Taekwondo · Stance & guard · Footwork

Front stance and walking stance

A line drill across the dojang: travel in ap seogi (walking stance), come back in ap kubi (front stance), then switch between them on the sabeom's call.

S1S2S3S4S5T
Start / 7
Time
12 min
Players
1–30
Age
U5+
Area
Mat
Equipment
cones or floor tape (optional, to show stance length)

Setup

  1. Students in a line across one end of the mat, all facing the far side, with at least an arm's length plus a step between them.
  2. Start everyone in junbi. Show the two stances side by side from the side-on view, so students can see how much longer the front stance is.

How it runs

  1. Ap seogi (walking stance): from junbi, step one foot forward a natural walking step. Both legs are almost straight, weight shared between the feet, front foot pointing forward and back foot turned out a little. Hold for a count of three.
  2. Travel to the far side in walking stance, one step on each count, keeping the head at the same height.
  3. At the far side, turn to face back across the mat and set the stance again before anyone moves.
  4. Ap kubi (front stance): a long stance, about shoulder width across. The front knee bends until it covers the toes, the back leg is straight with the heel on the floor, most of the weight is on the front leg, and the hips face the front. Travel back across the mat in front stance.
  5. Last length: the sabeom calls 'walking' or 'front' before each step and students change the length of the stance to match.

Coaching points

  • Walking stance is a normal step; front stance is long and low enough that the front knee covers the toes.
  • Keep the back heel down in front stance. A lifted heel makes the stance weak.
  • Keep some width between the feet so students aren't balancing on a tightrope.
  • Head level as you step: no bobbing up and down between stances.
  • Check from the side: front shin close to upright, back leg long and straight.

Common mistakes

  • Front knee falling inwards or pushing well past the toes.
  • Back foot pointing straight back, or turned right out to the side.
  • A front stance that is too short, so it looks like a walking stance with a bent knee.
  • Looking down at the feet instead of forward.

Say it: “Walk short, front long, heel down.”

Make it harder

  • Add a middle punch on each step, keeping the stance still as the punch lands.
  • The sabeom calls faster and mixes in junbi and turns.

Make it easier

  • Hold each stance on the spot for a count of five before travelling.
  • Lay cones or tape to show where the front foot lands for each stance.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.