Explanation of Poomse Conventions and Tae Kwon Do Stances, Blocks, and Strikes

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Index:

Important General Information for Forms

General Information

When you perform Poomse (forms), imagine that you are in combat with virtual opponents. Make all strikes (kicks and punches) forceful and accurate, and maintain eye contact with your opponent. Judges look for clean, exact stances and movements.

Forms documentation describes stances in terms of the forward leg.

• "Left forward stance" means Forward Stance with left leg forward, or in front.
• "Right back stance" means Back Stance with right leg forward.

All motions listed under a Movement subheading in forms are performed at the same time.

Upper and Lower Body Alignment assumed in forms:

Blocks and stances are executed with precise form and movement, power, and balance while performing Poom-se. In actual combat, blocks and stances would not be as defined, but the practice of forms will help strengthen the muscles and ingrain the movements so that they flow more naturally and powerfully in free sparring.

Good Flexibility is extremely important to the practice of Tae Kwon Do. While normal range of upper body movement is important, lower body flexibility is even more necessary to properly perform kicks and to help prevent injury during Tae Kwon Do exercises. Greater lower body flexibility increases your kicking range and makes you more effective in combat. To increase flexibility, proper stretching should be done regularly. The muscles should be well warmed-up before beginning your stretches, especially if increased flexibility is desired. A good source of information is the Stretching and Flexibility Web Site.

Flexibility should be balanced with functional muscular strength training, as extreme flexibility without strength training can destabilize joints and lead to injury. Also, muscular strength and power will increase your overall effectiveness in combat by improving speed and power of blocks and strikes, and enhancing jumping and general gymnastic ability.

Finally, cardiovascular and muscular endurance are extremely important in Tae Kwon Do training. Although forms do not require this, endurance is extremely important in combat, and in overall health. If you can outlast your opponent(s), you have a key advantage assuming your skill levels are approximately the same. TKD Competition requires a great deal of endurance. Kicking with every bit of your power and speed over and over can take a lot out of you even in a mere 90 second round.

Stances

Parallel Stance (Nalan-Hi Seogi)

• Feet are positioned one foot-length apart (about shoulder-width stance).
• The insides of the feet are parallel
• Knees are straignt (not locked out)
• Both legs support body weight evenly, and center of balance is in the middle

Basic Ready Stance (Kibon Choonbi Seogi)

• From attention stance (hands at sides, feet together), move left foot one step to the side (shoulder width apart), as in the Parallel Stance
• Feet are parallel, knees straight but not locked
• Raise hands up to the pit of your stomach, then clench hands into fists and snap them down to waist, with arms slightly bent at end of movement.
• During the movement, breathe in deeply, then breathe out quickly and tense the abdomen.
• Fists end up one fist-width apart and one fist-width away from abdomen.
• Look straight forward and concentrate to react immediately to opponent's action.

Forward Stance (Apkubi Seogi)

Example: Right-leg-forward Forward Stance:

• Right foot is in front, about one and a half steps forward.
• Right knee is bent, right foot points straight forward.
• Weight is shifted slightly toward front leg (center of balance about 1/3 of the way back from distance between front and rear feet)
• Left (rear) leg is straight, left foot points outward about 45 degrees.
• Body and hips face straight forward. Width of stance is narrow (feet are on either side of an imaginary line drawn straight back from inside of front
• Punches and Blocks are usually head-on, with shoulders square, NOT leaning into the punch or block

Back Stance (Dwitkubi Seogi)

Example: Right-leg-forward Back Stance:

• Right foot is placed one step forward (a little more than a shoulder-width), and Right foot points straight forward (towards opponent)
• Left foot is pointed 90 degrees out (to left side) (angle between right and left feet is 90 degrees)
• Weight is centered over the rear (left) leg, with only 1/3 of body weight on the right foot.
• Both knees are bent naturally, to lower the body about 6 inches (15 cm) (rear leg is bent more than fore to place weight over the rear leg)
• Hips and upper body are turned about 60 degrees from straight forward (between front and rear feet), but head looks straight forward
• Heels of front and rear feet are one either side of a straight line toward opponent.

(Horseback) Riding Stance (Juchum Seogi)

• Feet are positioned about one and a half times shoulder width apart
• Feet are parallel, both pointing straight forward.
• Upper body is straight, knees are bent slightly, abdomen is tense.
• Center of balance is low and stable.

Walking Stance (Ap Seogi)

Example: Right-leg-forward Walking Stance:

• Feet are one normal step apart (Right leg in front)
• Feet are both pointing straight forward (insides of feet in a straight line)
• Knees are straight, but not locked out
• Body weight is supported both both feet equally.

