How to Taekwondo?
Taekwondo training can be broken down into multiple basics of Taekwondo. These basic skills are combined and performed as Poomsae (patterns), Gyeorugi (sparring), Gyeokpa (breaking), and Hoshinsul (self-defense).
Types of Taekwondo Training
There are multiple types of Taekwondo training curricula. All training aims to overcome limits and expand one’s physical and mental potential.
1. Poomsae 품새 (Patterns)
A systematic set of movements that combine attack and techniques. It has multiple types that are trained by different levels of practitioners.
Poomsae is largely divided into Taekwondo Yougupja (Kup-grade) Poomsae and Taekwondo Youdanja (Dan-grade) Poomsae. Taekwondo Yougupja Poomsae, composed of 1 jang to 8 jang, is practiced by beginning trainees without the rank of Poom or Dan. After the rank promotion, practitioners move on to Taekwondo Youdanja Poomsae, composed of Goryeo(2 Dan), Geumgang(3 Dan), Taebaek(4 Dan), Pyeongwon, Shipjin(5 Dan), Jitae(6 Dan), Cheongwon(7 Dan), Hansu(8 Dan), Ilyeo(9 Dan).
- Gibon-junbi (기본준비, Basic Posture)
A basic ready posture for most Poomsae.
It involves moving the left foot to the side from moa-seogi (모아서기) stance. The practitioner slowly breathes out with open hands raised to the solar plexus level and gradually brought down.
2. Gyeorugi 겨루기 (Sparring)
Practice training on attack and defense techniques by fighting with an opponent. Olympic Taekwondo is an example of competition sparring.
Pre-arranged Gyeorugi is the commonly practiced Gyeorugi. Two competitors decide on who will be the attacker and who will be the defender. They can compete about 1 to 3 times.
3. Gyeokpa 격파 (Breaking)
A training method in which practitioners use their power and techniques to break hard objects. Objects include bricks, tiles, and blocks of wood.
Gyeokpa is often used to test one’s skill in Taekwondo power and techniques. It can also be divided into smaller categories. For example, power breaking (위력 격파) is performed to measure one’s striking power. The practitioner performs basic Taekwondo skills such as punching, striking, and kicking to break targets fixed at a certain position.
Other types of training include Hoshinsul (호신술, Self-defense Techniques) and Taekwondo Gymnastic (태권체조) which demonstrate the practical application of Taekwondo skills.
Examples of Taekwondo Basics
1. Junbi-jase (준비자세, Ready Posture)
A ready posture before practicing taekwondo techniques.
Junbi-jase relaxes the body and focuses one’s attention. There are six types of ready postures with the most used being Gibon-junbi(기본준비, Basic Posture).
- Gibon-junbi (기본준비, Basic Posture)
A basic ready posture for most Poomsae.
It involves moving the left foot to the side from moa-seogi (모아서기) stance. The practitioner slowly breathes out with open hands raised to the solar plexus level and gradually brought down.
2. Seogi (서기, Stance)
Various postures of standing on one’s feet in order to perform offensive and defensive techniques.
It prepares for the shift of body balance and direction during the execution of taekwondo techniques.
- Moa-seogi (모아서기, Closed Stance)
Standing with both feet completely touching together and straight knees.
3. Makgi (막기, Blocking)
A defensive technique used to protect vital parts of the defender’s body using the hands, arms, feet, or legs.
4. Jireugi (지르기, Punching)
An offensive technique used by striking with fists.
5. Chigi (치기, Striking)
All types of offensive techniques delivered using the hands, fists, fingertips, legs, or feet.
6. Jjireugi (찌르기, Thrusting)
An offensive technique used to strike the opponent’s vital points with the fingertips.
6. Chagi (차기, Kicking)
An offensive technique used to strike the target with the feet by extending or swinging the legs.
Poomsae movements and sequences can be seen on the official Kukkiwon World Taekwondo youtube channel.