Juche Pattern – Instructor Preview & Insights
Juche is a 2nd degree black belt ITF Taekwon-Do pattern (2nd dan) containing 45 movements. It is an advanced, highly dynamic tul that demands strong balance, sharp direction changes and confident use of both hands and feet. This page includes sample videos of Master Mark Trotter correcting key aspects of the pattern.
Juche Pattern
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
- Movement 1: Parallel block with the fists at temple height.
- Slow-motion side–reverse hooking kicks: Relax the arms slightly; no need to keep them strictly in the block position.
- Hooking kicks: Natural break, same feeling as a hooking block.
- Cross-cut: Finish just past the eyes. High elbow strike: From the previous sitting stance, the body rises into the walking stance.
- Pick-shape kick: Bend the leg about 45 degrees at shoulder level.
- Downward punch: To the shoulder line.
- Two-direction kick: Try to stop the kick in mid-air.
About Juche
Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. It expresses the concept that a person is the master of the world and of their own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolises the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram of the pattern represents Baekdu Mountain.
Key Teaching Points
- Remind your students that there are only a handful of difficult movements in this pattern; the majority are straightforward. This helps reduce anxiety.
- Break all the kicks down using partners, walls, pads and bags to help with balance until the student improves.
Training Suggestions
- Break the pattern into short sections and repeat each one until you can perform it smoothly without pausing to think about the next movement.
- Use video to check your direction changes — the feet should always return to the correct line of travel.
Sample Video 2
In this second sample clip, Master Trotter works on the pivoting and trajectory of the slow-motion reverse hooking kicks — one of the most difficult techniques in the pattern.
Full Juche Breakdown (Premium)
The full Juche breakdown class is available to TKDCoaching Premium Members. It includes in-depth coaching points, corrections, common mistakes and teaching methods for instructors working with advanced black belts.
👉 Watch the full Juche breakdown video (Premium)
Juche Background & Interesting Details
- Juche was introduced in 1984 to replace the earlier pattern Ko-Dang in the official ITF syllabus. Some organisations still practise Ko-Dang instead of Juche.
- For my 5th degree black belt grading in 1993 I decided to perform Juche forwards and then backwards for General Choi. Unfortunately, he turned his head and refused to watch the backwards part — but I carried on regardless and still passed the grading when the results were announced.
Frequently Asked Questions about Juche
How many movements are in Juche?
Juche has 45 movements.
What grade learns Juche?
Juche is required for practitioners training at 2nd dan level (2nd degree black belt).
What does the name Juche mean?
Juche expresses the idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything, including their own destiny.
What does the Juche diagram represent?
The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain, symbolising the spirit and resilience of the Korean people.
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
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