Taeguk forms

[YoungMan]

The problem I have with the walking stance in the Taegeuk forms is this: students learning the Taegeuk forms learn the walking stance as an integral part of their technique. Almost from Day One, they learn the walking stance while executing blocks, which does little to teach balance, stability, and hip/leg strength. Students doing the Palgue/Koryo forms learn the walking stance later, after they have practiced the traditional stances for a while. Additionally, the walking stances are used more to set up a counterattack, rather than trying to teach blocking.

As I heard it, the Taegeuk forms were developed to help teach Tae Kwon Do to new students quickly. As a result, much of the balance, stability, and power they would have learned was lost.

It is no surprise that the modern generation of TKD students, raised on Taegeuk forms, has much speed but little to no power. Great for making a point but not much else.

[IcemanSK]

The problem I have with the walking stance in the Taegeuk forms is this: students learning the Taegeuk forms learn the walking stance as an integral part of their technique. Almost from Day One, they learn the walking stance while executing blocks, which does little to teach balance, stability, and hip/leg strength. Students doing the Palgue/Koryo forms learn the walking stance later, after they have practiced the traditional stances for a while. Additionally, the walking stances are used more to set up a counterattack, rather than trying to teach blocking.

As I heard it, the Taegeuk forms were developed to help teach Tae Kwon Do to new students quickly. As a result, much of the balance, stability, and power they would have learned was lost.

It is no surprise that the modern generation of TKD students, raised on Taegeuk forms, has much speed but little to no power. Great for making a point but not much else.

I will agree with you that it's harder to generate power in a walking stance & balance & stability is an easier lesson with longer stances. However, it just means instructors (& I'm one) need to focus on long stances in basics.

I'm in the lineage of GM Park, Hae Man (one of the men who designed the Tae Geuks). I respect him a great deal. But, I like the Pal Gwe forms better, myself.

[bushido_man96]

YoungMan, what style of TKD do you study, out of curiosity? I practice the Ch'ang On forms at this point, and have done ATA in the past.

As far as the walking stance is concerned, it may not teach stability and balance, but it does promote mobility, which is a very important aspect of TKD sparring (especially Olympic style).

[YoungMan]

I practice Chung Do Kwan. My Instructor's Instructor is Woon Kyu Uhm, who is Chung Do Kwan President and Kukkiwon President.

That is exactly the advantage and problem with walking stances. They increase mobility a great deal, but stability is a problem. Hence, their use in free fighting. I do not recommend incorporating them into training in the beginning, since students need to learn the stability and body strength that comes from deeper stances.

I have seen my Instructor use them in self defense demos, usually combined with a low block. however, he always shifts his weight back, never forward into the stance. Again, very reminiscent of the Kumgang Yuksa warriors.

[ninjanurse]

When done properly walking stance is very stable and is similar to the rooted stance taught in Japanese arts-quite a bit of power can be generated if needed. I agree that it looks very relaxed/casual and lower belt levels can look off-balance and soft but just like any other technique it must be practiced and may take several years to "learn properly". When I switched TKD affiliations 5 years ago I was introduced to this stance and found it challenging.

[bushido_man96]

Yep, it is just a different tool. I think that when it comes down to self-defense, you will be more likely to find yourself starting in a stance more like the walking stance, and then transitioning into other stances as you move from technique to technique.

[YoungMan]

The walking stance is a very useful tool for self defense and sparring, because it looks natural. However, I don't think students should really integrate it until they have practiced the traditional stances for some time. reason being that once you have learned the balance, stability, and hip/leg strength that traditional stances teach, only then would you be able to execute a good walking stance and still keep your balance. Otherwise, it becomes too easy to unbalance you.

Kind of like making a big action when you first learn basics so that you can get away with a small action later on and still retain power. This is the mark of an advanced student.

[IcemanSK]

I practice Chung Do Kwan. My Instructor's Instructor is Woon Kyu Uhm, who is Chung Do Kwan President and Kukkiwon President.

Wow, what a small world! My instructor is GM Edward Sell. His instructor is GM Park, Hae Man (who co-designed the Tae Gueks). His instructor is GM Uhm, Woon Kyu.

Who is your instructor? I think that makes us kin

[YoungMan]

My Instructor is Tae Zee Park, 9th Dan Kukkiwon and former Korean National Free Fighting Champion. I've never met anyone who compared to him power and technique-wise

[IcemanSK]

My Instructor is Tae Zee Park, 9th Dan Kukkiwon and former Korean National Free Fighting Champion. I've never met anyone who compared to him power and technique-wise

That is incredibly cool!