The Complete Guide to Proper Taekwondo Patch Placement on Your Uniform image 17

A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Taekwondo Patch Placement

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As a long-time taekwondo instructor, one of the most common questions I get asked is about the correct way to place patches on the uniform. While the official rules provide some guidance, there are always additional details curious students want to know. In this article, I’ll break down the ins and outs of patch placement from my years of experience in the dojang.

The Basics: What Patches Go Where?

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To start off, let’s cover the standard patches required by most organizations and where they go. The patches signify rank and affiliation:

  1. Dan Rank Patch: Worn on the left shoulder for black belts. Dan ranks (1st degree black belt and higher) have their own unique-colored patch shape.
  2. Kup Rank Patch: Worn on the right chest for colored belts below black belt. The patch shape and stripes indicate belt level.
  3. School Patch: Worn on the right shoulder to represent your training location. This patch often has the school’s name or logo.

Those are the basics, but as you’ll see, there’s more to it than just slapping on the patches wherever. Proper placement matters – it shows your attention to detail as a martial artist.

Specific Placement Guidelines

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Now let’s get into some real nitty-gritty patch positioning. These guidelines will have your uniform looking sharp:

  1. Patches should be an inch below the shoulder seam on both shoulders. I’ve seen folks slap them right on the seam – no way, that looks janky!
  2. The rank/school patches should be parallel to the floor when standing at attention. No sideways patches, people!
  3. Leave at least a finger-width of space between patches. You want some breathing room so it’s not a mishmash up there.
  4. Center patches front to back on your chest/shoulder. Take a gander in the mirror to straighten them out.

Paying attention to minutiae like proper spacing and parallel lines makes a huge difference in how polished your uniform presents. It’s kind of like doing your shoelaces – seems basic but sets the right tone.

Dealing with Multiple Patches

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Things can get a bit more convoluted if you’ve got dashi or extra certifications to factor in. No worries, I’ve seen it all:

For multiple chest patches, stack them vertically with the highest rank patch on top. You can offset them left/right for visual separation. On the shoulders, fit extra patches on top of the main ones by overlapping the edges just a touch.

As for stuff like competition patches, many taekwondoin put those below the rank patches since they’re more supplemental. It helps reinforce the priority of rank. But I’ve known folks to rock them proudly up top too – to each their own!

At the end of the day as long as everything’s on straight and not piled on haphazardly, you’re gold. Flex your patch placement creativity within reason!

Avoiding Common Mistakes

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In all my years teaching, some unfortunate patch gaffes keep recurring. Watch out for these pitfalls:

  1. Forgetting to peel the sticky patch backing – yuck! No one wants to see that gross residue.
  2. Putting patches on inside out. I mean, were you even paying attention?!
  3. Letting threads from seams show over patch edges. Take an extra minute to tidy those up.
  4. Lopsided patches that don’t match on both sides. Get out the leveler for those tricky alignment jobs.

A little care and attention during application goes a long way. Avoid slapdash rushing and your uniform presentation will thank you.

Keeping It Looking Fresh

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Once your patches are on, you’ll want to maintain that pristine appearance. Here are some tips from my experience:

  • Hand wash in cold water only to prevent color running or fading. Air dry flat for crispness.
  • To remove stains or buildup on patches, spot clean gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. No harsh scrubbing!
  • When patches start peeling at the edges, use patch cement or fabric glue for quick repairs. Revives them like new.
  • Occasionally flip patches upside down to “reset” their adhesion, especially in high-sweat areas. Re-stick afterwards.

With a little TLC your uniform will stay looking fresh longer. Bonus points if you can fix patches without your students even realizing they were damaged! Keep practicing that ninja patch work, hehe.

Final Thoughts

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As you can see, there’s more to patch placement than meets the eye. While the basic rules outline where patches go, the finer details give your uniform that extra polished look. Taking care over even small things signals focus, respect, and attention to martial form. Hope these insights help you rep your taekwondo style with pride!

Let me know if you have any other uniform questions – I’ve probably seen it all in my day. Keep training hard and taking care of those patches! That’s my advice as your friendly neighborhood taekwondo master. Stay awesome, y’all.

Taekwondo Uniform Patch Placement Guide

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Patch Type Recommended Placement
School Name Patch Centered on back of uniform top
Rank Patch Centered on left sleeve
National Flag Patch Centered on right sleeve
Trainer Name Patch Centered on left front chest area
Dojang Name Patch Centered on right front chest area

FAQ

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  1. Where should taekwondo patches be placed on the uniform?

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    Taekwondo patches are usually placed on the left or right sleeve of the dobok (taekwondo uniform). Some patches might go on the left chest area as well. Basically wherever you can attach ’em safely without getting in the way during moves!

  2. How many patches can you have on a uniform?

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    Most schools don’t have a set number – it’s sort of up to you. I’d say no more than 3 or 4 patches would look good though. Any more than that and it may appear like too much, kinda tacky. At the same time, showing off one really meaningful patch is better than tons of little ones I think.

  3. Should patches go above or below elbow level?

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    It’s generally recommended to keep patches below the elbow because having anything above that area could get in the way when throwing high kicks or punches. Then again, I knew this one guy who put his patches way up high – said it made him feel “fierce”. But is that worth the risk of them flying off during sparring?!

  4. How do you attach patches securely?

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    The best way is to use both sewing and adhesive to really make sure those patches don’t go anywhere during practice. Sew around the edges for structure then apply fabric glue on the back. You could also throw in a few strong stitches through the middle for extra reinforcement. I tried just glue once and lost a patch during a hilarious fail of a spinning back kick – so don’t skimp on security!

  5. Can patches be placed on the sides of the uniform?

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    Technically yes patches can go on the sides, but they may not always be as visible there compared to the sleeve. However, I knew this one gal who rocked a giant patch on her hip that was honestly pretty awesome. It really stood out from the crowd! So in the end, do what looks good to you. As long as the patches don’t interfere with your form, put ’em where you like best.

  6. Is there a standard color for taekwondo patches?

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    Nope, no set colors – go wild with your creativity! You’ll see patches in basically every hue under the sun. Personally I prefer darker shades like navy or forest green since they show up better against the white dobok. But some students really flex their personal style with crazy bright neon patches, and more power to ’em! In the end, the patch color isn’t as important as what it represents to you.

  7. How do I clean patches without damaging them?

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    The gentlest way is always hand washing with a tiny bit of mild detergent like Dawn. Give the patches a good soak and scrub – getting grime out from under the stitching is key. Rinse well and gently reshape as it air dries. Maybe throw in some leather conditioner too to keep them soft and flexible. Whatever you do, don’t chuck it in the washing machine – the tumbling could pull out stitches for sure. Hand cleaning is the safest bet, though air drying takes longer.

  8. Can anyone wear taekwondo patches?

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    Well technically yes, anyone can slap a patch on whatever they want. However, in the world of taekwondo it’s generally understood that patches represent achievements and ranks earned through hard work and study of the art. So most people choose to only wear patches for belts and tournaments they actually trained for. Otherwise, it can look like you’re pretending or exaggerating your skills, if that makes sense? In the end, do u bo – but belts and patches hold meaning in the dojang.