ITF Taekwondo Theory Quiz

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    ITF Taekwon-Do

    Stance

    서기

    The forceful and finer techniques of attack and defence are largely dependent on a correct stance, since the stance is the starting point of every Taekwon-Do movement. Stability, agility, balance and flexibility are the controlling factors.

    Basic principles for a proper stance

    1. Keep the back straight, with few exceptions.
    2. Relax the shoulders.
    3. Tense the abdomen.
    4. Maintain a correct facing — full, half, or side facing the opponent.
    5. Maintain equilibrium.
    6. Make use of the knee spring properly.

    Ready stances

    Preparatory positions taken before a sequence begins or to allow a moment of concentration.

    Attention Stance

    차렷 서기

    An attention position used before and after class.

    Setup

    1. Feet form a 45-degree angle.
    2. Drop the fists down naturally, bending the elbows slightly.
    3. The fists are clenched slightly.
    4. Eyes face the front slightly above the horizontal line.

    Vol. 2, p. 160

    Parallel Stance

    나란히 서기

    Feet parallel at shoulder width — used as a basic ready posture.

    Setup

    1. Spread the feet parallel to shoulder width.
    2. Keep the toes pointing toward the front.
    3. Can be either full facing or side facing.

    Vol. 2, p. 133

    Close Stance

    모아 서기

    Feet together — used as a preparatory posture.

    Setup

    1. Stand with the feet together.
    2. Can be either full facing (Jon Sin) or side facing (Chuk Myon).

    Vol. 2, p. 132

    Open Stance

    팔자 서기

    Divided into inner and outer open stance. Seldom used due to looseness of the leg muscles and lack of stability — primarily a preparatory action.

    Setup

    1. Inner Open Stance (An Palja Sogi): toes pointing slightly inward.
    2. Outer Open Stance (Bakat Palja Sogi): toes pointing outward about 45 degrees.

    Vol. 2, p. 134

    Primary stances

    The main stances used in patterns, sparring, and fundamental training.

    Walking Stance

    걷는 서기

    A strong stance for front and rear, both in attack and defence.

    Setup

    1. Move one foot to either front or rear at a distance of one and a half shoulder width between the big toes (a shoulder width from one centre of the instep to the other).
    2. Bend the front leg until the knee cap forms a vertical line with the heel; extend the opposite leg fully.
    3. Distribute the body weight evenly on both feet.
    4. Keep the toes of the front foot pointing forward; the opposite foot 25 degrees outward.
    5. Tense the muscles of the feet with the feeling of pulling them toward each other.
    Naming: When the right leg is bent, it is a right walking stance (Orun Gunnun Sogi); left when the left leg is bent (Wen Gunnun Sogi).
    Facing: Full facing or half facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 135

    L-Stance

    니은자 서기

    Widely used for defence (and also attack). The front foot is readily available for kicking with a slight shift of the body weight, and the half-facing position aids body shifting.

    Setup

    1. Move one foot to either front or rear, about one and a half shoulder widths from the foot-sword of the rear foot to the toes of the front foot, forming almost a right angle.
    2. Toes of both feet point about 15 degrees inward; place the front heel beyond the heel of the rear foot by about 2.5 cm for better stability.
    3. Bend the rear leg until the knee cap forms a vertical line with the toes; bend the front leg proportionally.
    4. Keep the hip aligned with the inner knee joint.
    5. Body weight: about 70% on the rear leg, 30% on the front leg.
    Naming: Right L-stance when the right leg is bent; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Always half facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 138

    Sitting Stance

    앉은 서기

    A very stable stance for lateral movement. Widely used for punching practice and developing leg strength. Allows shifting into walking stance without relocating the foot.

