Taekwondo 태권도Taekwondo Preschool

When you reach senior belt you are expected to guide the junior belts when they are beginning Taekwondo such as showing by example. To advance from one rank to the next, students typically complete promotion tests in which they demonstrate their proficiency in the various aspects of the art before a panel of judges or their teacher. View Taekwondo belt levels »

Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi junbi )

Fighting Stance

겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi

Difficulty Level: Beginner Level Technique: Stance ( 서기 sogi )

The Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) varies with the martial art, Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ), and the practitioner, but is the basic all-purpose stance ( 서기 sogi ) used in sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ), self-defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ), breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ), and demonstrations. The stance ( 서기 sogi ) is one of the techniques to learn when starting taekwondo as a beginner white belt ( 10th geup ).

Common features across the arts include turning the body slightly to the side to present a smaller target for vulnerable areas, slightly bent knees ( 무릎 mureup ) for better balance and agility, feet about two shoulder widths apart for faster mobility, and the hands up protecting the head ( 머리 meoli ) and chest ( 가슴 gaseum ) area.

In the arts relying heavily on kicks ( 차기 chagi ) such as taekwondo and kickboxing, the body's mass is usually shifted slightly to the back leg, making the front leg easier to lift and increasing the speed of kicks ( 차기 chagi ). Regardless of the exact stance ( 서기 sogi ), this is the most familiar stance ( 서기 sogi ) for a martial artist to use. All other stances ( 서기 sogi ), blocks ( 막기 makgi ), and attacks flow from the Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) in combination.

The Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) is the main stance ( 서기 sogi ) used in taekwondo sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ). Sparring is a form of training common to many combat sports. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively free-form fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely.

In some schools, permission to begin sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) is granted upon entry by the Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ). The rationale for this decision is that students must learn how to deal with a fast, powerful, and determined attacker. In other schools, students may be required to wait a few months, for safety reasons, because they must first build the skills they would ideally employ in their sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) practice and avoid injuries.

For the practitioner to be successful in the Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ), the fighter needs to also deploy proper footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ) at the same time. Footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ) involves keeping balance, closing or furthering the distance, controlling positioning, and creating additional momentum for strikes. Dominated by the philosophy that the fastest and most economical way to an opponent is a straight line, taekwondo uses most often linear movement, and focus primarily on the speed of advance and retreat to overcome an adversary.

Sparring Posture ( 겨룸새 gyeorumsae )
Left Foot in Front ( 왼 겨룸새 wen-gyeorumsae )
Right Foot in Front ( 오른 겨룸새 oreun-gyeorumsae )
Right Turn Stance ( 오른 돌아딛기 oreun-dora-ditgi )
Left Turn Stance ( 왼 돌아딛기 wen-dora-ditgi )

To learn more about taekwondo combat View Sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) »

Training Methods

How well one improves with training depends on several factors, such as the frequency it is engaged in, and the type of feedback that is available for improvement. If a student does not train often enough, reinforcement fades, and he or she is likely to forget what was learned.

When learning the stance ( 서기 sogi ), it is helpful to use a mirror to observe your stance ( 서기 sogi ) posture and fix your mistakes immediately. Initially, a student may need focused feedback from a certified Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ); however, as they progress, they must develop the ability to self-assess the stance ( 서기 sogi ).

Minimum Level Requirement: White Belt (10th geup)

Difficulty of Technique

Taekwondo students of geup ranking learn the most basic techniques first, and then move on to more advanced and difficult techniques as they approach 1st Dan Black Belt. The more difficult the technique, the more practice may be needed for the purpose of improving or mastering it, as in the phrase 'practice makes perfect'. Every technique must display the requisite speed, balance, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defense move.

30% Difficulty

Up to 75% Difficulty

* Please see a certified Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) for training. Proper guidance and instructions are needed to ensure safe training.

Promotion Tests

Students often undergo periodic testing and grading by their own Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) in order to advance to a higher level of recognized achievement such as a different belt color. They need to demonstrate their proficiency in the various aspects of the art such as the execution of patterns ( 품새 poomse ), which combine various techniques in specific sequences.

Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) is a requirement for the below belt levels (Techniques vary between schools). Promotion from one belt level 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 black belt. View Promotion Tests »

Did you know?

