Yoo-Sin Pattern – 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 Yoo-Sin, highlighting key technical details, common errors to watch for, and practical coaching ideas you can apply immediately in class.
Yoo-Sin Pattern
Yoo-Sin is a 3rd dan ITF Taekwon-Do pattern containing 68 movements, making it one of the longest tul in the Chang Hon system. It demands strong stamina, accurate directional control, and the ability to maintain technical consistency over an extended performance.
Yoo-Sin is a physically and mentally demanding pattern that tests endurance, focus, and technical discipline. Its length magnifies small errors, particularly in stance transitions and directional changes. Successful performance relies on pacing, breathing control, and the ability to stay mentally engaged for all 68 movements.
Pronunciation: How to pronounce Yoo-Sin correctly
Pattern Speed: – 1 minute, 30 seconds
Approximate performance time for the full pattern. Timing varies between practitioners and is provided as an unofficial guide only.
Video Preview
In this sample clip, Master Mark Trotter momentarily loses track of the starting direction during a long coaching session on Yoo-Sin. It’s a light-hearted but very real reminder of how demanding this pattern can be, particularly when teaching or performing under fatigue. Henni Ylimäinen was also unwell on the day, making her perseverance through the session even more commendable.
About Yoo-Sin
Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yoo Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 A.D., the year Korea was united. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn on the right rather than left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin’s mistake of following his king’s orders to fight with foreign forces against his own nation.
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 1: Release: Elbows finish slightly higher than hands. Hands at chest height. No inward movement of the arms first – go up directly.
- Movement 40: Close ready stance C: Normal motion to ready stance (same as all other similar patterns, e.g. Se-Jong).
- Movement 49: U-shape punch: U-shape fists, one up and one down, to start.
- Movement 52: Waving kick: Heel in line with the knee, positioned one foot length in front.
- Movement 53: Front block: Normally, a front block is to the centre, but this one is delivered at 45 degrees, making it an exception to that rule.
- Movement 55: Crescent kick: Naturally turn the supporting foot.
Training Suggestions
- Break the pattern into logical sections and train each independently.
- Use slow-motion repetitions to reinforce balance and control.
- Video review is highly effective for identifying late-pattern technical drop-off.
Teaching Ideas for Instructors
Introduce Yoo-Sin by explaining the role of General Kim Yoo-Sin in the unification of the Three Kingdoms, helping students understand the leadership qualities the pattern represents.
- Ask senior students to research General Kim Yoo-Sin and briefly present key historical facts as part of class, reinforcing ownership of learning.
Reinforce the idea that advancement in Taekwon-Do requires maturity of character as well as technical progress, using Yoo-Sin as a discussion point.
- Discuss links to movements in Shotokan forms.
Background & Interesting Details
- Yoo-Sin became a Hwa-Rang warrior at the age of 15 and was a master of the Korean sword.
- His father was a General in the Silla Dynasty.
- By age 34, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Silla armed forces.
- His most famous battle was in 660 AD, when he led 50,000 Silla troops in a battle that resulted in the death of Ge-Baek of the Baek-Je Kingdom.
- He died aged 79 and is remembered as Silla’s greatest warrior.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yoo-Sin
- What grade is Yoo-Sin for?
Yoo-Sin is taught and examined at 3rd dan level in ITF Taekwon-Do. - What are the most common mistakes in Yoo-Sin?
Loss of power caused by fatigue, due to the sheer length of the pattern. - How should I introduce Yoo-Sin to new 3rd dan students?
Start by working through the more difficult movements in the pattern (there are many). They can learn the full sequence after that.
Full Yoo-Sin Breakdown
The full, in-depth breakdown of Yoo-Sin is available for TKDCoaching Premium Members. In this session, Master Mark Trotter coaches Finnish 3rd dan Henni Ylimäinen through all 68 movements, offering practical corrections, teaching insights, and performance tips drawn from decades of experience.
Watch the full Yoo-Sin breakdown video (Premium)
More TKD Patterns and Resources
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Related pages:
Insights on All 24 Patterns by GM McPhail
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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.