- Kids Preschool
- About Blocks ( 막기 makgi )
- Middle Block ( 몸통막기 momtong-makgi )
Taekwondo 태권도Taekwondo Preschool
Promotion from one geup to the next can proceed rapidly in some schools, since schools often allow geup promotions every two, three, or four months. Students of geup rank learn the most basic techniques first, and then move on to more advanced techniques as they approach first dan. Many of the older and more traditional schools often take longer to allow students to test for higher ranks than newer, more contemporary schools, as they may not have the required testing intervals. View Taekwondo belt levels »
Middle Block
( 몸통막기 momtong-makgi )
Difficulty Level: Beginner Technique: Blocks ( 막기 makgi )
An inside Middle Block ( 몸통막기 momtong-makgi ) deflects a strike away from the defender and away from the attacker. For example, against a straight punch ( 지르기 jireugi ) to the face, an inside forearm block would aim to meet the inside of the forearm of the attacker, pushing the punch ( 지르기 jireugi ) outward, leaving the opponent open for a counter attack.
The important thing to remember is that the block ( 막기 makgi ) is moving in a straight line across the chest. Remember to keep the wrists ( 팔목 palmok ) straight, the blocking arm is angled 90-120 degrees, and the fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) is as high as the shoulder.
Typically because of the angles involved, the Middle Block ( 몸통막기 momtong-makgi ) is used to block ( 막기 makgi ) against attacks aimed at the torso. Most critical organs are housed within the torso. For example, in the upper chest, the heart and lungs are protected by the rib cage, while the abdomen contains the stomach, kidney, and etc.
Focus on the tightening of the muscles of the hand while you clench a fist ( 주먹 jumeok ). The wrist ( 팔목 palmok ) must also be kept straight in proper alignment during the posture. If the wrist ( 팔목 palmok ) bends on impact, it can easily be sprained, dislocated or broken.
Experienced blockers learn through repetition and muscle memory when (not just how) to launch particular blocks ( 막기 makgi ), based on the circumstances they are facing. Fights and fighters may have ebbs and flows in momentum and action that become predictable. Disrupting this flow may give the blocker an advantage.
* Please see a certified Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) for training. Proper guidance and instructions are needed to ensure safe training.
Did you know?
Impact Surface Area
Various surfaces of the body may be engaged as the blocking and striking surface depending on which area of the body is being targeted. This leads to a large array of blocking and striking positions. More information on Impact Surface Areas »
| Surface | Korean | Description | Tutorial | |
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Fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) - is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, displaying the knuckles. |
주먹 jumeok | A fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, displaying the knuckles. The act of creating a fist is known as 'making a fist' or 'clenching a fist'. | Tutorial » |
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Hammer Fist ( 메주먹 mejumeok ) - is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, using the bottom of the hand as the striking surface. |
메주먹 mejumeok | A Hammer Fist is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, using the bottom of the hand as the striking surface. The act of creating a fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) is known as 'making a fist' or 'clenching a fist'. | Tutorial » |
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Hand Blade ( 손날 sonnal ) - striking surface extends with the muscle at the side of the hand located between the base of the small finger and the wrist. |
손날 sonnal | By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the knife hand or hand blade ( 손날 sonnal ) is formed. The striking surface extends with the muscle at the side of the hand located between the base of the small finger and the wrist. | Tutorial » |
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Ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ) - reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the index finger. |
손날등 sonnal-deung | By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ), or reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the index finger. | Tutorial » |
RESOURCES
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Hand", "Fist (hand)", "Knife Hand", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
Quiz
Question. What is the korean terminology for Front Stance?
Front Stance is a precursor of the fighting stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) according to some authors. Body should be relaxed in this stance ( 서기 sogi ). From the attention stance ( 차렷 charyeot ) with feet together, one foot is placed straight ahead of the other. Depending on the martial art and style, some instructors teach to step sideways slightly when moving forward.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Front Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 뒷굽이 dwi kubi )
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
Back Stance ( 뒷굽이 dwi kubi ) is specifically focused on shifting weight to the back leg, as it offers much more control, and makes it easier to kick off the front leg. To perform the Back Stance ( 뒷굽이 dwi-kubi ), the body faces to the side, with the front foot facing forward and the front leg bent. The back leg is bent slightly and the foot is turned outwards perpendicular to the front foot making the letter "L" for this stance ( 서기 sogi ).
Question. What is the korean terminology for Front Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 주춤서기 juchum sogi )
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
The Horse-Riding Stance ( 주춤서기 juchum-sogi ) is a beginner stance ( 서기 sogi ) generally used to practice punches ( 지르기 jireugi ) and blocks ( 막기 makgi ). It is similar to the Ready Stance ( 기본준비 junbi ) but the feet are placed much wider, about two-foot length's apart. Also, the knees ( 무릎 mureup ) are deeply bent and the shins ( 정강이 jeonggangi ) should be kept slightly perpendicular to the floor.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Front Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 앞굽이 ap kubi )
Your answer is correct! Great Job!
