Resources

2. POOMSAE

Poomsae are the traditional taekwondo patterns, which are part of the syllabus for the 9+ years classes. Kids in the 4-8 years classes do not need to know these.

The videos provided below are great learning resources for poomsae. I have provided 3 videos for each pattern. Both videos go through the pattern slowly, and then have the whole pattern at the end of the video. Note each club will count slightly differently for each pattern, so the video counts may not match the counting I have listed below. We also aim to start creating our own videos breaking each step down by the end of the year.

The following link contains information on how each technique should be executed, so have a read through in your free time if you want help with technique: Poomsae_scoring_guidelines.pdf (d17nlwiklbtu7t.cloudfront.net)

White Belt (Kibbon Poomsae):

Meaning: Innocence and Purity

Steps: 16

Kihap: 8, 16

Stances: Long stance

Hand techniques: Lower block, body punch

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLKzqikyV2Y

Yellow Belt (Poomsae Taegeuk Il Jang):

Meaning: Heaven

Steps: 18

Kihap: 18

Stances: Short stance, long stance

Hand techniques: Lower block, body block, face block, body punch

Kicks: Front kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvnQmtjBmo8&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T

Taekwonbox video (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): (16) Taegeuk 1 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program – YouTube

Kukkiwon video (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean): (16) TAEGEUK 1JANG – YouTube

Yellow Belt Green Tab (Poomsae Taegeuk Ee Jang):

Meaning: Inner and Outer Strength

Steps: 18

Kihap: 18

Stances: Short stance, long stance

Hand techniques: Lower block, body block, face block, body punch, face punch

Kicks: Front kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_-gfpYK5NQ&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=3

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae) (16) Taegeuk 2 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program – YouTube

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: (16) TAEGEUK 2JANG – YouTube

Green Belt (Poomsae Taegeuk Sam Jang):

Meaning: Fire

Steps: 20

Kihap: 20

Stances: Short stance, long stance, back stance

Hand techniques: Lower block, body block, body punch, double body punch, knife hand strike, knife hand body block

Kicks: Front kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FggbmUaZlkA&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=4

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): Taegeuk 3 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program (youtube.com)

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: TAEGEUK 3JANG (youtube.com)

Green Belt Blue Tab (Poomsae Taegeuk Sa Jang):

Meaning: Thunder

Steps: 20

Kihap: 20

Stances: Short stance, long stance, back stance

Hand techniques: body block, body punch, double knife hand body block, open hand downwards block, spear hand thrust, sweeping swallow strike, outside body block, back fist

Kicks: Front kick, side kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg-qye6A7fA&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=4

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): (16) Taegeuk 4 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program – YouTube

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: TAEGEUK 4JANG (youtube.com)

Blue Belt (Poomsae Taegeuk Oh Jang):

Meaning: Wind

Steps: 20

Kihap: 20

Stances: Long stance, back stance, L stance, twisted stance

Hand techniques: Lower block, body block, face block, body punch, downwards hammerfist, back fist, knife hand body block, supported round elbow strike, side hammerfist, target elbow strike

Kicks: Front kick, side kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=965K1JjpAVA&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=5

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): (16) Taegeuk 5 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program – YouTube

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: TAEGEUK 5JANG (youtube.com)

Blue Belt Red Tab (Poomsae Taegeuk Yuk Jang): 

Meaning: Water

Steps: 23

Kihap: 13

Stances: Long stance, back stance, ready stance

Hand techniques: Lower block, body punch, outside body block, outside face block, knife hand forwards face block, double lower block (slow), double knife hand body block, palm block

Kicks: Front kick, roundhouse

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJMfV1HY398&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=6

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): (16) Taegeuk 6 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program – YouTube

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: TAEGEUK 6JANG (youtube.com)

Red Belt (Poomsae Taegeuk Chil Jang): 

Meaning: Mountain

Steps: 25

Kihap: 25

Stances: Cat stance, back stance, attention stance, Short stance, long stance, twisted stance, horse riding stance

Hand techniques: palm block, body block, double knife hand body block, supported palm strike, supported back fist, fist in hand (slow), scissor block, double outside body block, shoulder/head grab, double uppercut, crossed lower block, side back fist, target elbow strike, kinfe hand body block, side punch

Kicks: Front kick, inside target crescent kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POfoHAkhwlQ&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=7

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): Taegeuk 7 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program (youtube.com)

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: TAEGEUK 7JANG (youtube.com)

Red Belt Black Tab (Poomsae Taegeuk Pal Jang):

Meaning: Earth

Steps: 24

Kihap: 2, 18

Stances: Back stance, long stance, cat stance

Hand techniques: outside body block with supporting hand, body punch, body block, double body punch, half mountain block, pull into uppercut, double knife hand body block, palm block, lower block with supporting hand, knife hand outside body block, round elbow strike, back fist

Kicks: Front kick, double front kick, front kick into jump front kick

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPSt3azIo48&list=PL0k0PoHfwIQ0cRlzQ_BvhmixKiVrdrN0T&index=8

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): Taegeuk 8 Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program (youtube.com)

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: TAEGEUK 8JANG (youtube.com)

Cho Dan (Koryo): 

Meaning: Seonbae (learned man)

