Poomsae Performance Guide
Arm Techniques

  • Techniques which are performed immediately finish at the same time as the stance in which it is performed in finishes

  • Techniques which are performed immediately should have a gradient of speed & power, increasing as you flow from the movement’s 1st Position to its 2nd Position. There must be acceleration toward the end of the movement.

  • Techniques which are performed immediately should have a brief hold in 1st Position before accelerating to 2nd Position

  • Techniques which are performed over 5 or 8 seconds should be done with uniform muscular tension throughout and must not have any kind of acceleration or snap at the end

  • The hips should move in a complimentary manner of the technique’s direction of movement

  • The aiming hand (the one which will chamber at the hip upon completion of the technique) is extended with the palm facing down, and should not be extended as far as a Middle Punch / Momtong Jireugi does

  • The aiming hand should have its knuckles pointing in the direction in which the technique is to be performed

  • The aiming hand may be at 1 of 4 heights, depending on the technique: Lower Abdomen, Solar Plexus, Shoulder or Philtrum

  • Strikes and blocks use both arms in 1st Position when there is only one technique per count

  • When there are two or more arm techniques per count the front arm acts first – front is determined by the stance’s forward foot

  • When there are two or more arm techniques per count only the first movement possesses an aim – the technique executed first stays in its 2nd Position as the other arm moves to its 1st Position

  • The eye line should match the direction of the technique’s execution and must be directed at eye level

  • When striking the aiming arm moves outside of the action arm

  • When blocking the aiming arm moves inside of the action arm

  • The top fist of Small Hinge / Jageun Doljjeogwi is always vertical

  • The top fist of Large Hinge / Keun Doljjeogwi is always horizontal

  • When a technique’s 1st Position has overlapping arms the top one is determined by which foot just moved

Common Deductions For Arm Movements:

  • No gradient of power or acceleration

  • Chambered hand doesn’t finish at the side of the hip

  • Improper or lack of hip and torso movement

  • Improper execution time (immediately, 5 seconds or 8 seconds, +/- 1 second)

  • Improper 1st Position

  • Improper 2nd Position

  • Improper path from 1st Position to 2nd Position

  • Wrong technique performed

  • Finishing at the wrong target height

  • Wrong orientation of top fist (horizontal vs vertical) during Hinge techniques

  • Eye line doesn’t match the direction of the technique

  • Rhythm / Tempo connecting blocks and strikes is off