Right Stance (Oreun Seogi) and Left Stance (Waen Seogi)

Right Stance:

• From Parallel Stance, turn the ball of the right foot 90 degrees outward, keeping left foot fixed.
• The Right foot is forward in the Right Stance (pointing straight forward) and the Left foot is forward in the Left Stance
• Knees are straight, but not locked out
• Body weight is supported both both feet equally.
• This stance is often used with the Back fist outward strike and Hammer Fist drop strike

Tiger Stance (Beom Seogi)

Example: Right-leg-forward Tiger Stance:

• Rear (Left) foot is turned 45 degrees outward (from straight forward
• Right foot is placed one foot-length forward, in front of left foot
• Full body weight is supported by rear (left) leg
• Both knees are bent to lower body about 6 inches
• Only the toes or ball of right foot touch the floor slightly. The right foot is supporting no weight so an immediate kick with the right foot is possible without any shift in body weight.
• Upper body is bent slightly forward, and hips are positioned slightly to the rear, behind rear foot.

Cross Stance (Dwikkoa Seogi)

Example: Right-leg-forward Cross Stance:

• After jumping, land on the right foot and place the left toes behind the outer edge of the right foot.
• Left toes/ball of foot touch the ground only (Left heel is raised)
• The left shin is crossed behind the right calf. Knees are not crossed, but are on normal sides.
• Both knees are bent to lower the body a little (6 inches)
• Right foot points 45 degrees out from upper body & hips, which are square.
• Upper body is bent forward slightly.
• Body weight is mostly on the right foot.

Note: in Korean terminology, this stance is named for the rear, or crossed leg (right cross stance would be Waen(left) Dwikkoa Seogi), but in keeping with the forms documentation convention of calling stances by the forward foot, we use the opposite term. Technically, the forward cross stance (Apkkoa Seogi) is the stance assumed momentarily while sidestepping in horseback position, while the back-cross stance is assumed after leaping forward, however the mid-stance leg position is the same)

Crane Stance (Hak-Dali Seogi)

Example: Right Leg Crane Stance:

• Bend the right knee slightly. Right foot points straight forward and stays planted on ground
• Raise Left foot by bending left knee. Pull Left foot up along inside of right calf
• Fix left foot against inside of right knee, with left heel at back of right knee, left toes at front inside of right knee, left foot pointing slightly downward. Left Knee is bent and pointing straight forward.

• Feet are together, with big toes and insides of feet touching
• Legs are straight (but not locked out), with weight evenly distributed

Pushing Hands Ready Stance (Tong-Milki-Choonbi Seogi)

• (used in Koryo)
• Slowly (over 7 seconds) and powerfully bring both knife-hands up from waist level, palms up, fingers pointing toward each other, up to the chest, while inhaling.
• Turn palms outward toward opponent, and slowly begin pushing knife hands forward, while exhaling, then forcefully complete the movement with both arms out in front, knife-hands pointing 45 degrees in and up, as if pushing someone away.

Blocks

All Blocks should be very forceful and fast, so that they could divert a strong punch. Blocks themselves should be as forceful as an attack or punch. It is best to try to avoid a forceful kick rather than to block it.

In competition, the most important block is simply moving out of the way--you don't risk injury from blocking a hard strike, and you don't expend as much energy, which is important to conserve in competition.

Example: Right low block:

• Begin with right arm bent in front of body and right fist with palm near left ear.
• Forcefully block downward by extending the elbow and moving the forearm across and down the front of the body. Twist the fist so it end with the palm down.
• The movement ends with the right arm about 45 degrees out from the body, slightly bent at the elbow, so that in right forward stance the right fist is just inside the right knee, about one fist-width in front of it.
• Left fist should be on belt at hip, palm-up. (left elbow forcefully moves straight to the rear)
• Block with the Inner Forearm (Bakat Palmok) (on same edge of forearm as little finger).
• This block can be used to divert a low punch or similar strike, or a low roundhouse kick if necessary.
• Shoulders and hips are square, as in all basic blocks and punches.

Example: Right High Block:

• Start with right fist on right side of body, palm-up, with elbow bent.
• Move fist up and across body to left side, like an uppercut punch.
• Snap fist up past face and over the head, twisting wrist so it ends with fist palm outward, away from forehead. Forearm moves from left shoulder to right side of head
• Fist ends about one fist-width from top of head. Elbow is bent about 90 degrees, forearm at 30 degree angle from floor.
• Block with the Inner Forearm (Bakat Palmok) (on same edge of forearm as little finger).
• (In actual combat, when precise form is not as necessary as in Poom-se, the block doesn't always need to originate from the right hip. In fact, excess preparatory movements can signal to your opponent the move you are about to make, and explosive, unforeseen speed should be the primary goal, so often the block will simply start from the left side and move upward across the body to the top right of head. However, as with all blocks, repeated practice with proper form develops the muscular strength and speed necessary to execute blocks more quickly and powerfully, and ingrains the proper feel and motion of the block into your mind and body so that it is more easy to execute instantly in actual combat.)

