Poomsae

Poomsae, Tul, and Hyung are some of the terminologies we use for patterns or forms, in the Korean Arts. Poomsae is a very strong and important part of our Taekwondo training. It is a necessary repetition in becoming a complete martial artist. Learning these various fundamental steps of defensive blocks, jumps, stances, turns, yells, and strikes with the hands and feet are of great benefit to our martial arts training, and lives.

Palgwae Il Jang

KEON (Heaven, light)
Keon is the first of the eight Palgwae, Keon is the creative force which inhabits all physical forces. Keon teaches us to be like the constantly changing universe, creative, active and diligent. Students should consider this concept as you perform this form, and allow it to influence the styling of your movements.

Palgwae Yi Jang

TAE (Joyfullness/lake)
The 2nd Palgwae is Tae, Tae is the principle of joyfulness and manifests thought a clear and relaxed mind full of positive thoughts. This form should be performed gently but forcefully, with ease and fluidity. You should not be struggling against you limitations, but living fully within them.

Palgwe Sam Jang

RI (Fire, Sun)
The principle of Ri is expressed thought enthusiasm in practice. Man needs fire to survive, however fire can have catastrophic results. The movements of fire are that of flickering energy with an unpredictable pace and continuous movement. Movements of this form should emulate the qualities of fire, with a variety of quickness and strength, while always maintaining complete control.

Palgwe Sah Jang

JIN (Thunder)
Noise without substance, the principle of Jin is symbolized by thunder, and is expressed as bravery and steadfastness. This principle suggests that in the face of danger and fear we should act calmly and bravely.

Palgwae Oh Jang

SEON (Wind)
Substance without noise, the principle of Seon is symbolized by wind. Wind changes directions and force without warning, therefore the principle of the form is that of contrasts. The actions of this form should at times be as gentle as a breeze, and at times as forceful as a storm. However you must keep a balance between these contrasts thought the entire form.

Palgwae Yook Jang

GAM (Water)
The principle of Gam is symbolized by water, liquid, and formless. Water flows around and absorbs all things. Gam teaches us that with self-confidence we can overcome all difficulties and hardships we encounter in life. Performer this form with fluidity, and the understanding that each action is exactly what is needed for the particular situation.

Palgwae Chil Jang

GAN (Mountain)
Immoveable mountain, the principle of Gan is symbolized by mountain, stable and majestic. Learn from the stability of a mountain and do not act in a hasty manner. You must learn where and when to stop. Perform the form with this in mind, and keeping all movement majestic and deserving of praise.

Palgwae Pal Jang

GON (Earth)
Gon is the 8th and last principle of palgwae and symbolizes earth. The Earth is where the creative force of heaven and light are realized into physical form. The earth is that from which all life springs, matures, and dies. Pal Jang is the last round in your first step of training, and is a stepping stone to the way of a dan-holder. Review the fundamental actions and concepts found in the pervious forms. From this platform more advanced forms can be studied.

One Step Sparring

All One-Steps must end with a guarding block.

1. Move Right. Right middle punch to opponent's solar plexus. Left high punch to face.
2. Step back with left foot while executing inside middle knife hand block. Execute reverse neck chop to opponent's throat, sliding in if necessary.
3. Move right. Right front snap kick to solar plexus.
4. Move left. Right roundhouse kick (street style, with toes curled back) to solar plexus.
5. Move right. Left sidekick to solar plexus.
6. Move right. Right groin rake. Execute strike to face with right hand as you land. Execute strike to face with right hand as you land.
7. Step back with right foot while executing left inside middle block. Back kick with right foot to opponent's ribs.
8. Move left. Right street roundhouse kick to solar plexus, kick their knee out as you lower your foot to the ground. Opponent falls. Execute left roundhouse kick if their head is high, or left foot axe kick if their head is low.
9. Step forward with left foot (outside their punch) while executing left inside middle block. Turn clockwise, placing right foot behind opponent's forward leg. Execute low back elbow strike to kidney, high back elbow strike to the back of opponent's neck. Bring right arm over opponent's head. Sweep them to the ground. Finish with a strike to fallen opponent.
10. Move left while executing right outside middle block, grabbing opponent's arm. Execute street roundhouse to solar plexus. Turn opponent's arm clockwise and down, bending them over. Move in, execute left downward elbow strike to back of neck or shoulder.
11. Use right foot and in-to-out axe kick to block punch. Step back to position yourself at a 45 degree angle to opponent. Drop to ground, execute sweep (like a hook kick parallel to the ground) with right foot to knock opponent to ground. Finish with a strike to the fallen opponent.
12. Step in right, while executing left outside middle block. Right elbow strike to opponent's face or neck. Execute right back hammer fist while stepping back with right foot. Right foot wheel kick to head.
13. Right jump front snap kick to head or solar plexus while moving to right.
14. If kicking to the head, left palm pressing block to lower opponent's arm. Right jump roundhouse kick to head. Otherwise, leave their arm where it is (so it won't get in the way) and execute right jump roundhouse kick to solar plexus.
15. Long step with left foot outside punch. Execute right jump sidekick to kidneys.
16. Step outside punch with left foot while executing right outside middle block and grabbing opponent's arm. Left elbow smash/strike to back of opponent's neck/head, followed quickly by left side elbow strike. Lift opponent's arm with your right hand, rotating clockwise under it, dropping them to the ground. Pin opponent's elbow to the ground, and execute strike to their face.
17. Move left. Right street roundhouse kick to solar plexus, followed by right turn around roundhouse kick to solar plexus. Place hands on ground. Execute scissor (left foot high in front of opponent, right foot low behind their leg) to knock them to the ground. Finish with left axe kick or right turnover roundhouse kick to opponent's head (while on the ground).
18. Move across to the right while executing right vertical punch to the face. Left foot is back at end of this move. Execute 360 back kick (with right foot) followed by 360 wheel kick (with right foot). NOTE: Opponent must move back with each kick. End with a guarding block.
19. Step outside (left) execute left inside middle to the right outside middle block/pass (right hand grabs their arm at end). Left arm stays up to execute reverse drop to bridge of nose. Left hand slaps/pushes opponent's face away. Left hand moves up to forehead (if doing it real, put fingers in opponent's eyes to do this move) and pulls opponent's head down and back, knocking them down while holding onto their arm with right hand. When opponent is down, lift their arm with right arm to expose floating rib. Stomp on opponent's floating rib.
20. Step forward with right foot while executing simultaneous right vertical punch to face and left outside middle block with knifehand. Follow quickly with left neck chip. Execute right punch to solar plexus, left knife hand strike to solar plexus, right knuckle strike to temple. Hook right foot behind opponent's forward leg and press forward with your right shin to knock them down. Execute right side kick to fallen opponent's face. NOTE: all strikes must be executed quickly, without pause in between them; hands move in continuous circular motion to accomplish this.

