Walking stances in TAe Geuk Forms

[gmtkd]

I would like some input on this from any WTF schools who use Tae Geuk forms: Especially those who compete with the USTU.

I actually learned the forms from books and video tapes after I decided that I wanted to use these forms in my school instead of what my instructor taught. The reasons I wanted to use these forms are for competing in USTU (now called USAT) events, to be a part of the "official" Taekwondo of the world (which to me is WTF) and thinking it would make it easier for students of other WTF schools to join me if they moved to my city and for my students to keep up their training if they moved away.

Here is problem I am encountering: When students move to my school from another school that teaches Tae Geuk forms, they do them quite differently from us and any reference material I have ever seen. They usually do front stances where all walking stances are supposed to be.

There are two schools in my state that I know for a fact teach this way. When I ask the instructors, they say that it is because the judges will score the forms better in competitions with front stances. As the head referee in New Mexico, I don't like to hear this.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Marcy Shoberg

[KUSA_KMG]

Well, whatever school you go to, you are going to find different names for the stances...front stance, long stance, short stance, deep stance, whatever.

Its mainly all about the knee. So when discussing stances for forms, discuss the knee.

We could break down every Taeguk form, but thats pointless. Taeguk forms have a few stances.

Short Stance = A single step, knee not bent.
Long Stance = A double/triple step to 45 degree angle, knee bent.
Back Stance = Feet make an "L", shoulder width, knees bent.
etc.

If students' short and long stances all look the same, they are doing the forum incorrectly as described by the Kukkiwon.

All you have to do is watch the knee. Hope that helps.

[Gae-Bek]

Personally, I detest the walking stance. I think that its practice leads to laziness. Happens all the time when students are doing Taegeuk forms...

"Hmm, was that a walking stance or a front stance? Well, it's hard to do a front stance, so I'll just do a walking stance, and hope that nobody notices."

So, as kind of my silent protest, I do the Taegeuks with as many deep front stances as I can. Besides, it makes them look better anyway.

[MstNestor]

Do them the right way and then judge them accordingly. Don't comp. on what needs to be done. That's why they are forms and not just suggestions. It is an exercise in body control and focus as much as anything else.

:)

[gmtkd]

Don't comp. on what needs to be done.
:)

What do you mean by this comp.?

I think it is great that the same form has some walking stances and some front stances because it can emphasize to the student that a front stance is not just a step.

Thanks for the input.
Marcy Shoberg

[MstNestor]

Compromise sorry...I abrev. to much :laugh:

[tbmonti]

Just out of curiosity what poomse were you taught by your instructor and why switch just for competition reasons. I have been to alot of tournaments in my time and never did anyone tell me I couldn't compete because I wasn't doing the right set of forms. I don't get it.

Respectfully,
Anthony B. Monti

[Eliz]

Just out of curiosity what poomse were you taught by your instructor and why switch just for competition reasons. I have been to alot of tournaments in my time and never did anyone tell me I couldn't compete because I wasn't doing the right set of forms. I don't get it.

Respectfully,
Anthony B. Monti


Good point, Anthony. I admit, though, that the competitors that are really flexible or have huge, deep stances can SOMETIMES have an advantage. We are not suppose to award extra points to competitors just because they are flexible - but I know some judges do.

[gmtkd]

The forms I was taught by my instructor are called hwa rang 1, Hwa rang 2, hwa rang 3, Chung mu 1, chung mu 2 and chung mu 3. I thing think they are used in about 3 school in the US. I hear that the grandmaster (currently residing in California) made them up special for Americans. I don't know exactly what is meant by this.
I chose Tae Geuk forms because I believe they are the most common throught the US and the world. Therefore, it is easier for students to train with me after moving from elsewhere or to move to a new school after training with me. Also, there are more training aides out there for the students to use.
I guess I just like the feeling of being part of the Taekwondo of the world instead of just my own little clique in the US.
Marcy Shoberg

[ShakeyOneTKD]

I like what mnestor has to say about not compromising. If people do the forms differently just for competion then that gets away from the point of forms and their philosophies, which to me is more important than winning a medal. If you ever have any questions about any of the Tae Guek's then I suggest visiting the Kukkiwon website [www.kukkiwon.or.kr/eng] (www.kukkiwon.or.kr/eng). On the side go to "Techniques", then "poomsae". On the page in the upper right hand corner is a drop-down menu, click on it and pick your form.


Jake Foster,
2nd Dan