Taekwondo Summer Olympic Games

Taekwondo became a full medal sport at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and has been a sport in the Olympic games since then. For Olympic competition, there will be a single elimination tournament for each of the weight categories. Repechage competition will occur for the bronze medal contest, while the winner of the tournament will receive the gold medal, and the loser will receive the silver medal. For more information View Taekwondo Summer Olympic Games »

Year	Date	Flag	City	Host Country
2020			Tokyo	Japan
2016	August 5 -August 21		Rio de Janeiro	Brazil
2012	July 27 - August 12		London	United Kingdom
2008	August 8 - August 24		Beijing	China
2004	August 13 - August 29		Athens	Greece
2000	September 15 - October 1		Sydney	Australia

RESOURCES
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Taekwondo at the Summer Olympics" which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi )

Footing Surface

Various surfaces of the foot may be engaged as the footing surface depending on which area of the body is being used. Proper footwork is used to enable the proper balancing of the body, to support combinations of strikes and launch strikes from the proper angle or distance. For more information on Impact Surface Areas »

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Technique Injuries

Collisions with the ground, objects, and other taekwondo practitioners are common, and unexpected dynamic forces on limbs and joints can cause injury. Taekwondo injuries can also occur in techniques if done improperly or from overuse of a particular body part. Taking a break from training or reducing the volume and the intensity of the training will allow the body to recover. For more information on Injuries »

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Common Mistakes when Performing the Technique

When performing the technique, there will be more mistakes as a beginner and as the practitioner advances through the rankings, they will have learned and improved from the past. How well one improves with training depends on several factors, such as the frequency it is engaged in, and the type of feedback that is available for improvement.

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Some Techniques used in this Stance ( 서기 sogi )

An example of the union of mental and physical discipline is the combination of stance ( 서기 sogi ), footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ), and technique (either with block and/or strike), which requires both physical mastery of the technique and the concentration to focus one's power. Experienced practitioners learn through repetition and muscle memory when (not just how) to launch particular techniques, based on the circumstances they are facing.

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Training Highlights Summary

The Stance ( 서기 sogi ) contains many key point highlights. There are some that are simple and straightforward but then some are complex and detailed that require repeated training to learn and master.

50% Left Leg (Weight Distribution)

50% Right Leg (Weight Distribution)

this stance varies with the martial art and the practitioner such as the width, how deep the stance, facing direction of feet, and etc
the basic all-purpose stance used in sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ), self defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ), and combat
weight ratio on the left and right legs varies with the fighter and the situation
the body's mass is usually shifted slightly to the back leg, making the front leg easier to lift and increasing the speed of the kicks ( 차기 chagi )
slightly bent knees ( 무릎 mureup ) for balance and agility with hands up protecting the head
most common is about two-shoulder widths apart for stability and presense; while one-shoulder width apart may provide speed for the kicks ( 차기 chagi ) and the footwork ( 딛기 ditgi )

* Please see a certified Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) for training. Proper guidance and instructions are needed to ensure safe training.

Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi )

Use in Sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi )

Under World Taekwondo (WT) and Olympic rules, sparring is a full-contact event and takes place between two competitors in an area measuring 8 meters square. A win can occur by points, or if one competitor is unable to continue (knockout) the other competitor wins. Points are awarded for permitted, accurate, and powerful techniques to the legal scoring areas; light contact does not score any points. For more information on World Taekwondo (WT) Tournament Sparring »

The Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) is the main stance ( 서기 sogi ) used in sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ). Sparring is a form of training common to many combat sports. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively free-form fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely. In some schools, permission to begin sparring is granted upon entry. The rationale for this decision is that students must learn how to deal with a fast, powerful, and determined attacker. In other schools, students may be required to wait a few months, for safety reasons, because they must first build the skills they would ideally employ in their sparring practice.

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Use in Self-Defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) Applications

Self-Defense is to protect yourself from being attacked from would-be aggressors. It is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm and is designed primarily to cause injury or quickly incapacitate an attacker, in addition to being a deterrent against them. Attackers are typically larger, stronger, and are often armed or have an accomplice. With proper execution attackers may be incapacitated with a single blow, which lessens the number of attacks with multiple people. For more information on Self-Defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) »

Practitioners must have their body weight correctly distributed during the stance ( 서기 sogi ) including proper footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ). Each technique must be correctly timed and aligned in order to defend effectively. The stance ( 서기 sogi ) is commonly performed during Self-Defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) scenarios.

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Use in One-Step Sparring

One-Step Sparring is performed with a partner in which predefined movements are practiced. One student is the attacker while the other student responds with defenses, counterattacks, and/or other actions, based on part of the predefined movements. For more information on One-Step Sparring »

The stance ( 서기 sogi ) is commonly featured during One-Step Sparring practice. Fundamentally, taekwondo One-Step Sparring is one of the learning grounds for real combat. As such, every technique including stance ( 서기 sogi ) must display the requisite speed, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defense move. One-Step Sparring varies between schools.

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Use in Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa )

The discipline of destroying inanimate objects such as wooden boards, baseball bats, ice blocks or cement bricks and is a feature common to martial arts including taekwondo. A single board or stack of boards may be broken or, alternatively, a series of boards may be broken in a pre-set sequence utilizing a variety of strikes. Advanced competitors may even break several boards in a single jump with multiple kicks before landing. For more information on Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ) »

In use, the stance ( 서기 sogi ) is featured during Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ) events. General qualities that judges look for in any taekwondo practitioner include proper breathing technique and body control. The diaphragm must be engaged in deep breathing, shallow breathing concentrated in the upper abdomen results in raised shoulders and stressed muscles. Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ) varies between schools.

