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Modern-day Taekwondo incorporates straight-line movements characteristic of the Japanese martial arts as well as the circular movements found in many Chinese styles. It is mainly distinguished from other arts by its powerful use of kicking techniques, as well as its use of bare hands and feet to repel attackers.
The techniques of Taekwondo are categorized in four categories: stances, blocks, strikes, and kicks. The blocks protect specific areas of the body, while the strikes and kicks allow one to direct his force in several different directions. The strength of these techniques lies in their simplicity; they are designed for practical, efficient, and spontaneous reaction in all sorts of situations.
As mentioned before, Taekwondo places great emphasis on the legs. The legs are comparatively longer and more muscled than the arms, allowing them to reach farther and act with greater power. The way in which the legs deliver kicks in Taekwondo is what makes this art different from others. The striking limb (arm as well) is brought back rapidly after an attack, allowing the student to maximize the number of strikes delivered. Their speed makes it harder for opponents to block or evade them. Ultimately, the power of these techniques lies in the proper alignment of the body. The stance, therefore, supports all of the techniques and transmits their power.
Stances
The hands are important in the protection of the body and efficient production
of power. Thus, before learning any stances, one needs to position the
hands properly. The proper hand position is known as the guard position.
The
Guard Position
The leading hand is held in front of the body above shoulder-level. The
rear hand is held between chin and shoulder-level. The guard position
is adopted in any defensive situation.
The guard position
Attention Stance
The entire body is straight and relaxed, with the feet together. Toes
are pointed forward and weight is evenly distributed between both legs.
Hands are placed flat against the thighs. The attention stance is non-combatant
and used to express one's respect and discipline. It is held to focus
attention on a single thing (e.g. the instructor during a lesson or an
opponent before a match). It is often assumed before bowing as well.
The attention stance
Ready
Stance
Posture is straight, with eyes focused forward and feet spread shoulder
width apart, the weight distributed evenly on both feet. Feet should be
parallel with toes pointed forward. Both fists are placed about one fist's
distance from the front of the belt. The ready stance is used to prepare
oneself for an activity and is assumed before all forms
of Tae Kwon Do.
The
ready stance
Horseback
Stance/Middle Stance
The body is erect and feet are spread two shoulder widths apart. Feet
are placed flat on the floor and toes are pointed forward, with the weight
distributed evenly on both feet. The knees are bent outward to lower the
pelvis and both arms are chambered to the sides. The posterior should
be directly aligned with the heels. The horseback stance is a strong position
for both attack and defense.
The
horseback stance
Forward/Front
Stance
A step is taken forward so that one foot is two shoulder lengths (one
and a half steps) in front of the other. The rear knee is locked straight
while the front leg is bent slightly so that the knee is directly over
the toes. The rear foot is flat, with 60% of the body weight on the front
leg and 40% on the rear leg. To maintain balance, the feet should not
be less than shoulder width (side to side). The hips are not turned. The
forward stance is a strong position for both attack and defense from the
front.
The
foward stance
Back
Stance
The
rear foot is turned outward at a 45 degree angle. The leading leg is placed
one and a half shoulder widths in front. Both knees are bent outward.
Sixty percent of the weight is on the rear leg, while 40 percent is on
the lead leg. The heel of the rear leg should be aligned with the front
foot. Eyes are focused towards the front and the chest is turned 45 degrees
away from the front. The back stance utilizes all sides' strength while
enabling mobility. Because the turned chest also reduces the opponent's
target, it is effective for combat.
The
back stance
Cross
Stance/X Stance
Lead
leg is bent slightly and 99 % of weight is placed on it. The rear leg
is crossed behind this leg such that the toes point toward the outside
edge of the lead foot. The cross stance is used when a student prepares
to change direction or launch a kick. Unlike the back stance, it does
not allow mobility.
The
cross stance
Blocks
Unless indicated otherwise, the blocks shown are practiced with the hands
in fist form and the legs spread, one in front of the other. Also, the
non-blocking arm is simultaneously retracted to the side, at belt level,
whenever a technique is performed. This helps to drive the power of the
block.
Rising/High
Block
The blocking arm is thrust upward, with the forearm angled approximately
45 degrees, until it is about one fist's distance above the top of the
head. This serves to block the entire head. The rising block defends the
head and shoulders from a downward attack, and the face from a direct
attack; the idea is to lift the opponent's strike above the head.
High
Block (122 kb)
Down/Low
Block
The blocking arm is raised to the opposite site of the head with the palm
facing the ear and then swept down across the front of the body. The fist
stops in front of the center of the belt with the forearm angled downward
at approximately 45 degrees. The other arm is retracted to the side. The
down block defends the middle and lower parts of the body.
Low
Block
X
Block
To defend the head and shoulders from downward attack and the face from
direct attack, a high X block is executed, with the wrists crossed in
front of the forehead. To defend the lower body, the low X block is executed,
with the wrists crossed just above the belt.
X
Block
Knife-Hand
Block
The
blocking hand, in knife-hand position (link to strikes section), is brought
to the opposite side of the head. Then it is snapped out, crossing the
face with the palm out and hand aligned with the shoulder. The knife-hand
block can be used to protect both the upper and lower body from direct
attacks.
Knife-hand
Block
Strikes
In order for strikes to be most effective, students must learn proper
hand positioning. The five basic hand positions are: the fist, knife-hand,
ridge hand, spear fingers and knuckle-fist.
