Taegeuk Sa-Jang
태극 사장
Taegeuk 4
“Teyh-Goog Sah-Jahng”
5th Geup Poomsae
Trigram: ☳ Thunder

Taegeuk 4-Jang represents 진 Jin (雷) in Palgwae. Jin symbolizes arousing instant thunder and lightning. In the Orient, Jin is referred to as the dragon of heaven. In the human body, it represents mobility of both the feet which facilitate speedy movement and powerful kicks. Using the feet, you can twist your body to quickly change direction or attack. This is a process of attacking the opponent by taking advantage of the distance from the opponent, like an ever-changing dragon.

“In Taegeuk 4-Jang, where 손날 거들어 막기 Sonnal Geodeureo Makgi (Assisted Knife Hand Block) is introduced, you will learn the 찌르기 Jjireugi (Thrusting) skill and learn how to take a step back after 앞 차기 Ap Chagi (Front Kick) in order to respond to the counter attack. By practicing 등 주먹 앞 치기 Deung Jumeok Ap Chigi (Back Fist Forward Strike) you will strengthen the lower body and learn how the force is transmitted from the ground to the elbow, ending with the knuckles of your fist. 손날 거들어 막기 Sonnal Geodeureo Makgi signifies the quick connection between moves of the hand, for the complementary use of the first and next techniques, to learn the expandability of the techniques.”

Technique Summary

서기 Stances:

  • Closed Stance / Moa Seogi / 모아 서기

  • Parallel Stance / Naranhi Seogi / 나란히 서기

  • Backward Stance / Dwit Gubi / 뒷 굽이

  • Forward Stance / Ap Gubi / 앞 굽이

  • Walking Stance / Ap Seogi / 앞 서기

방어 기술 Defensive Skills:

  • Assisted Knife Hand Block / Sonnal Geodeureo Makgi / 손날 거들어 막기

  • Pressing Block / Nulleo Makgi / 눌러 막기

  • Middle Outward Block / Momtong Bakkat Makgi / 몸통 바깥 막기

  • Middle Inward Block / Momtong An Makgi / 몸통 안 막기

공격 기술 Offensive Skills:

  • Spear Hand Vertical Thrust / Pyonsonkkeut Sewo Jjireugi / 편손끝 세워 찌르기

  • Swallow Strike / Jebipum Chigi / 제비품 치기

  • Front Kick / Ap Chagi / 앞 차기

  • Reverse Punch / Baro Jireugi / 바로 지르기

  • Side Kick / Yeop Chagi / 옆 차기

  • Back Fist Forward Strike / Deung Jumeok Ap Chigi / 등 주먹 앞 치기

  • Double Punch / Dubeon Jireugi / 두번 지르기

특수품 Special Skills:

  • Basic Ready Posture / Kibon Junbi Jase / 기본 준비 자세 (5 Seconds)

기합 Kihap:

  1. On the final Forward Punch (second strike of Double Punch)

Performance Notes

  • Rhythm / Tempo:
    Be mindful of the different intervals between movements, which are determined by whether or not the next technique is offensive or defensive.

  • Assisted Knife Hand Block:
    Make sure that the assisting arm is parallel to the floor with the forearm (not hand) located in front of the solar plexus.

  • Pressing Block → Spear Hand Thrust:
    The fingertips of the Knife Hand raise from shoulder height to nose height and the assisting hand draws back to the hip chamber position when stepping from Backward Stance to Forward Stance — do not make the palm of the Pressing Block hand flip up toward the ceiling.

  • Side Kick → Side Kick:
    The fists should be placed beside one another on the abdomen when kicking, and the distance between the feet when setting your foot down after the first kick should be approximately 1 step.

  • Backward Stance + Inward Block:
    Make sure that the wrist of the blocking arm lines up with the center of your body, which should be squared in the direction of the front foot.

  • Forward Back Fist Strike:
    Make sure that the strike ends centered and at philtrum level.

  • Inward Block → Reverse Punch / Inward Block → Double Punch:
    Don’t aim the Reverse Punch and Double Punch after the Inward Blocking.