Taekwon-Do History and Information

STANCES | SOGI  

Stances are the starting point for all movements in Taekwon-Do. Proper stances will develop stability, agility, balance and flexibility. Stances are named for the weight bearing leg OR the lead leg (in the case of even distribution). The images on this page depict a "right" stance.

Basic principles for a proper stance
1.	Keep the back straight with few exceptions
2.	Relax the shoulders
3.	Tense the abdomen
4.	Maintain correct facing. The stance may be full, half or side facing toward the opponent
5.	Maintain equilibrium
6.	Make use of sign-wave properly

Close Stance | Moa Sogi
Length: 0	Width: 0	Weight: 50%F/50%R
		Facings: Full or Side
Additional Notes: This stance is typically done as a ready posture (see above for hand positions). Both knees are slightly bent to engage all of the leg muscles.

Parallel Stance | Narani Sogi
Length: 0 shoulder widths	Width: 1 Shoulder width	Weight: 50%F/50%R
	Measured from: Front: Footsword Rear: Footsword	Facings: Full or Side
Additional Notes: This stance is typically done as a ready posture (see above for hand positions). Both knees are slightly bent to engage all of the leg muscles.

Open Stance | Palja Sogi
Inner Open Stance An Palja Sogi	Outer Open Stance Bakat Palja Sogi	Weight:	Facings:
Toes pointed slightly inward	Toes pointed slightly outward	50%F/50%R	Full or Side
Additional Notes: These stances are seldom used due to the looseness of the leg muscles and lack of stability. These stances are typically done as a ready posture (see above for hand positions). Both knees are slightly bent to engage all of the leg muscles.

Walking Stance | Gunnun Sogi
Length: 1.5 Shoulder widths	Width: 1 Shoulder widths	Weight: 50%F/50%R
Measured from: Front: big toe Rear: big toe	Measured from: Front: side sole Rear: side sole	Facings: Full or half
Additional Notes: The front knee should be bent to be in line with the front heel and the rear leg is extended fully. The front toes point forward while the rear toes point out 25° (Any more weakens the leg joint against attack from the rear). Tension is created by drawing the legs together.

Low Stance | Nachuo Sogi
Length: 1.5 Shoulder widths	Width: 1 Shoulder widths	Weight: 50%F/50%R
Measured from: Front: heel Rear: toe	Measured from: Front: side sole Rear: side sole	Facings: Full or side
Additional Notes: Similar to the walking stance except that it is a foot longer. The tool can be extended and can help develop the leg muscles.

L-Stance | Niunja Sogi
Length: 1.5 Shoulder widths	Width: 2.5cm/1"	Weight: 30%F/70%R
Measured from: Front: toes Rear: footsword	Measured from: Front: heel Rear: heel	Facings: Half
Additional Notes: Both knees are bent so that the rear knee cap is above the toes and the hip should be aligned with the inner knee joint. Both feet are pointing inward about 15°.

Fixed Stance | Gojung Sogi
Length: 1.5 Shoulder widths	Width: 2.5cm/1"	Weight: 50%F/50%R
Measured from: Front: toes Rear: toes	Measured from: Front: heel Rear: heel	Facings: Half
Additional Notes: Similar to the L-stance except that it is slightly longer.

Rear Foot Stance | Dwitbal Sogi
Length: 1 Shoulder widths	Width: 0	Weight: Most on rear
Measured from: Front: small toe Rear: small toe		Facings: Half
Additional Notes: The rear leg is bent until the knee comes over the toes and slightly inward. The rear heel is slightly behind the front heel and the front toes are lightly touching the ground. The front foot is pointing about 25° and the rear is pointing about 15°.

Vertical Stance | Soojik Sogi
Length: 1 Shoulder widths	Width: 0	Weight: 40%F/60%R
Measured from: Front: big toe Rear: big toe		Facings: Half
Additional Notes: Both feet are pointed inward about 15° and the legs are slightly bent.

Sitting Stance | Annun Sogi
Length: 0	Width: 1.5 Shoulder Widths	Weight: 50%F/50%R
	Measured from: Front: toe Rear: toe	Facings: Full or side
Additional Notes: The knees are bent outward so that they come over the ball of foot. Create tension by drawing the groung with the side soles. The hip should be drawn back and the abdomen should be tense.

