Tae Guek Il Jang

There are many sites on the Internet which offer instruction on performing the forms of taekwondo. They vary widely, partly because instructors refer to the same techniques by different names, but mostly because people just write things differently. I am intrigued at the notion that although we are all doing these forms exactly the same way, we are all talking and writing about them very differently. It's really easier to learn forms in class than it is to learn them from written text, but I think this is helpful. I wrote this out to help me study for my test, and I offer it up to anyone who might find it useful. If you note any errors, please let me know. Thanks.

Tae Guek Il (1st) Jang is represented by the symbol keon, meaning heaven. It should be performed with the greatness of heaven. As heaven symbolizes the beginning of the creation of all things in the universe, so this form represents the beginning of taekwondo training. This form is characterized by the easiest techniques: walking stance, front stance, low block, middle block, high block, middle punch and front kick. At my school it is required for advancement to orange belt. (We actually learn three forms that are even easier!)

From the Joon Be (ready) position

1. 1. Turn 90* to the left and step with the left foot in walking stance and perform a low block with the left hand.
2. 2. Step forward with the right foot in front stance and perform a middle punch with the right hand.
3. 3. Turn 180* to the right and step with the right foot in walking stance and perform a low block with the right hand.
4. 4. Step forward with the left foot in front stance and perform a middle punch with the left hand.
5. 5. Turn 90* to the left (facing flags) and step with the left foot in front stance and perform a low block with the left hand followed immediately by a middle punch with the right hand.
6. 6. Turn 90* to the right and slide the right foot (back foot) into walking stance (right foot forward) and perform an outside-in middle block with the left hand.
7. 7. Step forward with the left foot in walking stance and perform a middle punch with the right hand.
8. 8. Turn 180* left and step with the left foot in walking stance and perform an outside-in middle block with the right hand.
9. 9. Step forward with the right foot in walking stance and perform a middle punch with the left hand.
10. 10. Turn 90* to the right (facing flags) and step with the left foot in front stance perform and low block with the right hand followed immediately by a middle punch with the left hand.
11. 11. Turn 90* to the left and slide the right foot (back foot) up into walking stance (left foot forward) and perform a high block with the left hand.
12. 12. Perform a front kick with the right foot (fists on belt) and land in walking stance (right foot forward) and perform a middle punch with the right hand.
13. 13. Turn 180* to the right and step with the right foot in walking stance and perform a high block with the right hand.
14. 14. Perform a front kick with the left foot and land in walking stance (left foot forward) and perform a middle punch with the left hand.
15. 15. Turn 90* to the right (back to flags) and step with the LEFT foot in front stance and perform a low block with the left hand.
16. 16. Step forward (back to flags) with the right foot in front stance and perform a middle punch with the right hand. KI HAP! (yell)

Turn 180* to the left (facing flags) into Joon Be (ready) position.