Foundations of Traditional Taekwondo - Basic Techniques

This is the final post in my series on the Foundations of Taekwondo training. I listed them as basic techniques, poomsae, sparring, self-defence and breaking. These are what I believe are part of traditional Taekwondo training. I have gone into detail about most of them but I have left basic techniques till last and I have done this on purpose.

The word basic implies that these techniques are something for beginners and that once it is mastered it can be forgotten in favour of something more advanced. This can’t be further from the truth. These moves are fundamental to all of our training. Without these basic techniques, all the other aspects of Taekwondo I have been talking about are irrelevant. In many respects, the other components,

poomsae, sparring, breaking and self-defence are like the walls of the house and the true foundation of Taekwondo, the thing the walls are built on, are our basic techniques.

If our foundation is weak, if our basic techniques are not continuously practised then like a house built on sand, all our work will be swept away when we need it to stand strong.

Everything we do in Taekwondo whether it is for sport, self-defence, combat, health etc, is done by performing basic techniques. If you are sparring you are using basic techniques against an opponent, if you are performing patterns then you are using basic techniques. If you are doing self-defence against an attacker then you are using basic techniques in a practical way. So what exactly is basic techniques? The most common way of defining basic techniques are:

• Blocking techniques (Makki)
• Punching techniques (Jirruegi)
• Strike techniques (Chigi)
• Kicking techniques (Chagi)

And that’s it. This is also the basis of all the "official" or basic interpretation of poomsae application since all techniques must be in one of these categories. Each category can be subdivided of course. Blocking techniques (Makki) can be divided into upper section, middle section, and low section blocks. And these can be divided into even smaller subgroups. I will not delve into every grouping as that would make for too long a post.

Traditional taekwondo schools see that these fundamental movements need to be practiced in isolation so that each movement can be perfected with perfect form, speed, power and accuracy. This is often done with line work. Either moving backwards or forwards through the hall against an imaginary opponent or stationary. I am sure you agree that good basic techniques should contain with all the attributes above, but if you think about it you will notice that "line work" will only get you so far in terms of perfect form, but what about power, speed and accuracy?

The early masters of Taekwondo used several training aids to help them to perfect their techniques and one of the most important ones was the "Dallyon Joo" or "forging post" in English. It was essentially what the Japanese called Makkiwara and it is a striking post with a padded surface. All the "blocks", kicks and punches was trained by relentlessly pounding the Dallyon Joo over and over again. Impact training and conditioning was seen as very important maybe just as important as line work, and a great deal of time was used to train each technique so that it could be used with great power in a combative context. Modern clubs have replaced this device with block pads and punching bags and these all have their place and can help with generating power. Some clubs develop conditioning as well using other methods but the Dallyon Joo was essential for the original martial art that became today's Taekwondo.

The Dallyon Joo was not the only training aid as power and speed was seen as important but accuracy too was seen as paramount. Accuracy is the most important thing in a martial art. In a real fight you might only get one chance to strike your opponent and you need to put him down with that one technique. Historically, early masters of Taekwondo trained for this using different training aids like removing their shoes to kick them while their partners held them in their hands, like we use paddles today or hitting a small target (for example a nut) tied so that it floated at chest height or so above the floor (connected to the ceiling by a string) and kicking/punching it without stopping trying to hit it as it bobbed and weaved.

Another but largely overlooked part of basic training is the health aspect. The techniques of Taekwondo if done correctly does improve health. The stances strengthens the legs, the hip twist for power generation trains the hips, and lower back, the pulling hand tightens up your back muscles, the high kicks improve range of motion etc. Coupled with proper breathing training the fundamental movements of Taekwondo is great for your body.

Basic techniques are the fundamental in Taekwondo and are something all martial artists should be practising again and again. Always go back and re learn the basics, your skills will improve vastly if you do.

Mark Underwood

Mark is a 4th Dan Master in both Taekwondo and Haidong Gumdo (Korean swords). He has also trained in other styles of martial arts. He is currently the owner and head instructor for Zone Martial Arts in Sydney, Australia.

Foundations of Traditional Taekwondo – Self Defence

This is the fourth entry in my series on the foundations of Taekwondo training. I listed them as basic techniques, poomsae, sparring, self-defence and breaking. These are what I believe are part of traditional Taekwondo training. I thought I should go into some more detail on each of them. This entry focuses on self defence.

