Theory

Purpose of Patterns

There are many techniques, movements and stancesin Taekwon-Do

and they all have a particular purpose, many have more than one. It is

very important to understand what you are doing and w.hy.

Stances

Parallel Stance

This stance is useful for learning new techniques, it

also allows the student a moment of contemplation before beginning a pattern / technique. It also allows the student to attack/defend when there is a limited amount of room for manoeuver

Walking Stance

Allows you to attack and to defend to your front and rear quickly and easily.

Sitting Stance

Allows you to attack and defend laterally easily. It can also be used for muscle development.

L-Stance

Allows you to attack with the front foot quickly (as you do not need to move as much of your body weight) and is also a very maneuverable stance.

Rear Foot Stance

Allows you to move the front foot spontaneously and accordingly lets you move closer to your opponent quickly, it also allows you to attack with the front foot quickly.

Low Stance

Allows you to extend the reach of the attacking tool, it also helps to develop muscles.

Bending Ready Stance A

Allows you to be prepared to attack with Side Piercing Kick or Side Thrusting Kick.

Bending Ready Stance B

Allows you to be prepared to attack with Back Piercing Kick.

X-Stance

This is generally a transitional stance - i.e. for moving from one stance to another or from one spot to another. It is also useful for attacking the side or front in a jumping motion.

(Source unknown)

Dan Belts

Boo Sabum

Dans 1 to 3 : National / Assistant Instructor

Sabum

Dans 4 to 6 : International nstructor

Sahyun

Dans 7 : Master

Sonim Sahyun

Dan 8 : Senior Master

Sasung

Dans 9 : Grand master

Meaning of the Belt Colours

10th Kup/9th Kup - White Belt

Signifies innocence. No previous knowledge of Taekwon-do, as that of a beginner student.

8th Kup/7th Kup - Yellow Belt

Represents the earth where the seed of Taekwon-do is planted as the foundation of Taekwon-do is being laid.

6th Kup/5th Kup - Green Belt

Represents the green plant growing as the skills of Taekwon-do develop.

4th Kup/3rd Kup - Blue Belt

Signifies the sky and the heavens, towards which the tree grows as Taekwon-do training progresses.

2nd Kup/1st Kup - Red Belt

Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, and warning an opponent to stay away.

1st Dan - Black Belt

The opposite of white, therefore signifying a maturity and proficency in Taekwon-do. It also indicates the holder's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

A movement described as OUTWARD is one which is moving away from the centre of the body towards the outside of the body.

An movement which is described as INWARD is one which travels from the outside of the body towards the centre of the body.

An INSIDE block is a block to the inside of the attacking tool.

An OUTSIDE block is a block to the outside of the attacking tool.

As the Taekwon-do student becomes more advanced demonstrations of destructive techniques must be given. These techniques are performed against wooden / plastic boards and to obtain a black belt a brick must be broken.
The techniques used become more technical as the student's grade advances. There are 6 principals that apply to all techniques that must be adhered to in order for them to have power.
These are explained in the theory of power.

3. Equilibrium
Balance should be maintained at all times - when moving (dynamic) or stationary (static). The body is therefore able to respond quickly and to execute techniques as fast as possible.

4. Breath Control
The body must always have a good oxygen supply but sharp exhalations at the moment a technique is performed temporarily tense the body to make techniques more powerful and diminishing the impact of any blow received. There are claims that it helps release a person's chi, or life force.

An untrained person only uses 10-15% of their potential when trying to perform Tae Kwon-do techniques.

1. Reaction Force.
If you strike an opponent who is rushing towards you at speed, the force of the blow is the combination of your opponent's movement and your own. Techniques can be of considerable force if timed well. Another type of reaction force is to use the two sides of the body in harmony. If the right fist is used to execute a punch the left fist should be drawn backward to the hip to maximise the effectiveness of the blow.

5. Mass and Weight
Force = Mass x Acceleration
By raising the body and dropping it at the moment of impact the force of a technique is dramatically increased.
6. Speed
Continuing with Force = Mass x Acceleration, a technique should accelerate quickly and be at its maximum acceleration at the moment of impact

2. Concentration
Pressure = Force/Area.
As with high-heel shoes being more damaging than a bare foot, Tae Kwon-do techniques use the smallest surface area as possible when in contact with an opponent. For example, a Tae Kwon-do punch uses only the bottom two knuckles of the index and middle fingers where as a boxer would use the entire fist.

Belts and Patterns

10th Kup: Saju Jirugi

9th Kup: Chon Ji

8th Kup: Dan Gun

7th Kup: Do San

6th Kup: Won Hyo

5th Kup: Yul Gok

4th Kup: Joong Gun

3rd Kup: Toi Gye

2nd Kup: Hwa Rang

1st Kup: Choong Moo

I Dan: Po-Eun, Ge-Baek, Kwang Gae

II Dan: Eui-Am, Choong-Jang, Juche

III Dan: Sam-Il, Yoo-Sin, Choi-Yong

IV Dan: Yon-Gae, Ul-Jil, Moon-Moo

V Dan: So-San, Se-Jong VI Dan Tong Il

Continuous Motion

When two or more techniques are performed in succession without stopping.

The techniques are not performed in the same breath.

E.g.In Dan Gun movements 13 and 14, low block followed by rising block.

Connected Motion

A pair of techniques when one is performed as a preparatory move for the other. The moves are performed in a one breath and a single sine wave. E.g. Movements 16 and 17 in pattern Yul Gok.

The Theory of Power (see below) There are 6 principals used to make a technique as powerful as possible:

-Reaction Force (Bandong Ryok)

-Concentration / Focus (Jip Joong)

Equilibrium / Balance (Kyn Hyung)

Breath Control (Hohup Jojul)

Mass / Weight (Zilyang)

Speed (Sokdo)

Consecutive Movement

When two or more kicks performed with the same arm or leg, against a single or several opponents,in different directions or with different tools.