List of Taekwondo Stances with Videos & Instructions

This page provides instructions for a wide variety of Taekwondo stances (i.e. tiger stance, back stance and horse-riding stance). In Korean, Taekwondo stances are known as Seogi or Sogi. Students will use many of these stances during WTF Taekwondo forms, ITF Taekwondo patterns, Taekwondo sparring, self-defense, training exercises, etc.

However, be aware that Taekwondo stances can vary between the two major Taekwondo federations (ITF and WTF). There can be differences in the angle of the feet and the length/width of the stance. For example, the length of the ITF walking stance is "one and a half shoulder widths". In contrast, the length of the WTF walking stance is "one walking step forward" (thus a much shorter length than the ITF walking stance). Moreover, despite being very similar, the WTF back stance is two shoulder widths in length and the ITF L-stance is one and a half shoulder widths in length. Check with your Taekwondo instructor if you are having a problem with your stances.

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List of WTF Taekwondo Stances - Click on stances for instructions and/or videos

• Taekwondo Assisting Stance - Gyeotdari Seogi
• Taekwondo Back Stance - Dwi Kubi Seogi or Dwitgubi
• Taekwondo Closed Stance - Moa Seogi
• Taekwondo Crane Stance - Hakdari Seogi
• Taekwondo Cross Stance - Kkoa Seogi
• Taekwondo Diagonal Stance - Mo Seogi
• Taekwondo Fighting Stance - Gyoroogi Seogi
• Taekwondo Front Stance or Forward Stance - Ap Kubi Seogi or Apgubi
• Taekwondo Horse Stance or Riding Stance - Jo Choom Seogi
• Taekwondo Parallel Stance - Narani Seogi
• Taekwondo Ready Stance - Joon Bi Seogi
• Taekwondo Side Stance - Yeop Seogi
• Taekwondo Tiger Stance or Cat Stance - Beom Seogi
• Taekwondo Walking Stance - Ap Seogi

List of ITF Taekwondo Stances

• ITF Taekwondo Attention Stance - Charyot Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Bending Stance - Guburo Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Close Stance - Moa Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Crouched Stance - Oguryo Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Diagonal Stance - Sasun Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Fixed Stance - Gojang Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo L-Stance - Niunja Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Low Stance - Nachuo Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Parallel Stance - Narani Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Rear Foot Stance - Dwit Bal Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Sitting Stance (or Horse Riding Stance) - Annum Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Vertical Stance - Soojik Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo Walking Stance - Gunnun Sogi
• ITF Taekwondo X-Stance - Kyocha Sogi

References

1. TaekwondoAnimals.com, Taekwondo Stances, http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-stances.asp, Added - 7/4/13
2. Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarter, Taekwondo Techniques, http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/front/pageView.action?cmd=/eng/information/taekwondoSkill, Added - 04/30/14
3. Wales TKD, ITF Stances, http://www.walestkd.co.uk/stances-sogi/, Added - 05/22/14
4. ITF Switzerland Taekwon-Do Federation, http://www.taekwondo-itf.ch/, Added - 05/23/14