Fundamental Exercises (A): 149 exercises: 97. Vertical Stance Knife-Hand Downward Strike (Soojik So Sonkal Naeryo Taerigi) —a. Spot Strike

October 11, 2024

Fundamental Exercises (A): 149 exercises: 97. Vertical Stance Knife-Hand Downward Strike (Soojik So Sonkal Naeryo Taerigi) —a. Spot Strike

Fundamental exercises, also known as fundamental movements, are kicks, punches, blocks, stances, and several other movements used for attacking or defending. They are the basic attacking and defending techniques on which the art of Taekwon-Do is built. To attain perfection, each fundamental exercise has to be constantly repeated along with maintaining the correct stance at all times.

“Fundamental exercises are considered the back bone of Taekwon-Do, for the students can learn a great number of additional movements which are found neither in patterns nor sparrings. […] The student is therefore advised to exercise each fundamental movement correctly and thoroughly one by one before attempting to practise his pattern or sparring.”- Gen. Choi Hong Hi (Vol.6, p.17)

Mastery of fundamental exercises leads to mastery in patterns, sparring and self-defense.

Direction Diagram (Bang Hyang Pyo)

All fundamental exercises are done on the four directions as shown below:

The student is standing on the line AB and facing D.

Vertical Stance Knife-Hand Downward Strike (Soojik So Sonkal Naeryo Taerigi) Spot Strike

Method of exercise (Yonsup Bop)

—At the command of “Vertical Stance Knife-Hand Downward Strike (Soojik So Sonkal Naeryo Taerigi) Spot Strike”.
—Take a ready posture (junbi jase) of a sitting ready stance.

—At the command of “commence” (sijak).
—i. Pull the right foot and form a left vertical stance to A, while the right knife-hand performs a strike to A, then move the left foot to B and form a sitting ready stance to D.
—ii. Pull the left foot and form a right vertical stance to B, while the left knife-hand performs a strike to B, then move the right foot to A and form a sitting ready stance to D.

—At the command of “stop” (guman).
—Stop the exercise.

Taekwon-Do is a practical art; hence it can be learnt only from an instructor. Words, diagrams and videos can help only as a reference, and they cannot replace an instructor. Expert practical guidance from an instructor is invaluable.

“Certainly the most important asset any training hall can have is a good instructor. There is no substitute for a well-trained, intelligent, perceptive and patient instructor.” – Gen. Choi Hong Hi (Vol.6, p.17).

REFERENCE:

Choi, H. H. (1985). Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (Vols. 1–15). Vienna: International Taekwon-Do Federation.

Also see:

Fundamental Exercises in Taekwon-Do: An introduction
Fundamental Exercises (Part A) in Taekwon-Do: A list of 149 exercises
Fundamental Exercises (Part B) in Taekwon-Do: A list of 218 exercises

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