    Setup

    1. Spread one leg to the side, about one and a half shoulder widths between the big toes.
    2. Point the toes to the front; distribute the body weight evenly on both legs.
    3. Extend the knees outward, bending until the knee caps come over the ball of the foot.
    4. Infuse strength into the inner thighs; tense inward by scraping the floor with the side soles.
    5. Push the chest and abdomen out, pull the hip back, and tense the abdomen.
    Facing: Either full facing or side facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 145

    Fixed Stance

    고정 서기

    An effective stance for attack and defence to the side. Similar to the L-stance but with weight distributed evenly.

    Setup

    1. Body weight is distributed evenly on both legs.
    2. Distance between the feet is about one and a half shoulder width.
    3. Otherwise like the L-stance.
    Naming: Right fixed stance when the right foot is advanced; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Always half facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 143

    Specialised stances

    Situational and advanced stances used for specific attacks, defences, or transitions.

    Rear Foot Stance

    뒷발 서기

    Used for defence and occasionally for attack. The advantage is the ability to kick or adjust distance with the front foot, which can move spontaneously without shifting body weight to the rear foot.

    Setup

    1. Move one foot to either front or rear, about one shoulder width between the small toes.
    2. Bend the rear leg until the knee comes over the toes; place its heel slightly beyond the heel of the front foot.
    3. Bend the front leg, touching the ground slightly with the ball of the foot.
    4. Front-foot toes point about 25 degrees and rear-foot toes about 15 degrees inward.
    5. Distribute most of the body weight on the rear foot.
    6. Keep the knee of the rear leg pointing slightly inward.
    Naming: Right rear foot stance when the right foot is in the rear; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Always half facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 154

    Vertical Stance

    수직 서기

    A balanced upright stance with legs straight, used in fundamental and pattern exercises.

    Setup

    1. Move one foot to either front or side, one shoulder width between the big toes.
    2. Body weight: 60% on the rear leg, 40% on the front leg.
    3. Toes of both feet pointed approximately 15 degrees inward.
    4. Keep the legs straight.
    Naming: Right vertical stance when the right foot is in the rear; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Always half facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 153

    Low Stance

    낮춰 서기

    Eases extension of the attacking tool. Develops leg muscles and helps adjust distance to the target. Similar to the walking stance but longer by one foot.

    Setup

    1. Same setup as walking stance, but extend the distance by one foot length.
    2. Can be either full facing or side facing.

    Vol. 2, p. 156

    X-Stance

    교차 서기

    A convenient stance for attacking the side or front. Occasionally used for blocking and as a preparatory stance for moving into the next manoeuvre.

    Setup

    1. Cross one foot over or behind the other, touching the ground slightly with the ball of the foot.
    2. Place the body weight on the stationary foot.
    Naming: Right X-stance when the weight is on the right foot; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Either full facing or half facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 150

    One-Leg Stance

    외발 서기

    Primarily used for balance training; occasionally utilised in attack and defence techniques.

    Setup

    1. Stretch the stationary leg.
    2. Bring the other reverse foot-sword on the knee joint or to the instep hollow.
    Naming: Right one-leg stance when standing on the right foot; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Either full facing or side facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 151

    Bending Stance

    구부려 서기

    A preparatory stance for side and back kicks; frequently used for defence techniques.

    Setup

    1. Stand on one leg with the supporting leg slightly bent.
    2. Bring the other foot up close to the supporting knee, ready to kick.
    Naming: Right bending stance when standing on the right foot; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Either full facing or half facing.

    Vol. 2, p. 155

    Crouched Stance

    오구려 서기

    A variation of the diagonal stance that uses leg tension by bending the knees inward. Allows quick shifts into other stances and presents a flexible guarding posture in free sparring, though not widely used due to weakness of the knee joints against attacks from the sides.

    Setup

    1. Distance between the feet is flexible.
    2. Bend the knees inward to create leg tension.
    Naming: Right crouched stance when the right foot is advanced; vice-versa for left.
    Facing: Either full facing or side facing, both in attack and defence.

    Vol. 2, p. 149

    Source: Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, Gen. Choi Hong Hi, Vol. 2 (Stance section / Sogi).

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