Katas

Kata  (Patterns or Forms)

Patterns or forms (equivalent to the kata in karate) are considered by many instructors and students to be one of the most important aspects of training in American Karate.. The patterns practiced by members of the AKBBA are very similar to those performed by the ITF and WTF,   All patterns start with a defensive move, which emphasizes American Karate's defensive nature. The patterns all start and end at the same point. This ensures that the karate student's stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction. There are 5 standard patterns (kata's) in the AKBBA with a 6th pattern called the "American Karate Choreograph". This Kata is created completely by and given a distinctive name (with its meaning) by the student. This final pattern (kata) is designed to promote the "best of the best" that a student has to offer and to give the student a platform to demonstrate excellence and mastery from their training.

History of our katas:

TO-SAN - The name of this pattern commemorates the pseudonym of a great Korean patriot and educator Ahn Ch'ang Ho (1876-1938). The 24 movements represent his entire life, which he devoted to furthering education in Korea and the Korean independence movement.

WON-HYO - was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.

YUL-KOK - is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar,, Yi I (1536-1584 A.D.), who was nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea". The 38 movements of this pattern represent the 38 degrees latitude of the Yul-Kok's birthplace and the diagram/pattern of this form represents "Scholar".

HWA-RANG - is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1,350 years ago and became the actual driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea.

CHUNG-MU - was the given name of the great Adminal Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty who was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship - the precursor of the present-day submarine -- in 1592 A.D.  The left-hand attack ending this pattern symbolizes his regrettable death in battle before he had a chance to show his complete loyalty to the King.

 

Please click on a buttons above for a detailed list of instructions.

TO-SAN

From the ready position

  1. Look left. Fold left fist to the right ear, right fist low across the body. Pivot left into left front stance. Outside block left.

  2. Punch to the center of the body with the right fist.

  3. Look right. Fold right fist to the left ear, left fist low across the body. Step right with left foot then left with right foot. Pivot 180 degrees right into a front stance. Outside block right.

  4. Punch to the center of the body with the left fist.

  5. Look left. Fold both hands palm to palm at the right ear. With left foot slide up into a left back stance. Psuedo block.

  6. Extend left hand palm down, pull back right hand palm up. With right foot step up into a right front stance. Right spear hand to the center of the body. KIAI.

  7. Look straight ahead. Fold: with right hand grab and turn under to right hip. Move left foot right and right foot left and pivot 180 degrees into a left front stance. Back fist left.

  8. Look straight ahead. Fold right fist to left ear, left fist low across the body. With right foot step into right front stance. Back fist right.

  9. Look left. Fold left fist to the right ear, right fist low across the body. Pivot left 270 degrees to left stance. Outside block left.

  10. Punch to the center of the body with the right fist.

  11. Look right. Fold right fist to the left ear, left fist across the body. Move left foot right and right foot left and pivot 180 degrees into a right front stance. Right outside block.

  12. Punch to the center of the body with the left fist.

  13. Look left. Fold both fists on the hips. Pivot 135 degrees left to left front stance. With both hands grab head high and open.

  14. Lower left fist to the center of the body, lower right fist back tot he hip. Rear leg offensive front snap kick to the head.

  15. Punch to the center of the body with the right fist.

  16. Punch to the center of the body with the left fist.

  17. Look right. Fold: chamber both fists. Pivot 90 degrees right to a right front stance. With both hands grab head high and open.

  18. Lower right fist to the center of the body, lower left fist back to the hip. Rear leg offensive front snap kick to the head.

  19. Punch to the center of the body with the left fist.

  20. Punch to the center of the body with the right fist.

  21. Look left. Fold left fist low for high block. Pivot 45 degrees to a left front stance. High block left above the head.

  22. Look straight ahead. Fold right fist low for high block. Step forward into right front stance. High block right arm above the head.

  23. Look left. Fold: left hand palm up to the right ear, right arm tight fist drops low across the body. Pivot 270 degrees left to a straddle stance. Left hand chop to the throat, chamber right fist.

  24. Look right. Fold right hand palm up to the left ear, left arm tight fist drops low across the body. With knees bent keeping your head at the same height move left foot to right then with your right foot, step into a straddle stance. Right hand chop to the throat, chamber left fist. "KIAI"
     
    Remain in the position until you hear your instructor or the examiner call out "End". Then, look left, straight ahead, bring right foot and fists back to the ready position.
    RETURN TO TOP
     

 

WON-HYO


From the ready position, bring your left foot to your right, fold left hand over your right fist, elbows at a 45 degree angle, knees bent, spine straight, legs and feet together.