Example: Right out-to-in middle block:

• Begin with Right arm reaching back on right side of body, elbow bent so forearm is vertical, with right hand in a fist.
• Swing right forearm around from right rear to side then across front of body, ending with elbow (pointing downward) bent about 90 degrees, with upper arm 45 degrees out from upper body, and fist extended out in front of center of chest.
• Palm/fingers of fist are up.
• Block with the Inner Forearm (Bakat Palmok) (on same edge of forearm as little finger).
• Other hand is in fist, palm-up, fixed at the waist/hip, with elbow bent and pointing back

Example: Right in-to-out middle block:

• Begin with Right fist near left hip, palm-down. Right forearm is across lower body, and right elbow is bent.
• Rotate right forearm up and outward, sweeping across upper body and to the right side. Twist right fist from palm-down to palm up.
• Pull left fist back to belt at left hip, palm-up.
• Right upper arm ends extended 45 degrees in front of body, palm/fingers of fist up, with elbow (pointing downard) bent at about 90 degrees.
• Block with Outer Forearm (An Palmok), or the same edge of forearm as the thumb.

• Block with the Inner Forearm (Bakat Palmok) (on same edge of forearm as little finger).
• Palm/fingers of fist are down, opposite the orientation used in normal middle block.
• Other hand is in fist, palm-up, fixed at the waist/hip, with elbow bent and pointing back

...With other fist in pit of stomach (Geodeureo Bakkat Makki)

• Same as above, In-out Block with fingers/palm of fist down
• However, other fist is not at belt, but fixed in pit of stomach, with fingers/palm of fist up. (similar to double knife-hand middle block, but with fists instead of knife-hands)
• (used in Taegeuk 8, movement 1...)

• This block is a combination of two simultaneous In-to-Out middle blocks with both arms.
• Start with both elbows bent, forearms across lower body, fists palm-down at waist on opposite side.
• Rotate both forearms upward and outward, crossing fists midway one behind the other.
• Block with both Outer Forearms (An Palmok).
• Finish with both upper arms out from body about 45 degrees, both elbows pointing downward, bent 90 degrees, with forearms in front of sides of upper body, fists up.

Variation: Double Palms-down In-to-out Middle Block. (same as above--fists cross in middle, except perform two palm-down in-to-out middle blocks)

Example: right knife-hand middle block:

• The standard Knife-hand Middle Block is performed with both knife-hands:
• Start blocking motion with right knife hand palm facing left ear, elbow in front of body. Left knife hand is palm-down, at waist, with elbow bent pointing backward.
• Body is usually to the side, with shoulders almost in a line toward opponent. In Poom-se, this block is most often used with back stance.
• Block with right palm-down knife-hand across body from inside to out.
• At same time, move left hand up to pit of stomach, twisting left knife hand so palm ends facing up.
• Finish with front (right) knife hand blocking to side of upper body (with shoulder facing opponent), palm-down, slightly under face level, elbow bent about 120 degrees. Back (left) knife hand is fixed in pit of stomach, palm-up.
• (used in Taegeuk 4, Koryo) Variation: Knife-Hand Low Block (Sonnal Arae makki)
• low knife-hand block (palm-down), with other knife-hand fixed in pit of stomach, palm-up.
• note difference between this and Single knife-hand low block, in which hand that is not blocking is in fist, palm-up, fixed at the hip.

• Block in-to-out with outer edge of knife-hand, ending with elbow bent a little more than 90 degrees, and palm-down.
• Same as double knife hand block, except back hand is fixed at waist, in fist, palm-up, rather than in knife-hand at pit of stomach.
• usually performed in back stance, and thus is to the side of the upper body (Hansonnal Momtong Yeop Makki)
• In Single Middle Knife-hand Block, the other hand is in a fist, fixed at the waist (palm-up)
• (used in Taegeuk 3)

Single Knife-Hand Out-to-In Middle Block

• Perform this block the same as the Out-to-In middle block, except with the Knife-hand rather than the fist.
• Block with edge of knife-hand on side of little finger.
• End with arm bent a little more than 90 degrees at elbow, palm of knife-hand up, upper arm about 45 degrees away from the body.

