For many styles of taekwondo, the beginner (basic 기본) forms are not entirely standardized, so the discussion below pertains only to some commonly-seen variations. Essentially all of the beginner forms are variations of the Traditional Taekwondo Kicho Hyeong forms, in that they are performed within an I-shaped pattern. The Kicho Hyeong forms date back to 1947 and are attributed to Hwang Kee.
Comparison of First Beginner Forms[]
The first form learned in many styles of taekwondo are quite similar.
- The Kibon Hana form of Sport Taekwondo is unique in that it repeats the first line at the end of the form, giving the form a total of 20 steps rather than the usual 16. This may be have been done to get Kukkiwon/WTF students used to the Kukkiwon's Taegeuk forms' three-lines. Otherwise, this form is the same as Kicho Hyeong.
- The Sae Kye and Sang Gup variations are unusual in that they both introduce Front Kicks. Both styles have the philosophy that students should start incorporating kicks into their forms earlier in their studies.
- Chun Kuk Do's Sang Gup form is unique in that it introduces combinations: Front Kicks followed immediately by Punches.
In all these cases, one can see how the newer versions simply build upon the original Kicho Hyeong version.
First Beginner Forms | Used In | Along the Top and Bottom of the I | Up the Center of the I | Back Down the Center of the I | Steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kicho Hyung Il Bu | Traditional Taekwondo |
Low Block then three Middle Punches |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 | |
Sae Kye Hyeong Il Bu | Traditional Taekwondo |
same as above |
same as above, but Front Kicks replace the Punches |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 |
Kibon Hana | Some newer taekwondo styles |
same as above |
same as Kicho Hyung |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
20 (the first line repeats at the end) |
Kicho Hyung Il Bu Sang Gup | Chun Kuk Do |
same as above, but a Front Kick precedes each Punch |
same as above, but a Front Kick precedes each Punch |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 |
Comparison of Second Beginner Forms[]
We start to see more variation among taekwondo styles in the second beginner forms.
- Kicho Hyeong is unique here in that "the way back down" the I-shape is not the same as the way up.
- As with the first beginner forms, the Sae Kye and Sang Gup versions focus more on kicking.
- Chun Kuk Do's Sang Gup version is really quite complex, with constant shifts between Back Stances and Front Stance, and an even greater combination of movements (blocks with punches).
As with the first beginner forms, we can see how the newer forms simply build upon the original Kicho Hyeong.
First Beginner Forms | Used In | Along the Top and Bottom of the I | First Up the Center of the I | Then Back Down the Center of the I | Steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kicho Hyung Ee Bu | Traditional Taekwondo |
Low Block then three High Punches |
same as at left, but High Blocks replace the High Punches |
16 | |
Sae Kye Hyeong Ee Bu | Traditional Taekwondo |
same as above |
same as above, but Side Kicks replace the Punches |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 |
Kibon Dool | Some newer taekwondo styles |
same as above |
Low Block then two High Blocks and a High Punch (or sometimes three High Blocks) |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
20 (the first line repeats at the end) |
Kicho Hyung Ee Bu Sang Gup | Chun Kuk Do |
same as above, but a Front Kick precedes each Punch |
Back Stances into Long Stances Punch with Inside Block, then Punch with High Block, then Punch with Outside Block |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 |
Comparison of Third Beginner Forms[]
Unlike the first two beginner forms Chun Kuk Do does not practice an advanced "Sang Gup" version of the third beginner form.
First Beginner Forms | Used In | Along the Top and Bottom of the I | Up the Center of the I | Back Down the Center of the I | Steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kicho Hyung Sam Bu | Traditional Taekwondo |
Long Stance then Horse Stances Low Block then three Side Punches |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 | |
Sae Kye Hyeong Sam Bu | Traditional Taekwondo |
same as above |
same as above, but the Side Punches are replaced with Roundhouse Kicks |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
16 |
Kibon Set | Some newer taekwondo styles |
same as above, but the Outside Blocks use the Outer-Forearm instead |
same as Kicho Hyung |
same as at left, the way back is just like the way up |
20 (the first line repeats at the end) |