Ge-Baek Pattern – Instructor Preview & Insights

Ge-Baek Pattern

Ge-Baek is a 1st dan black belt pattern with 44 movements. It emphasises strong fundamental techniques and a demanding flying side kick that requires both height and distance. For many students it marks a clear step up in precision, balance, and power across the first dan patterns.

Pronunciation: How to pronounce Ge-Baek correctly

Pattern Speed: – 1 minute, 5 seconds
Approximate performance time for the full pattern. Timing varies between practitioners and is provided as an unofficial guide only.

Video Preview

This clip comes from a coaching session on Ge-Baek tul with ITF World Champion Master Mark Trotter. In this segment, Master Trotter focuses on the flying side kick, breaking down how to judge the correct jumping distance, maintain body alignment in the air, and land with enough stability to continue the pattern without losing power or balance.

Bonus Video

Triple World Champion Roisin Giles performs the first dan ITF pattern Ge-Baek with world-class precision. This demonstration is an excellent reference for students, instructors, and anyone wanting to study the finer details of rhythm, sine-wave, accuracy, and timing. Roisin is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished ITF athletes, known for her technical quality, balance, and clean execution throughout all patterns.

About Ge-Baek

Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 A.D). The diagram( I) represents his severe and strict military discipline.

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 and are not official ITF Technical Committee statements.

Training Suggestions

• Focus on strong maintaining power and rhythm through the entire pattern.
• Pay close attention to balance during the turning kick, flying side piercing kick and landing in a stable stance. The flying kick should have the correct chamber, posture, and recovery.
• Train the pattern in slow-motion as a warm-up, then gradually increase to full speed and power.
• Check out our video on Ge-Baek from the ITF On-line IIC.

Teaching ideas for Instructors

• Break the pattern into sections when teaching, as Ge-Baek is physically demanding and concentration often drops toward the end.

• Use Ge-Baek to reinforce the link to military spirit, reflecting the pattern’s historical background.

• Work on all the kicks in isolation before reintegrating them into the pattern to improve confidence and accuracy.

• Highlight common errors such as rushed movements and loss of posture after kicking techniques.

Background & Interesting Details

• Ge-Baek studied martial arts from an early age.
• He became a famous general of the Baek Je kingdom, winning many battles against rival forces.
• In his final battle, his kingdom was invaded by General Kim Yoo-Sin and 50,000 Silla troops, while Ge-Baek could only muster about 5,000 of his own soldiers. Knowing it was effectively a suicide battle, he killed his wife and children rather than allow them to be captured and tortured!
• Despite the odds, the battle initially went in Ge-Baek’s favour. Kim Yoo-Sin then sent a Hwa-Rang warrior into Ge-Baek’s camp to assassinate him. The Hwa-Rang was captured, and Ge-Baek was so impressed with his courage that he released him and ordered him to return the next day.
• When the Hwa-Rang returned, he is said to have killed Ge-Baek’s second-in-command by kicking him from his horse with a flying kick. He was captured again and executed for his actions.
• Eventually the Silla forces surrounded and overwhelmed Ge-Baek’s army, and he and all his men were killed. The pattern preserves his legacy as a symbol of loyalty, bravery, and unwavering resolve.

Full Ge-Baek Video

The full Ge-Baek 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 Ge-Baek breakdown video (Premium)