TAEKWONDO In the modern times of Korea, which cover the Chosun

What is Taekwondo? (or Yi) dynasty (1392-1910), the imperial Korea and the
Taekwondo (also known as Tae Kwon Do) is the art of Japanese colonial rule until 1945, Taekwondo was rather
self-defense that originated in Korea. It is recognized as called "subakhui" than "Taekkyon" and it suffered an
one of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world, eventual loss of official support from the central
reaching back over 2,000 years. government as the weapons were modernized for
The name was selected for its appropriate description of national defense, although the subkhui was still popular
the art: Tae (foot), Kwon (hand), Do (art). Loosely in the early days of Chosun.
translated Tae Kwon Do means "Way of the Hands and The Yi dynasty (Chosun) was founded on the ideology of
Feet". Confucianism, which resulted in rejecting all Buddhist
Taekwondo is a Korean military practices and methods festivals and giving more importance on literary art than
which have their place in the history of Korea but have martial art. It was only in the days of King Jungjo after the
been adapted for use by both military and non-military disgraceful invasion of Korea by the Japanese (in 1592)
personnel as a method of personal growth or recreation that the royal government revived strong defense
art. It combines fight and self-defense techniques with measures by strengthening military training and martial
sport and exercise art practice.
Taekwondo was developed by variety of Korean masters Upon liberation of Korea from the Japanese colonial rule
during the 1940's as combination of Karate and Kung Fu. after World War II, the Korean people began recovering
In Korean, tae means "to stomp" or "to strike or break the thought of self-reliance and the traditional folkloric
with the foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with the games which resumed their popularity.
hand"; and do means "way of life" Thus, taekwondo may Song Duk-ki, afore-mentioned master of Taekkyondo,
be loosely translated as "the way of the foot and the presented a demonstration of the martial art before the
hand". first Republic of Korea President Syngman Rhee on the
“跆举道” occasion of the latter's birthday anniversary, thus clearly
distinguishing Taekwondo from the Japanese karate
"태권도" which had been introduced by the Japanese rulers.
"Tae Kwon Do"
Organization
“To punch” or “To smash with hand”
In 1957, Choi Hong Hi advocated the use of the name Tae
“To kick” or “To destroy with feet” Kwon Do. In 1959 Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA)
“Way” or “Method” was established to facilitate the unification of Korean
martial arts.
History Seven years later, in 1966, under the sponsorship of the
TAEKWONDO is a 2,000-year-old form of martial arts that KTA, the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) was
originated in Korea. Early Koreans and other Asian nations established as the governing body for the first unified
developed unique martial arts for unarmed self-defense style of taekwondo.
to complement their skills with weapons. In 1973, after the withdrawal of KTA support of the ITF,
The first recorded evidence of tae kwon do, according to the South Korean government's Ministry of Culture,
the World Taekwondo Federation Web site, is a mural Sports and Tourism established the Kukkiwon as the new
painting found in a tomb from Koguryu kingdom (37 B.C. national academy for taekwondo and established the
to A. D. 66) depicting figures practicing martial arts World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) to promote
techniques. taekwondo specifically as a sport.
The origin of Taekwondo can be traced to early history of
the Korean peninsula where three tribes dwelling there, TAEKWONDO in OLYMPIC
each enjoying warrior's martial art contests during the Since 2000, taekwondo has been one of only two Asian
ritual seasons. Korean peninsula, three kingdoms - martial arts (the other being Judo) that are included in
Koguryo, Paekje and Silla all indulged in growing national the Olympic Games. It became a demonstration event at
strength with trained warriors. Therefore, the Korean the 1988 games in Seoul, and became an official medal
history tells that there were military personalities among event at the 2000 games in Sydney. In 2010, taekwondo
the well-known prominent national leaders of the three was accepted as a Commonwealth Games sport.
kingdoms, which proves the military tendency of ruling
hierarchy.
 SUMMARY OF THE SPORT THE STANCES 2

• Ready Stance:

• Riding Stance:

