Patterns (Tuls)
A Pattern or Tul is a series of fundamental movements, most of which represent either attack or defence techniques against an imaginary opponent, set to a fixed and logical sequence. ... read more
The ancient law in the Orient was similar to the law of Hamurabi, ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’, and was rigorously enforced even if death was caused accidentally.
In this type of environment, and since the present system of free sparring had not yet developed, it was impossible for a student of the martial arts to practice or test his individual skills of attack and defence against actual moving opponents.
Individual advancement was certainly hindered until an imaginative practitioner created the first patterns.
The student systematically deals with several imaginary opponents under various assumptions, using every available attacking and blocking tool from different directions. Thus pattern practice enables the student to go through many fundamental movements in series, to develop sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movements, master body shifting, build muscles and breath control, develop fluid and smooth movements and gain rhythmical movements.
It also enables a student to acquire certain special techniques which cannot be obtained from either fundamental exercises or sparring.
Pattern Technique
The following points should be considered when performing patterns:
- Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer's accuracy. ... read more
- Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
- Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
- The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
- Movement should be accelerated or decelerated according to the instructions.
- Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next.
- Students should know the purpose of each movement.
- Students should perform each movement with realism.
- Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.