  1. Look left. Fold left fist over right on the right hip (right fist palm up). Step out into a left back stance. Twin fist block.

  2. With right hand chop to the throat, chamber left fist.

  3. As the right hand comes back, punch to the face with the left fist.

  4. Look right. Fold right fist over left on the left hip (left fist palm up). Bring left foot to right, step with right foot into a right back stance. Twin fist block.

  5. With left hand chop to the throat, chamber right fist.

  6. As the left hand comes back, punch to the face with the right fist.

  7. Look left. Fold: place left hand over right fist and pull back to right hip. Pivot left foot to the right as right foot pivots 45 degrees. Knees should be bent.

  8. Sidekick left. Set down into a left back stance. Psuedo block.

  9. Look straight ahead. Fold for psuedo block at the left ear.

  10. With right foot step straight through into a right back stance. Psuedo block.

  11. Look straight ahead. Fold for psuedo block at the right ear. With left foot step straight through into a left back stance. Psuedo block.

  12. Look straight ahead. Fold, extend, and pull back, stepping into a right front stance. Spear hand. KIAI.

  13. Look left. Fold left fist over right at the right hip (right fist palm up). Pivot both feet left 270 degrees and step out into a left back stance. Twin fist block.

  14. With right hand chop to the throat, chamber left fist.

  15. As the right hand comes back, punch to the face with the left fist.

  16. Look right. Fold right fist over left on the left hip (left fist palm up). Bring left foot to right, step out into a right back stance. Twin fist block.

  17. With left hand chop to the throat, chamber right fist.

  18. As the left hand comes back, punch to the face with the right fist.

  19. Look left. Fold left fist on the left hip. Step out with the left foot and rotate into a left front stance. Right fist comes under and scoops up and out to the right.

  20. Rear leg offensive front snap kick to the face.

  21. Set down into a right front stance, punch to the center of the body with the left fist.

  22. Look straight ahead. Fold right fist on the right hip. Left fist comes under and scoops up and out to the left.

  23. Rear leg offensive front snap kick to the face. Set down into a left front stance.

  24. Punch to the center of the body with the right fist.

  25. Look straight ahead. Fold: with the left hand grab the right fist and pull back to the left hip. Step up with the right foot and pivot both feet 90 degrees.

  26. Execute a right sidekick. Pivot 90 degrees and set down with feet together facing the board.

  27. Look left. Fold twin fists at the right ear, with left foot step out into a left back stance. Twin fist psuedo block.

  28. Look right. Fold twin fists at the left ear. Bring left foot back to the right, with the right foot step out into a right back stance. Twin fist psuedo block. "KIAI"

  29. Look left. Bring your right foot back to your left, fold left hand over right fist, elbows at a 45 degree angle, knees bent.

Remain in the position until you hear the instructor say "End" then return to the ready position by moving the left foot to the left.

RETURN TO TOP


YUL-KOK

From the ready position

  1. Look straight ahead / fold both fists in front of your belt, with knees bent move the left foot left into a straddle stance / right fist lunge punch (chamber left fist). As right fist comes back to the right hip / left fist push punch.
    In rapid succession:

  2. Right fist punch.

  3. Left fist punch.

  4. Bring left foot to right foot, move right foot right into a straddle stance knees bent as left fist comes back to the left hip / right fist push punch.
    In rapid succession:

  5. Left fist punch.

  6. Right fist punch.

  7. Look right / fold left fist on left hip, pivot 45 degrees to a right front stance, move right fist up and out / scoop block.

  8. Rear leg offensive front snap kick to the face.

  9. Set down into a left front stance as the right fist comes back / left fist punch.

  10. As the left fist comes back / right fist punch.

  11. Look left / fold right over left for a scoop block, bring left foot back an pivot both feet left 90 degrees to a left front stance / scoop block left.

  12. Rear leg offensive front snap kick to the face.

  13. Set down into a right front stance.

  14. As the left fist comes back / right fist punch, as the right fist comes back / left fist punch.

  15. Look right / fold right over left (palm to the ear), with right foot step out an pivot both feet into a right front stance as the left fist comes back / push block right.

  16. Fold left over right (palm to the ear) as right fist comes back / push block left.

  17. As left hand comes back, right fist punch.

  18. Fold left over right (palm to the ear) with left foot step forward into a left front stance, as right fist comes back / push block left. 

