Choong-Jang Pattern – Instructor Preview & Insights
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 Pattern
Choong-Jang is the second of three ITF Taekwon-Do 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.
Use this page as a quick reference when you are teaching or training Choong-Jang.
Key Technical Insights from GM Paul McPhail
Drawing from my ongoing work and research 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.
Key Technical Points for Choong-Jang
- Strong change of direction: Emphasise clear pivoting and stance control when the pattern changes direction sharply.
- Consistent stance lengths: Make sure walking and L-stances keep the same length and width.
- Ground turning kick: Lower knee to about 45 degrees. Kick to side front. Weight mainly on left palm.
- Ground punch: Punch to the centre line.
- Knee front snap kick: Maintain snap-kick motion with brief relaxation.
- Front snap kick (Mov. 27): Grab at the same time as the kick, not beforehand.
- Arc-hand strike: To philtrum height.
- Sliding: For Movement 21, slide a full shoulder width.
About Choong-Jang
Choong-Jang tests balance, stance consistency and control through sharp directional changes and varied stances. It often marks the transition between “advanced colour belt” movement quality and a more polished black belt standard.
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise stance consistency, especially during directional changes.
- Perform the ground techniques deliberately and with control.
- Refine pattern rhythm to avoid pausing after each movement.
Training Ideas for Choong-Jang
- Half-pattern drills: Work specific sections cleanly before joining them.
- Stance-only run-through: Improve balance and stance tracking.
- Video check: Compare your performance with an expert model.
- Partner coaching: Let partners watch one detail each (stances, height, hands).
Sample Choong-Jang Pattern Clips
This clip demonstrates the front snap kicks with coaching from Master Mark Trotter. The Premium version covers deeper detail on rhythm, stance structure and technique refinements.
Full Choong-Jang Breakdown (Premium)
The full Choong-Jang breakdown includes detailed coaching points, corrections and teaching progressions.
👉 Watch the full Choong-Jang breakdown video (Premium)
Background & Interesting Details
Choong-Jang is named after General Kim Duk Ryang of the Yi Dynasty. His pseudonym reflects loyalty and courage.
The final left-hand attack symbolises his tragic death in prison at a young age.
As a 2nd dan tul, Choong-Jang demands mature sine wave, confident power, and well-chosen technical expression. Many movements echo earlier patterns but in more complex combinations.
Choong-Jang – Frequently Asked Questions
What level is Choong-Jang for?
2nd degree black belt.
How many movements are in Choong-Jang?
52 movements.
Common mistakes?
Uneven stance length, losing balance on pivots, stopping between movements.
How should instructors use this?
Use the clips for quick demos, and refer students to the Premium breakdown for deeper detail.
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 ITF Taekwon-Do Patterns by GM McPhail
Favourite Pattern Survey – we’d love to know what you think
Premium Members – Watch the Full Choong-Jang Breakdown
TKDCoaching Premium Members get access to the full breakdown, corrections, slow-motion examples and teaching notes.