I have one main rule when it comes to self defence,

“the only bad move in self defence is no move at all”.

Now self-defence is a little bit more than that. We do want to go through some fundamentals of self defence if we ever need to get out of trouble but doing something is always better than doing nothing. The techniques often labelled self defence in Taekwondo is often purely up to the instructor that teaches them and not every move will work for every person. Some of the moves taught in self-defence in a Taekwondo school might not even be traditional Taekwondo moves like grabs, grappling, throws, take downs, sweeps etc. That’s ok though even in traditional Taekwondo. Anything that can be used in self defence is a good thing.

These new techniques and additions to the core curriculum has been done since the beginning of Taekwondo. Unfortunately many things that historically were part of Taekwondo is rapidly disappearing in today’s race for Sport dominance. Taekwondo is a striking style for sure but we need a backup plan when we go to the ground so basic grappling skills are needed or we will have a serious flaw in our arsenal of combat techniques. This hole in our training was traditionally covered with self defence training as the training incorporated all the missing pieces of the puzzle. Today students often say that throws are not part of Taekwondo. That is wrong as throwing, although basic, has always been a part of traditional Taekwondo. The founders saw that their martial art was divided up in three areas or pillars, basics, forms and sparring and this left a great hole in their preparation for self defense, so they fixed this by including self defence training in their syllabus. Some even learnt other martial arts to supplement their skills.

Some self defence techniques include (but are not limited to):

• Escapes and release techniques from various grabs and holds.
• Joint locking techniques.
• Throws.
• Take downs and sweeps.
• Vital point attacks

As you can see these techniques coupled with the kicks, strikes, punches and blocks of main stream Taekwondo makes for a rounded combat art. What is not covered in typical basics training, typical forms training or typical sparring practise is covered in self defence practise. Self-defence might seem impractical or unrealistic if the main focus for the club is sports Taekwondo but when viewed together with the other foundations of Taekwondo you get to see that it is all contributes to combat efficiency.

Self-defence can even be broken down further into two camps: One is movie self-defence that is often used in demonstration for show and is in no way in line with any kind of reality and the other being what this post is about, a collection of techniques to round up your skills so you can face any attacker at any distance.


Mark Underwood

Mark is a 4th Dan Master in both Taekwondo and Haidong Gumdo (Korean swords). He has also trained in other styles of martial arts. He is currently the owner and head instructor for Zone Martial Arts in Sydney, Australia.

Foundations of Traditional Taekwondo - Poomsae/Patterns

This is the third entry of five on my thoughts on the foundations of Taekwondo training. I listed them as basic techniques, poomsae, sparring, self-defence and breaking. These are what I believe are part of traditional Taekwondo training. This entry focuses on poomsae or patterns.

Let’s start this looking at some definitions of what poomsae are

“Poomsae is a combination of basic actions and movements exercised with an imaginary opponent”

“Poomsae is the Korean equivalent of Kata in Japanese karate.”

“Poomsae are practised to improve Taekwondo techniques”

“Poomsae (patterns) are a pre-arranged set of movements gradually becoming more complex the more you learn.”

“Poomsae is a series of movements with both offensive and defensive techniques, which can be practised and trained even without the presence of an instructor.”

So according to the vast majority poomsae are basic techniques both offensive and defensive that gradually increases in complexity that are practised to improve Taekwondo. The training of Poomsae in main stream is all about performance. You practice poomsae to get to the next belt, for demonstrations, or for competition.

One thing I want to say outright is that I don’t believe Taekwondo is exclusively a patterns based martial art. I believe it is a technique based martial art, the same way BJJ, boxing, Judo etc are. Poomsae are a vital part of our training, but it is just a part, not the whole. Most people look at poomsae as a string of basics thrown together that are often practised to drill basic techniques but poomsae is more than that. It doesn't contain any deep strategy or principles and they do not contain any secrets. It isn't even a means to hand down the techniques as there are just so many techniques missing from poomsae that it makes poomsae a very poor way to transfer the knowledge of the martial art of Taekwondo.

