Form: Taeguek Yi Jang
I enjoy performing forms. They are an important part of martial arts. Especially in taekwondo. I think very highly of forms and believe that a good martial artist must practice forms in some way, shape, or form.
Check out my previous post on forms and their importance, here.
Each form teaches and trains specific techniques. In this post, we will discuss Taeguek Yi Jang. This is usually the 2nd form taught to new students.
What Taeguek Yi Jang Teaches you:
Each form teaches and trains specific techniques. Taeguek Yi Jang, the second form teaches the following:
Walking stance
Forward stance
Low block
Inside block
High block
Middle punch
High Punch
Front kick
Taeguek Yi Jang: Steps
Taeguek Yi Jang has 18 movements. Next, let’s walk through the form.
1. Move to the left into a walking stance (left foot forward), left down block
2. Step forward into front stance (right foot forward), right punch
3. Move front foot to walking stance in the opposite direction (right foot forward), right down block
4. Step forward into front stance (left foot forward), left punch.
5. Move front foot (90) to walking stance (left foot forward), right inside block.
6. Step forward into walking stance (right foot forward), left inside block.
7. Move back foot into walking stance (left foot forward), left down block
8. Right front kick landing in front stance (right foot forward), high punch with the right hand.
9. Move front foot to walking stance the opposite way (right foot forward), right down block.
Halfway there...
10. Left front kick landing in front stance (left foot forward), high punch with the left hand.
11. Move front foot to the left (90) into walking stance (left foot forward), left high block.
-Fist facing out, forearm protecting forehead. Upward motion.
12. Step forward into walking stance (right foot forward), right high block.
13. Turn (270) into walking stance (left foot forward), right inside block.
14. Turn the opposite way (180) to walking stance (right foot forward), left inside block.
15. Step into walking stance to the left (90) (left foot forward), left down block
16. Right front kick landing in walking stance (right foot forward), right punch
17. Left front kick landing in walking stance (left foot forward), left punch
18. Right front kick landing in walking stance (right foot forward), right punch (KIHAP)
-Circle your left foot back to joon – bee so that you are facing the direction you started.
Remember to hit your stance first then block, kick or punch. And always strike with purpose.
More ways to Practice
Here are some ways to practice your form. Building muscle memory is important.
1. Different directions – practice your form in multiple different directions this way you will not get turned around when you start one way versus another.
2. Slow like a turtle – do your form as slowly as possible to remember each turn and movement.
3. Mark your starting point – if your stances are correct, you will end your form in line with where you started.
4. Eyes closed or blindfolded – this helps your spatial awareness. Seen or unseen you shod start and end in roughly the same area.
Happy practicing.
