Taegeuk Pal Jang symbolizes the "Kon", one of the 8 divination signs, which represents "Yin" and earth, meaning the root and settlement and also the beginning and the end. This is the last of the 8 Taegeuk forms, which may enable the trainees to undergo the Dan (black belt) promotion test. Pal Jang introduces the double-middle assisted outer-block, jumping kick, and elbow turning strike.
To your right is a video demonstrating Taegeuk PAL Jang from 3 basic angles, front, back, and the side.
Some movements in PAL Jang are interpreted differently or changed for show and competition by many instructors, so check with yours before using this video as a reference to learn the form.
For example: some modify the forward stance you are in while executing the combined low block / middle block to be more like a low kung-fu style stance, along with adding tension to those blocks and the upper cut punch that follows. You will also notice the front snap kicks are mostly done as high as you can go instead of to the mid-section of your opponent. This is typical for demonstration purposes because it adds flare or shows the flexibility of the person performing it. It is also debatable whether to execute two middle section punches or one middle section punch just before performing the last left/right line of the form.
I try and stick with function versus show, so use this video only as a supplement to class time in order to remember the techniques and movements. Even though I have been practicing taekwondo for over 10 years, I never stop learning small details about each form. As a result I am always trying to improve the techniques I do and make them more accurate to their originally intended purposes.
24 Movements, 6 kicks, 12 punches, 2 keup.
Step 1
Start in the ready or "Joon Bi" stance. Step forward with left foot into left back stance, double fist middle block. Then step down into left front stance and execute a right middle punch
Step 2
Execute a right front kick, without touching the ground, execute a left jumping front kick and keup! Step up with your left foot so you are in a left forward stance and execute left outside block. Execute right middle punch, then a left middle punch
Step 3
Step forward with your right foot into a right front stance and execute a right middle punch
Step 4
Left leg moves 90 degrees behind you, so you are in a right front stance facing east. Looking west execute a left hand low block and a right hand side head block
Step 5
Step down into a left front stance and execute a right hand upper-cut. Bringing left arm in to protect face
Step 6
Step left leg over right into left front stance facing west. looking east, execute a right hand low block and left hand side head block
Step 7
Step down into a right front stance and execute a left hand upper-cut bringing right arm in to protect face
Step 8
Left turn 90 degrees into a left back stance so you are facing north. Execute a double knife hand middle block
Step 9
Step down into a left front stance and execute a right punch
Step 10
Right foot front snap kick, step back two steps. Step back with left leg into a right tiger stance and execute a right palm down block
Step 11
Turn left 90 degrees (West) into a left tiger stance and execute a double knife hand middle block
Step 12
Left front kick into a left front stance and execute right punch
Step 13
Left leg steps back into a left tiger stance and execute a right palm down block
Step 14
Right turn 180 degrees (East) into a right tiger stance and execute a double knife hand middle block
Step 15
Right front kick into a right front stance and execute a left middle punch
Step 16
Right leg steps into a tiger stance and execute a right hand down block
Step 17
Right turn 90 degrees (South) into a right back stance and execute a double hammer fist low block
Step 18
Execute a left front kick and then a right jumping front kick. While your left leg is still in the air land in a right front stance. Execute a right hand outside block, then a left middle punch and keup!
Step 19
Left turn 270 degrees (West) into a left back stance and execute a single left knife hand block
Step 20
Step down into a left front stance and execute right elbow strike
Step 21
Execute a right back fist the execute a left punch (without changing stance)
Step 22
Right turn 180 degrees (East) into a right back stance and execute a single right knife hand block
Step 23
Step down into a right front stance and execute a left elbow strike
Step 24
Execute a left back fist then a right punch. Right leg steps up in to a ready stance