Example: Right Palmfist Middle Block:

• Begin with Right arm in front of body, bent about 90 degrees at elbow, with forearm almost straight up so palm-fist is palm-down in front of face.
• Forcefully Block downward with right palm-fist, as if defending against a front rising kick or strike.
• in Middle Palmfist block, movement stops with palm-fist around level of solar plexus. (forearm is near parallel to floor, angled up about 30 degrees, in front of body, with elbow bent and pointing out to the side.
• in Low Palmfist block, forearm is slightly below parallel to ground, and palm-fist is parallel to ground, around level of belt (in Koryo)

• Begin with both fists at hips on belt, palms-up.
• Punch Straight from belt downward so that arms end with wrists crossed, one wrist directly on top of other, so arms make an "X" shape
• Twist wrists while punching so that fists move from palm-up to palm-in (fists on sides, with thumbs on top).
• Blocks a low rising strike or kick.
• Normally, the wrist on side of forward leg goes on top, if stance is forward stance.

Example: Right Side Low Block:

• Begin same as normal (frontal) Low Block, with Right fist near Left ear, right elbow bent in front of body.
• Block out and downward, stopping at the side of the Right hip, rather than in front of the right knee as in normal low block.
• Arm ends about 20-30 degrees out from the side of the body, elbow slightly bent, fist palm-down.

Double Side Low Blocks (Arae Hechyeo Makki)

• Begin with forearms crossed in front of your throat, fists with palms toward your face
• Block downward and out to sides with both arms simultaneously (perform two Side Low Blocks)
• End with both arms 20-30 degres out straight from their hips, defending sides of lower body.
• (used in move 11, Taegeuk 6)

Example: Right Side High In-out Block:

• Start same as the Middle In-to-Out block, Right fist near left hip
• Block across front of body, twisting right forearm up and outward.
• Move arm farther than in frontal middle block, ending straight out to side of upper body. Upper arm is parallel to ground, and forearm is vertical (elbow bent 90 degrees). Fist ends up with palm toward head, slightly higher than top of head.
• Defends the side of the head.

Double Side High In-out Blocks ((Hechyeo) Santeul Makki)

• Begin with forearms crossed in front of stomach
• Perform simultaneous Double Side High In-out Blocks with both arms, Defending both sides of the head.
• End with arms on either side of the head, upper arms parallel to ground, forearms vertical, with fists slightly higher than head and palms toward head.
• (used in Kumgang, move 11, 14)

Combination Blocks

(not double blocks, but two different blocks simultaneously, often as if fighting two virtual opponents in advanced forms)

Combination Middle In-to-out and Low Block (Gawi Makki)

Example: Combination Right middle in-to-out and Left Low Block

• Perform both blocks simultaneously, with wrists crossing each other in front of body (low block wrist behind in-out block wrist)
• (in Palgwe 5, Gawi Makki is performed with low block arm being the same side as the leg that is forward; if left forward stance, left arm is low blocking, right arm is in-out-middle blocking)

• Perform side low block with one arm, and side high in-out block with other arm on other side of body.
• Example: with left side low block, right side high in-out, you defend the left low side and the right side of the head.
• (used in move 4,6 Taegeuk 8)

Example: Left Low and Right High Blocks

• The Keumgang Block is a simultaneous Left Side Low Block and Right High Block
• In Kumgang Poomse, this block is used with the Crane Stance, which is assumed slowly (over 10 seconds). The block is also performed slowly and powerfully, with great concentration on the movement and body position, balance, and power.
• In Kumgang Poomse, Low Blocking hand (left) is on side of Raised (left) Leg (So in this example, assume Right Crane Stance. Right foot is planted, left leg is raised, bent at knee).

Fist Formations:

Forming the Fist (Jumeok)

• Starting with an open hand, clench the four fingers together tightly.
• Roll the fingers in toward the palm, beginning at the outer (last) finger knuckle.
• As the second knuckles are bent, the finger tips should be pressed into the middle of the palm, and the second knuckles should be in a straight line. The finger should be clenched tightly with no space between fingertips and backs of fingers.
• Bend down the thumb across the index finger and middle finger, pressing it tightly between the last and middle knuckles. The fist should be tight at the moment of impact so the fingers aren't injured.
• The striking surface in a punch is the first knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

Hammer Fist (Mae-Jumeok):

• The fist is formed the same as above, but the striking surface is the fleshy area on the outside of the fist from the first knuckle of the little finger to the wrist.

Back Fist (Deung-Jumeok):

• The fist is formed the same as above, but the striking surface is the top of the first knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

• Starting with an open hand, clench the four fingers together tightly
• the last knuckles of the fingers are bent slightly, in order to tighten the fingers together even stronger and give the knife hand more strength than straight fingers.
• The thumb is bent tightly at the second knuckle, pressed against the edge of the hand above the index finger.
• The striking or blocking surface of the knife hand is the fleshy part of the hand between the wrist and the first knuckle of the little finger.

