Beginner Taekwondo moves, clear cues, and quick drills.
If you’ve seen an athlete perform taekwondo moves, you might have wondered how they got to the point of performing amazing kicks and displaying such fortitude. Well, it all starts with basic, simple moves.
If you’re new to Taekwondo, the basics build everything else. When you master the simple martial arts moves, the advanced skills come faster.
And don’t worry, we have you covered. We’ll show you what each technique is for, how to do it, and what to watch out for. Keep your stance steady, breathe, and move with intent.
Use these as a quick warm-up checklist. Two to three rounds per move is perfect for a beginner session.
Keep in mind that you should train with a qualified Taekwondo instructor; this guide covers names and cues, not unsupervised practice. Warm up first, use a safe surface, and check with a healthcare professional if you have any medical conditions.
Let’s get you started!
Key Takeaway
- Mastering the basic stances, blocks, and kicks gives you the foundation for every advanced Taekwondo skill.
- Learning the Korean names helps you follow class instruction and connect with the art’s tradition.
- Simple cues and quick drills make it easier to avoid common mistakes and build good habits early.
- Practicing regularly with proper guidance develops balance, focus, and confidence on the mat.
1. Attention stance — 차렷 서기 — Charyeot Seogi
The attention stance (차렷 서기, charyeot seogi) is how you start and end class to show focus and respect.
You’ll want to stand tall with your heels together and toes slightly out. Hands rest by your sides, eyes forward, mouth closed.
Think “stillness on purpose.” You control your body before you throw a single strike.
Common mistake: fidgeting or swaying. Lock in your posture and breathe quietly through your nose. Use it to reset your mind between drills.
Quick drill: stand in charyeot for 20 seconds, then step into ready stance on a clap.
2. Ready stance — 준비 서기 — Junbi Seogi
The ready stance (준비 서기, junbi seogi) is your launch pad for almost everything in Taekwondo.
Feet shoulder-width, knees soft, core engaged. Hands in front of your body, fists light, shoulders relaxed.
You should feel balanced and ready to move in any direction. If someone pushed you, you’d hold your ground.
Common mistake: locked knees. Keep them springy so you can explode.
Cue: “soft knees, tight core, loose shoulders.”
Drill: from junbi, step forward and back five times without losing height.
3. Front stance — 앞굽이 — Ap Gubi
The front stance (앞굽이, ap gubi) is a deep stance you use for power in blocks and punches.
Step long. Front knee bends over the ankle; back leg stays straight. Hips square to the front.
Most of your weight sits on the front leg. Keep your back heel glued to the floor.
Common mistake: short stance with the knee collapsing inward. Widen your base and track the knee over your toes.
Cue: “long, low, heel down.”
Drill: step into ap gubi, low block, then middle punch. Repeat down the floor.
4. Low block — 아래 막기 — Arae Makgi
The low block (아래막기, arae makgi) protects your lower body from kicks and strikes.
Chamber one fist at the shoulder and the other at the hip. Sweep the forearm down across your centerline.
Finish outside your thigh with the fist angled slightly outward. Other hand retracts tight to your hip.
Common mistake: dropping the elbow early. Keep the chamber high, then cut down.
Cue: “high chamber, sharp drop.”
Drill: walk forward in ap gubi, arae makgi every step for 10 steps.
5. Middle block — 몸통 막기 — Momtong Makgi
The middle block (몸통막기, momtong makgi) stops punches and kicks aimed at your ribs.
Cross your arms, then drive the blocking forearm out across your torso. Keep your elbow bent about 90 degrees.
Your fist ends just outside your shoulder line. Eyes stay forward; hips stay square.
Common mistake: over-swinging past the shoulder. Stop at the edge of your frame.
Cue: “cross, snap, stop.”
Drill: alternate left/right momtong makgi in place for 20 fast reps.
6. High block — 얼굴 막기 — Eolgul Makgi
The high block (얼굴막기, eolgul makgi) shields your head from downward or high attacks.