Front Stance ( 앞굽이 ap-kubi ) is one of the most important techniques to learn when starting taekwondo as a beginner. The distance between the inside edges or namely the Reverse Foot Blade ( 발날등 balnaldeung ) of both feet should be between one to two fists apart and is about 4 to 4 one-half foot-length from origin. Rear toes are turned outward about 30 degrees and the body is also naturally angled at 30 degrees or facing straight forward depending on the upper body technique.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Front Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 앞서기 ap sogi )
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
The Walking Stance ( 앞서기 ap-sogi ) is a beginner stance ( 서기 sogi ) that is used to approach or retreat in combat and patterns ( 품새 poomse ). Feet should be maintained approximately 3 foot-length from origin. To maintain a solid base, the front foot is facing straight forward and the back foot is 30 degrees to aid balance. Use of this stance ( 서기 sogi ) is featured prominently in many of the World Taekwondo (WT) Poomse.
Question. What is the name of Taegeuk #2 in Korean?
Taegeuk 태극 (in World Taekwondo (WT)) refers to a set of poomse 품새 used to create a foundation for the teaching of taekwondo. A poomse or form is a detailed pattern of defense-and-attack motions and techniques used in traditional martial arts. Each taegeuk form symbolizes a specific state thought to be indicative of the belt the student currently holds, and is represented in World Taekwondo (WT) by trigrams similar to those found in the four corners of the South Korean flag.
Question. What is the name of Taegeuk #2 in Korean?
Answer you gave was: Yi Jang
Your answer is correct! Great Job!
The associated trigram of this poomse represents the Lake. Also, related to the symbol is South East and the relationship of the youngest daughter. The movements of this Taegeuk are aimed to be performed believing that man has limitations, but that we can overcome these limitations. The Lake and its water symbolize the flowing and calm nature of the martial artist.
Question. What is the name of Taegeuk #2 in Korean?
Answer you gave was: Sam Jang
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
This trigram represents Fire. Related to this symbol is also East and the relationship of the Second Daughter. Fire contains a lot of energy. The symbol behind the fire is similar to the symbolism of the water in that both can aid and both can destroy. This form is intended to be performed rhythmically, with some outbursts of energy to reflect fire's rhythmic and energetic dualism.
Question. What is the name of Taegeuk #2 in Korean?
Answer you gave was: Il Jang
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
The general meaning of this form and associated trigram is Yang, which represents Heaven and Light. Also, this trigram has a relationship to South and Father. The first Taegeuk form is the beginning of all poomses, the "birth" of the martial artist into Taekwondo. This poomse should be performed with the greatness of Heaven.
Question. What is the name of Taegeuk #2 in Korean?
Answer you gave was: Chil Jang
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
The trigram associated with this poomse represents a Mountain. Also, it represents the northwest and youngest son. The symbolism behind the mountain is the indomitable and majestic nature that all mountains possess. This poomse is intended to be performed with the feeling that all movements are this majestic due to their unconquerable nature.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Ready Stance?
Ready Stance refers to the most common ready position used in taekwondo training. The stance ( 서기 sogi ) is performed by standing with the feet one foot-length from origin apart, measured from the inside edge or namely the Reverse Foot Blade ( 발날등 balnaldeung ) of the feet. The arms are slightly bent and the fists held tightly about one fist size apart just below the belly button and the fists should be a fist size away from the body.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Ready Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 주춤서기 juchum sogi )
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
The Horse-Riding Stance ( 주춤서기 juchum-sogi ) is a beginner stance ( 서기 sogi ) generally used to practice punches ( 지르기 jireugi ) and blocks ( 막기 makgi ). It is similar to the Ready Stance ( 기본준비 junbi ) but the feet are placed much wider, about two-foot length's apart. Also, the knees ( 무릎 mureup ) are deeply bent and the shins ( 정강이 jeonggangi ) should be kept slightly perpendicular to the floor.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Ready Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 기본준비 junbi )
Your answer is correct! Great Job!
Ready Stance ( 기본준비 junbi ) is performed by standing with the feet one foot-length from origin apart, measured from the inside edge or namely the Reverse Foot Blade ( 발날등 balnaldeung ) of the feet. The arms are slightly bent and the fists held tightly about one fist size apart just below the belly button and the fists should be a fist size away from the body. The stance ( 서기 sogi ) is one of the most important techniques to learn when starting taekwondo as a beginner.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Ready Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 앞굽이 ap kubi )
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
Front Stance ( 앞굽이 ap-kubi ) is one of the most important techniques to learn when starting taekwondo as a beginner. The distance between the inside edges or namely the Reverse Foot Blade ( 발날등 balnaldeung ) of both feet should be between one to two fists apart and is about 4 to 4 one-half foot-length from origin. Rear toes are turned outward about 30 degrees and the body is also naturally angled at 30 degrees or facing straight forward depending on the upper body technique.
Question. What is the korean terminology for Ready Stance?
Answer you gave was: ( 앞서기 ap sogi )
Your answer is wrong! You need to study more!
The Walking Stance ( 앞서기 ap-sogi ) is a beginner stance ( 서기 sogi ) that is used to approach or retreat in combat and patterns ( 품새 poomse ). Feet should be maintained approximately 3 foot-length from origin. To maintain a solid base, the front foot is facing straight forward and the back foot is 30 degrees to aid balance. Use of this stance ( 서기 sogi ) is featured prominently in many of the World Taekwondo (WT) Poomse.
There are five tenets defined in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and several more in World Taekwondo (WT).
Indomitable spirit ( Baekjul Boolgool / 백절불굴 ): "To have indomitable spirit means to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what odds you are up against, and to always give 100% effort in whatever you do." View Taekwondo Tenets »
RESOURCES
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Taekwondo Techniques", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
