Choong-Jang Pattern – Instructor Preview & Insights

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TKDCoaching’s TKD Patterns Hub provides instructors with clear teaching insights, coaching cues, and step-by-step guidance for every ITF pattern. This page offers an instructor-focused preview of Choong-Jang highlighting key technical details, common errors to watch for, and practical coaching ideas you can apply immediately in class.

Choong-Jang is the second of three 2nd degree black belt patterns in ITF Taekwon-Do. With 52 movements and several challenging changes of direction, it is an excellent test of balance, control and pattern rhythm. This page gives you a taste of the pattern through free sample clips, key teaching points and background information, along with a link to the full Premium breakdown on TKDCoaching.com.

Use this page as a quick reference when you are teaching or training Choong-Jang, and direct your students here if they want a reliable model to copy between classes.

Full Choong-Jang Breakdown (Premium)

The full Choong-Jang breakdown class is available to TKDCoaching Premium Members. It includes in-depth coaching points, common mistakes and corrections, teaching progressions and a detailed walkthrough of all 52 movements.

👉 Watch the full Choong-Jang breakdown video (Premium)

Sample Choong-Jang Pattern Clips

The clip below is another excerpt from our full video, showing Mark Trotter giving advice on how to perform the front snap kicks in the pattern. This clip is designed as a quick reference and coaching aid – the full Premium video goes into far more detail on technique, rhythm and teaching methods.

If you like these clips and want full access to the detailed breakdown, consider becoming a Premium Member – you will unlock Choong-Jang plus hundreds of other coaching videos.

Key Technical Points for Choong-Jang

Strong change of direction: Emphasise clear pivoting and stance control when the pattern changes direction sharply. Many students lose power and balance at these points.
Consistent stance lengths: Check that walking and L-stances are all keeping a consistent length and width. Choong-Jang quickly reveals any stance habits from earlier patterns.
Ground turning kick: Lower the knee to 45 degrees on the ground. Turning kick to side front. When you kick, the weight is mainly on the left palm. The right palm can come slightly off the floor.
Ground punch: Punch to the centre.
Knee front snap kick: This is a snap kick, and in the case of the knee kick we relax momentarily.
Front snap kick: Movement 27 – grab at the same time as the kick – not before. Bend the arm and pull slightly.
Arc-hand strike: It is to philtrum height.
Slide the correct length: For movement 21, make sure you slide a full shoulder width. Not sliding far enough is a common cause of not returning to the spot at the end of the pattern.

Training Ideas for Choong-Jang

Half-pattern drills: Practise Choong-Jang on specific sections without fatigue affecting the final movements.
Stance-only run-through: Perform the pattern with stances only (no hand techniques) to sharpen balance, length and width.
Video check: Record your performance from the front and side, then compare it to an expert model (such as the Premium breakdown) to spot differences in height, length and timing.
Partner coaching: Have partners watch one specific aspect each (e.g. stances, guarding hand, head height) and give feedback after every run-through.

Background & Interesting Details

Choong-Jang is named after General Kim Duk Ryang of the Yi Dynasty. His pseudonym, Choong-Jang, reflects a reputation for loyalty and courage. The pattern ends with a left-hand attack, symbolising the tragic end of his life – he died at a young age in prison.

Because Choong-Jang is a 2nd degree pattern, it expects a higher level of polish than earlier tuls. Judges will be looking for mature sine-wave motion, clear technical choices and confident expression of power, not just “getting through” the movements.

The pattern also reinforces several themes from earlier tuls – such as powerful middle punches, accurate blocks and disciplined stances – but in more demanding combinations and changes of direction. For many students, Choong-Jang marks the transition from “advanced colour belt” performance to a truly black belt standard.

Choong-Jang – Frequently Asked Questions

What level is Choong-Jang for?

Choong-Jang is the pattern for 2nd degree black belts in ITF Taekwon-Do. Students will usually study it while preparing to move from 2nd to 3rd degree.

How many movements are in Choong-Jang?

Choong-Jang has 52 movements. Make sure students can not only list the movements, but also understand why the changes of direction and techniques appear where they do.

What are the biggest mistakes you see in Choong-Jang?

Common errors include inconsistent stance length, loss of balance during sharp turns, poor rhythm (stopping after every movement) and over-tension in the shoulders. Videoing the pattern and comparing it to a good model is one of the fastest ways to correct these issues.

How can instructors use this page?

Instructors can use the sample clips during class for quick demonstrations, then refer students to the full Premium breakdown if they want deeper technical explanations and coaching points between sessions.

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Premium Members – Watch the Full Choong-Jang Breakdown

TKDCoaching Premium Members can watch the complete Choong-Jang breakdown, including detailed coaching points, corrections and teaching ideas for instructors.

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