Chamber like a punch, then lift your forearm above your forehead. Angle it so a strike slides off.
Keep your eyes through the “window.” Don’t hide behind your arm.
Common mistake: flaring the elbow wide. Keep it slightly forward to protect your temple.
Cue: “frame the face.”
Drill: step forward, eolgul makgi, middle punch. Repeat 10 times.
7. Middle punch — 몸통 지르기 — Momtong Jireugi
The middle punch (몸통지르기, momtong jireugi) is your straight power shot to the body.
From guard, rotate the hips and snap the fist straight out. Twist the fist to palm down at the end.
Drive from the floor, through the hips, to the shoulder. Pull the non-punching hand tight to the hip.
Common mistake: punching with only the arm. Turn your hips for speed and impact.
Cue: “floor to fist.”
Drill: 3 punches, 1 breath, and exhale on the last strike for snap.
8. Front kick — 앞 차기 — Ap Chagi
The front kick (앞차기, ap chagi) is your first kick: simple, fast, and reliable.
Lift the knee straight up, extend the lower leg, and snap back. Hit with the ball of the foot.
Keep your hands up and your core tight. Re-chamber before you set the foot down.
Common mistake: dropping the hands. Keep your guard up to stay balanced.
Cue: “knee first, snap second.”
Drill: 10 slow kicks each leg, then 10 fast. Focus on clean re-chambers.
9. Roundhouse (turning) kick — 돌려 차기 — Dollyeo Chagi
The roundhouse kick (돌려 차기, dollyeo chagi) is the classic Taekwondo kick you see everywhere. It’s slightly more advanced, but still considered one of the core beginner kicks.
Pivot on the support foot, turn your hip, and whip the shin across. Strike with the instep or ball of the foot.
Your knee leads the path; your hip provides the power. Re-chamber before you land.
Common mistake: no pivot, which strains the knee. Turn the heel back to open the hip.
Cue: “pivot, whip, snap.”
Drill: hold a wall, 15 light kicks to a target at rib height each side.
10. Side kick — 옆 차기 — Yeop Chagi
The side kick (옆차기, yeop chagi) is your straight-line power kick.
Chamber the knee across your body, heel pointing at the target. Drive the heel straight out.
Keep the toes pulled back and the body leaning slightly away. Retract all the way before you set down.
Common mistake: hitting with the instep. Use the heel for maximum force.
Cue: “heel through the door.”
Drill: slow 3-count side kicks. Chamber, extend, hold two seconds, re-chamber.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Taekwondo?
You can learn these basics in a few months with 2–3 classes a week. Progress depends on your consistency and coach feedback.
What is the most iconic move in Taekwondo?
Most people point to the roundhouse kick (돌려 차기, dollyeo chagi). It’s fast, versatile, and central to sparring.
What are the five basic kicks in Taekwondo?
Front kick (앞 차기, ap chagi), roundhouse (돌려 차기, dollyeo chagi), side kick (옆 차기, yeop chagi), back kick (뒤 차기, dwi chagi), and axe kick (내려 차기, naeryeo chagi).
Which is tougher, Taekwondo or karate?
They’re different, not “harder or easier.” Taekwondo leans on kicking and footwork; karate leans more on hand strikes and close range. The challenge depends on your school and training goals.
What’s the hardest kick in Taekwondo?
For most beginners it’s the side kick or spinning hook kick (뒤 돌려 차기, dwi dollyeo chagi). At advanced levels, jumping and “540” variations are toughest because they demand timing, height, and hip control.
Conclusion
You get better at what you repeat, so keep these moves on loop. Build a short routine: charyeot, junbi, three stances and blocks, then five minutes of kicks. Track your reps and stay relaxed.
Aim for clean form over speed. When your base is solid, power and confidence show up on their own. Ask your instructor to watch two moves each class. Small fixes add up fast.
If you happen to be in Burbank, CA, and are interested in finding a taekwondo school with a fun and friendly atmosphere, feel free to visit us at Beyond Martial Arts Burbank. We have a kids marital arts program as well as adult classes.
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