The Training Principles of Taekwon-Do: An ITF Radix Perspective
By Roy Rolstad
Taekwon-Do is a martial art built on scientific principles of movement, biomechanics, and power generation. The way we execute techniques is not arbitrary but follows logical, time-tested principles designed to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do, outlined these principles in what he called the Training Secrets of Taekwon-Do.
These principles are not just technical guidelines; they are also deeply connected to practical application, adaptability, and the martial roots of Taekwon-Do. Understanding and applying them correctly allows practitioners to bridge the gap between patterns (tul) and real-world combat. Below, we explore each principle in depth and how they relate to ITF Radix.
1) To Study the Theory of Power Thoroughly
Taekwon-Do is not about raw strength but rather about generating maximum power with minimal effort. General Choi defined power using six interrelated components:
Reaction Force (Bandong Ryok)
Concentration (Jip Joong)
Equilibrium (Kyun Hyung)
Breath Control (Hohup Jojul)
Mass (Zilyang)
Speed (Sokdo)
Understanding these factors allows a practitioner to go beyond the surface of techniques and into how and why they work. For example, reaction force is not limited to pulling one arm while striking with the other, it extends to footwork, redirection, and counterattacks.
2) To Understand the Purpose and Method of Each Movement Clearly
A movement in Taekwon-Do is not just a motion, it serves a specific tactical and strategic function. ITF Radix places a strong emphasis on analyzing movements beyond sport or aesthetic performance. Every stance, block, or strike must be understood in its original combat context.
For example, many students perform a knife-hand guarding block (sonkal daebi makgi) without questioning its real application. In ITF Radix, we break down how the movement can be adapted for:
Joint control
Close-range striking
Deflections and counters
By exploring these deeper meanings, students move beyond form for forms sake and begin using Taekwon-Do as a functional martial art.
3) To Bring the Action of Eyes, Hands, Feet, and Breath into One Single Coordinated Action
Power and efficiency in Taekwon-Do come from full-body synchronization. The eyes lead the action, the hands and feet work in unison, and breath control enhances impact and endurance.
From an ITF Radix perspective, this is especially important in dynamic fighting situation, where:
Eyes dictate awareness and reaction time.
Hands and feet must move together, not in isolation.
Breath control determines whether a technique can be sustained over multiple engagements.
This principle ensures fluidity and adaptability, making the practitioner efficient in various combat ranges and environments.
4) To Choose the Appropriate Attacking Tool for Each Vital Spot
ITF Radix emphasize adaptability in striking. Taekwon-Do techniques provide a variety of tools (fists, knife-hands, elbows, knees, feet), and they must be chosen based on context.
Example:
A forefist punch (Ap Joomuk Jirugi) is effective at medium range.
Palm strikes (Pjung Joomuk Jirugi) is safer for close-range impact, to protect the attackers hands from breaking the metacarpals (knuckles in the fists)
Elbows (Palkup Taerigi) is devastating in clinch scenarios.
Outer forearms (Pakat Palmok) are not just for blocking and framing, but also a attacking tool to the neck and vagus nerves.
This principle ensures that techniques are not just memorized but applied logically based on distance, target, and purpose.
5) To Become Familiar with the Correct Angle and Distance for Attack and Defence
ITF Radix places heavy emphasis on mobility and angling. Traditional linear movements are combined with circular and oblique footwork to:
Evade incoming attacks effectively.
Create advantageous striking angles.
Control space in self-defense scenarios.
For example, a simple step to the side can turn a direct attack into an opportunity for a counterstrike. Understanding angles allows practitioners to make techniques practically effective in dynamic situations.
6) Keep Both Arms and Legs Bent Slightly While Movement is in Motion
This principle ensures readiness and mobility. A locked-out arm or leg is slower to react and more prone to being manipulated by a opponent, and it’s easier getting a injury. In ITF Radix, this principle is particularly important in transitional phases, such as moving between offense and defense seamlessly.
For example, during a step-in punch, keeping a slight bend in the arm and knee allows for:
Faster retraction and follow-up techniques.
The ability to absorb impact efficiently.
In both sparring, patterns and fighting, this principle prevents stiff, robotic movements and promotes fluid, natural execution and reactions.
7) All Movements Must Begin with a Backward Motion with Very Few Exceptions. However, Once the Movement is in Motion, It Should Not Be Stopped Before Reaching the Target
The backward motion principle helps generate power through dynamic acceleration, and creating momentum together with the sine wave. However, in ITF Radix, we emphasize that this must not become a predictable habit.
For instance:
When blitzing, you want to explode from “nothing” to take the opponent of guard.
Subtle weight shifts can replace exaggerated backward motions to maintain speed and deception.
In self-defense, you might have to make a sudden move to get out of tight grips or holds.
Understanding when to use or minimize backward motion is crucial for combat effectiveness.
8) To Create a Sine Wave During the Movement by Utilizing the Knee Spring Properly
Sine wave is often misunderstood as an exaggerated up-and-down motion. In ITF Radix, we refine this to:
Enhance momentum-based movement.
Ensure efficient weight transfer for stronger strikes.
Keep movements natural and effective, not forced.
In applied scenarios, the sine wave helps generate explosive energy without unnecessary movement that could slow down reaction time.
9) To Exhale Briefly at the Moment of Each Blow Except in a Connecting Motion
Breath control is key to power, endurance, and resilience. Proper exhalation:
Enhances impact force.
Protects against loss of air when struck.
Prevents unnecessary tension that slows down techniques.
In ITF Radix, we also explore breathing in relation to rhythm, controlling breath not just for power, but for pacing during a fight.
If your breathing gets to obvious, your opponent will read you like a open book. If you are out of breath, this is crucial information to your opponent. So breath control by good stamina is a no brainer. But also being subtly aware of your breath is important.
Example:
If you are in a tight hold, try to avoid a sudden inhale before trying to explode out of the grip or holde. It’s natural to do this, like when doing a heavy lift, you make a sudden inhale to create abdominal pressure before you execute the lift. But if your opponent notice the sudden inhale, he will naturally brace himself and tighten the grip or hold at the moment you explode.
So awareness and understanding breath control and timing the breath are key to both generating power, tactics, timing, reading your opponents next move, and being subtly about your own intentions.
Integrating Principles into Real-World Application
The Training Principles of Taekwon-Do provide a strong technical and theoretical foundation, but they must be adapted and applied to truly make Taekwon-Do effective in combat.
From an ITF Radix standpoint, these principles are:
Guidelines for maximizing efficiency, not rigid rules.
Tools for adaptability, ensuring techniques work in various contexts.
Pathways to deeper understanding, helping practitioners move beyond memorization into real-world application.
By mastering these principles, practitioners transform their Taekwon-Do into a living, breathing, and adaptable martial art, staying true to its origins while evolving for modern needs.
