Basic Routines

These are groups of exercises, which are performed in set pre-determined ways. They are learnt at beginner level but are continued and built upon in the higher grades, as they are a good warm up tool and exercise.

Kicking Routines – (Chagi)

These are groups of exercises aimed at practising the basic kicks in a predetermined manner in line work. The routines are learned at beginner level, but are continued and built upon for higher grades. They are often used as part of the warm up in both classes and gradings. They help with muscle memory for basic combinations. The kicking routines are often performed in fighting stance, but may also be performed in any other stance.

Four Directional Punching – (Sa Bang Hyang Chirugi)

This is the traditional exercise learnt by the TaeKwon-Do student. It is not a pattern but will help very much  in learning the directional moves of the patterns. The basic exercise is the same but can be varied by turning the other way (clockwise instead of anti-clockwise) and using different blocks.

Four Directional Punching No.1
            Ready stance
            Left hand up in front, right hand on hip.
            Step right foot forwards into walking stance, obverse punch
            Turn anti-clockwise (left) 90o, walking stance, left low section outer forearm block
            Step right foot forwards into walking stance, obverse punch
            Turn anti-clockwise (left) 90o, walking stance, left low section outer forearm block
            Step right foot forwards into walking stance, obverse punch
            Turn anti-clockwise (left) 90o, walking stance, left low section outer forearm block
            Step right foot forwards into walking stance, obverse punch
            After a short pause, come to Ready stance facing the front and repeat but the other way
            Around (clockwise, left hand punches, right hand blocks).

Four Directional Punching No.2
            As for No.1 but with left middle section inner forearm block

Four Directional Punching No.3
          As for No.1 but with left high section outer forearm rising block. All punches are high section also (level with eyes).

 Four Directional Blocking – (Sa Bang Hyang Mahki)

This is similar to four directional punching but is one routine for blocks.

            Ready stance
            Right leg step back into walking stance, left knife hand low block
            Step forwards into right leg forwards walking stance, right inner forearm middle block
            Turn 90o left, step right leg back walking stance, left knife hand low block
            Step forwards into right leg forwards walking stance, right inner forearm middle block
            Turn 90o left, step right leg back walking stance, left knife hand low block
            Step forwards into right leg forwards walking stance, right inner forearm middle block
            Turn 90o left, step right leg back walking stance, left knife hand low block
            Step forwards into right leg forwards walking stance, right inner forearm middle block
            After a short pause, come to Ready stance facing the front and repeat but the opposite way.

Basic Hand Techniques 1 - (Kibon Il)

• Ready Stance
• Move out your left foot into horse riding stance (Joochum Sogi) and perform left arm lower block. Your head faces left to show you are paying attention to what you are blocking, but here, and throughout the Kibom, your body faces forward.
• Right arm lower block to the right - be sure to turn your head to the right.
• Left arm outer forearm block to the left. Again, your body faces forward, your head faces to the left.
• Right arm outer forearm block.
• Now face forward, left arm upper block.
• Right arm upper block.
• Left arm mid section punch.
• Right arm mid section punch - KIHAP!

This one is very basic, so beginners should pick it up quite quickly. Because there are no changes in stance it can be practised just about anywhere, unlike a pattern which requires quite a lot of room to perform.

One Step Sparring – (Han Bun Kyorugi)

This is a semi-free form of sparring which is a very useful training tool and is learnt from Yellow Belt upwards forming an important part of training. Techniques from the patterns can be practised here on a partner and close quarter timing, distancing, and movement can be honed. These techniques can be directly transferred to Self-Defence (it is lot easier to defend against a swinging punch than a straight one!). Each partner stands at arms' length apart facing each other. One partner attacks using an obverse punch into Long Stance.  The defender simultaneously defends and counters. Techniques should be appropriate for the grade with lower grades perfecting their distance, timing etc. and higher grades being more flamboyant and technical. As an addition higher grades will attack with front and turning kicks with suitable defences and counters.