Taegeuk Yuk-Jang
태극 육장
Taegeuk 6
“Teyh-Goog Yook-Jahng”
3rd Geup Poomsae
Trigram: ☵ Water

Taegeuk 6-Jang represents 감 Gam (水) in Palgwae. Gam symbolizes flowing water. In the human body, it represents the ear, including the ability to hear sound and feel the sturdiness and gentleness of the power around oneself as their own. In this process, you should understand how to counter attack by brushing off the opponent’s strength as water flows over obstacles. Like water flows without interruption, Poomsae techniques should flow seamlessly. However, sometimes water suddenly falls and forms a waterfall. Thus, this practice process includes the overall release of power and practice, as well as the connection of apparent techniques.

“In Taegeuk 6-Jang, you will learn to connect new moves, including defense with 얼굴 손날 비틀어 막기 Eolgul Sonnal Biteureo Makgi (High Knife Hand Twisting Block) and 돌려 차기 Dollyeo Chagi (Turning Kick) while pulling the wrist, and a new technique: taking a step backward for defense and counter attacking. 물러 딛기 Mulleo Ditgi (Back Step) enables the connection of various techniques, including 눌러 꺾기 Nulleo Kkeokgi (Pressing Joint Lock) or 넘기기 Neomgigi (Takedowns), after blocking the opponent’s attack or blocking and catching the opponent. In short, in Taegeuk 6-Jang, you practice how to leverage the opponent’s forces.”

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

방어 기술 Defensive Skills:

  • Downward Block / Naeryeo Makgi / 내려 막기

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

  • High Knife Hand Twisting Block / Eolgul Sonnal Biteureo Makgi / 얼굴 손날 비틀어 막기

  • High Outward Block / Eolgul Bakkat Makgi / 얼굴 바깥 막기

  • Low Opening Block / Arae Hechyeo Makgi / 아래 헤쳐 막기 (5 Seconds)

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

  • Palm Heel Inward Block / Batangson An Makgi / 바탕손 안 막기

공격 기술 Offensive Skills:

  • Front Kick / Ap Chagi / 앞 차기

  • Turning Kick / Dollyeo Chagi / 돌려 차기

  • Reverse Punch / Baro Jireugi / 바로 지르기

특수품 Special Skills:

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

기합 Kihap:

  1. On the final Turn Kick

 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.

  • High Twisting Knife Hand Block:
    The palm of the blocking arm must face forward with the finger tips at eye height and the elbow in front of the shoulder rather than outside of the body line, the torso should be twisted at 30° to 45° to the opposite side of the front foot.

  • Turning Kick:
    The foot should strike 30° to 40° past the center line and shouldn’t stop at 0° center. Be sure to re-chamber and place your foot back on the floor at the approximate distance of 1 Forward Stance from the anchor foot of the kick.

  • High Outward Block:
    The fist of the blocking arm should end at eye height with the arm in the same shape as Middle Outward Block.

  • Low Opening Block:
    1st Position begins with the left arm on top (the outermost facing of your crossed arms) and is drawn out over 5 seconds. 2nd Position should finish at mid thigh with the arms angled at approximately 40°.

  • Backward Stance x2 → Forward Stance x2:
    Make sure that all backward movements are done directly via Step → Pivot to the proper lane with no curving steps. A lot of people step too short in this part of the Poomsae, ensure that your stances all have accurate length and width.

  • Palm Heel Inward Block:
    The wrist is at eye height in 1st position with the fingers extended toward the ceiling, 2nd position ends the same distance from the body as a middle punch with the fingertips still pointing up.