  19. Fold right over left (palm to the ear) as the left fist comes back / push block to the right.

  20. As right hand comes back, left fist punch.

  21. With right foot step forward into a right front stance, as the left fist comes back / right fist punch. KIAI

  22. Look straight ahead / fold reach forward with the left hand, grasp and pull right fist to right hip / step forward with left foot (feet together).

  23. Pivot both feet 90 degrees right / sidekick.

  24. With both feet pivot left, set down into a left front stance facing forward / right elbow smash. 

  25. Look left / fold right fist over left, bring left foot back to right (feet together).

  26. Pivot 90 degrees right / sidekick.

  27. With both feet pivot right and set down into a right front stance / left elbow smash.

  28. Look left / fold left hand over right hand on the right hip, with left foot step into a left back stance / twin open-hand block.

  29. Extend left hand palm down, pull back right hand back to right hip palm up. With right foot step out into a right front stance / right spear hand.

  30. Look right / fold right hand over left / execute...with both feet pivot right 180 degrees into a right back stance / twin open-hand block.

  31. Extend right hand (palm down) pull left hand back to left hip (palm up), with left foot step out into a left front stance / left hand spear hand.

  32. Look left / fold left fist to right ear; right fist low for outside block, pivot 90 degrees into a left front stance / left outside block

  33. As left fist come back, right fist punch to the center of the body.

  34. Look straight ahead / fold right fist to left ear; left fist low for outside block. With right foot step up into a right front stance / outside block right.

  35. As right fist come back, left fist punch to the center of the body.

  36. Look straight ahead / fold left fist to right ear; right fist across the body. With left foot jump forward, right foot follows behind, pivot 90 degrees right / back fist. KIAI

  37. Look right / fold right fist over left fist (palm up), with right foot step back and out, rotate both feet 180 degrees right into a right front stance / twin fist block.

  38. Look left / fold left fist over right fist (palm up), bring right foot back to the left, pivot both feet left 180 degrees, move left foot back and out to the left, pivot both feet into a left front stance / twin fist block. KIAI
     
    Remain in the position until you hear the instructor say "End" then look right and bring you left foot forward as you pivot both feet right 90 degrees into the ready position.
    RETURN TO TOP


WHA-RANG


From the ready position...bring left foot to the right foot; left hand over right fist, knees bent, spine straight, feet together. Look straight ahead.

  1. Move left foot left to a straddle stance. Extend right fist out to a punch position, left palm forward. Left hand push block to the right across the body to the right shoulder. Chamber right fist.

  2. Right fist punch to the center of the body, chamber left fist.

  3. Left fist punch to the center of the body, chamber right fist.

  4. Look right. Fold for twin fist block (right fist over left fist) on left hip (left palm up). Move right foot into a right back stance. Twin fist block.

  5. With left hand, closed fist chop to the throat, chamber right fist.

  6. Right fist punch to the face, chamber left fist.

  7. Open right fist. Bring right knife hand back across the body in a circular motion and strike down bringing right foot back to a no stance.

  8. Close right fist. With left foot step forward into a left front stance. Left fist lunge punch.

  9. Look left. Fold for low block, left over right. Move left foot back to a left front stance. Low block.

  10. Raise left fist to the center of the body. With right foot step into a right front stance. Right fist lunge punch.

  11. Fold: with left hand grab right fist and pull both hands to left hip. Bring left foot to right. Rotate 90 degrees left.

  12. Right sidekick; set down into a right back stance. With right hand, open hand strike to the throat.

  13. Chamber left fist. Make tight fist with right hand. With left foot step forward into a left front stance. Lunge punch.

  14. With right foot step forward into a right front stance. Right lunge punch. KIAI.

  15. Look left. Fold for psuedo block by right ear. Pivot 270 degrees left into a left back stance. Psuedo block.

  16. Extend left hand, palm down; pull back right hand, palm up. With right foot step forward into a right front stance. Spear hand right.

  17. Look left. Fold for a psuedo block by right ear. Pivot 180 degrees into a left back stance. Psuedo block.

  18. Rear leg offensive roundhouse kick to the head. Set down into a right back stance. Psuedo block right.

  19. Rear leg offensive roundhouse kick to the head. Set down into a left back stance. Psuedo block left.

  20. Look left. Fold for low block, left hand over right. Pivot 90 degrees into a left front stance. Low block left.

  21. Pull left foot back into a left back stance. Raising left fist to the center of the body. Right reverse punch to the center of the body.

