Taekwondo Wiki
Register
Advertisement
This article in other languages: Español
LakeChonJi

Taegeuk Ee Jang - Lake. Movements in this form should be fluid, like lake water, but should also be performed firmly.

Taegeuk02

Taegeuk Ee Jang - alternative diagram

Taegeuk Ee Jang (also spelled Taegeuk Yi Jang) is the second of eight "taegeuk" forms (i.e., poomsae) used by the Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo (WT). The word "Ee" ("Yi") is the number 2 in the sino-Korean numbering system (as opposed to the traditional Korean numbering system, where dool is 2).

Each taegeuk form is represented by a trigram (such as ); trigrams are divination symbols derived from the I Ching. The trigram for Taegeuk Yi Jang represents the concept of "Tae." (Note: the word tae here is not the same as the tae in taekwondo.) Tae is said to symbolize "inner firmness and outer gentleness," the archetype being a river or lake: gentle and flowing at the boundaries, but firm and resolute underneath. The idea is that movements in this form should be fluid, and yet be performed firmly, with good control. (See the article Taegeuk for additional detail regarding the symbolism of this form.)

Students shift from Walking Stance to Front Stance more frequently in this form than in Taegeuk Il Jang; the Front Kick is also introduced -- the idea is that these will teach the student balance and proper stances, strengthening the muscles of the legs. Normally 7th Gup grade trainees practice this poomsae.

Official Video[]

The Kukkiwon official video for this form.



GM Kyu Hyung Lee Video[]

The following video is a step-by-step demonstration of Taegeuk Ee Jang, with notes.


Video with Notes[]

The following video is a step-by-step demonstration of Taegeuk Ee Jang (also spelled Taegeuk Yi Jang), with notes.


Video from Behind[]

Often it's useful to watch a video that's viewed from behind the performer's starting position.


Poomsae Diagram[]

To print the diagram, click on the image and select "See full size image," or right-click and open the image in a new tab.

PoomsaeT2 3D

New movements in this form: Front Stance (aka Long Stance, at step 2), High Punch (at step 8b).

Other movements in this form: Ready Stance, Walking Stance, Low Block,  Middle Block (aka Inward Block), Front Kick, Punch, High Block (aka Upward Block).

Written Instructions[]

Like all Taegeuk forms, this poomsae is performed on three lines. Imagine three parallel lines laid out side-to-side before you. You first perform the steps on the first line, then step forward to the second line, perform the steps on the second line, step forward to the third line, etc. The left side of each line is a mirror image of the right side of the line.

FIRST LINE[]

T2 Line1

First Line: Low Block, then step into Front Stance and Punch

T2 HighPunch

High Punch (in a Long Front Stance) in Taegeuk Yi Jang

  • Start in the Ready position or "Joon-bee" stance.
    • Chamber the left fist to the right shoulder for a left low block (aka downward block).
  • FIRST GOING LEFT (the Da 1 direction)...
    • Step left with the left foot to turn 90 degrees to the left into a walking stance with left foot forward. Perform a left arm low block.
      • Raise the left arm to aim in preparation for a right punch.
    • Step forward into front stance (aka long stance) with right foot forward. Right arm middle punch.
      • Chamber the right fist to the left shoulder for the upcoming right low block.
  • THEN GOING RIGHT (Ra 1, the mirror image)...
    • Step right with the right foot to turn 180 degrees to the right into walking stance with right foot forward. Right arm low block.
      • Raise the right arm to aim in preparation for a left punch.
    • Step forward into front stance with left foot forward. Left arm middle punch.
      • Chamber for a right middle block (aka inward block). Aim the left arm in front. Raise the right arm to the side with the elbow bent upward. In order to get plenty of "snap" into the upcoming block, make sure the right fist is facing palm-forward so that your wrist will rotate completely as you perform the upcoming block.
  • TRANSITION TO THE SECOND LINE...
    • Step left with the left foot to turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward. Right arm middle block.
      • Chamber for a left middle block. Aim the right arm in front. Raise the left arm to the side with the elbow bent upward.
    • Step forward into walking stance with right foot forward. Left arm middle block.
      • Chamber for the upcoming low block by placing the left fist at the right shoulder.

