Taegeuk 4
태극 4장 (Sa Jang)
About This Pattern
Taegeuk 4 represents the trigram "Jin" (震), symbolising Thunder. Thunder brings fear but also reminds us to stay calm in the face of danger. This pattern teaches courage and power, with movements that should be performed with explosive energy like a thunderclap.
New techniques introduced: Side kick (Yop chagi), Swallow form (Jebi poom mok chigi), Spear finger thrust (Pyonsonkkeut jireugi), Backfist strike (Deung jumeok ap chigi), Outer forearm block (Bakat palmok momtong makgi)
Floor Diagram
The pattern follows an "I" shape. Start at the red circle, facing forward (toward the top of the diagram). Numbers show the sequence of movements.
Step-by-Step Movements
Turn 90° LEFT
Left back stance (Dwit kubi) + Knife-hand middle block (Sonnal momtong makgi)
왼 뒷굽이 손날몸통막기
Step FORWARD
Right walking stance (Ap kubi) + Spear finger thrust (Pyonsonkkeut jireugi)
오른 압구비 편손끝찌르기
Turn 180° RIGHT
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Knife-hand middle block (Sonnal momtong makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 손날몸통막기
Step FORWARD
Left walking stance (Ap kubi) + Spear finger thrust (Pyonsonkkeut jireugi)
왼 압구비 편손끝찌르기
Turn 90° LEFT
Right walking stance (Ap kubi) + Swallow form knife-hand (Jebi poom mok chigi)
오른 압구비 제비품목치기
Front kick + Step FORWARD
Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Left walking stance + Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
오른 앞차기 → 왼 압구비 몸통지르기
Side kick (in place)
Left side kick (Yop chagi) - retract to standing position
왼 옆차기
Side kick + Back stance
Right side kick (Yop chagi) → Right back stance + Knife-hand middle block
오른 옆차기 → 오른 뒷굽이 손날몸통막기
Turn 270° LEFT
Left back stance (Dwit kubi) + Outer forearm block (Bakat palmok momtong makgi)
왼 뒷굽이 바깥팔목몸통막기
Front kick (in place)
Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Right back stance + Inner forearm block
오른 앞차기 → 오른 뒷굽이 안팔목몸통막기
Turn 180° RIGHT
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Outer forearm block (Bakat palmok momtong makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 바깥팔목몸통막기
Front kick (in place)
Left front kick (Ap chagi) → Left back stance + Inner forearm block
왼 앞차기 → 왼 뒷굽이 안팔목몸통막기
Turn 90° LEFT
Right walking stance (Ap kubi) + Swallow form knife-hand (Jebi poom mok chigi)
오른 압구비 제비품목치기
Front kick + Step FORWARD
Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Right walking stance + Backfist strike (Deung jumeok ap chigi)
오른 앞차기 → 오른 압구비 등주먹앞치기
Turn 90° LEFT
Right walking stance + Inner forearm block → Left middle punch
오른 압구비 안팔목막기 → 몸통지르기
Turn 180° RIGHT
Left walking stance + Inner forearm block → Right middle punch
왼 압구비 안팔목막기 → 몸통지르기
Turn 90° LEFT
Right walking stance + Inner forearm block → Double punch (Du-bon jireugi)
오른 압구비 안팔목막기 → 두번지르기
Step FORWARD
Left walking stance + Inner forearm block → Double punch (Du-bon jireugi)
왼 압구비 안팔목막기 → 두번지르기
Front kick + Step FORWARD
Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Right walking stance + Backfist strike (Deung jumeok ap chigi)
오른 앞차기 → 오른 압구비 등주먹앞치기
Front kick + Step FORWARD - KIHAP!
Left front kick (Ap chagi) → Left walking stance + Backfist strike (Deung jumeok ap chigi)
왼 앞차기 → 왼 압구비 등주먹앞치기 - 기합!
After movement 20, turn 180° to return to ready stance (Junbi) facing the original direction.
Techniques in This Pattern
Stances
- Walking stance (Ap kubi)
- Back stance (Dwit kubi)
Blocks
- Inner forearm block (An palmok momtong makgi)
- Outer forearm block (Bakat palmok momtong makgi) - NEW
- Knife-hand block (Sonnal momtong makgi)
- Swallow form (Jebi poom mok chigi) - NEW
Hand Techniques
- Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
- Double punch (Du-bon jireugi)
- Backfist strike (Deung jumeok ap chigi) - NEW
- Spear finger thrust (Pyonsonkkeut jireugi) - NEW
Kicks
- Front kick (Ap chagi)
- Side kick (Yop chagi) - NEW