Stance's

Attention Stance[edit]

Attention, or more properly, Charyeot, is the stance in which the martial artist stands in a ready position, with two hands clasped in front and feet shoulder width apart.

Closed Stance[edit]

Moa Sogui

Walking Stance[edit]

Gunnun Sogui or Ahp sogui is used to approach or retreat in combat and poomsae. Feet should be maintained shoulder width apart except when stepping, where the leading foot moves outwards marginally. To maintain a solid base, each step should put about a shoulder width between feet, and the stance should be a shoulder width-and-a-half long. When stopping in the middle of a step, the back foot should be inclined outwards slightly to aid balance. This in some cases is called "Front Stance." However, in some schools a front stance is an elongated walking stance with a lower center of gravity due to the longer, spread apart position of the feet.

Back L-Stance[edit]

Niunja Sogui (Back Stance: Dwi-gibi Sogui) is a standard fighting stance used in taekwondo in preparation to perform a kick. The body is turned to present only the side to the opponent and the legs are split one-and-a-half shoulder widths apart. The front foot points directly forward while the back leg is turned out just under 90 degrees. The feet are lined up along the heels. The proper L-stance properly aligned, stand with your feet together, turn out the toes and step the back foot directly backwards into the stance. 70% of the weight should be on the back leg which means the front leg can be engaged in quick kicking and it will not unbalance the practitioner if swept.

Parallel Stance[edit]

Narani Sogi is a neutral stance from where a variety of Taekwondo kicks and punches may be thrown. The feet are both pointed forward and placed shoulder width apart. Arms are lightly bent with the clenched fist just under the navel and the muscles of the body should be lightly relaxed, ready to spring into action at any moment. This position is also often referred to as Ready Stance or Jumbi Sogi.

Rear Foot Stance[edit]

Dwit Bal Sogui or Poom sogi is sometimes known as Cat Stance or Tiger Stance in Taekwondo. It is like the L-Stance but much tighter, and the feet are slightly over head width apart. Again most of the weight is placed on the back foot(90/10), leaving the front leg ready to kick.

Sitting Stance[edit]

Annun Sogui or Joo-choom sogi is a low stance used in Taekwondo and several other martial arts as a neutral position, which also enables an individual to practice punching. It is known as the 'horse-stance'.

feet are placed wide, around two shoulder widths apart and the knees are deeply bent until the hamstrings lie parallel with the floor. The back is kept straight. Arms are bent with closed, upturned fists held at the hips. As each punch is directed forward, the fist swivels 180 degrees down to a natural position before impact, turning back up again as it is retracted to the sides.

This is a very arduous position for the legs and lower back. While punches are being trained, other parts of the body are receiving a workout. As a student progresses, his hips will begin to open up and he will be able to achieve an even lower stance. Tests of martial endurance are often based around maintaining this position for protracted periods, holding other objects on outstretched arms or even balancing them on the head.

Fighting Stance[edit]

Kyorugi joonbi is a simple stance which is similar to back stance, but with the practitioners weight center to allow for kicking with either front or back foot. It largely resembles the fighting stance a boxer will take.