Introduction
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.
Sam-Il Tul is performed by 3rd Dan Black Belt students. It requires strong technical maturity, accurate body movement, control of continuous motion, advanced stance transitions, and clear understanding of the pattern's historical meaning. The pattern includes sweeping kick, mid side front turning kick, mid side piercing kick, jumping up, slipping, turning, double stepping, and several advanced hand techniques.
Pattern Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pattern Name | Sam-Il Tul |
| Rank | 3rd Dan Black Belt |
| Movements | 33 |
| Meaning | Commemorates the Korean independence movement of March 1, 1919 |
| Symbolism | The 33 movements represent the 33 patriots who planned the movement |
Stances and Leg Techniques
- Diagonal Stance
- Fixed Stance
- Close Ready Stance Type C
- Rear Foot Stance
- Sitting Stance
- L-Stance
- Walking Stance
- Low Sweeping Kick (Side Sole)
- Mid Side Front Turning Kick (Foot)
- Mid Side Piercing Kick (Foot)
- Mid Side Piercing Kick (Foot Sword)
- Mid Side Front Snap Kick (Foot)
Leg Placements and Motions
Leg Placements
- Heel raised, outer open stance
- Heel raised approximately 1 foot ahead of the opposite foot
- Heel raised approximately 1 shoulder width ahead of the opposite foot
Motions
- Continuous Motion
Arm Techniques
- High Outward Block (Outer Forearm)
- Mid Wedging Block (Twin Reverse Knife-Hand)
- Low Punch (Twin Forefist)
- High Guarding Block (Reverse Knife-Hand)
- High Block (Knife-Hand)
- High Block (Twin Arc-Hand)
- Mid Inward Front Block (Forearm)
- Mid-High U-Shape Block
- Mid Back Thrust (Back Elbow)
- High W-Shape Block (Twin Outer Forearm)
- High Thrust (Flat Fingertip)
- Mid Strike (Elbow)
- Mid 9-Shape Block (Forearm)
- Mid Upset Punch (Twin Forefist)
- Low Block (Forearm)
- Low Pressing Block (Twin Palm)
- High Punch (Forefist)
- Mid Guarding Block (Knife-Hand)
- Mid Punch (Forefist)
Arm Placements and Body Movements
Arm Placements
- Fist under same side armpit
- Palm on opposite back forearm
- Palm to opposite forefist
- Hand stays in previous position
- Into opposite palm or fingerbelly
- Side fist in front of opposite shoulder
Body Movements
- Turning Right 180+45 Degrees
- Turning Right 90+45 Degrees
- Turning Left 90 Degrees
- Turning Left 180 Degrees
- Turning Right 90 Degrees
- Turning Right 180 Degrees
- Spot Turn Method 1 Left 180 Degrees
- Double Stepping Forward
- Sliding Forward
- Slipping Forward
- Slipping Pulling Backward
- Stepping Forward
Performance Notes
Sam-Il Tul should be performed with the maturity expected from a 3rd Dan Black Belt. The student must control direction changes, stance length, chambering, recovery, and the transition between hand and foot techniques without rushing the sequence.
The pattern includes several important advanced actions, including low sweeping kick, mid side front turning kick, mid side piercing kick, jumping up, low pressing block, U-shape block, 9-shape block, and twin forefist upset punch. These actions must be clearly shaped and must finish on the correct line.
Because the pattern commemorates the March 1 independence movement, the performance should show seriousness, determination, and disciplined spirit. The student should not treat the pattern as only a physical sequence; every movement should show technical control and respect for the meaning behind the Tul.
Movement Sequence
| Move | Body Movement | Direction | Stance / Leg Technique | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Ready Position | 12:00 D | Close Ready Stance Type C | Ready Position |
| 1 | Sliding Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block (Forearm) |
| 2 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Block (Twin Forearm) |
| 3 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Block (Knife-Hand) |
| 4 | Transition | Forward | Mid Side Front Turning Kick | Hands stay in previous position |
| 5 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Punch (Forefist) |
| 6 | Slipping Pulling Backward | Rear | Rear Foot Stance | Mid Wedging Block (Twin Reverse Knife-Hand) |
| 7 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 9:00 B | Sitting Stance | Mid Wedging Block (Twin Reverse Knife-Hand) |
| 8 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 6:00 C | Walking Stance | Low Thrust Upset Fingertip |
| 9 | Slipping Pulling Backward | Rear | L-Stance | High Outward Block and Low Block |
| 10 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Outward Block (Twin Arc-Hand) |
| 11 | Turning Right 90 Degrees | 3:00 A | Sitting Stance | Mid Wedging Block (Twin Reverse Knife-Hand) |
| 12 | Turning Right 90 Degrees and Slipping Pulling Backward | 6:00 C | L-Stance | Low Punch (Twin Forefist) |
| 13 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Outward Block (Twin Arc-Hand) |
| 14 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Punch (Forefist) |
| 15 | Spot Turn Method 1 Left 180 Degrees | 12:00 D | Rear Foot Stance | Low Punch (Twin Forefist) |
| 16 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 9:00 B | L-Stance | High Guarding Block (Reverse Knife-Hand) |
| 17 | Slipping Forward | Forward | Fixed Stance | Mid-High U-Shape Block (Twin Reverse Knife-Hand) |
| 18 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Fixed Stance | Mid-High U-Shape Block (Twin Reverse Knife-Hand) |
| 19 | Jumping Up Left 360 Degrees | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block (Knife-Hand) |
| 20 | Transition | Forward | Mid Side Piercing Kick | Mid Guarding Block (Knife-Hand) |
| 21 | Turning Left 180 Degrees | 3:00 A | Walking Stance | Mid Strike (Elbow) into opposite palm or fingerbelly |
| 22 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Diagonal Stance | Mid Back Thrust (Back Elbow), palm to opposite forefist |
| 23 | Turning Left 270 Degrees | 6:00 C | Walking Stance | Low Pressing Block (Twin Palm) |
| 24 | Turning Right 180+45 Degrees | 1:30 AD | Walking Stance | High W-Shape Block (Twin Outer Forearm) |
| 25 | Turning Right 90+45 Degrees | 6:00 C | Sitting Stance | Mid Guarding Block (Forearm) |
| 26 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 3:00 A | Mid Side Piercing Kick | Mid Guarding Block (Forearm) |
| 27 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Rear Foot Stance | Mid Upward Block (Palm) |
| 28 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Rear Foot Stance | Low Pressing Block (Twin Palm) |
| 29 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 6:00 C | Walking Stance | Mid Upset Punch (Twin Forefist) |
| 30 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Low Block (Forearm), side fist under same side armpit |
| 31 | Turning Left 180 Degrees | 12:00 D | Walking Stance | Mid Punch (Forefist) |
| 32 | Continuous Motion | Forward | Walking Stance | High Punch (Forefist) |
| 33 | Double Stepping Forward and Return | 12:00 D | Close Ready Stance Type C | High Vertical Punch (Twin Forefist), then return to ready position |
Key Learning Objectives
- Perform all 33 movements with mature 3rd Dan control
- Understand the historical meaning behind the March 1 independence movement
- Develop accuracy in slipping, sliding, turning, and double stepping actions
- Improve balance and recovery during sweeping kick and side piercing kick techniques
- Coordinate advanced hand techniques such as U-shape block, 9-shape block, W-shape block, and twin forefist punch
Important Reminder
Sam-Il Tul contains 33 movements. Students should practise the pattern with precision and historical awareness. The movements should be strong, but not rushed. Every stance, kick, block, strike, and transition must show black belt-level discipline.