Attention Stance
A non combat stance with the arms flat against one's sides and legs straight feet together.
[edit] Closed Stance
Moa Sogi means the feet are parallel and close together. It can be side facing or front facing to your opponent.it is used to simulate the practitioner being restrained.ie moa sogi A where the arms are in front of the practitioners face with one fist covered by the opposite hand.the opening movements of won hyo tul are a prime example of this where the practitioner starts off in moa sogi a and then bursts out of their attackers grasp with a twin forearm block.
[edit] Walking Stance
Gunnun Sogi is used to approach or retreat in combat and poomsae. Feet should be maintained shoulder width apart except when stepping, where the leading foot moves outwards marginally. To maintain a solid base, each step should put about a shoulder width between feet. When stopping in the middle of a step, the back foot should be inclined outwards slightly to aid balance.
[edit] Back L-Stance
Niunja Sogi (Back Stance: Dwi Sogi) is a standard fighting stance used in Taekwondo to prepare for kicking. The body is turned to present only the side to the opponent and the legs are split one and a half shoulder widths apart. The front foot points directly forwards while the back leg is turned out just under 90 degrees. The feet are lined up along the heels. To make sure you have the L-stance properly aligned, stand with your feet together, turn out the toes and step the back foot directly backwards into the stance. 70% of the weight should be on the back leg which means the front leg can be engaged in quick kicking and it will not unbalance the practitioner if swept.
[edit] Parallel Stance
Naranhi Sogi is a neutral stance from where a variety of Taekwondo kicks and punches may be thrown. The feet are both pointed forward and placed shoulder width apart. Arms are lightly bent with the clenched fist just under the navel and the muscles of the body should be lightly relaxed, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Rear Foot Stance
Dwit Bal Sogi is sometimes known as Cat Stance or Tiger Stance in Taekwondo. It is like the L-Stance but much tighter, and the feet are slightly over head width apart. Again most of the weight is placed on the back foot(60/40), leaving the front leg ready to kick.
Sitting Stance
Annun Sogi (or joo-choom sogi)is a low stance used in Taekwondo and several other martial arts as a neutral position, which also enables an individual to practice punching. In Chinese martial arts, it is known as the 'horse-stance'.
Feet are placed wide, around two shoulder widths apart and the knees are deeply bent until the hamstrings lie parallel with the floor. The back is kept straight. Arms are bent with closed, upturned fists held at the hips. As each punch is directed forward, the fist swivels 180 degrees down to a natural position before impact, turning back up again as it is retracted to the sides.
This is a very arduous position for the legs and lower back. While punches are being trained, other parts of the body are receiving an workout. As a student progresses, his hips will begin to open up and he will be able to achieve an even lower stance. Tests of martial endurance are often based around maintaining this position for protracted periods, holding other objects on outstretched arms or even balancing them on the head.
Fighting Stance
A simple stance which is similar to back stance, but with the practitioners weight center to allow for kicking with either front or back foot
Patterns/Poomse
Taekwondo patterns, also known as poomsae or hyeong constitute an important part of Taekwondo competitions. A pattern is a sequence of movements linked together in a prescribed sequence. Both basic and advanced Taekwondo techniques can be contained within a single patterns and the higher the level of the competitor, the greater the difficulty of the techniques and the complexity of the pattern. Competitors must perform their highest pattern in front of a panel of judges.
There are two types of Taekwondo pattern competition:
Solo Taekwondo patterns - Performed simultaneously by two competitors, each from an opposing club. Every competitor may perform two patterns chosen from a range corresponding to his level - one designated pattern and one optional pattern. The best pattern is chosen by the judges and that competitor goes through to the next round by a process of elimination.
Team Taekwondo patterns - Performed simultaneously by several competitors from a club organised into a single team. Club teams compete by performing two patterns each, one after the other. Once one team have finished both their patterns can the competing team then perform theirs. Again, the judges choose the best pattern to go through to the next round.
Accuracy. Taekwondo patterns should begin and end in the same place.
Posture. Practitioners must have their body weight correctly distributed during each different stance and during footwork. Each technique must be correctly aligned.
Realism. Taekwondo patterns are the learning ground for real combat. As such, every technique must display the requisite speed, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defence move.
Spirit. A competitor's 'presence' on the mat must be as credible as his technique. Self belief, confidence in abilities, and intention to perform to a personal best are tangible virtues considered indispensable in Taekwondo practitioners.
Decorum. Proper manners must be displayed when interacting with the judges directly before and after the pattern. Respect must also be extended to rival competitors, clubs and other officials.
Form. General qualities that judges look for in any Taekwondo practitioner include proper breathing technique and body control. The diaphragm must be engaged in deep breathing, shallow breathing concentrated in the upper abdomen results in raised shoulders and stressed muscles. The muscles of the body should be lightly relaxed in order to perform the pattern with fluidity, speed and grace. Muscles should only be tensed at the moment of imaginary impact in order to commute maximum power to any individual Taekwondo technique.