Taegeuk Sam-Jang
태극 삼장
Taegeuk 3
“Teyh-Goog Sahm-Jahng”
6th Geup Poomsae
Trigram: ☲ Fire

Technique Summary

Taegeuk 3-Jang represents 리 Ri (火) in Palgwae. Ri symbolizes fire and clarity, like the sun. It corresponds with the heart in the human body, which further refers to the process of developing a courageous mindset. If you look at the nature of fire, it starts with a small spark and spreads rapidly, burning everything in an instant. Such uncontrolled force and light that spreads everywhere does not help Poomsae practice. Taegeuk 3-Jang is a practice method comprising the accurate learning of forces and techniques that correspond with fire and light, and practicing the bold moves by connecting defense and attack.

“In Taegeuk 3-Jang, new skills are learned using the Knife Hand. This goes beyond unclasping your fist; it means the change of attack and defense. Opening your hands allows you to implement the technique by catching the opponent. In Taegeuk 1-Jang and 2-Jang, the process involves creating power. In Taegeuk 3-Jang, the process involves learning how to use the opponent’s power by eliminating it or breaking their balance by combining the skills to grab and pull the opponent. Also, you will practice techniques, including the weight shift from 뒷 굽이 Dwit Gubi (Backward Stance) to 앞 굽이 Ap Gubi (Forward Stance), and connecting three skills such as 두번 지르기 Dubeon Jireugi (Double Punch) with 앞 차기 Ap Chagi (Front Kick) and 앞 차기 Ap Chagi (Front Kick) with 내려 막기 Naeryeo Makgi (Downward Block) and 바로 지르기 Baro Jireugi (Reverse Punch).”

Side-To-Side Turn 1: Front Foot Dorsal Turn

Side-To-Side Turn 2: Back Foot Ventral Turn

Side-To-Side Turn 3: Front Foot Dorsal Turn

서기 Stances:

  • Closed Stance / Moa Seogi / 모아 서기

  • Parallel Stance / Naranhi Seogi / 나란히 서기

  • Walking Stance / Ap Seogi / 앞 서기

  • Backward Stance / Dwit Gubi / 뒷 굽이

  • Forward Stance / Ap Gubi / 앞 굽이

방어 기술 Defensive Skills:

  • Downward Block / Naeryeo Makgi / 내려 막기

  • Knife Hand Block / Sonnal Makgi / 손날 막기

  • Middle Inward Block / Momtong An Makgi / 몸통 안 막기

공격 기술 Offensive Skills:

  • Front Kick / Ap Chagi / 앞 차기

  • Double Punch / Dubeon Jireugi / 두번 지르기

  • Knife Hand Inward Strike / Sonnal An Chigi / 손날 안 치기

  • Reverse Punch / Baro Jireugi / 바로 지르기

특수품 Special Skills:

  • Basic Ready Posture / Kibon Junbi Jase / 기본 준비 자세 (5 Seconds)

기합 Kihap:

  1. On the final Reverse Punch

Performance Notes

  • Rhythm / Tempo:
    Be mindful of the different intervals between movements, which are determined by whether or not the next technique is offensive or defensive.

  • Knife Hand Inward Strike:
    This should end at the side of the neck just under the ear — on most people this is pretty close to the height of the tip of their nose.

  • Order Of Operations (Look → Aim → Step → Pivot):
    Taegeuk Sam-Jang features the first instance of the Step → Pivot rule being broken when moving to the 2nd side-to-side symmetrical section.

  • Backward Stance → Forward Stance:
    When shifting from Backward Stance to Forward Stance make sure that the forward foot only moves forward and not forward as well as sideways. The width of the Forward Stance will be taken care of by the pivot on the ball of the rear foot.