• The palm-fist is formed similarly to the Knife hand, but the fingers are curved more, and bent backward slightly at the first knuckle to expose the palm as the striking surface.
• The striking surface is the lower part of the palm.

• The Arc-Hand is formed by clenching the four fingers together, and curving them inward slightly.
• The thumb opposes the four fingers, completing the curve of the arc, as if the fingers and thumb are grasping a throat.
• The striking surface is the hollow area between the thumb and index finger. When the Arc-Hand is used in striking it is also called "Tiger-Mouth Hand" (Kal-Jae-Bi).

• The Spear Hand or Spear Finger is formed basically the same as the Knife hand.
• The tips of the index, middle, and ring fingers should be pressed tightly together in a straight line. These finger tips are the striking point.

• The Scissors Spear-Finger is made by stretching out the index and middle fingers in a V shape, with the other fingers and thumb clenched as in a fist.
• The index and middle finger tips are the striking point, used for stabbing the eyes.

Punches & Upper-body Strikes:

Middle Punch (Momtong Jireugi)

Example: Right middle punch:

• Begin with Right Fist palm-up at right hip, with elbow bent, pointing backward.
• Extend right arm forcefully and very quickly from hip to target in front of body. Twist fist as arm shoots out so that fist ends with palm down.
• Target is opponent's solar plexus (the nerve center right below sternum, at top of stomach), so the Middle punch ends with right arm fully extended (but not locked or overextended), angled downward to the floor slightly from shoulder.
• when middle punch is performed in forward stance, it is most often with the arm on the same side as the forward leg. --momtong bandae jireugi? When performed with the arm opposite the forward leg, it is called a Reverse Punch. --Momtong Baro Jireugi ?
• Left (nonpunching) hand moves forcefully back to at hip, in fist, palm-up, as left elbow executes an elbow strike to the rear (straight back behind you). The forceful rear elbow strike occurs simultaneously with the punch, balancing the forward force with a backward force to give the punch more power and torque.
• To incorporate greater torque and power, the hips can be used in the punch: before punching, twist the hips backward to the right side, then as your punch, quickly straighten the hips and draw power from the legs up into the trunk and through your punch.
• At the end of the execution of the basic punch, shoulders and hips are square (not lunging in), so this is a very close-range strike. You're still square above your feet and have maintained balance/are ready for the next strike.

• Execution is the same as the middle punch, but fist moves from the hip to the opponent's face.

• Execution is the same as the middle punch, but fist moves from the hip to the opponent's groin.

• A double punch is two punches performed one after the other, alternating arms.
• Striking point is the same (in center of body, either high, middle, or low), unless otherwise specified.
• Example of convention used in documenting forms would be "double middle punch, right hand first"
• Note the difference between this notation and that used for Double Blocks. Double blocks are performed simultaneously. consecutive blocks would be written out as separate points in a movement. Simultaneous blocks are much more common than simultaneous punches, which would be specified as being simultaneous.

• attack (usually to the neck) with inner edge of knife-hand (edge on side of little finger)
• end with knife-hand palm-up, elbow bent only slightly (arm almost straight).
• other hand in fist (palm-up) fixed against hip, with elbow bent, pointing back.
• Variation: Jaebipum Mokchigi--Combined with high knife-hand block, palm outward toward opponent, block with inner wrist (edge on side of little finger) (taegeuk 4)

Example: In-out single knifehand strike to opponent's neck:

• Begin with elbow bent in front of body, knife-hand at opposite shoulder.
• Strike from inside to outside in front of body, knife-hand palm-down.
• End with striking arm straight out in front of body. Elbow is straight, palm of knife-hand is down, arm is parallel to ground. (arm straight as opposed to single in-to-out Knife-hand block)
• Striking surface is edge of knife-hand on side of little finger.
• Used in Koryo, movements 2,6,27

Hammer Fist (Mae-Jumeok)

• Strike with Hammer Fist usually to upper body/shoulder. Example: Windmill-type side hammer fist strike to upper body (Maejumeok Naeryo Chigi)
• Used in Taegeuk 5, movement 2,4.
• Bring striking arm above your head, elbow bent slightly, upper arm straight toward sky.
• Swiftly drop arm and straighten elbow out to side of upper body (toward opponent who is at your side).
• Arm ends parallel to ground, elbow straight, striking with botttom of hammer fist (side of fist from little finger first knuckle to wrist).