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Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi )

Use in Patterns ( 품새 poomse )

Poomse is the 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. Poomse is useful in developing proper kinetics, mental and physical fortitude.

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Most Kukkiwon 국기원 schools will use the poomse taegeuk whereas a few schools will use the poomse palgwe. The meanings, trigrams and symbols are shared by both poomse taegeuk and poomse palgwe, however the sequence of movements is different. The first 8 forms of the set of poomse differ from each other, whereas the last 9 forms (Black Belt forms) of the set are shared between the two sets. All students studying in World Taekwondo (WT) Kukkiwon style must learn these forms, or taegeuk, to advance to a higher belt level. There are eight taegeuk forms, each one similar to the previous one, but each time with more complicated techniques to display the students' mastery of the techniques learned during lessons, as well as the ability to interconnect these techniques.

For more information on taekwondo patterns refer to Poomse 품새 Section »

Learn other taekwondo stances on the Stance ( 서기 sogi ) Section »

Practitioners must have their body weight correctly distributed during each different stance and during footwork. Each technique must be correctly aligned. Every technique must display the requisite speed, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defense move.

Use in Demonstrations

To promote taekwondo for its emphasis on high kicking and fast hand techniques, taekwondo schools perform at tournaments, community events, shopping malls, parks, and tv shows. Demonstrations vary from school to school, but may include such elements as the execution of poomse ( 품새 poomse ), which combine various techniques in specific sequences; the breaking of boards to demonstrate the ability to use techniques with both power and control; sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) and self-defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) to demonstrate the practical application and control of techniques; physical fitness usually with push-ups and sit-ups. For more information on Demonstrations »

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Use in Warming-Up

A warm-up generally consists of a gradual increase in intensity in physical activity, joint mobility exercise, and stretching, followed by the activity. Warming-up brings the body to a condition at which it safely responds to nerve signals for quick and efficient action. For more information on Warming-Up »

In addition to being a stance ( 서기 sogi ) in itself, the stance ( 서기 sogi ) is an exercise used by many instructors to teach the principle of focusing, stretching, relaxing the muscles, increasing the range of motion and flexibility, something which is considered important in taekwondo. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion.

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Fighting Stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi )

Additional Resources

Taekwondo Stances ( 서기 sogi )

This book is available for download with Apple Books on your Mac or iOS device, and with iTunes on your computer. Book can be read with Apple Books on your Mac or iOS device.

The Korean martial arts taekwondo has several stances ( 서기 sogi ) used for different activities. Although there are strong similarities in stances ( 서기 sogi ) throughout taekwondo schools, individual instructors often have their own preferred style. These stances ( 서기 sogi ) are most commonly seen in taekwondo forms ( 품새 poomse ), and are critical for balance, precision, and good technique in the martial art.
View more information about Book »

TAEKWONDO STANCES ( 서기 sogi )
	Hangul 한글	Korean	Belt Requirement	Difficulty Level	Tutorial
Attention Stance	차렷	charyeot		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Ready Stance	기본준비	junbi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Front Stance	앞굽이	ap-kubi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Horse Riding Stance	주춤서기	juchum-sogi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Two Fist Ready Posture	두주먹허리준비	dujumeok-heori-junbi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Fighting Stance	겨루기준비	gyeorugi-junbi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Walking Stance	앞서기	ap-sogi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Parallel Stance	나란히서기	naranhi-sogi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Inward Stance	안쫑서기	anjjong-sogi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
At Ease Stance	편히서기	pyeoni-sogi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Back Stance	뒷굽이	dwi-kubi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Side Stance	옆서기	yeop-sogi		Intermediate Level
Left Stance ”L” Shape	왼 서기	wen-sogi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Right Stance ”L” Shape	오른 서기	oreun-sogi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Cross Stance	꼬아서기	koa-sogi		Intermediate Level
Rear Cross Stance	뒤 꼬아서기	dwi-koa-sogi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Covered Fist Posture	보주먹준비	bojumeok-junbi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Tiger / Cat Stance	범서기	beom-sogi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Forward Cross Stance	앞 꼬아서기	ap-koa-sogi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
‘ㅗ’ Shape Stance	‘ㅗ’ 자 서기	oja-sogi		Advanced Level
Log Pushing Hands Posture	통밀기준비	tongmilgi-junbi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Crane Stance	학다리서기	hakdari-sogi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Overlapped-Hand Posture	겹손준비	gyeopson-junbi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Inner Knee Stance	오금서기	ogum-sogi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Assisting Stance	곁다리서기	gyeotdari-sogi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »

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 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 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.

The korean martial arts taekwondo has several stances ( 서기 sogi ) used for different activities. Practitioners must have their body weight correctly distributed during each different stance and during footwork. Each technique must be correctly aligned. Although there are strong similarities in stances throughout taekwondo schools, individual instructors often have their own preferred style. For information View Taekwondo Stances ( 서기 sogi ) »