arm so both forearms are at a 90 degree angle to the body. Double Knife Hand Block - With the hands held open in the knife hand position, a powerful kick aimed at the solar plexus can be successfully blocked. Both hands come across the body, intersecting at the forearms and providing a firm defence. Nine Block - This is a black belt leveled block and the first time it is usually used is around the black belt form. The person blocks their chest with one hand and stomach region with the other. The shape of the block forms a number nine when executed correctly. Both arms are bent at a 45 degree angle as well and it leaves little space open in the mid region of the defenders body. Your hand when this move is executed correctly should also be above your groin on the bottom and next to you opposite shoulder with the top hand. Upper Block - Also known as the Ulgul Makgi. The one using the block first keeps their fist sideways at the stomach or torso. They then rise the fist up to their head, deflecting the attack. Any attack made at the upper part of the body is blocked if timed correctly using this block. Patterns, Poomsae, Hyung, Tul Taekwondo patterns, also known as poomsae, teul, or hyeong constitute an important part of Taekwondo competitions. A pattern is a series of movements linked together in a prescribed sequence. Both basic and advanced taekwondo techniques can be contained within a single patterns and the higher the level of the competitor, the greater the difficulty of the techniques and the complexity of the pattern. Competitors must perform their highest pattern in front of a panel of judges. There are three types of Taekwondo pattern competition: Team Taekwondo patterns - Performed simultaneously by several competitors from a club organised into a single team. Club teams compete by performing two patterns each, one after the other. Once one team have finished both their patterns can the competing team then perform theirs. Again, the judges choose the best pattern to go through to the next round. In taekwondo tournaments, pattern competitions are generally graded on: Realism. Taekwondo patterns are the learning ground for real combat. As such, every technique must display the requisite speed, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defines move. Spirit. A