Example: Windmill-type left hammer fist strike to waist/groin, with right hand as target (Waen Maejumeok Arae Pyojeok Chigi)

• (part of Movement 26 in Koryo)
• Start with left arm and fist out to side of body
• Swing left arm down to opponent's groin/waist area, right in front of your own (about one hand-width in front of your own waist)
• Meet left hammer-fist with right flat hand, using right palm as target for left hammer-fist (right fingers pointing down)

Front backfist strike (fist ends with palm/fingers up) to the face (deung jumeok olgul apchigi)

• Example: Right front backfist strike
• begin with right fist in front of right shoulder, elbow bent, pointing straight down.
• Strike outward straight out to the front, ending with elbow bent about 90 degrees, elbow still pointing down.
• Often used to attack opponent's lip, nose, or jaw, in which case fist would end up about face level.

Variation: with other fist supporting elbow:

• perform front right backfist normally, but other (left) fist is not at belt.
• Left arm is in front of body, bent 90 degrees at elbow, with forearm parallel to ground. Left fist (palm-down) is pressed up under elbow of striking arm, giving support to the strike. As performed in Taegeuk 7, this block is combined with torquing motion of the upper body for increased power:
• Before blocking, turn upper body to the left about 45 degrees, and bring right fist close to left shoulder.
• During blocking motion, twist upper body back to facing front, and block outward with right back fist.

Variation: with other fist pulling opponent to your chest:

• Used in Taegeuk 8, movements 5,7
• Example: Right backfist strike
• perform front right backfist slowly (over 5 seconds, snapping out at last part of movement).
• Simultaneously, pull fist of other arm in to you (slowly). Start with left fist palm-up, forearm straight out, elbow bent downward, close to upper body
• From this position, pull left fist straight toward your upper body, as if doing a bicep curl.

In-to-out backfist (across body, fist on its side) to the side of face (deung jumeok olgul bakatchigi)

• begin with elbow in front of body, bent sharply, and fist at opposite shoulder, palm toward chest (fist is on its side--knuckles in a vertical line toward ground)
• attack outward from the chest, in horizontal plane of movement (as opposed to the vertical plane of movement in normal front backfist, described above)
• attack the side of the opponent's face
• finish with arm straight out, parallel to ground, elbow straight.

• variation: Pyon-son-keut Seweo Jjiruki--spear-hand strike (palm vertical) with support from other flat-hand.

Example: Arc-hand Strike to the Throat

• From hip, strike out to throat with arc-hand.
• End with arm straight out in front of you, with arc-hand smashing opponent's throat.

Example: Front left Elbow-Strike with right flat-hand support:

• Bring elbow up and out to left side, with arm bent sharply, left hand in fist, palm-down.
• Strike with elbow by swinging bent left arm around to front of body, hitting target close to your chest, in front of you.
• At same time, bring right hand up, fingers pointing toward sky, with hand bent 90 degrees up from right forearm, which is parallel to ground.
• As left elbow strikes, left fist hits right palm and presses into it for support. Right elbow is bent and up almost to shoulder height.

Example: Side left elbow-strike with right flat-hand support (Waen Palgup yeop chigi):

• Used in Koryo, movement 25 (and opposite in 20)
• in horseback stance, body is facing to side, left shoulder is toward opponent. Look at opponent over left shoulder.
• Bring left elbow up and in front of left shoulder, with left forearm parallel to the ground, bent 90 degrees
• put right hand flat against left fist (right fingers/palm pointing straight up), with right elbow bent sharply and right forearm parallel to ground
• Quickly strike out to the left side with left elbow, bending elbow sharply, and pushing the left fist with the right palm for added support and power.

Example: Front left elbow-strike with right hand as target (palgup pyojeok chigi):

• used in Taegeuk 5, movement 16 (opposite in 18)
• attack to front of body with left elbow, as in front elbow strike above, but arm is not bent as sharply, and elbow hits directly in front of shoulder, rather than in center of body.
• Right upper arm is straight out to front, parallel to ground, with elbow bent at 90 degrees so forearm is in front of body, with flat right hand as target for left elbow on left side of body. right fingertips are pointing to left side of body.

Example: Right palm-fist strike:

• Start with Palm-Fist at hip
• Strike straight forward to opponent's jaw with the bottom of the palm. Palm is angled inward slightly (not flat out in front of you), rounded fingers are pointing up toward sky
• End with striking arm straight in front of you, with elbow only slightly bent, arm approximately parallel to the ground (depending on opponent's jaw height).

