← Encyclopedia Saju Jirugi Saju Maki Chon-Ji Dan-Gun Do-San Won-Hyo Yul-Gok Joong-Gun Toi-Gye Hwa-Rang Choong-Moo Kwang-Gae Po-Eun Ge-Baek Eui-Am Choong-Jang Juche Sam-Il Yoo-Sin Choi-Yong Yon-Gae Ul-Ji Moon-Moo So-San Se-Jong Tong-Il
Fundamental exercise

Saju Jirugi 사주 지르기

Four Direction Punch
7 × 2 sides Narani junbi sogi 10th Gup · White belt

Meaning

This is not a pattern but a fundamental exercise, the first one a 10th Gup beginner works on. It teaches turning, fixing the stance and punching in the four directions of the diagram before tackling the first pattern. The book gives two versions — one starting with the right foot, one with the left — so that both hands and both feet work equally.

Structure

  • 1One middle punch advancing toward D.
  • 2–7The same pair three times over: a low block as you turn into the new direction, then a middle punch advancing into it.

What it is for

The low block deflects a front kick or an attack to the belt line outward.

The middle punch goes to the solar plexus of the opponent you have just blocked.

Common mistakes

  • Shortening the stance when turning: it must be the same length in all four directions.
  • Pushing the shoulder forward instead of turning the hip.
  • Losing the starting spot: you must finish where you began.

Movement by movement

The left-hand column shows where you face and which stance you form, seen from above; the red foot carries the greater weight. See the direction chart in the Encyclopedia if you cannot remember where each letter falls.

Right-foot version

1
D
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to D
right foot → D Right walking stance
2
B
Gunnun So Palmok Najunde Maki
Forearm low block to B
right foot → A Left walking stance
3
B
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to B
right foot → B Right walking stance
4
C
Gunnun So Palmok Najunde Maki
Forearm low block to C
right foot → D Left walking stance
5
C
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to C
right foot → C Right walking stance
6
A
Gunnun So Palmok Najunde Maki
Forearm low block to A
right foot → B Left walking stance
7
A
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to A
right foot → A Right walking stance
End: bring the right foot back to return to Narani junbi sogi

Left-foot version

1
D
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to D
left foot → D Left walking stance
2
A
Gunnun So Palmok Najunde Maki
Forearm low block to A
left foot → B Right walking stance
3
A
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to A
left foot → A Left walking stance
4
C
Gunnun So Palmok Najunde Maki
Forearm low block to C
left foot → D Right walking stance
5
C
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to C
left foot → C Left walking stance
6
B
Gunnun So Palmok Najunde Maki
Forearm low block to B
left foot → A Right walking stance
7
B
Gunnun So Kaunde Ap Jirugi
Middle front punch to B
left foot → B Left walking stance
End: bring the right foot back to return to Narani junbi sogi
Source

Summarised from Choi Hong Hi, Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, volume VIII. The order of movements and the diagram follow the book; the explanatory texts and the footwork schematics are our own work.