Every Taekwondo technique begins from a stance.

Foot placement, body orientation, and weight distribution establish the foundation from which a practitioner can block, strike, move, or kick. However, not every stance serves exactly the same purpose.

The Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition) distinguishes between two major families connected to this principle:

• Seogi: stance.
• Junbijase: ready stance.

Although both concepts refer broadly to body positions, their classification reveals an important distinction: Seogi identifies foundational stances, while Junbijase brings together specific forms of preparation.

This publication is part of MASTKD’s Taekwondo Terminology Educational Guide, developed from material authorized by Kukkiwon.

Explore the main guide and complete series index:

Taekwondo Terminology: An Educational Guide Based on Kukkiwon’s Taekwondo Textbook

Seogi: Taekwondo Stances

Kukkiwon uses Seogi for the technical family translated into English as stance.

The material provided to MASTKD includes 13 main titles within this family and six associated forms identified as Utilized Skills.

The romanized terms and English equivalents presented below come from the authorized material in the Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition). The accompanying explanations were developed editorially by MASTKD for educational purposes.

Gyeotdariseogi — Assist Stance

This term identifies a stance in which one leg serves an assisting or supporting function in relation to the main base.

Kkoaseogi — Cross Stance

Two specific forms appear under this title:

• Dwikkoaseogi — Back Cross Stance
• Apkkoaseogi — Front Cross Stance

The terminology distinguishes between a cross stance associated with the back and one associated with the front.

Naranhiseogi — Parallel Stance

The list also includes:

• Keun Naranhiseogi — Wide Parallel Stance

The addition of Keun identifies the wider variation of the main stance.

Dwitgubi — Backward Stance

The English equivalent provided by Kukkiwon is backward stance, identifying a base oriented toward the rear.

Moseogi — Diagonal Stance

Its English designation describes a stance with a diagonal orientation.

Moaseogi — Closed Stance

This term should not be confused with Moseogi. Although the romanized names are similar, Kukkiwon identifies them as different stances:

• Moseogi: diagonal stance.
• Moaseogi: closed stance.

This similarity illustrates why preserving and studying the complete terminology is essential.

Beomseogi — Tiger Stance

Kukkiwon uses the English equivalent tiger stance for this position.

Apgubi — Forward Stance

The term identifies a stance oriented toward the front.

Apseogi — Walking Stance

Although Apgubi and Apseogi share the component Ap, the list recognizes them as separate stances:

• Apgubi: forward stance.
• Apseogi: walking stance.

They should therefore not be treated as interchangeable terms.

Yeopseogi — Side Stance

Kukkiwon includes two associated forms:

• Oreunseogi — Right Stance
• Wenseogi — Left Stance

These names specify the corresponding side within the stance.

Ogeumseogi — Reverse Crane Stance

The English equivalent listed in the material is reverse crane stance.

Juchumseogi — Horse Riding Stance

An additional form appears under this title:

• Mo Juchumseogi — Diagonal Horse Riding Stance

The supplementary component distinguishes the diagonal orientation from the main form.

Hakdariseogi — Crane Stance

This term must be distinguished from Ogeumseogi, which Kukkiwon translates as reverse crane stance.

The 13 Main Seogi Stances

The complete classification is organized as follows:

1. Gyeotdariseogi: assist stance.
2. Kkoaseogi: cross stance.
3. Naranhiseogi: parallel stance.
4. Dwitgubi: backward stance.
5. Moseogi: diagonal stance.
6. Moaseogi: closed stance.
7. Beomseogi: tiger stance.
8. Apgubi: forward stance.
9. Apseogi: walking stance.
10. Yeopseogi: side stance.
11. Ogeumseogi: reverse crane stance.
12. Juchumseogi: horse riding stance.
13. Hakdariseogi: crane stance.

The six associated forms listed by Kukkiwon are:

• Dwikkoaseogi: back cross stance.
• Apkkoaseogi: front cross stance.
• Keun Naranhiseogi: wide parallel stance.
• Oreunseogi: right stance.
• Wenseogi: left stance.
• Mo Juchumseogi: diagonal horse riding stance.

Junbijase: Forms of Preparation

Kukkiwon classifies Junbijase as ready stance.

Unlike Seogi, this family identifies positions adopted in preparation for a particular action, exercise, or technical context.

The material includes eight main titles and two utilized skills within a special form.

Kyorugijunbi / Kyorumsae — Sparring Stance

The document presents Kyorugijunbi and Kyorumsae as terms associated with sparring stance.

Gyeokpajunbi — Breaking Stance

Its English equivalent directly connects this ready stance with breaking techniques.

Gyeopsonjunbi — Overlapped-Hand Stance

The designation describes the arrangement of the hands within the preparatory position.

Gibonjunbi / Gibonbaro — Basic Stance

Kukkiwon includes Gibonjunbi and Gibonbaro under the English equivalent basic stance.

Bojumeokjunbi — Covered Fist Ready Stance

The English name identifies a preparatory configuration in which one fist is covered by the other hand.

Tongmilgijunbi — Log Pushing Ready Stance

This title uses the descriptive English equivalent provided in the Kukkiwon material.

Hosinjunbi — Self-Defense Stance

The designation connects this ready stance with the technical context of self-defense.

Special Form

The material includes a category identified as special form, under which two utilized skills appear:

• Jageun Doljjeogwi — Small Hinge
• Keun Doljjeogwi — Big Hinge

These two terms are listed as utilized skills within the special form and not as independent technical families.

The Eight Main Junbijase Forms

The classification is organized as follows:

1. Kyorugijunbi / Kyorumsae: sparring stance.
2. Gyeokpajunbi: breaking stance.
3. Gyeopsonjunbi: overlapped-hand stance.
4. Gibonjunbi / Gibonbaro: basic stance.
5. Bojumeokjunbi: covered fist ready stance.
6. Tongmilgijunbi: log pushing ready stance.
7. Hosinjunbi: self-defense stance.
8. Special form

The two utilized skills within special form are:

• Jageun Doljjeogwi: small hinge.
• Keun Doljjeogwi: big hinge.

Seogi and Junbijase Are Not Synonyms

In everyday instruction, both concepts may be placed under the general idea of a “stance.” However, Kukkiwon’s classification allows them to be differentiated:

• Seogi organizes the body’s foundational stances.
• Junbijase identifies positions adopted in preparation for a specific action or context.

Recognizing this distinction supports more precise instruction and prevents different terms from being used as though they were equivalent.

This first chapter also demonstrates the importance of preserving every term in its complete form. Similar names, such as Moseogi and Moaseogi, can identify different stances, while components such as Ap, Dwit, Oreun, Wen, Keun, and Mo provide additional information within the terminology.

An Educational Reference in Development

The series will continue with stepping, jumping, and dodging through the technical families of Ditgi, Ttwigi, and Pihagi.

Each new chapter will be added to the main article, progressively building a navigable and continuously updated educational guide.

MASTKD’s purpose is not to replace practical instruction or present its explanations as official definitions issued by Kukkiwon. The objective is to organize the authorized material, preserve its terminology, and make it easier to understand throughout the international Taekwondo community.

Terminology source: Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition), published by Kukkiwon. Material used under written authorization granted to MASTKD on July 16, 2026.

Editorial clarification: The romanized terms and English equivalents come from the authorized material. The explanatory descriptions and educational organization were developed by MASTKD and should not be interpreted as official definitions issued by Kukkiwon.

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Taekwondo Terminology: An Educational Guide Based on Kukkiwon’s Taekwondo Textbook

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