  22. Chamber left fist. With right foot step straight through to a right back stance. Left reverse punch.

  23. Chamber right fist. With left foot step straight through to a left back stance. Right reverse punch.

  24. Chamber both fists for a low x-Block. Step forward with left foot, pivot right foot into a left front stance. Low x-block

  25. Rotate forward 90 degrees left into a left back stance. Twin fist elbow strike. KIAI

  26. Look left. Bring both feet together as you rotate left 90 degrees. Fold for a cross body block with left fist up, right fist down.

  27. Cross body block.

  28. Fold for psuedo block at the right ear. With left foot step out and pivot into a left back stance. Psuedo block left.

  29. Look right, Fold for a psuedo block at the left ear. Bring left foot to right, keeping head at the same height, step out with right foot into a back stance. Psuedo block right. "KIAI".
     
    Look left. Bring right foot back to left, knees bent, spine straight, feet together. Left hand over right fist. Remain in the position until you hear the instructor say "End". Return to the ready position by moving the left foot left.
    RETURN TO TOP


CHUNG-MU


From the ready position.

  1. Look left. Fold left hand over right hand on the right hip. Slide left foot to right. With left foot step out into a left back stance. Open-hand twin block.

  2. With right foot step out into a right front stance. Right hand strike to the throat. Left hand block above the head, palm forward.

  3. Look right. Fold for psuedo block by left ear. With both feet pivot 180 degrees right into a right back stance.

  4. Extend right fist. Pull back left hand, palm up. With left foot step forward into a left front stance. Left ridge hand, chamber right fist.

  5. Look left. Fold for psuedo block by right ear. With left foot step back into a left back stance. Psuedo block left.

  6. Look right. Fold right fist over left. Bring the left foot to the right foot.

  7. Sidekick right.

  8. Set down into a left back stance. Psuedo block left.

  9. Jump Sidekick right. Set down into a right back stance. Psuedo block right. KIAI

  10. Look left. Fold for low block, left over right. Pivot 180 degrees into a left back stance. Low block left, chamber right fist.

  11. Fold head high for knee smash.

  12. Move left foot forward. Pivot right foot into a left front stance. Knee smash.

  13. Pivot both feet 180 degrees left into a left back stance. Ridge hand right, left hand palm down under right elbow.

  14. Execute combination: rear leg offensive roundhouse kick.

  15. Turn kick left, set down into a right back stance.

  16. Psuedo block right.

  17. Rear leg offensive roundhouse kick, set down with both feet together.

  18. Fold right hand over left on the left hip for a bow block. Bow block right.

  19. Jump and spin 360 degrees left and land in a right back stance. Psuedo block right. KIAI.

  20. With right hand grab high. V circle right and reach in for groin grab. With left foot step forward into a left front stance. Groin grab.

  21. Extend left hand, palm down. Right fist. Pull back high. Pivot and rotate both feet right into a left back stance.

  22. With right foot step forward into a right front stance. Spear hand right.

  23. Look left. Fold for twin fist block, left hand over right, at the right hip. Pivot and rotate both feet left 270 degrees into a left front stance. Twin fist block.

  24. Look left. Fold across the body for an outside block, right over left. Pivot and rotate both feet 90 degrees into a straddle stance. Outside block right, chamber left fist.

  25. Look left. Fold for psuedo at right ear. With left foot pivot into a left back stance. Psuedo block left.

  26. Fold for pseudo block at the left ear. Rear leg come through sidekick, set down into a right back stance. Psuedo block right.

  27. Fold for x-block at the right ear. Rear leg come through side kick, set down into a right back stance. X-block.

  28. With left foot step forward into a left front stance. From waist high push block, palms up.

  29. Look right. fold for high block, left fist high, right fist low. Move left foot right and right foot left as you pivot 180 degrees right into a right front stance. High block right, chamber right fist.

  30. Left fist reverse punch, chamber right fist. "KIAI".
     
    Remain in the position until you hear the instructor say "End". Look left, pivot and rotate both feet 90 degrees left as you return to the ready position.
    RETURN TO TOP


Here are some example VIDEOS very similar to the Kata's that we teach:
NATKD site

 HYONG site
 

Note: While these kata's are very similar to those that we teach at TKU, they are not precise in detail to the "LOOK-FOLD-EXECUTE" techniques that we stress in our teaching styles. They do, however show a good representation of the many kata's that are part of the Tae Kwon Do style.