The
Fist
One
must begin with the fingers closed tightly to prevent them from yielding
at the moment of impact. The thumb should be tucked against the first
two fingers to reinforce their strength and so that it is not caught on
anything during the strike. These two precautions help to prevent injury.
A proper fist is started with the hand open. The fingers are then curled
into the palm, and the thumb is tightly attached to the first two fingers.
The fist and forearm are extended straight, not moving the wrist, because
any bend might cause serious injury. The punch's power sources are the
first two knuckles, which are larger than the others.
The
Fist
The
Knife-Hand
The fingers (open hand) are pressed together tightly, with the tips curled
inward slightly. If hit, this protects them from being broken since they
will automatically curled inward. The thumb is bent and attached to the
side of the hand so that it will not be caught during the punch. The striking
surface is the edge of the hand with the pinky finger.
The
Knife-hand
The
Ridge Hand
The
same position is assumed as in knife-hand. The differences are that the
thumb is tucked flat against the palm for protection and the striking
surface is the edge of the hand with the thumb.
The
ridge-hand
The
Spear Fingers
The same position is assumed as in knife-hand.
The difference is that the striking surface is the tips of the fingers.
Straight
Punch
The
straight punch is used to practice the proper form of delivering a punch
(not used for sparring). Students should be in horseback stance only while
practicing this punch. First, one fist is extended forward so that it
is directly in front of the center line of the body. The un-extended fist
is brought back alongside the belt in a "chamber" position.
Then, the two actions are reversed and the rear fist is driven forward,
passing the lead arm that is being chambered. During this process, the
hands twist naturally, so that each punch ends with the punching hand
palm down and rear hand palm up.
Straight
Punch
Side
Punch
The
body starts upright, with the striking arm is chambered. It then twists
in the direction of the strike, with the leading foot lifted to the supporting
leg. The lead leg takes a step outward and at the same time, the striking
arm is extended straight from the shoulder, positioned parallel to the
floor. The last two movements are performed without pause.
Side
Punch (443 kb)
Reverse
Punch
The
body in guard position,
the rear hand delivers a straight punch. This carries much power since
the hips are shifted, and the shoulders are snapped and turned at the
moment of impact. The hips are turned, directly facing the target. The
striking hand is extended at the target. The dramatic shift in weight
by the hips and raised rear foot power the reverse punch. It is considered
one of the most powerful striking techniques and is often used as the
finishing blow in sparring.
Reverse
Punch (474 kb)
Upset
Knife-Hand Strike
The edge of the hand is used to deliver the blow. The striking hand assumes
the knife-hand position and is brought close
to the side of the head. Then as it is swung outward (the non-striking
arm is meanwhile retracting), the arm straightens. At the moment of the
blow, however, the arm will be slightly bent.
Upset
Knife Hand Strike (474 kb)
Spear-Fingers
Strike
The
striking hand assumes spear-fingers position (link to strikes-spear-fingers
position), and the arm is chambered. The striking hand is then thrust
forward, until the arm is completely straightened, the fingertips touching
the opponent. This technique is potentially dangerous and should be practiced
with caution.
Spear-fingers
strike
Kicks
There are six basic striking surfaces of the foot: the ball, the instep,
the back and bottom of the heel, the edge of the foot with the toes, or
"blade," the arch, and the sole of the foot. These various uses
of the foot can be seen in the following kick descriptions. The kicks
can be performed from any stance (e.g. front and back stance); we have
only shone them from a kicking stance. Most importantly, close attention
should be paid toward the hips and how they are used to drive each of
these kicks, since they essentially produce their power.
Side
Kick
A
quick step is taken behind the leading foot, turning the hips away from
the target. The knee of the kicking leg is raised and the heel is tucked
toward the posterior. The hips are shifted as the foot is raised, with
the bottom of the foot pointing at the target. The leg is eventually straightened,
driving the foot's "blade" toward the target. The non-kicking
foot should point 180 degrees away from the target. After the kicking
leg has struck, it should be quickly chambered. The side kick is considered
one of the most powerful kicking techniques in Tae Kwon Do. Variations
include the jumping side kick.
Jumping
Side Kick (378 kb)
Roundhouse
Kick
The
knee is bent while the kicking foot is raised to the side. Next, the leg
is straightened to swing the foot around the target. The blow is finally
landed when the leg is completely extended. To maintain balance, the supporting
foot should not leave the floor. The instep is the striking surface. The
roundhouse kick is used to deliver blows from a 90 degree angle, and is
powered by the rotation of the body.
Roundhouse
Kick (474 kb)
Front
Kick
The
knee of the kicking leg is raised towards the target. The leg is snapped
out until straight at the target. The instep or ball of the foot can be
used in the front kick. The strike should be completely quickly so that
an opponent has less time to attack the leg.
Front
Kick (473 kb)
Jumping
Front Kick
The
rear leg is bent upward as if stepping onto an invisible chair. The rear
foot is pressed down so the kicking foot is quickly snapped up and delivers
a front kick. The kick therefore begins as the body rises, rather than
when it is at its maximum height. Jumping front kicks are made when both
feet are off the floor, so it is important to jump up high. Tae Kwon Do
flying kicks are similar, but move farther horizontally. Their form is
the same as the front kick, except that the practitioner takes a few running
steps before performing the kick.
Jumping
Front Kick (442 kb)
Back Kick
The
back leg takes a step forward and the head quickly turns toward the back.
Next, the kicking leg is raised, and the corresponding foot is thrust
backward. The heel is the striking surface. A spinning back kick is primarily
used to deliver blows in the rear direction.
Back
Kick (475 kb)
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