• Tiger:
THE STRIKES
• Punch
THE COMMANDS • Palm-Heel Strike
• Charyot: Korean meaning "Attention" • Knife-Hand Strike
• Gyeongnye: Korean meaning "Bow" • Spare-Finger Strike
• Choon Bee: Korean meaning "Ready Stance" • Arc-Hand Strike
• See-Jak: Korean meaning"Begin" • Ridge-Hand Strike
• Keu-Mahn: Korean meaning "Finish" (stop)
THE BELTS 1 THE KICKS
• White signifies a stage of innocence such as that of • Ap Chagi/Front Kick
the novice student with no prior knowledge of • Dollyo Chagi/Turning Kick
Taekwondo. • Yeup Chagi/Side Kick
• Yellow signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts • Naeryeo Chagi/Axe Kick
and takes root as the taekwondo foundation is being • Dwi Chagi/Back Kick
laid. • Bandal Chagi/Cresent Kick
• Green signifies the plants growth as the Taekwondo • Huryeo Chagi/ Hook Kick
seed begins to develop, so the student’s skill
develops. THE BLOCKS
THE BELTS 2 • Low Section Block
• Blue signifies the heaven towards which the plant • High Section Block
matures into a towering tree as the training in • Inner Block
Taekwondo progresses. • Outer Block
• Red signifies danger, cautioning the student to • Wedging Block
exercise self-control, and warning the opponent to • Cross Block
stay away.
• Black is the opposite of white, signifying both POOMSE
maturity and proficiency in Taekwondo. It also Poomse Is the Korean meaning for "Pattern". This is a
symbolizes the wearer's imperviousness to darkness short display that uses specified sequences including
and fear. strikes, kicks, and blocks demonstrating a student’s
THE STANCES 1 knowledge of Taekwondo.

• Front Stance :

• Back Stance:
 TEAKWONDO DISCIPLINES
KYURUGI
Kyorugi translated into Russian means sparring. In other
words, this is a confrontation between two rivals, which
in practice makes it possible to check the quality of skills
acquired by them during training. Demonstrate the
appropriate attacking, protective techniques of hands and
feet, the technique of movement, the tactics of
conducting a battle.

POOMSAE
Taekwondo patterns (Poomsae in Korean or Kata for
martial arts like Karate are a sequence of Taekwondo
techniques linked together into a pattern of moves.
Patterns are often used for basic training purposes in
Taekwondo to refine techniques and movements and are
designed to build and consolidate your skills.

KYUKPA
Kyukpa is one of the disciplines of Taekwondo, which
means the breaking of various objects, demonstrating the
technique and strength in Taekwondo.

HOSINSUL
Taekwondo has historically emerged as a means of self-
defense, the body for taekwondo sportsman is a weapon,
it is capable of attacking and repelling an opponent's
attack with fists, elbows, knees, legs and other parts of
the body. Al the elements, exercises and disciplines of
Taekwondo are somehow aimed at implementing the
principles of self-defense.

Hosinsul
Is a system of self-defense, which includes the
whole spectrum of technical actions that are applicable
not only in sports, but also in a real combat situation.

Taekwondo Counting
 BASIC PROGRAM FOR WHITEBELTS THE 20 STEPS OF FOUNDATION FORM NO. 1
A. Warm-up / Stretching/Strengthening Exercises No. Leg Movements Hand Movement
1 Left Forward Stance Left Forward Block
B. Poomse (Forms) 2 Right Forward Stance Right Middle punch
1. Foundation Form No. 1 3 Right Forward Stance Right downward block
2. Foundation Form No. 2 4 Left Forward Stance Left Middle punch
5 Left Forward Stance Left downward block
C. Three-Step Self-Defense Forms (5 forms) 6 Right Forward Stance Right Middle punch
7 Left Forward Stance Left middle punch
8 Right Forward Stance Right middle punch(ha)
D. Kicking
9 Left Forward Stance Left downward block
1. Stretching Kick 10 Right Forward Stance Right middle punch
2. Front Kick 11 Right Forward Stance Right downward block
3. Out-in Kick 12 Left Forward Stance Left middle punch
4. In-Out Kick 13 Left Forward Stance Left downward block
5. 45° Kick 14 Right Forward Stance Right middle punch
6. Side Kick 15 Left Forward Stance Left middle punch
16 Right Forward Stance Right middle punch (ha)
E. Basic Strikes and Blocks 17 Left Forward Stance Left downward block
1. Middle Punch 18 Right Forward Stance Right middle punch
19 Right Forward Stance Right downward block
2. Upward Punch
20 Left Forward Stance Left middle punch
3. Downward Block
4. Upward Block
5. Double-arms Middle Block
6. Knife hand - Neck chop
7. Knife hand Block
8. Knife hand Middle Block
9. Knife hand - Neck chop and
10. Reversed Punch combination

F. Basic Stances
1. Attention (Chryeot)
2. Ready stance (Joonbi)
3. Forward Stance
4. Back Stance
5. Horseback Riding Stance
6. Fighting or Kicking Stance