Sam-il Pattern – Instructor Preview & Insights

Sam-Il Pattern

Sam-il denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1,1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.-Il is the first pattern learned at 3rd degree level.

It is a pattern widely loved for its smooth flow and the inclusion of challenging kicks such as the sweeping kicks and twisting kick.

Sample Video

Here is a short clip from a casual patterns coaching session between former Patterns World Champions Master Mark Trotter and Miss Melissa Bray on Sam-Il. Even in this brief excerpt you will pick up performance-focused tips that apply to competitors, and practical reminders that help 3rd dans refine their Sam-Il syllabus work.

Key Technical Insights from GM Paul McPhail

Drawing from my ongoing study and technical work within ITF Taekwon-Do, each pattern in this Hub includes a short set of key technical points – practical reminders practitioners often overlook. These notes are personal insights based on decades of experience and are not official ITF Technical Committee statements.

About Sam-Il

Sam-Il is a beautifully structured 3rd dan pattern with a strong emphasis on flow, balance, and accurate transitions. It rewards practitioners who can stay relaxed while maintaining precision, especially when combining turning movements with kicking technique. Because the kicks are visually distinctive and the hand techniques interesting, Sam-il is a favorite pattern for many.

Training Suggestions

• Isolate the sweeping kick and twisting kick for short sets, focusing on chamber, trajectory, and controlled return.
• Film one run-through from the front and one from the side to check the technique.

Full Sam-Il Premium Breakdown

The full, in-depth breakdown of Sam-Il is available for TKDCoaching Premium Members.

In this session Mr Trotter takes Melissa Timperley through the pattern and shares a large number of tournament-performance tips, plus practical technical corrections that carry over into all patterns work.

 Watch the full Sam-Il breakdown video (Premium)

Background & Interesting Details

• The Sam-Il Movement of 1 March 1919 was a non-violent civilian uprising, based on public declarations and mass demonstrations rather than armed resistance, making Sam-Il unusual among patterns in that it commemorates collective civic action rather than a military figure.

• Although the movement was suppressed, it directly led to the formation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea later in 1919, giving Sam-Il significance as the catalyst for organised national independence efforts.

• The 33 signatories of the Declaration of Independence came from diverse religious and ideological backgrounds, including Confucian, Christian, and Buddhist leaders, reinforcing Sam-Il’s symbolism of national unity across social divisions.

FAQ

• What grade is Sam-Il for?
  Sam-Il is the first pattern learned at 3rd dan level.
• What are the most common mistakes in Sam-Il?
  Rushing the rhythm and letting the sweeping kick or twisting kick become loose due to poor chamber and recovery.
• How should I introduce Sam-Il to new 3rd dans?
  Teach this pattern first – not only because that is the correct order, but it is also the easiest of the three 3rd dan patterns and not difficult to remember. Teach it in sections based on the pattern diagram.

More TKD Patterns and Resources

TKD Patterns Hub – patterns and instructor-focused insights

Explore more pattern previews and coaching notes for all 24 ITF tuls.

Related pages:
Insights on All 24 Patterns by GM McPhail
Favourite Pattern Survey – we’d love to know what you think

Become a TKDCoaching Member

If you find these pattern insights helpful, you’ll love the full TKDCoaching library.
Premium Members get access to complete breakdowns, instructor courses, warm-ups, sparring sessions, self-defence modules and much more.

 Become a TKDCoaching Premium Member today