn what you have learned!”
— Yoda, Jedi Grand Master