24 Tips for Do-San Tul

by Master Paul McPhail, VII dan
Director of Techniques

Do-San tul is the third Taekwon-Do pattern and is performed at green stripe level. It introduces many important techniques and principles, and is a big step up from the previous two patterns. Most people enjoy performing Do-San: it flows well, feels powerful, and is also challenging, especially to try and get back on the same spot! In this issue of Technical Tips I reveal movement by movement technical tips that will enable you to perform this pattern even better.

1.	Move the left foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a high side block to B with the left outer forearm.
Tip:	This is a high block, so your fist should be at eye level.
2.	Execute a middle punch to B with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward B.
Tip:	Before you execute the punch, lower your body slightly and move to a full facing position. Rise up allowing the weight to move slightly to your front foot, then drop into the punch.
3.	Move the left foot on line AB, and then turn clockwise to form a right walking stance toward A while executing a high side block to A with the right outer forearm.
Tip:	This is how you step for the turn. Angle the foot at 45 degrees.
4.	Execute a middle punch to A with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward A.
Tip:	Before you punch, remember to create a “backward motion” with the fist by letting it come forward off the hip slightly, then back to the hip just before you punch.
5.	Move the left foot to D, forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.
Tip:	Notice in the diagram that the left foot moves in a circular motion as it steps to the L-stance. Don’t bring the feet too close together on that step.
6.	Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle thrust to D with the right straight fingertip.
Tip:	Before you thrust, lift the hands to the sides in a relaxed position – don’t clench the fists tightly.
7.	Twist the right knife-hand together with the body counter clockwise until its palm faces downward and then move the left foot to D, turning counter clockwise to form a left walking stance toward D while executing a high side strike to D with the left back fist.
Tip:	This diagram shows the feet pivoting on the release. Simply lift the heels slightly and twist the feet to 45 degrees. Do not bring the back foot forward.
8.	Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a high side strike to D with the right back fist.
Tip:	Keep the attacking tool – the back fist, half facing at the moment of impact.
9.	Move the left foot to E, turning counter clockwise to form a left walking stance toward E while executing a high side block to E with the left outer forearm.
Tip:	When you start to move, go slightly down to create a sine wave. Raise the body to its highest point after the feet have crossed, then drop into the movement.
10.	Execute a middle punch to E with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward E.
Tip:	This is a “front punch”, so aim for the centre of the body. This is called your “solar plexus line”.
11.	Move the left foot on line EF, and then turn clockwise to form a right walking stance toward F while executing a high side block to F with the right outer forearm.
Tip:	Notice that this movement is called a “side block”. That tells you that your shoulders should be half facing at the moment of impact.
12.	Execute a middle punch to F with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward F.
Tip:	The punch is “middle” which means the fist should be at shoulder level at the moment of the punch.
13.	Move the left foot to CE forming a left walking stance toward CE, at the same time executing a high wedging block to CE with the outer forearm.
Tip:	To prepare for the wedging block, cross the arms in the centre of the chest, keeping both back fists facing the opponent.
14.	Execute a middle front snap kick to CE with the right foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 13.
Tip:	Kick to your own solar plexus level. (Normally “middle” techniques would be shoulder height, but for the front snap kick you should only kick to solar plexus level for it to be effective.)
15.	Lower the right foot to CE forming a right walking stance toward CE while executing a middle punch to CE with the right fist.
Tip:	See in the diagram, that if your angle is correct, your feet line up parallel to the CD line.
16.	Execute a middle punch to CE with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward CE. Perform 15 and 16 in a fast motion.
Tip:	Fast motion in this instance means that you spring straight up from the first punch into the second, without dropping your body down in between the punches.
17.	Move the right foot to CF forming a right walking stance toward CF while executing a high wedging block to CF with the outer forearm.
Tip:	Fists should be one shoulder width apart at the moment of impact.
18.	Execute a middle front snap kick to CF with the left foot, keeping the position of the hands as they were in 17.
Tip:	Kick with the ball of the foot.
19.	Lower the left foot to CF forming a left walking stance toward CF while executing a middle punch to CF with the left fist.
Tip:	Create a sine wave after the kick by bending the knee as you move into the punch.
20.	Execute a middle punch to CF with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward CF. Perform 19 and 20 in a fast motion.
Tip:	Breathing in fast motion is normal.
21.	Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with the left forearm.
Tip:	The outer forearm should finish at the centre (solar plexus line) of the forehead.
22.	Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a rising block with the right forearm.
Tip:	Cross in front of the rib cage for rising blocks.
23.	Move the left foot to B, turning counter clockwise to form a sitting stance toward D while executing a middle side strike to B with the left knife-hand.
Tip:	You should be “side facing” the opponent at the moment of the strike.
24.	Bring the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to A forming a sitting stance toward D while executing a middle side strike to A with the right knife-hand.
Tip:	See in the diagram how the foot creates a slight arc when it moves to the final movement.
END:	Bring the right foot back to a ready posture.