SECOND LINE[]

T2 Line2

Second Line: Low Block, Kick, then drop into a Front Stance and High Punch. Use High Blocks to get to the Third Line

  • FIRST GOING LEFT (Da 2)...
    • Step left with the left foot to turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward. Left arm low block.
    • Right foot front snap kick, landing in front stance with right foot forward. Right arm high punch.
      • Chamber for the upcoming low block by placing the right fist to the left shoulder.
  • THEN GOING RIGHT (Ra 2, the mirror image)...
    • Step right with the right foot to turn 180 degrees to the right into walking stance with right foot forward. Right arm low block.
    • Left foot front snap kick, landing in front stance with left foot forward. Left arm high punch.
      • Chamber for the upcoming high block (aka upward block) by placing the left fist at the right-side of the waist, and the right fist at the left shoulder.
  • TRANSITION TO THE THIRD LINE...
    • Step left with the left foot to turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward. Left arm high block (aka upward block or rising block).
      • Chamber for another high block, this time placing the right fist at the left-side waist, and the left fist at the right shoulder.
    • Step forward into walking stance with right foot forward. Right arm high block.
      • Chamber for the upcoming inward block by aiming the left arm forward and placing the right arm to the side, elbow bent upward.

THIRD LINE[]

T2 Line3

Third Line: Turn, Middle Block, Pivot, Middle Block

  • FIRST GOING RIGHT (Ra 3)...
    • This is tricky: you're going to turn right by pivoting left:
    • Stretch your left foot way back behind and to the right of your your right foot, then pivot on the ball of your right foot to turn a full 270 degrees to the left. End in a walking stance with left foot forward. Right arm middle block.
      • Chamber for a left middle block (aka inward block).
  • THEN GOING LEFT (Da 3, the mirror image)...
    • Without moving your feet, pivot 180 degrees to the right into walking stance with right foot forward. Left arm middle block.
      • Chamber for a left low block (i.e., place the left fist at the right shoulder).

RETURN TO THE FIRST LINE[]

T2 End

After the third line, return to the starting position. Low Block, then: Kick-Punch, Kick-Punch, Kick-Punch.

  • Step left with your left foot to turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward. Left arm low block.
    • Beginners may find it useful here to "aim" before the upcoming kick. Aim the left arm forward in preparation for the upcoming right punch. Yes, that means your left arm will be pointing out in front of you during the kick, which may look awkward, but it helps you when you're first learning. When you're more experienced, you'll pull both fists to your chest as if blocking during the kick.
  • Right foot front snap kick, landing in walking stance with right foot forward. Right arm middle punch.
    • Again, beginners often find it useful for prepare for the upcoming left punch by aiming with the right arm during the kick.
  • Left foot front snap kick, landing in walking stance with left foot forward. Left arm middle punch.
    • Beginners, aim with the left arm in preparation for the right punch.
  • Right foot front snap kick, landing in walking stance with right foot forward. Right arm middle punch. Yell ("kihap").
  • Hold this position until the master says "bah-roh." Then turn and face the Master by stepping left with the left foot and rotating 180 degrees to the left. If you did everything correctly, you'll finish on the same spot you started.

Helpful Tips[]

  • Just as with Taegeuk Il Jang, beginners often have the same question with this form: what to do with your hands during the kicks at the end of the form. Once you are experienced with this form, you normally hold your fists in front of your chests during the kicks, as you would in a fighting stance. When you're first learning this form though, you can aim the off-hand forward during the kick, so that at the end of the kick you're all ready to punch. It may look a little odd, but it's a good way to learn.
  • As you transition from step 7 through step 8b, it may feel a little weird to use the Front Kick to move from a Walking Stance to a Front Stance. Specifically, it feels like you block, kick, and then kinda "fall forward" into the Front Stance. It doesn't feel very graceful at first. With practice, over time you learn to "fall" into the Front Stance with a fair amount of control though, so it stops feeling weird.

Wallpapers[]

To save this image, click on the image and select "See full size image" -- or right-click and open the image in a new tab. Then right-click on the full-size image to save it to your desktop.

T2 Wallpaper

Other Forms in the Taegeuk Series[]

See Also[]

Advertisement