Keumgang poomsae: all 27 moves step by step, with meaning and tips

Keumgang (금강) is the second black belt form in Kukkiwon Taekwondo, learned at 2nd dan and required for the 3rd dan test. Its name means diamond, and it also refers to Geumgangsan, the Diamond Mountains on the Korean peninsula, long admired as one of the most beautiful and spiritual places in Korea. The form takes both meanings: it should feel as hard as a diamond and as immovable as a mountain. There are no kicks. Instead, Keumgang asks for balance in crane stance, heavy horse-riding stances and slow, deliberate power.

The shape of the form

The floor pattern of Keumgang traces the Chinese character 山, mountain. You first walk forward up the middle and back down again, then work along a horizontal line to the left, across to the right, and back to the center, with crane stances and 360-degree turns along the way. The step player below shows the path in simplified form.

Before you begin

Start in the regular ready stance, gibon junbi. Three techniques define this form, and it helps to know them before learning the order. The diamond block (geumgang makgi) is a high block with one arm and a low block with the other at the same time, usually performed in crane stance (hakdari seogi), standing on one leg with the other foot resting against the knee. The large hinge block (keun doljjeogwi) pulls both fists to one side at shoulder height, like a door turning on its hinge. The mountain block (santeul makgi) raises both arms in the shape of the character 山, one blocking outward on each side, in horse-riding stance.

Step by step

The numbers follow the Kukkiwon count of 27 movements.

Forward up the middle

1. Step forward with the left foot into a left front stance and perform an inside-forearm opening block, both arms sweeping outward at chest height.
2. Step forward into a right front stance and strike to the jaw with the right palm heel.
3. Step forward into a left front stance and strike with the left palm heel.
4. Step forward into a right front stance and strike with the right palm heel.

Back down the middle

5. Step back with the right foot into a back stance, left foot forward, with a left inward knife-hand block.
6. Step back with the left foot into a back stance, right foot forward, with a right inward knife-hand block.
7. Step back again into a back stance, left foot forward, with a left inward knife-hand block.
8. Turn your head to look left and slowly draw the left foot up into a right crane stance with a diamond block.

Along the line to the left

9. Set the left foot down into a horse-riding stance and perform a large hinge block to the left.
10. Turn a full 360 degrees counterclockwise, moving the right foot first, and land in a horse-riding stance with another large hinge block.
11. Pivot 90 degrees, lift the right foot and stamp down into a horse-riding stance with a mountain block, with a gihap.
12. Pivot 180 degrees clockwise on the right foot into a horse-riding stance with an inside-forearm opening block.
13. Slide the left foot in to a parallel stance and perform a low opening block, both fists sweeping down and out.
14. Pivot 180 degrees on the right foot, lift the left foot and stamp down into a horse-riding stance with a mountain block.

Across to the right

15. Slowly draw the right foot up into a left crane stance with a diamond block.
16. Set the right foot down into a horse-riding stance with a large hinge block.
17. Turn 360 degrees clockwise, moving the left foot first, and land in a horse-riding stance with a large hinge block.
18. Slowly draw the right foot up into a left crane stance with a diamond block.
19. Set the foot down into a horse-riding stance with a large hinge block.
20. Turn 360 degrees clockwise again and land in a horse-riding stance with a large hinge block.
21. Pivot 90 degrees, lift the left foot and stamp down into a horse-riding stance with a mountain block, with a gihap.

Back to the center

22. Pivot 180 degrees counterclockwise on the left foot into a horse-riding stance with an inside-forearm opening block.
23. Slide the right foot in to a parallel stance and perform a low opening block.
24. Pivot 180 degrees on the left foot, lift the right foot and stamp down into a horse-riding stance with a mountain block.
25. Look left and slowly draw the left foot up into a right crane stance with a diamond block.
26. Set the left foot down into a horse-riding stance with a large hinge block.
27. Turn 360 degrees counterclockwise and land in a horse-riding stance with a large hinge block.

On baro, bring the feet together and return to the ready stance.

What examiners look for

Keumgang is judged mostly on stability. The crane stances should be held still, with the standing knee slightly bent and the lifted foot placed firmly beside the knee, not wobbling. The horse-riding stances should be wide and low with the knees pushed out, and the stamps before each mountain block should be heavy and sharp. The 360-degree turns are a common weak point: keep them tight, spot the direction with your eyes, and land in a stance that is already correct rather than adjusting afterward.

Speed changes matter too. The draws into crane stance and the diamond blocks are performed slowly, while the palm strikes and stamps are fast. A Keumgang performed at one speed throughout looks flat, however clean the stances are.

Common mistakes

The most common error is a crane stance that sinks or tilts because the student is looking down. Keep your eyes on the direction of the block. Another is a mountain block with the arms too low or too wide, which loses the 山 shape: the elbows should be roughly level with the shoulders and the forearms upright. Students also tend to rush the hinge blocks, which should feel heavy. Finally, check your horse-riding stance in a mirror. Most people stand too narrow, which makes the turns easier but the form weaker.

Where Keumgang fits

Keumgang comes after Koryo and before Taebaek. For the full list of black belt forms and when each is learned, see our guide to the black belt forms, and for what the ranks themselves mean, Taekwondo ranks explained.