Introduction
Ul-Ji is named after General Ul-Ji Mun-Dok, who successfully defended Korea against the Tang invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 A.D. Ul-Ji used hit-and-run guerrilla tactics and was able to decimate a large percentage of the invading force.
The diagram is in the shape of the Chinese character representing his surname. The 42 movements represent the age of General Choi Hong-Hi when he designed the pattern. Ul-Ji Tul is performed by 4th Dan Black Belt students and requires advanced control of fast motion, continuous motion, jumping, pivoting, sliding, and precise black belt-level hand and foot coordination.
Pattern Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pattern Name | Ul-Ji Tul |
| Rank | 4th Dan Black Belt |
| Movements | 42 |
| Meaning | Named after General Ul-Ji Mun-Dok |
| Symbolism | The 42 movements represent General Choi Hong-Hi's age when he designed the pattern |
Stances and Leg Techniques
- Parallel Ready Stance with X-Back Hand
- Walking Ready Stance
- Close Ready Stance Type B
- Sitting Stance with Body Raised Slightly
- Sitting Stance
- Low Stance
- Fixed Stance
- Rear Foot Stance
- X-Stance
- Close Stance
- L-Stance
- Walking Stance
- Mid-Air Side Piercing Kick (Foot Sword)
- High Side Front Snap Kick (Foot)
- Mid Crescent Inward Vertical Kick
- Mid Back Piercing Kick (Foot Sword)
- Mid Side Front Snap Kick (Foot)
- Mid Side Piercing Kick (Foot)
- Mid Front Snap Kick (Foot)
Leg Placements and Motions
Leg Placements
- Heel raised outer open stance
- Heel raised approximately 1 foot behind opposite foot
- Heel raised approximately 1 foot ahead opposite foot
Motions
- Fast Motion
- Continuous Motion
Arm Techniques
- Mid Horizontal Strike (Twin Side Fist)
- Mid Horizontal Strike (Twin Inner Forearm)
- Mid Horizontal Strike (Backhand)
- Mid Horizontal Strike (Backfist)
- Mid Wedging Block (Twin Inner Forearm)
- Mid Block (Twin Forearm)
- Low-Mid Circular Block (Inner Forearm)
- Low-Mid Circular Block (Palm)
- Low-Mid Block (Inner Forearm)
- Mid Downward Block (Palm)
- Mid Downward Block (Forearm)
- Mid Upward Block (Palm)
- High Side Back Strike (Backfist)
- Mid Back Thrust (Back Elbow)
- High Side Strike (Backfist)
- Mid Side Strike (Backfist)
- Mid Punch (Forefist)
- High Punch (Forefist)
- High Crescent Punch (Forefist)
- Mid Breaking Block (X-Knife-Hand)
- Mid Guarding Block (Forearm)
Arm Placements and Body Movements
Arm Placements
- Backhand in front of forehead
- Side fist on opposite under fist
- Palm on opposite elbow joint
- Fingerbelly on opposite side fist
- Arm extended to the side downward
- Into opposite palm or fingerbelly
- Hands stay in previous position
Body Movements
- Jumping Backward 1.5 Shoulder Widths
- Jumping Forward 2 Shoulder Widths
- Jumping Forward 1.5 Shoulder Widths with 360 Degree Turn
- Pivot Left 90+45 Degrees
- Turning Right 45 Degrees
- Sliding Forward 2 Feet
- Turning Left 360 Degrees
- Turning Left 180 Degrees
- Stepping Backward
- Turning Right 90 Degrees
- Turning Right 180 Degrees
- Turning Left 90 Degrees
- Stepping Forward
Performance Notes
Ul-Ji Tul requires strategic control, not only physical power. Students must show the ability to change direction sharply, move with precision, and recover balance after jumping, sliding, and kicking actions. Each transition should be deliberate and tactically clear.
The pattern includes advanced hand techniques such as twin side fist horizontal strike, back elbow thrust, high side back strike, crescent punch, circular blocks, breaking block, and multiple palm-based blocks. These techniques must be finished cleanly with correct alignment and controlled breathing.
As a 4th Dan Black Belt pattern, Ul-Ji should be performed with mature rhythm, technical authority, and historical awareness. The student should avoid rushing the difficult sections and should instead show control, accuracy, and intent through all 42 movements.
