Taekwondo stances

The Korean martial art Taekwondo has several stances used for different activities.

Basic stances

Although there are strong similarities in stances through out Taekwondo schools, individual instructors often have their own preferred style. For example, in the Charyot stance, feet are often at 45 degrees, keeping eyes forward while bowing. However, many instructors prefer the feet parallel forward, with the eyes facing toward the floor while bowing (as a sign of respect and trust for those around them).

Other stances

Fighting stance

This stance varies with the martial art and practitioner, but is the basic all-purpose stance used in sparring and combat. Common features across the arts include turning the body to the side to present a smaller target, slightly bent knees for balance and agility, feet about two shoulder widths apart, and hands up, protecting the head. In an art relying heavily on kicks, the body's mass is usually shifted slightly to the back leg, making the front leg easier to lift and increasing the speed of kicks. Regardless of the exact stance, this is the most familiar stance for a martial artist. All other stances, blocks, and attacks flow from this stance.

ee also

*Karate stances