Basic Taekwondo Stances

Length: 3.5 of your own footsteps forward. (When measuring steps place your heel exactly where the tips of your toes finished.)  

Offensive/Defensive: Offensive Stance

Tips on achieving a technically correct forward stance:

·        Make sure that your heels are shoulder width apart and your hips are square. (This is the commonest mistake.)

·        Turn your back foot 45 degrees and lock your back leg straight. (Any bend in the back leg and you will lose power on impact.)

·        Bend the front knee so you can just see the tips of your toes.   

·        Back vertical so that your balance is centred and eyes looking directly forward.

Length: 2.5 footsteps forward. (Touch your heels together in an L-shape with your front foot pointing forward, and then count your 2.5 footsteps.)

Offensive/Defensive: Defensive Stance

Tips on achieving a technically correct back stance:

·        Your heels should be aligned and in an L-shape position.

·        Your front foot should point directly forward whilst your back foot should be at a precise 90 degree angle.

·        Your chest should be facing sideways from the target. (Pull your back shoulder round the back.)

·        70% of your body weight should be distributed over the back leg, leaving 30% over the front. (This means that kicking off the front leg should be easy from this position.)

·        Make certain that your back knee is pushed directly over your back foot so that no extra pressure is added to the knee joint.

Length: Approximately 4 footsteps across.

Offensive/Defensive: Offensive Stance

Tips on achieving a technically correct sitting stance:

·        Ensure your body weight is distributed evenly over both feet and your balance is central.

·        Your shoulders should be facing forward, parallel to the target.

·        Bend your knees and push them OUT so that the weight is directly above your feet.

·        Make certain that both feet are pointing directly forward and are not sticking out at an angle.

·        Back vertical so that your balance is centred and eyes looking directly forward.

Length: 1 footstep forward. (The heel of your leading foot should be should be direct line with the toes of your back foot.)

Offensive/Defensive: Offensive Stance

Tips on achieving a technically correct walking/front stance:

·        Make certain your stance is shoulder width apart.

·        Toes on both feet should be facing directly forward.

·        Both knees should be slightly bent.

·        Weight should be on the balls of the feet with the back heel being raised very slightly too quickly advance or move if need be.

·        Back vertical so that your balance is centred and eyes looking directly forward.

Length: 1 footstep forward. (Put one foot directly in front of the other with the heel of your front foot touching the toes of your back foot.)

Offensive/Defensive: Defensive Stance

Tips on achieving a technically correct tiger stance:

·        Both feet should be in a straight line with one foot directly in front of the other.

·        90% of your weight is taken by the back leg which should be bent and low as possible to the floor.

·        The front leg should also be bent with the 10% weight resting lightly on the ball of the foot, making it extremely easy to attack off the front leg.

·        For extra protection the front knee should be angled across your body to shield the groin.

·        Back vertical so that your balance is centred and eyes looking directly forward.