1.

WHAT IS TAEKWON-DO

"TaeKwon-Do" literally means, "Way or Art of hand and foot". Tae means "to smash, kick or
destroy with the foot". Kwon means "to smash or destroy with the hand". Do means "way or
art". It is, however, more than this; it is the scientific use of the body in a method of self-
defence, conditioning of the body, both physically and mentally, to gain maximum uses of its
facilities.

What makes TaeKwon-Do one of the most unique martial arts is it's philosophy. TaeKwon-Do is
not just an art of combative skills. It is a way of life. The philosophy of Taekwon-Do can be
summed up by the last two phrases in the ITF Student Oath:

"I shall be a champion of justice and freedom."

"I shall build a better and peaceful world."

By practicing Taekwon-Do and living according to its fundamental values, we will become good
citizens and be able to create a better world.

The development of the Taekwon-Do philosophy by our Founder General Choi Hong Hi was
influenced by oriental philosophers such as Confucius and Lao Tzu, by Buddhism, and by the
philosophy of martial arts. However, the fundamental values as expressed in the tenets of
Taekwon-Do, are universal.

2. BRIEF HISTORY

On April 11th, 1955, the name Taekwon-Do was officially adopted for the martial art General
Choi Hong-Hi had developed using elements of the ancient Korean martial art of Taek-Kyon and
of Shotokan karate, a martial art he had learned while studying in Japan.

The philosophical values and the goals of TaeKwon-Do are firmly rooted in the traditional moral
culture of the Orient. On the technical side, defensive and offensive tactics are based on
principles of physics, particularly Newton's Law, which explains how to generate maximum
force by increasing speed and mass during the execution of a movement.

Wanting to share the results of his philosophical reflections and his technical experiments,
General Choi planned and wrote a unique reference work, the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. In
its fifteen volumes, he explained in detail the rules and practices of this art.

Always striving for excellence, General Choi presented TaeKwon-Do as in a state of continuous
evolution, open to changes that would improve its effectiveness. He wrote that anyone who
believes he has fully discharged his duty will soon perish. Likewise, any undertaking that is
perceived to have reached its objectives is likely to lose momentum, stagnate, and die.

Since the beginning, TaeKwon-Do has never stopped evolving, driven by the strong will and a
lot of hard work by its Founder. The leaders of the ITF today also recognize the need to evolve
and they are equally passionate about the future of the art.
3. STANCES TECHNIQUES

3.1. MOA SOGI (Close Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg Neither. Stand with feet together.

3.2. NARANI SOGI (Parallel Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg Neither. Feet parallel

3.3. ANNUN SOGI (Sitting Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg Neither. Feet parallel

3.4. DWIT BAL SOGI (Rear Foot Stance)

Weight Distribution - 90:10 (90% on the rear leg). Leading Leg - Rear leg
Front foot points 25 inward Rear foot points 15 outward.

3.5. SOOJIK SOGI (Vertical Stance)

Weight Distribution - 60:40 (60% on the rear leg). Leading Leg - Rear leg. Toes of both feet
point 15 inward.
3.6. NIUNJA SOGI (L-Stance)
Weight Distribution - 70:30 (70% on the rear leg). Leading Leg - Rear leg. Toes of both feet
point 15 inward.

3.7. Gojung Sogi (Fixed Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg - Front leg. Toes of both feet point 15 inward.

3.8. Gunnun Sogi (Walking Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg - Front leg. Front foot points forward Rear foot
points 25 outward.

3.9. Nachuo Sogi (Low Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg - Front leg. Similar to Gunnun Sogi (Walking
Stance), but longer by one foot.

3.10. Kyocha Sogi (X-Stance)

Weight Distribution - Almost all the weight on the balancing leg. Leading Leg - The leg
carrying the weight.
3.11. Guburyo Junbi Sogi A (Bending Ready Stance Type A)
Weight Distribution - 100:0. Leading Leg - The leg carrying the weight
3.12. SOOJIK SOGI (Vertical Stance)
Weight Distribution - 60:40 (60% on the rear leg). Leading Leg - Rear leg. Toes of both feet
point 15 inward.
3.13. NIUNJA SOGI (L-Stance)
Weight Distribution - 70:30 (70% on the rear leg). Leading Leg - Rear leg. Toes of both feet
point 15 inward.

3.14. GOJUNG SOGI (Fixed Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg - Front leg. Toes of both feet point 15 inward.

3.15. GUNNUN SOGI (Walking Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg - Front leg. Front foot points forward Rear foot
points 25 outward.

3.16. NACHUO SOGI (Low Stance)

Weight Distribution - 50:50. Leading Leg - Front leg. Similar to Gunnun Sogi.

3.17. KYOCHA SOGI (X-Stance)

Weight Distribution - Almost all the weight on the balancing leg. Leading Leg - The leg
carrying the weight.

3.18. HUNURYO JUNBI SOGI A (Bending Ready Stance Type A)

Weight Distribution - 100:0. Leading Leg - The leg carrying the weight.
4. PATTERNS TUL

The following points should be considered while performing patterns:

The pattern should begin and end on exactly the same spot. This will indicate the
performer's accuracy.
Correct posture and positioning must be maintained at all times.
Muscles of the body should be tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the
exercise.
The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement, with an absense of stiffness.
Movement should be accelerated or decelerated at appropriate moments during the
exercise.
Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next.
Students should know the purpose of each movement.
Students should perform each movement with realism.
Offensive and defensive techniques should be equally distributed among right and left
hands and feet.
5. sad