Ranking Requirements

Rank	Belt	Minimum Time Months/Classes	Forms (Poomse)	One Steps	Hapkido
10th Gup	White	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
9th Gup	Yellow	1/20	Kibon 1	N/A	Releases 1-5
8th Gup	Sr. Yellow	1/20	Palgue 1	1-5	Releases
7th Gup	Green	3/36	Palgue 1-2	1-5	Single Sides
6th Gup	Sr. Green	4/48	Palgue 1-3	1-10	Single Sides
5th Gup	Blue	4/48	Palgue 1-4	1-10	Cross Wrist Grabs
4th Gup	Sr. Blue	4/48	Palgue 1-5	1-15	Cross Wrist Grabs
3rd Gup	Red	4/48	Palgue 1-6	1-15	Defense Against Punch
2nd Gup	Sr. Red	6/72	Palgue 1-7	1-20	Defense Against Punch
1st Gup	Adv. Red	6/72	Palgue 1-8	1-20	Two Hand Grabs
1st Dan	Black 1st Degree	6 to 12 Months	Koryo, Chung-Moo	5 Self Defense & 5 Knife Techniques	Master's Discretion
2nd Dan	Black 2nd Degree	2 Years Minimum	Kuem-Kang, Kwan-Gae, Po-Eun, Gae-Baek	Assist in 20 Classes	Master's Discretion
3rd Dan	Black 3rd Degree	3 Years Minimum	Tae-Baek, Eui-Am, Choon-Jang, Sam-Il	1st Dan Hapkido	Master's Discretion
4th Dan	Black 4th Degree	4 Years Minimum	Yoo-Sin, Choi-Young,Yon-Gae	Master's Discretion	Master's Discretion
5th Dan	Black 5th Degree	5 Years Minimum	Ui-Ji, Moon-Moo, So-San	Master's Discretion	Master's Discretion
6th Dan	Black 6th Degree	6 Years Minimum	Se-Jong, Tong-Il	Master's Discretion	Master's Discretion

Korean Terminology

Counting

one	hah nah
two	doul
three	set
four	net
five	da-sote
six	yo-sote
seven	ill-gope
eight	yeo-doul
nine	ah-hope
ten	yeol

Ordinals

first	il
second	ee
third	sahm
fourth	sah
fifth	oh
sixth	yuk
seventh	chil
eighth	pahl
ninth	goo
tenth	ship

Basics

master instructor	sah boo nim
black belt	yu dan cha
student	hak saeng
school	do jang
uniform	do boak
line up	jong lee
attention	cha reeut
bow	kyung ay
ready stance	june be
begin	shee jak
end	bah roh
rest	shi-o
bow to the master	sah boon nim kay kyung nay
salute the flag	gook ghee ay dae hah yo kyung nay
thank you	gham sah haam nee da
class dismissed	hai san

Kicking

font kick	ahp cha ghee
roundhouse kick	doal leu cha ghee
side kick	yup cha ghee
back kick	dweet cha ghee
axe kick	naeryeo cha ghee
hook kick	ahp hoo ree ghee
spin kick	dweet hoo ree ghee
turn around kick	doal ah cha ghee
sliding forward kick	bu chyo cha ghee
double kick	tah dahk

Stances

stance	saw ghee
horse stance	joo choom saw ghee
front stance	ahp goo saw ghee
back stance	dweet goo bee saw ghee
walking stance	ahp saw ghee
twist stance	goh ah saw ghee
mountain stance	sahn tul saw ghee
dragon stance	young saw ghee
cat stance	go yang ee saw ghee
kicking stance	bahl cha ghee june be
crane stance	hahk da ri saw ghee