Let’s look at Taegeuk il Jang first two moves: Turn 90 degrees to the left and perform an arae makki (low block) in ap seogi (short front stance) then step forward with right foot to ap seogi (short front stance) and perform a momtong jirruegi (middle section punch). Two simple techniques, that in the view of the common Taekwondo student are done like this to drill basics. But look at them. Why on earth do we turn and why to the left? Why exactly these two techniques? Why is the hand on your hip on both techniques? Why this stance as opposed to another stance? The questions are endless.
In a form based martial art this would all be obvious. There would be maybe two applications for the move (one basic and one advanced) or just the one definitive one. This application would show some important principles that could be used very different contexts during combat.

But Taekwondo poomsae goes beyond that. That turn to the left could be done in different stances, with different blocks and with difference counter attacks. The low block and punch are not the definitive moves. Rather the practice of poomsae is to remember principles of Taekwondo. It is a practice of focus and putting moves together. It is a practice of movement and concentration and being in the moment. You practice the form to remember the principle. But when you are fighting or defending yourself you do not need to use those specified techniques. You could use different strikes and punches and still use the principles mentioned above. It is not so much the techniques contained in the form that are important, but the message they are conveying.
Taekwondo is a wonderful martial art as it gives its practitioners so much more than just poomsae to practice. Yet there is an importance in poomsae that must not be forgotten. We are lucky with Taekwondo to have so many forms to practice. We have 17 official poomsae (Taegeuk 1 – 8 and 9 black belt patterns) as well as 8 Palgwae forms that are considered supplemental forms by many. Choose wisely and study diligently, or simply memorise the sequences and drill those basics as never before!


Mark Underwood

Mark is a 4th Dan Master in both Taekwondo and Haidong Gumdo (Korean swords). He has also trained in other styles of martial arts. He is currently the owner and head instructor for Zone Martial Arts in Sydney, Australia.

Foundations of Traditional Taekwondo - Sparring

This is the second entry in my post series on what I beleive are the foundations of Taekwondo training. I listed them as basic techniques, poomsae, sparring, self-defence and breaking. These are what I believe are part of traditional Taekwondo training. I thought I should go into some more detail on each of them. This entry focuses on sparring.

Sparring is often viewed as the most important part of training in the mainstream Taekwondo community. Once basics can be performed at a reasonably level of competence the students start sparring. Traditionally though, Taekwondo students would not spar until they been training for some time but these days students often start sparring at yellow belt or even white belt.

To most clubs around the world today the word sparring means "competition sparring" but to a traditionalist it can be any number of things. It could mean one/two/three step sparring, throwing even self-defence sparring. These are more fixed and formal types of sparring. They all serve different purposes and each can be seen as limited if you only focus on one part, but together they are good to have in your training regimen.

Competition or Olympic style sparring is what most people in the Taekwondo world today would label as just "sparring". That might seem strange when you think of just how limiting the rules are. Many critics label this as "leg fencing" and while in some respects it is very limiting, it also teaches a great deal of value and is relatively safe to participate in. You have full contact and you can really use those kicks that you have been training, but you can forget about hand techniques though. It is extremely good for conditioning and stamina as well as developing other attributes like distancing and timing.

Traditional style sparring is not seen as much in modern Taekwondo but was quite prevalent before the race to the Olympics began. Here you have kicks delivered at all heights, punches to the face, strikes and lots of other techniques are used at all the heights of the body. It is much less limiting then the Olympic style but can be more dangerous and this is often why it is not being taught.

Some clubs do a version of traditional sparring called free sparring. In this version you can do all manner of techniques however the focus is on safety and not full contact. It is a good aspect of self-defense practice and it encourages more diverse techniques like throws etc. Rules are not entirely ignored with this style as safety is important but you if your opponent kicks high, you kick low, if the opponent grabs your dobok, follow up with a throw? You don’t need to elbow the opponent in the face for them to know you did it so simulation is key. The partner must then acknowledge and respond as if he were elbowed in the face.

These last two sparring kinds are not done frequently by many clubs, but a Dojang that says it practices Traditional Taekwondo should spar in other formats than just competition style sport sparring. The most important part of all of this is that the instructor clearly identifies the training goal of each form of sparring so there is no confusion in the students mind. It would be catastrophic if the student tried using sports oriented sparring in a real life self-defence scenario.



Mark Underwood

Mark is a 4th Dan Master in both Taekwondo and Haidong Gumdo (Korean swords). He has also trained in other styles of martial arts. He is currently the owner and head instructor for Zone Martial Arts in Sydney, Australia