Sam-il Pattern – Preview & Insights
Sam-Il Pattern
Sam-Il is a beautifully structured 3rd dan pattern with a strong emphasis on flow, balance, and accurate transitions. It rewards practitioners who can stay relaxed while maintaining precision, especially when combining turning movements with kicking technique. Because the kicks are visually distinctive and the hand techniques interesting, Sam-il is a favorite pattern for many.
It is a pattern widely loved for its smooth flow and the inclusion of challenging kicks such as the sweeping kicks and twisting kick.
Pronunciation: How to pronounce Sam-Il correctly
Video Preview
Here is a short clip from a casual patterns coaching session between former Patterns World Champions Master Mark Trotter and Miss Melissa Bray on Sam-Il. Even in this brief excerpt you will pick up performance-focused tips that apply to competitors, and practical reminders that help 3rd dans refine their Sam-Il syllabus work.
About Sam-Il
Sam-il denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1,1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement. It is the first pattern learned at 3rd degree level.
Key Technical Insights from GM Paul McPhail
Drawing from my ongoing study and technical work 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.
Key Technical Points
- Movement 4: Twisting kick: Solar plexus level, target at side front
- Movement 10: Double fist punch: Bend the back arm a little
- Movement 21: X-fist pressing block: Diagonal stance to walking stance – small sine wave to pressing block.
- Movement 16: Sweeping kick: Sweep at 45 degrees with stationary foot about 25 degrees.
Training Suggestions
- Isolate the sweeping kick and twisting kick for short sets, focusing on chamber, trajectory, and controlled return.
- Film one run-through from the front and one from the side to check the technique.
Teaching Ideas for Instructors
- Emphasise the symbolic importance of the pattern’s name and encourage students to understand why Sam-il is associated with unity and perseverance.
Teach the pattern in short sequences to help students maintain concentration and accuracy through its longer movement count.
- Encourage students to research the historical background of Sam-il as part of their preparation, strengthening their connection to the meaning of the pattern.
Background & Interesting Details
The Sam-Il Movement of 1 March 1919 was a non-violent civilian uprising, based on public declarations and mass demonstrations rather than armed resistance, making Sam-Il unusual among patterns in that it commemorates collective civic action rather than a military figure.
Although the movement was suppressed, it directly led to the formation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea later in 1919, giving Sam-Il significance as the catalyst for organised national independence efforts.
The 33 signatories of the Declaration of Independence came from diverse religious and ideological backgrounds, including Confucian, Christian, and Buddhist leaders, reinforcing Sam-Il’s symbolism of national unity across social divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sam-il
- What grade is Sam-Il for?
Sam-Il is the first pattern learned at 3rd dan level. - What are the most common mistakes in Sam-Il?
Rushing the rhythm and letting the sweeping kick or twisting kick become loose due to poor chamber and recovery. - How should I introduce Sam-Il to new 3rd dans?
Teach this pattern first – not only because that is the correct order, but it is also the easiest of the three 3rd dan patterns and not difficult to remember. Teach it in sections based on the pattern diagram.
Full Sam-Il Breakdown
The full, in-depth breakdown of Sam-Il is available for TKDCoaching Premium Members.
In this session Mr Trotter takes Melissa Timperley through the pattern and shares a large number of tournament-performance tips, plus practical technical corrections that carry over into all patterns work.
Watch the full Sam-Il breakdown video (Premium)
More TKD Patterns and Resources
TKD Patterns Hub – patterns and instructor-focused insights
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Related pages:
Insights on All 24 Patterns by GM McPhail
Favourite Pattern Survey – we’d love to know what you think
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Bibliography & Acknowledgements
This page incorporates reference material from From Creation to Unification by Stuart Anslow, ITF New Zealand (ITFNZ Inc) technique handbooks, and personal technical notes from ITF Technical Committee meetings.