Stepping Techniques
Ditgi Kisul - 딛기 기술

Taekwondo focuses on expert use of footwork to avoid attacks by an opponent, with blocking considered as a secondary method of defense since the body still absorbs the damage of the blow. Proper evasion should place one in the correct distance to quickly and efficiently deliver a devastating counter attack. A high level of fitness, athleticism and drilling must be cultivated, maintained and improved upon for footwork to be instantaneous and effective.

Footwork is absolutely key. If you can’t move you can’t fight.

Bouncing In Place
Jejali Ditgi
제자리 딛기
“Jay-Jah-Lee Deet-Gee”

The heel of each foot should touch and leave the floor in an easy bouncing motion. The idea is to keep the body prepared for motion in any direction at all times by keeping the triple extension of the ankle, knee and hip in a ready state.

This must feel like the natural state of the body while in a Sparring Stance or Fighting Stance.

Feint (Fake Motion)
Peikeu Mosyeon
페이크 모션
”Pay-Ee-Koo Moh-Shuhn”

Footwork used to misdirect an opponent.

• Front Foot Feint
  Ap Bal Peikeu
  앞 발 페이크

• Back Foot Feint
  Dwit Bal Peikeu
  뒷 발 페이크

Also known as Sogimsu Dongjag / 속임수 동작 ("Sohg-Eem-Soo Dohng-Jahg")

Power Stepping
Taeryuk Ditgi
태력 딛기
“Teyh-Reeuhk Deet-Gee”

The act of explosively pressing one’s foot down to the floor to generate force for an offensive or defensive movement.

Not the same thing as the largely debunked Sine Wave theory which is used in the Chang-Heon style of International Taekwon-Do Federation.

Switch Stepping
Narae Ditgi
나래 딛기
“Nah-Leyh Deet-Gee”

Sometimes referred to as Narae Stepping or Narae Switching, combining Korean with English.

Perhaps one of the most distinct concepts in Kukki TKD, Narae Stepping involves switching from one foot to another in order to feint or attack fluidly while moving or remaining on the spot. The most common example is the Double Turn Kick, though this concept can be applied to many different hand and foot strikes.

Switching can be utilized with a ventral turn (front turning) as in connecting to a Turn Kick or a dorsal turn (back turning) as in connecting to a Back Kick.

Change Stance
Bal Bakkum
발 바꿈
“Bahl Bah-Koom”

Swiftly switching from a Left Fighting Stance to a Right Fighting Stance. The change should be low and smooth, it is not a jump in the air.

Also called 자세 바꿔 딛기 Jase Bakkwo Ditgi (“Jah-Say Bah-Kwoh Deet-Gee”).

Front Dash
Jeonjin Ditgi
전진 딛기
“Juhn-Jihn Deet-Gee”

A forward movement in which both feet keep mostly the same distance between them throughout. The rear foot should push the floor and the front foot should slide.

Also known as Du Bal Nae Ditgi 두 발 내 딛기 (“Doo Bahl Neyh Deet-Gee”).

Front Angle Dash / Jeonjin Mo Ditgi / 전진 모딛기

Back Dash
Hujin Ditgi
후진 딛기
“Hoo-Jihn Deet-Gee”

A backward movement in which both feet keep mostly the same distance between them throughout. The front foot should push the floor and the back foot should slide.

Also known as Du Bal Mulleo Ditgi 두 발 물러 딛기 (“Doo Bahl Mool-Luh Deet-Gee”).

Back Angle Dash / Hujin Mo Ditgi / 후진 모 딛기

Lateral Dash
Hoengjin Ditgi
횡진 딛기
“Hwehng-Jeen Deet-Gee”

A sideways movement in which both feet keep mostly the same distance between them throughout. The front foot should push the floor and the back foot should slide to the open side.

Also known as Side Step / Saideu Seuteb 사이드 스텝 (“Sah-Ee-Doo Soo-Tayp”).

Front Step
Nae Ditgi
내 딛기
“Neyh Deet-Gee”

The rear foot steps forward, changing from a Left Stance to a Right Stance or vice versa.

Front Angle Step / Nae Mo Ditgi / 내 모 딛기

Back Step
Mulleo Ditgi
물러 딛기
“Mool-Luh Deet-Gee”

The front foot steps backward, changing from a Left Stance to a Right Stance or vice versa.

Back Angle Step / Mulleo Mo Ditgi / 물러 모 딛기

Turning Step
Dora Ditgi
돌아 딛기
“Dohr-Ah Deet-Gee”

The rear foot steps forward, bringing the hip all the way around into a side facing stance.

Back Turning Step
Dwi Dora Ditgi
뒤 돌아 딛기
“Dwee Dohr-Ah Deet-Gee”

The rear foot steps backward, bringing the hip all the way around into a side facing stance.

Also known as Reverse Step / 몸 돌아 딛기 Mom Dora Ditgi (“Mohm Dohr-Ah Deet-Gee”).

Fast Front Step
Ppaleun Bal Ditgi
빠른 발 딛기
“Pah-Loon Bahl Deet-Gee”

A forward motion with two steps in which the back foot moves briefly before the front foot. Like doing a Fast Kick without chambering or kicking.

Sometimes this type of footwork is called a Shuffle Step or a Sliding Step.

Fast Back Step
Ppaleun Bal Mulleo Ditgi
뒤 빠른 발 물러 딛기
“Dwee Pah-Loon Bahl Mool-Luh Deet-Gee”

A backward motion with two steps in which the front foot moves briefly before the back foot.

Sometimes this type of footwork is called a Shuffle Step or a Sliding Step.

Forward Two Step
Ap Bal Nae Ditgi
앞 발 내 딛기
“Ahp Bahl Neyh Deet-Gee”

A forward motion with two steps in which the front foot moves briefly before the rear foot.

Backward Two Step
Dwit Bal Mulleo Ditgi
뒷 발 물러 딛기
“Dweet Bahl Mool-Luh Deet-Gee”

A backward motion with two steps in which the rear foot moves briefly before the front foot.

Side Two Step
Yeop Ditgi
옆 딛기
“Yuhp Deet-Gee”

A lateral motion with two steps.

If the front foot moves first it’s Ap Bal Yeop Ditgi.
If the back foot moves first it’s Dwit Bal Yeop Ditgi.

Tornado Step
Dolgae Ditgi
돌개 딛기
“Dohl-Geyh Deet-Gee”

A back turning step followed by a switch step, similar to initiating a Tornado Kick without chambering or with a minimal chamber.

Drawing Step
Ap Bal Kkeureo Ditgi
앞 발 끌어 딛기
“Ahp Bahl Koor-Uh Deet-Gee”

A defensive step which drags the front foot toward the rear foot prior to counter attacking.