Hwa Rang

Hwa Rang is named after the Hwa Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1350 years ago. This group eventually became the driving force for unifying the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division where Taekwon-Do was developed into maturity.

New Techniques

Middle Pushing Block w/Palm
Upward Punch
Downward Strike w/Knife Hand
Vertical Stance

High Turning Kick
Elbow Thrust
Side Front Block w/Inner Forearm

Additional Information

For close ready stance C the fingers of the left hand are placed on top of the fingers of the right hand at an angle. The distance between the hands and the abdomen is about 10 centimeters.

An upward punch is chiefly used for attacking the face or the point of the chin at close range. In this pattern the upward punch is executed at a 45 degree angle between line AB and the Back/Front line.

The feet in a vertical stance are similar in position to the L-stance, however the length is one-half shoulder width. The ratio of body weight is 50 percent on the rear leg and 50 percent on the front leg. Keep the toes of both feet pointed approximately 15 degrees inward and keep the legs straight. When the right foot is in the rear, the stance is called a right vertical stance. When the left foot is in the rear, the stance is called a left vertical stance, It is always half-facing, both in attack and defense.

A downward strike with knife hand reaches the target in a circular motion. Cross the forearms in front of the chest before the strike, and the attacking tool and arm becomes straight and level with the shoulders at the moment of impact.

The high turning kick is executed at a 45 degree angle.

A side front block w/inner forearm is used when intercepting an attack from a side front angle toward the high section of the body. Only an outward block is possible. Keep the middle finger of the blocking hand in a straight line with the shoulder and bend the elbow 80 degrees during the block. The opposite arm is extended to the side and downward at the moment of the block.

Diagram and Movements

Begin: Close Ready Stance C
1. Move the left foot to A, forming a sitting stance facing the Front while executing a middle pushing block to the Front with a left palm.
2. Without stepping, execute a middle punch to the Front with the right fist.
3. Without stepping, execute a middle punch to the Front with the left fist.
4. Execute a twin forearm block while forming a left L-stance toward B by shifting the right foot and pivoting the left foot.
5. Without stepping, execute an upward punch with the left fist while pulling the right side fist in front of the left shoulder.
6. Execute a middle punch to B with the right fist while forming a right fixed stance toward B in a sliding motion.
7. Execute a downward strike with the right knife-hand while forming a left vertical stance toward A by pulling the right foot back.
8. Move the left foot to B, forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a middle punch with the left fist.
9. Move the left foot to the Front, forming a left walking stance toward the Front while executing a low block to the Front with the left forearm.
10. Move the right foot to the Front, forming a right walking stance toward the Front while executing a middle punch with the right fist.
11. Pull the left foot halfway toward the right foot foot while bringing the left palm to the right forefist and bend the right elbow about 45 degrees outward.
12. Execute a middle side piercing kick to the Front with the right foot while pulling both hands in the opposite direction. Then lower the right foot toward the Front forming a left L-stance while executing a middle outward strike with a right knife-hand.
13. Move the left foot to the Front, forming a left walking stance toward the Front while executing a middle punch with the left fist.
14. Move the right foot to the Front, forming a right walking stance toward the Front while executing a middle punch with the right fist.
15. Turning 270 degrees counter-clockwise, move the left foot to D forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block with the knife-hand.
16. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle thrust with the right straight fingertip.
17. Move the right foot across on line BD, forming a right L-stance toward C while executing a middle guarding block to C with the knife-hand.
18. Execute a high turning kick 45 degrees short of C with the right foot and then lower it to C.
19. Execute a high turning kick 45 degrees short of C with the left foot and then lower it to C, forming a right L-stance toward C while executing a middle guarding block to C with the knife-hand. Perform 18 and 19 in a fast motion.
20. Move the left foot to the Back, forming a left walking stance toward the Back while executing a low block with the left forearm.
21. Execute a middle punch to the Back and right with the right fist while forming a right L-stance toward the Back by pulling the left foot.
22. Move the right foot to the Back, forming a left L-stance toward the Back while executing a middle punch to the Back and left with the left fist.
23. Move the left foot to the Back, forming a right L-stance toward the Back while executing a middle punch to the Back and right with the right fist.
24. Execute a pressing block with an X-fist while forming a left walking stance toward the Back by shifting the left foot.
25. Move the right foot to the Back in a sliding motion, forming a right L-stance toward the Front while thrusting to the Back with the right side elbow.
26. Turning counter-clockwise, bring the left foot to the right foot to form a close stance toward A while executing a side front block with the right inner forearm and extending the left forearm to the side and downward.
27. Without stepping, execute a side front block with the left inner forearm and extend the right forearm to the side and downward.
28. Move the left foot to A, forming a right L-stance twoard A while executing a middle guarding block with the knife-hand.
29. Bring the left foot to the right foot. Then move the right foot to B, forming a left L-stance toward B while executing a middle guarding block with the knife-hand.
End: Bring the right foot back to Close Ready Stance C.