Stances

Tae Kwon Do >> Basic Forms >> Stances

Stances provide stability when performing moves.  In all the stances, keep your back straight and pelvis perpendicular to the ground.  Care should be taken to center your weight evenly on the balls of the feet (except in backs stance, where the weight is 70% – 30%).  When moving from the stance, the shoulders should remain at the same level from the ground, without an up-and-down motion.

Descriptions


Ready stance

Stance with feet facing forward hip width apart

The stance is used at the beginning and end of each basic and regular form.


Front stance

Stance, similar to a lunge, with feet facing forward on two tracks (without turning out), shoulder width apart


Make sure that the torso is upright, perpendicular to the ground, without leaning forward.  The hips and shoulders should be squarely facing forward, without tilting the hips.  Feet are firmly on the ground.  The front knee is bent, directly over the ankle.
Wikipedia contributors, "Front stance," 
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed April 23, 2013).


Back stance


Stance where feet form an "L," the front foot facing forward, the back foot facing 90° perpendicular, feet are on one track, heels aligned; weight is approximately 70% on the back leg, 30% on the front leg


Make sure that the torso is upright, perpendicular to the ground, without leaning forward or tilting the hips.  The students heels are aligned in one track.
Adapted from Wikipedia contributors,
"Taekwondo stances," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed April 23, 2013).


Horse stance


Stance with feet facing forward, knees bent.

The student should take care to ensure that the feet are facing forward with a nice bend to the knee.  The torso is upright, perpendicular to the ground, without leaning forward or tilting the hips.
Wikipedia contributors, "Taekwondo stances," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed April 23, 2013).




Movement


When performing basic forms, the student moves forward using the proper stance, turns, and moves back to his starting position.

Front stance

  • Walking
    • The feet should remain on two tracks, without coming in to meet.
    • The shoulders should remain at the same level throughout the movement, without an up and down motion – the student's center of gravity should remain in the same plane.
    • The stepping foot "brushes" the ground and ends with a "slide" as the weight lands on the front foot  – the student's weight should not "plop" down heavily on the floor.
  • Changing directions
    • The forward foot should step wide so that the feet end on two tracks.
    • The stepping foot comes in toward the other foot before moving to its stepping location. 
      • When changing directions from North and South to East or West, this motion traces an L-like shape.
      • When shifting direction 180°, it traces a diagonal line from the starting position through the other foot to its ending position.
    • The student should not trace an arc with his foot.

Back stance

  • Walking
    • The feet should remain on one track and meet as the student pivots to execute the forward motion.
    • The shoulders should remain at the same level throughout the movement, without an up and down motion – the student's center of gravity should remain in the same plane.
    • The student should maintain good balance throughout the motion and the turn.
    • The stepping foot "brushes" the ground and ends with a "slide" as the weight lands on the front foot  – the student's weight should not "plop" down heavily on the floor.
  • Changing directions
    • The student executes a shift in direction by shifting his weight and pivoting the back foot into the new direction-perpendicular-to-forward. 
      • When shifting direction other than 180°, the stepping foot comes in toward the other foot before moving to its stepping location
      • When making a 180° directional change, the feet don't change their distance.  The student allows the foot to "brush" the floor while settling the foot parallel to the forward direction and in line with the heel of the back foot. 
    • The student should not trace an arc with his foot, and the student should maintain proper posture throughout.

Horse stance

None of the basic forms have movement from horse stance, but many of the traditional forms do:  sometimes to a front stance; others through a block. 
  • In each case, the movement begins by turning the forward foot on the heel. 
    • When stepping into a front stance, the student should step wide onto two tracks following the guidance given for front stance. 
    • When stepping into another horse stance through a block, the block should remain close to the pivoting leg. 
  • The foot should land in one track with good distance. 
  • The student should not trace an arc with his foot, and the student should maintain proper posture throughout.


updated 24 April 2013
 
Tae Kwon Do >> Basic Forms >> Stances

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