Steps: 30

Kihap: 11, 30

Stances: Long stance, back stance, short stance, horse riding stance

Hand techniques: double knife hand outside body block, reverse knife hand strike, body punch, body block, knife hand lower block, throat strike, leg grab with knee break, double inside body block, knife hand outside body block, target punch, groin strike with pull, lower block, open hand downwards block, supported side elbow strike, circle to fist on palm, knife hand strike

Kicks: Front kick, side kick, double side kick (knee then face)

Most basic video (best for kids and when you first start learning your pattern):

Taekwonbox (best for finetuning technique, learning Korean names and watching world champions perform your poomsae): Koryo Poomsae explanation – Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Educational Program (youtube.com)

Kukkiwon (good for finetuning technique and learning the Korean):: KORYO (youtube.com)

Black Belt Poomsae:

Will be on the website soon 🙂

3. RULES

These rules are for all students:

1. Be respectful to others and create a good community

• Examples for respect:
  • Listening to your parents and teachers when they are talking
  • Bowing before and after class, bow to your partner before and after sparring
  • Arriving on time for school, work, sports etc
  • Don’t make fun of others for trying
  • Using manners
  • If you arrive late, let your coach/boss/teacher know 
• Examples for creating a good community:
  • Say hi to new people at training/school etc and make them feel welcome
  • Encourage others to be their best
  • Offer help when needed
  • Being positive when someone has done something well
  • Lead by example

2. No fighting. 

• We do not tolerate students starting fights at school/sports/on the street. While martial arts are combat sports and we do sparring during classes, fighting outside of training is unacceptable. Our foundations include things like respect, community, self discipline and your martial arts should not be used to create harm. 
• Exceptions:
  • Sparring training supervised by a coach 
  • If in a dangerous situation and it is necessary (but note the safest option is to get yourself/someone you are standing up for out of the situation if possible)
  • If a Taekwondo coach or trusted adult is practising with you and has given permission for you to make contact on them. Kids can never give permission. Permission only lasts for that practise and must be given every time. 

3. Master the basics and your mindset

• The basics are the foundation for everything else. You can always improve on every kick. The best martial artists in the world train their basics every day and are always looking for ways to get faster, stronger, or better technique. 
• Mindset is one of the most important tools in life. If you have a resilient, positive attitude then it will help you in many ways. Believe in yourself and put in the hard work to achieve your goals. 

4. Always try your best and never give up

• If you want to achieve something, then give it your 100%. Most good things will require effort, and will often be difficult. We need to learn how to give our 100% especially when something seems difficult. 
• Resilience and discipline will help you to achieve your goals. Whatever goals you set (whether they are Taekwondo related or not) will take hard work. Not every day will be easy and fun, but every day will be worth it if you are putting the effort in.
• Don’t let fear stop you from what you want to do. Fear is ok, but we need to build resilience and be able to do things despite fear. 

5. Learn new things and have fun

• Don’t be afraid of failing. As long as you learn something, it is not a failure. The only true way to fail is to not try at all. Making mistakes or not getting things 100% right first try is all part of the learning process. 
• Have fun and enjoy the process. Set challenges for yourself, celebrate when you achieve something and make friends along the way.

Note Korean uses a different alphabet, so the spelling of words using the English alphabet will vary. We are aiming to update the website to include videos that explain how to say each word. This will take a while to achieve, so please be patient.

4. KOREAN TERMINOLOGY AND QUESTIONS

Counting

White belts need to know how to count from 1-5. Yellow belts and above need to know how to count 1-10. Red belts and above need to know how to count 1-20.

This video helps with pronunciation for counting 1-10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75VvwFw5jq8

One = Hana

Two = Duul

Three = Set

Four = Net

Five = Daseot

Six = Yeoseot

Seven = Ilgup

Eight = Yeodeol

Nine = Ahop

Ten = Yeol

Eleven = Yeol hana

Twelve = Yeol duul

Thirteen = Yeol set

Fourteen = Yeol net

Fifteen = Yeol daseot

Sixteen = Yeol yeoseot

Seventeen = Yeol ilgup

Eighteen = Yeol yeodeol

Nineteen = Yeol ahop

Twenty = Seomeol

Belt Order

Youth Belts: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Red, Brown, Black. After turning 9 or once they reach youth black belt (even if younger than 9), then they move up to the adult belts and syllabus but skip white belt.

Adult belts: White, Yellow Belt, Yellow Belt Green Tab, Green Belt, Green Belt Blue Tab, Blue Tab, Blue Belt Red Tab, Red Belt, Red Belt Black Tab , Cho Dan, Black Belt 1st Dan, Black Belt 2nd Dan, Black Belt 4th Dan (Master), Black Belt 5th Dan, Black Belt 6th Dan, Black Belt 7th Dan (Grandmaster), Black Belt 8th Dan, Black Belt 9th Dan

Other Korean Terminology and Questions

White belts and yellow belts should know the first five questions, and all other belts need to know all of the questions.

What sport do we do? Taekwondo

What country is Taekwondo from? South Korea

What does charyeot mean? Attention

What does Kyungre mean? Bow

Why do we bow? To show respect

What does Taekwondo mean? Foot fist art

What type of sport is Taekwondo? Martial art

Belt in Korean? Di

Uniform in Korean? Dobok

Training area in Korean? Dojang

This covers the main questions, but see the syllabus for more in depth information about what each belt needs to know.