Example: Right cross-body front punch:

• Start with Right fist palm-up at right hip, elbow bent and pointing straight backward.
• Keeping elbow bent 90 degrees, punch up and forward from belt, and around to left side in front of body
• Strike to the left side in front of body with Right fist (unlike cross-body side punch, where you punch completely to the side, straightening punching arm).
• End with Right Forearm at level of solar plexus, in front of body parallel to shoulders and parallel to ground. Forearm is out from stomach about 8-12 inches). Right upper arm is perpendicular to chest, bent 90 degrees at elbow.
• Left fist moves palm-up to left hip, and left rear elbow strike is forcefully performed at same time as the cross-body punch.
• (Used in Kumgang (move 9,16,19,26)

Cross-Body Close Front Punch (Jageun Dolcheogi) (aka "small hinge shape")

• Same as above, but punching fist ends up much closer to opposite hip (one fist-width away from the nonpunching fist which is resting on the hip). Example: Right punch:  Right fist ends up directly in front of left hip, one fist-width out from left fist, which is resting on left hip at the finish position)
• (Palgwe 5, movement 16, Koryo, movement 18-1, etc.)

Specialized Combinations of Blocks and Strikes:

Arc-hand strike to break knee, pulling foot to ribcage with other hand (mureup keokki)

• Koryo, movement 12 (14 opposite) right forward stance
• left low arc-hand strike to break opponent's knee
• at same time as arc-hand to knee, pull cupped right hand in under left arm, as if holding the opponent's foot while you break his knee.

• forcefully bring knee straight up in front of body, bending knee sharply so that shin points straight down toward ground.
• end with knee above waist level, so that thigh is higher than parallel to ground. Knee is bent and both shin and foot are pointing straight down. Usually combined with double downward palmfist or fist strike (As in Taegeuk 7, movement 15,18):
• Begin with both fists in front of body, palms-down, elbows bent 90 degrees (as in end of double palms-down middle in-out block)
• As you bring knee up to strike upwards, strike downward forcefully on both sides of knee with fists.
• Fists are used to smash the opponent's head or limb against the knee.

• begin with elbows bent, fists at hips
• keeping elbows bent, punch upward from the belt with both fists at the same time
• in middle uppercut punch, strike the enemy's upper abdomen/solar plexus
• end with both arms in front of body, elbows bent about 90 degrees and pointing down, forearms angled 30-45 degrees upward (same position as the end of a double middle in-to-out block).
• Used in Taegeuk 7, movements 15,18

Example: Right punch with left hand as target: (Oreun Jumeok Pyojeok Jireugi)

• At beginning, side and shoulder are toward your opponent. In Koryo, stance is Horseback Riding Stance, with body 90 degrees to opponent.
• Twist the shoulders and upper body most of the way toward opponent (about 45 degrees toward the left)
• Punch to the side (in direction of left leg, which is toward the opponent), across the body.
• Left arm is extended straight out to the side (in direction of left leg, toward opponent), and palm is used as target for the right hand punch. The left palm is vertical and bent 90 degrees to the left arm, with fingers parallel to floor.
• Right arm is parallel to the floor (punch to upper body, not face, in Koryo)

• Koryo, movement 18 (23 opposite) right forward stance
• Left spear-hand strike to groin, palm-up
• while striking with spear-hand, pull virtual opponent's hand or arm to your upper shoulder with cupped right hand.

Kicks:

Front-Snap Kick ()

• First, bring knee of kicking leg up toward the chest, with shin straight downward.
• Forcefully straighten the leg at the knee, completing the front-snap kicking motion.
• The kicking direction is straight upward in front of the body, with the target being the upper body, chin, or face.
• The striking surface is the Ball of the Foot (Toes are bent backward. The ball of the foot is then the protruding front area of the bottom of the foot, where the big toe begins to bend backward).

• The kicking leg remains relatively straight throughout the entire motion of the In-out kick.
• With the body square toward the opponent, kick upwards and across the body to the opposite side.
• Continue the motion with the foot making a circle from the opposite side of the body across in front of the face, and to the outside of the body on the same side as the kicking leg.
• The striking surface is the outer edge of the knife-foot (the edge along the side of the little toe). The strike is performed coming across the body, from inside to out, often to the side of the head or face.

• The kicking leg remains relatively straight throughout the entire motion of the Out-in kick.
• With the upper body square toward the opponent, kick upwards and to the outside of the body on the side of the kicking leg.
• Continue the kick by making a circular motion with the foot, from the outside of the body, across in front of the face, over to the opposite side of the body and then back down to the ground.
• The striking surface is the inner edge of the knife-foot (the edge along the side of the big toe). The strike is performed coming across the body, from outside to in, often to the head or side of the face.

• The upper body is square toward the opponent.
• Kick nearly straight upward in front of the body, with the leg straight, as in a front stretching high kick. The foot moves in a slight in-out direction.
• Bring the foot up toward the inside of the body.
• The strike is performed as the foot drops forcefully from the top of the high kick downward and outward, onto the upper shoulder, head, or face of the opponent.
• The striking surface is the back of the heel or the bottom of the sole depending on distance to the target.
• The axe kick, when quickly executed with great flexibility, is very useful in combat when at close proximity to your opponent. By sidestepping slightly, face to face with your opponent, you can swiftly bring your kicking leg up behind your opponent's side (and line of vision) and raise your leg above the back of their shoulder and head, striking on the way down before they even see that your foot is behind their face.

