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The white circle is you, seen from above. Each tap moves you to where the next move happens, and the gold line shows the path you have walked so far.
Taegeuk Oh Jang (태극 5장) is the form for 4th geup and is often taught at blue belt. It is a varied and satisfying form, full of contrasts: slow, heavy hammer-fist strikes at the start, fast block combinations through the middle, elbow strikes, side kicks, and a little hop into a cross stance for the finish.
Meaning: Seon, the wind
The form is linked to Seon (☴), two solid lines above a broken line, the trigram for wind. Wind can be a gentle breeze or a destructive storm, and the form asks for both qualities: smooth, flowing transitions and sudden bursts of power. Pay attention to the change of pace between sections.
Floor pattern
Like Taegeuk Sa Jang, this form runs up the center from line 1 to line 3, then comes back to line 2 before finishing on line 1.
Step by step
Line 1
- Turn 90 degrees to the left into a left front stance (apkubi) with a left low block (arae makgi).
- Draw the left foot back so your body faces forward in a short upright stance (oen seogi, left stance), still looking left, and swing the left fist up in a high arc and down in a hammer-fist strike (mejumeok naeryeo chigi).
- Turn 180 degrees to the right into a right front stance with a right low block.
- Draw the right foot back into the mirror stance, looking right, and strike down with the right hammer-fist.
Up the center to line 3
- Turn 90 degrees to the left to face forward in a left front stance, and perform a left middle block (momtong an makgi) followed immediately by a right middle block, without stepping.
- Right front kick (ap chagi), land in a right front stance with a right backfist (deungjumeok ap chigi), then a left middle block.
- Left front kick, land in a left front stance with a left backfist, then a right middle block.
- Step forward into a right front stance with a right backfist.
Line 3
- Swing the left foot around and turn 270 degrees to the left so you face right, in a back stance (dwitkubi) with the left foot forward and a left knife-hand middle block.
- Step forward into a right front stance and strike with the right elbow (palgup dollyeo chigi), swinging it horizontally into your open left palm.
- Turn 180 degrees to face left in a back stance with the right foot forward and a right knife-hand middle block.
- Step forward into a left front stance with a left elbow strike into the right palm.
Down to line 2
- Turn 90 degrees to the left to face the starting line in a left front stance, with a left low block followed by a right middle block.
- Right front kick, land in a right front stance with a right low block, then a left middle block.
Line 2
- Turn 90 degrees to the left into a left front stance with a left high block (eolgul makgi).
- Pivot on the left foot and perform a right side kick (yeop chagi), extending the right arm over the kicking leg, then land in a right front stance and strike your left elbow into the right palm.
- Turn 180 degrees to the right into a right front stance with a right high block.
- Left side kick with the left arm extended, then land in a left front stance and strike the right elbow into the left palm.
Back to line 1
- Turn 90 degrees to the left to face the start in a left front stance, with a left low block followed by a right middle block.
- Right front kick, then hop forward and land in a rear cross stance (dwikkoa seogi), the left foot tucked behind the right, with a right backfist and a gihap.
On baro, step back and turn to face forward in the ready stance.
Technique notes
The hammer-fist strikes in steps 2 and 4 should be big and heavy. The fist travels in a large circle, up past the head and down to shoulder height, striking with the bottom of the fist, while the eyes stay fixed on the target to the side. The upright stance used here is short and narrow, with the feet at roughly a right angle.
The backfist in this form strikes forward to the face, with the striking fist starting under the opposite armpit. It should finish higher than the middle blocks that follow it, around mouth height, which is a detail examiners like to check.
On line 2, keep the arm extended over the side kick. That outstretched hand becomes the target for the elbow strike as you land, so it should not drop.
The final hop into the cross stance is short and controlled. You land on the right foot with the left foot crossed behind, toes on the floor, both knees bent, and the backfist lands as the feet settle.
Common mistakes
Students often rush the hammer-fist strikes or forget to pull the foot back before striking. They also blur the two middle blocks in step 5 into one; each should be a distinct, snapping block. During the side kicks, the most common errors are a supporting foot that doesn’t pivot and a kicking leg that drops before the elbow strike. Finally, watch the height of the high blocks on line 2: they should be clearly above the head.
Practice tips
Practice the opening four movements slowly in front of a mirror until the hammer-fist path is big and clean. Then drill the kick, backfist, block combination from steps 6 and 7 as a single unit. On line 2, practice the side kick to elbow strike transition several times on each side. The final hop is easiest to learn without the kick first, then add it once you can land in a balanced cross stance. When you’re ready, continue with Taegeuk Yuk Jang.
Questions parents and students ask
How many movements are in Taegeuk Oh Jang?
Twenty movements in the Kukkiwon count.
Where is the kihap in Taegeuk 5?
On the final movement, the backfist strike as you hop forward into a cross stance.
What is the stance in step 2 of Taegeuk 5?
Left stance (oen seogi), an upright L-shaped stance with the feet about one foot-length apart. Some schools teach it as a walking stance.
