Taegeuk O-Jang
태극 오장
Taegeuk 5
“Teyh-Goog Oh-Jahng”
4th Geup Poomsae
Trigram: ☴ Wind

Taegeuk 5-Jang represents 선 Seon (風) in Palgwae. Seon symbolizes wind, which is gentle but can abruptly transform into a typhoon. In the human body, it corresponds with the pelvis and hip joint. Meaning, the muscles around the pelvis and hip joint must be relaxed to assume a stable and powerful posture while practicing Poomsae. This part of the body is the base that supports the spine and helps in taking stable and flexible postures. It is also the source of the rotational force and power of kicks. Taegeuk 5-Jang involves the practice of techniques with different postures to exert power diversely, like an unpredictable typhoon.

“In Taegeuk 5-Jang, you will practice techniques using the rotational force of the body’s trunk, including 메 주먹 내려 치기 Me Jumeok Naeryeo Chigi (Hammer Fist Downward Strike), 팔굽 거들어 돌려 치기 Palgup Geodeureo Dollyeo Chigi (Assisted Elbow Hook / Elbow Assisted Turning Strike). You will also practice techniques that connect the moves from outside to inside from left to right, including 안 막기 An Makgi (Inward Block), and techniques that connect the moves in the same direction, including 등 주먹 앞 치기 Deung Jumeok Ap Chigi (Back Fist Forward Strike) and 안 막기 An Makgi (Inward Block). Taegeuk 5-Jang also involves the practice of connecting new 치기 Chigi (Striking) techniques to be used in real fights. Other examples include 메 주먹 바깥 치기 Me Jumeok Bakkat Chigi (Hammer Fist Outward Strike), 팔굽 표적 치기 Palgup Pyojeok Chigi (Elbow Target Strike) and 짓찧기 Jitjjihgi (Stomp).”

Side-To-Side Turn 1: Back Foot Ventral Turn

Side-To-Side Turn 2: Front Foot Dorsal Turn

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

Technique Summary

서기 Stances:

  • Closed Stance / Moa Seogi / 모아 서기

  • Forward Stance / Ap Gubi / 앞 굽이

  • Left Side Stance / Wen Yeop Seogi / 왼 옆 서기

  • Right Side Stance / Oreun Yeop Seogi / 오른 옆 서기

  • Backward Stance / Dwit Gubi / 뒷 굽이

  • Back Cross Stance / Dwi Kkoa Seogi / 뒤 꼬아 서기

방어 기술 Defensive Skills:

  • Downward Block / Naeryeo Makgi / 내려 막기

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

  • Knife Hand Block / Sonnal Makgi / 손날 막기

  • Upward Block / Ollyeo Makgi / 올려 막기

공격 기술 Offensive Skills:

  • Hammer Fist Downward Strike / Me Jumeok Naeryeo Chigi / 메 주먹 내려 치기

  • Front Kick / Ap Chagi / 앞 차기

  • Back Fist Forward Strike / Deung Jumeok Ap Chigi / 등 주먹 앞 치기

  • Assisted Elbow Hook / Palgup Geodeureo Dollyeo Chigi / 팔굽 거들어 돌려 치기

  • Side Kick / Yeop Chagi / 옆 차기

  • Hammer Fist Outward Strike / Me Jumeok Bakkat Chigi / 메 주먹 바깥 치기

  • Elbow Target Strike / Palgup Pyojeok Chigi / 팔굽 표적 치기

  • Instep Stomp / Jitjjihgi / 짓찧기

특수품 Special Skills:

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

기합 Kihap:

  1. On Stomp + Back Fist Forward Strike

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. The Inward Block → Inward Block and Downward Block → Inward Block movements are done with offensive timing rather than defensive.

  • Hammer Fist Downward Strike:
    The Pulling Hand should begin between the height of the shoulder and the philtrum as opposed to the standard solar plexus height; the striking fist travels in a circular path from the hip to the rear shoulder then across the forehead and finishes just above the height of the front shoulder.

  • Inward Block → Inward Block:
    Do not extend the front arm to aim the 2nd Inward Block.

  • Back Fist Forward Strike → Inward Block:
    Do not extend the front arm to aim the Inward Block.

  • Assisted Elbow Hook:
    Also known as Elbow Assisted Turning Strike. This should end at jaw height and is not in the Pyojeok/Target class of techniques so there should be no sound of the fist going into the open hand. Make sure to keep all 5 fingers together with a natural curve — don’t grab your fist or unnaturally straighten the fingers up.

  • Downward Block → Inward Block:
    Do not extend the front arm to aim the Inward Block. This arm technique combination is done on 3 out of the 4 times there is a movement on the back line of the poomsae.

  • Side Kick + Hammer Fist Outward Strike:
    The arms must go from Upward Block 2nd Position to Hammer Fist Outward Strike 1st position while you chamber the Side Kick. The striking arm runs parallel to the Side Kick and the pulling hand goes all the way back to the hip as in every basic technique.

  • Side Kick:
    Make sure to leave some bend in the anchor knee (similar to a Crane Stance) when chambering your Side Kick before straightening it as the other leg extends into the kick.

  • Target Elbow Strike:
    This is a strike at solar plexus height, not chest or shoulder. Drive the elbow into the open palm of the opposite hand with the finger tips together pointing forward, the torso should be turned 30° to 45° in the opposite direction of the front foot.

  • Front Kick → Instep Stomp + Back Fist Forward Strike:
    Re-chamber your front kick and stomp directly from that height without dropping the foot down to the floor first. Do not jump forward. The stomp touches down at the length of one Forward Stance from the anchor foot of the Front Kick. The Back Fist Forward Strike and Kihap should finish at the same time as the stomp rather than with the back foot completing the Back Cross Stance.

  • Back Cross Stance:
    The torso and the toes of the right foot are at 30° to the left in this version of Back Cross Stance and the toes of the left foot should be approximately half way up the length of the right foot — be sure to press the left shin bone into the right calf muscle.

  • “Baro” → Basic Ready Posture:
    On Baro both feet should be able to pivot into Parallel Stance if the width of the Back Cross Stance was correct — no step should be required.