Example: Right roundhouse kick:

• Twist the upper body to the left side, so that your right shoulder is pointing toward your opponent, and your hips are moving into in a line toward your opponent.
• As you are torquing your upper body and hips, raise the thigh of your kicking (right) leg, bent at the knee, so that your thigh comes up almost to your chest.
• As your right hip completes its circular upward rotation on top of the left hip, and your left foot pivots on the ground so that it is now pointing to the left side, or even slightly backward away from your opponent, forcefully snap your right shin and foot outward, in a line parallel to the floor for a middle roundhouse kick (to the ribs), or at an angle upward for a high kick (to the side of the face).
• The striking surface is the instep, or top of the foot. The ankle should be straightened when striking with this kick.
• The strike comes around from the outside to the opponent's side.
• The hips should be fully rotated vertically, so the upper body is not facing the opponent, but is facing to the left side. The torque of the upper body gives the kick more power and follow-through.
• The rear leg is most often used as the kicking leg, so in order to move to the knee-to-chest position, first pivot almost 180 degrees to the left on the left leg, beginning the spinning and torquing movement. However, the front leg can also be used to throw a quick kick, especially from back stance, where the weight is already on the back leg and the front leg can be quickly lifted into a kick.

• The hips are not fully rotated, but are halfway between straight on (as in front-snap kick) and sideways (as in roundhouse). This position allows the leg to come up at a 45 degree angle, and strike around the side or to hook around to the kidney of your opponent.
• Striking surface is the ball of the foot.
• This kick can be executed more quickly than the roundhouse since full twisting of the hips and upper body is not required, but it is also less powerful because it has less momentum behind it. Similarly, it can be repeated more quickly in succession because the upper body doesn't have to return to upright from a full torque after each kick as in the complete roundhouse execution

Example: Right side kick

• As in Roundhouse, the kicking leg is most often the rear leg (from kicking or back stance), but the forward leg can also be used if a quick opening appears that must be taken immediately, at the expense of some momentum and added power of the rotation and use of the rear leg.
• from Left fighting or back stance, shift weight to the left foot, and pivot a little more than 180 degrees to the left, so that the right hip is slightly turned past your opponent.
• Twist uper body and shoulders around even farther than in roundhouse preparation, and lean back to your left side, away from opponent.
• Lift your right thigh toward chest, with knee bent and angled slightly down toward ground. Your upper body should now be leaning back to the left side about 45 degrees, and your right thigh should be angled a little toward ground, from your hips, which are higher than right knee.
• Kick forcefully by extending knee and shooting right heel straight out toward opponent. At the same time, twist upper body away from opponent slightly, and down more toward floor, so your upper body and right leg are almost in a straight line toward your opponent. (with a side middle kick. the line would not be straight in a high side kick). Lowering the upper body to almost parallel to the floor allows you to kick higher and with more momentum.
• The striking surface is the bottom of the heel. The toes of the foot should be aiming slightly downward in order to emphasize the use of the heel rather than the entire bottom of the sole.
• The upper body is turned toward the rear, so the head should be turned to the right side to look at the target over the right shoulder.

Variation: with side punch (Palgwe 5)

• punch to side of body of leg that is kicking, so that punching arm is parallel with kicking leg.

• The striking surface is the back of the heel. This is an extremely damaging kick when placed correctly, since the striking area is so small and hard.

• most often, this kick is initiated from a stance with the right leg forward
• bend down slightly at the knees to prepare to spring upward
• forcefully raise left knee as if to perform a left front-snap kick
• continuing the same fluid upward motion, jump upward off of right leg as high as possible
• perform front-snap kick with right leg in mid-air, at same time pushing left leg downward to prepare to land, and to give balance to the powerful upward force of the right leg
• land on left leg, and then drop the right leg back quickly to prepare for next movement

Combination Kicks:

crossover side kick...

Other Movements

• Bring both arms up in front of your chest, with elbows bent so that forearms are parallel to the front of the chest.
• punch right fist up into left hand, so that left hand covers the right fist
• Hands should be joined at the height of your neck, about one hand-width away from the chin
• forearms end angled upward from elbows about 45 degrees, so that a 90 degree angle is made at hands between the two forearms. arms positions are symmetrical. shoulders are square.

Also NOTE - This document is still under construction. If you find an error in here somewhere, please let me know about it.