Diagonal Stance | Sasun Sogi
Length: 0	Width: 1.5 Shoulder widths	Weight: 50%F/50%R
Measured from: Front: heel Rear: toes	Measured from: Front: toes Rear: toes	Facings: Full or side
Additional Notes: This is similar to the sitting stance in every way except that the lead leg is slightly forward in line with the rear toes.

Crouched Stance | Oguryo Sogi
Additional Notes: This is similar to the diagonal stance in every way except that the knees are bent inward slightly. It is not often used due to the weakness of the knees and lack of stability.

X-Stance | Kyocha Sogi
Stepping: Base foot behind	Jumping: Base foot in front	Weight: On stationary foot
		Facings: Full or side
Additional Notes: This is predominantely a defensive stance preparing to move into another position. When stepping, the foot crosses in front of the stationary foot, touching the ground slightly with the ball of foot. When jumping, the foot crosses behind the stationary foot. The image denotes a left X-stance.

One-Leg Stance | Waebal Sogi
Weight: 100% on base leg	Facings: Full or side
Additional Notes: Primarily for balance training. The stationary leg is stretched and the other reverse footsword is placed on the knee joint or instep to the hollow.

Bending Stance | Guburyo Sogi
Weight: 100$ on base leg	Facings: Full or half
Additional Notes: A preparatory stance for side and back kicks, though could be used as a defensive posture.

Ready Stance | Junbi Sogi

See below for more details about the specific stances.

Attention Stance | Charyot Sogi

Heels of the feet are together, forming a 45° angle. Both arms hang naturally to the side of the body with the elbows slightly bent; hands are lightly clenched in a fist.

Bowing Posture | Kyong Ye Jase

Bend the body no more than 15° forward keeping the eyes fixed on your opponent's eyes.

Parallel Ready Stance | Narani Junbi Sogi

Parallel stance as normal bringing both fists naturally over the abdomen (approx 5cm apart and 7cm away from body) keeping the elbows slightly off the side of the body.

Heaven Hand

The arms are upward about 40° and elbows slightly bent. The hands are in a knife-hand position with the right middle and fore-fingers crossing over the left middle and fore-fingers and the thumbs are touching just below eye level.

Warrior Ready Stance

Parallel Stance with the right finger-belly covering the left fist.
Type-A: The left fist is to the side front of the left hip.
Type-B: The left fist is to the side front of the right hip.

Walking Ready Stance | Gunnun Junbi Sogi
Sitting Ready Stance | Annun Junbi Sogi
L-Ready Stance | Niunja Junbi Sogi
X-Ready Stance | Kyocha Junbi Sogi

Perform stance as normal, bringing both fists to the sides, bending the elbow 30°, the fist should be approximately 30cm above the thigh.

Open Ready Stance | Palja Junbi Sogi

Open stance as normal bringing both fists naturally over the thighs.

Close Ready Stance | Moa Junbi Sogi

Type-A:   The left hand covers the right fist with the first finger joint of the left hand on the right knuckle and the thumbs crossing. The hands should be about 30cm in front of the philtrum.
Type-B:   The hands are in the same position as type-A (left over right), except the hands are about 15cm in front of the navel.
Type-C:   The hands are in a knife-hand position with the left covering the right slightly (the left middle finger covers the right ring finger. The hands are about 10cm in front of the abdomen.
Type-D: The fists are lightly clenched and hang naturally to the side of the body. The hands cross the body when transitioning into this position.

Bending Ready Stance | Guburyo Junbi Sogi

Type-A: The base leg is bent so that the knee is above the toes. The non-supporting leg is bent and the side sole rests against the knee of the supporting leg and is pointed 15° from the front. The hands are in a middle guarding block position. This stance is generally used for side kicks and variations.
Type-B: This stance is a preparatory position for back piercing kick. The fists are around 25cm from the thigh and both elbows are bent 30°. The supporting foot is pointed toward the front of the body and is bent so that the knee is above the toes. The non-supporting reverse footsword is just off of the other knee joint. The eyes are looking over the non-supporting side.