Eui-Am 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 Eui-Am, highlighting key technical details, common errors to watch for, and practical coaching ideas you can apply immediately in class.
Eui-Am Pattern
Eui-Am is a 2nd degree black belt ITF Taekwon-Do pattern (2nd dan) containing 45 movements. It emphasises dynamic changes of posture and powerful turning transitions that require balance and body control. This page includes a sample performance video, an introduction to the pattern, key teaching points, common mistakes, and historical background.
In this segment Master Mark Trotter works with Phillipa Henry on refining the reverse turning kick — one of the most challenging techniques in the pattern. The kick must be controlled and stopped mid-air, requiring strength, flexibility and precise body positioning. Master Trotter explains how correct alignment and preparation make the movement far more efficient and technically sound.
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
- Ready stance: Cross the arms at the start and end of the pattern.
- Movement 1: Knifehand inward block is about 20 cm away from the leg if you were to change legs. Bend the elbow about 10 degrees, around 15 cm from the leg.
- Reverse turning kicks: Supporting foot pivots to between 65–90 degrees depending on the target.
- Stamping motion: After the reverse turning kick, withdraw your foot to about shoulder width before stamping. Stamp with the footsword, not the side of the foot.
- Crescent punch: Bend the arm about 45 degrees.
- Turning punch: Fist at chest level – solar plexus line. (Earlier versions of Vol. 15 say solar plexus level; the latest version says chest level.)
About Eui-Am
Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong-Hi, a leader of the Korean independence movement on 1 March 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when, in 1905, he changed the name of the Dong Hak (Oriental Culture) religion to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way religion). The diagram represents his indomitable spirit as he devoted his life to the prosperity and independence of his nation.
Key Teaching Points
- Use sine wave in a controlled way. Eui-Am looks best with a smooth, natural wave, not an exaggerated rise and fall.
- Keep the torso upright during the reverse turning kicks and pivots. The supporting foot should pivot cleanly to provide good posture for those kicks.
Training Suggestions
- Practise the kicking sequences separately. Use a mirror or video to check head height, posture and line of movement.
- Break the pattern into short sections. Once each piece is consistent, join two or three sections together before attempting the full tul.
In this second clip above, Master Trotter gives valuable advice about balance for the reverse turning kicks.
Full Eui-Am Breakdown (Premium)
The full Eui-Am breakdown class is available to TKDCoaching Premium Members. It includes in-depth coaching points, corrections, common mistakes and teaching methods for instructors.
👉 Watch the full Eui-Am breakdown video (Premium)
Eui-Am Background & Interesting Details
- Eui-Am was a religious man and at 23 joined the Dong Hak religion.
- His religious training included reading and reciting the “Incantation of Twenty One Letters” 30,000 times a day. He did that for 3 years while making straw sandals to sell at the local market.
- He was the leader of the Sam-il Independence Movement.
- He was arrested during a protest and later released on bail due to illness.
- He eventually died aged 62.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eui-Am
How many movements are in Eui-Am?
There are 45 movements in the pattern.
What grade learns Eui-Am?
Eui-Am is required for practitioners training for 2nd dan (2nd degree black belt).
What does the diagram represent?
The diagram symbolises Son Byong-Hi’s indomitable spirit and the straight-line structure of his life’s journey.
More TKD Patterns and Resources
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Related pages:
Insights on All 24 ITF Taekwon-Do Patterns by GM McPhail
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