Karate - Tang Soo Do Techniques & Forms - Beginner Part One

Trace the roots of Tang Soo Do karate from China hand to Korea, through Wang Ki and Huang Qi, and explore how lineage and name changes shaped its evolution.

Master preparatory stances in karate, starting with the position of attention to align the spine and posture, then enter the ready stance (junbi) with one-step out and fists.

Develop stability in the basic stances—horse, front, and side—as transitional foundations for self-defense and forms, with proper knee alignment, straight back, and even weight distribution.

Master the stand by punch as a warm-up in a horse stance, building leg strength and center-line punching with a straight back and proper posture.

Execute a low block to defend against midsection and groin strikes, starting with the left hand to the opposite shoulder, blocking in a front stance, then snap and rotate.

Protect against overhead attacks with a high block, starting with the left hand at the waist, snapping the fist up to a 45-degree overhead position to deflect the punch aside.

Learn to execute straight side kick, side snap kick, and side thrust kick from a guarded horse stance, emphasizing chamber position, knee safety, and aiming at a real target.

Master the center line theory by projecting all techniques along the body's center line, targeting the eyes, nose, philtrum, chin, throat, solar plexus, sternum, and groin for attack and defense.

Learn five principles to increase striking power: stay relaxed, clench only at impact, strike solid surfaces to condition wrists, stay grounded, and turn the hips for full power.

Celebrate completing the Tongson basics course and train these techniques until you’re comfortable from beginning to end, then advance to part two to build a lifetime karate foundation.