Movement Sequence
| Move | Body Movement | Direction | Stance / Leg Technique | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Ready Position | 12:00 D | Parallel Ready Stance with X-Back Hand | Ready Position |
| 1 | Stepping Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | Mid Horizontal Strike (Twin Side Fist) |
| 2 | Stepping Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | Low Pressing Block (X-Fist) |
| 3 | Continuous Motion | Forward | Walking Stance | High Rising Block (X-Knife-Hand) |
| 4 | Transition | Forward | Walking Stance | High Strike (Knife-Hand) |
| 5 | Stepping Backward | Rear | Sitting Stance | Mid Horizontal Strike (Backfist) |
| 6 | Turning Left 180 Degrees | 6:00 C | Sitting Stance | Mid Horizontal Strike (Backfist) |
| 7 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 9:00 A | Sitting Stance | Mid Back Thrust (Back Elbow) |
| 8 | Transition | Forward | Sitting Stance | High Side Back Strike (Backfist) |
| 9 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 12:00 D | Close Stance | Mid Side Thrust (Twin Elbow) |
| 10 | Fast Motion Turning Right 90 Degrees | 3:00 A | X-Stance | Mid Side Piercing Kick |
| 11 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Horizontal Thrust (Twin Elbow) |
| 12 | Stepping Forward | Forward | X-Stance | Mid Horizontal Thrust (Twin Elbow) |
| 13 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Sitting Stance | High Strike (Backfist) |
| 14 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 12:00 D | Sitting Stance with Body Raised Slightly | High Strike (Backfist) |
| 15 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 3:00 B | L-Stance | Mid-High Block (Twin Knife-Hand) |
| 16 | Jumping Forward 1.5 Shoulder Widths with Right 360 Degree Turn | Forward | Mid Flying Mid-Air Side Piercing Kick | High Punch |
| 17 | Landing | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Block (Twin Forearm) |
| 18 | Turning Right 90 Degrees | 12:00 D | Close Ready Stance Type B | Transition to ready stance |
| 19 | Jumping Forward 2 Shoulder Widths | Forward | X-Stance | High Side Strike (Backfist) |
| 20 | Stepping Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | Mid Front Snap Kick |
| 21 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Punch |
| 22 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Downward Thrust (Straight Elbow) |
| 23 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Downward Block (Palm) |
| 24 | Turning Left 360 Degrees | 12:00 D | Sitting Stance | High Side Strike (Backfist) |
| 25 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 9:00 F | Walking Ready Stance | Ready transition |
| 26 | Jumping Forward 1.5 Shoulder Widths | Forward | Fixed Stance | High Side Front Snap Kick |
| 27 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Checking Block (X-Fist) |
| 28 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Low Pressing Block (X-Fist) |
| 29 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Wedging Block (Twin Inner Forearm) |
| 30 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Vertical Punch |
| 31 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Fixed Stance | Mid Outward Strike (Knife-Hand) |
| 32 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Push Block |
| 33 | Stepping Forward and Sliding Forward 2 Feet | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Punch |
| 34 | Stepping Backward | Rear | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block |
| 35 | Jumping Backward 1.5 Shoulder Widths | Rear | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block |
| 36 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Side Front Turning Kick |
| 37 | Turning Left 360 Degrees | Forward | Mid Back Piercing Kick | Kick Technique |
| 38 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block |
| 39 | Stepping Backward | Rear | L-Stance | Mid Upward Block |
| 40 | Turning Left 180 Degrees and Stepping Forward | 3:00 A | Walking Stance | Low-Mid Circular Block |
| 41 | Pivot Left 90+45 Degrees | 10:30 DF | Walking Stance | Low-Mid Circular Block |
| 42 | Turning Right 45 Degrees and Return | 12:00 D | Parallel Ready Stance with X-Back Hand | Mid Punch, then return to ready position |
Key Learning Objectives
- Perform all 42 movements with advanced 4th Dan control
- Develop clean execution of jumping forward, jumping backward, and mid-air side piercing kick sections
- Improve precision in elbow thrusts, backfist strikes, circular blocks, and twin forearm techniques
- Maintain strong posture during fast motion, continuous motion, pivots, and angular turns
- Understand the meaning of General Ul-Ji Mun-Dok's strategy and disciplined leadership
Important Reminder
Ul-Ji Tul contains 42 movements. Students should practise the jumping and turning sections carefully before increasing speed. Every kick, landing, block, strike, and hand placement must remain clear, controlled, and technically accurate.