Practice text

Components
WTF sparring regulations
The meanings of Taekwondo forms (poomsaes)
Taekwondo Home Page

Poomsae, Kyukpa and Kyoruki are the three components of Taekwondo practice.

WTF sparring

Poomsae is a consistency of defensive and attacking movements against an imaginary opponent or opponents. There is a strick order in exercising movements of each Poomsae, which should not be changed by the practitioner. The movement path follows a given form. Each Poomsae bears in itself a philosophic concept based on the traditional Oriental doctrines and embodied in its name and scheme as well. Poomsae practice increases the power control, speed and balance. It utilizes a specific martial spirit also - in fact the opponent of the practitioner is he himself.

Kyukpa - that's the so called power test - breaking of tiles, bricks, boards etc. by different parts of the body and specific techniques. Kyukpa is a real provocation of the spirit. It is practised by the seniors only. It is not enough to have power, swiftness and accurasy of the movement, but their concentration in a glimpse of moment - the hit moment. Therefore, Kyukpa develops the concentration and that is very important skill for practising complex hits - for example, breaking by a spike-like finger tips hit forward.

Hosinsul

Kyorugi, or sparring, is the third main part of Taekwondo practice. Now the practitioner is face in face with a real opponent - another competitor. They contest aiming at winning points through defensive and attacking techniques.There are two sparring types - arranged (Mach'wo Kyorugi) and free (Chary Kyorugi). The arranged sparring develops coordination skills, precise techniques' practising, having a sense of the target, strictness, etc. There are two types of free sparring. Of course, it is required a special safe equipment - WTF competitors wear head gear, trunk protector, forearm guard, shin guard, groin guard, breast guard. The free sparring develops speed, power, strenght, courage, a sense of the situation, etc.

Besides the three mentioned components of the Taekwondo traning there are some more. An example is the so called "Hosinsul" - studying of combat techniques of self-defense such as throwings, catches, hits with knee, elbow and other.

There is a full contact in WTF practice. That's why, its first rule is the mandatory protective equipment of both competitors. Each permitted hit executed with sufficient power wins a point. Hits under the belt, punches in the head, back attacks are forbidden. Catches, throwings are not allowed as well. The contests are held on a 8 x 8 m field, in three rounds of three minutes each one with a minute break between the rounds - for men competitors. The contests are managed by a referee, head judge and three or four side judges. Leaving the sport field often, trespassing the special etiquette are under penalty.

Forbidden attacks in WTF sparing

Download WTF sparrings!

Credit: Korea Taekwondo Association

TAEGUK : This represents the most profound oriental philosophy from which philosophical views on the world, cosmos and life are derived. The Taeguk Poomsae consists of different movements in sequence. The vital points of this Poomsae are to make exact the speed of breath and action and move the body weight properly while executing speedy actions. Thus we can fully realize the main thought of Taeguk.

PALGWE : Supplementary Training.

The thought of Plagwe, another concept of the ancient Oriental Philosophy, implies symbolically all the phenomena of man and universe.

KORYO : Koryo is the name of an ancient dynasty in the Korean peninsula. Teh Enlish name of "Korea" originated from the name of this "Koryo" dynasty with which was famed for the valiant spirit of its people which tey defeated the Mongolian aggression. Koryo Poomsae is based on spirit of / sonbae(Sonbi) which was inherited from Koruryo to Balhae and to Koryo. Songae means strong martial art and honest spirit of scholars.

KUMGANG : The word "Kumgang" has originally the meaning of being too strong to be broken. Also in Buddhism, what can break off every agony of mind with combination of wisdom and virtue is called "Kumgang". The Poomsae "Kumgang"is named after Mount Kumgang, symbol of solidity. "kumgan"is also anlogous of "diamond".

TAEBACK : "Taeback" is the ancient name of Mount Paekdu where the legendary Tangun founded a nation for the first time in the Korean peninsula 4,329 years ago on Tangun calendar (1996 A.D.=4329 Tangun year). Poomsae "Taeback" takes its principles of movement from the word "Taeback" which means being looked up to as sacred.

PYONGWON : "Pyongwon" is meant by 'vast plain'. The plain is a source of sustaining the human life and, on the other hand, a great open plain stretching out endlessly gives us a feeling of majesty that is different from what we feel with a mountain or the sea. An application of the providence of the plain which is blessed with abundance and grace as well as boundless vastness into the practice of Taekwondo is Poomse Pyongwon (plain).

SHIPJIN : Shipjin has the meaning of 'decimal system' which stands for a symbolical figure of 10 meaning endless development and growth in a systematic order. In Poomse shipjin, stability is sought in every chnage of movements.

JITAE : According to the oriental belief, all living things come from and return to the earth(Jitae is derived from the meaning of the earth). Teh earth is indeed the orining and terminal of life. Living things as well as all the natural phenomena of the earth Poomsae "Jitae" is the movement which supplies these features of the earth.

CHUNKWON : Chunkown" signifies the sky. From ancient times the orientals have always believed and worshipped the sky as ruler of the universe and human beings. Teh infinitely vast sky may be a mysterious and profound world of imagination in the eyes of finite human beings. Poomsae Chunkwon is composed of the motions which are full of piery and vitality.

HANSOO : Poomsae "hansoo" derived from the word 'water' is typical with its fluidity and adaptability as manifested in the nature of water.

ILYEO : "Ilyeo" signifies oneness.

In buddhism the state of spiritual cultivation is said to be "Ilyeo"(oneness), in which body and mind, I(subject) and you(object), spirit and substance are unified into oneness. Teh ultimate ideal of Taekwondo lies in this state of Ilyeo. The final goal Taekwondo pursues is indeed a discipline in which we concentrate attention pursues is indeed a discipline in which we concentrate attention on every movement, shaking off all worldly thoughts and obsessions.

Credit: The explonations of the Taekwondo poomsae are taken form the Korea Taekwondo Association. That was made in order to supply the reader with the original explonations given by the Korean masters.