Tae Kwon Do forms, called hyung, are set patterns of blocks, kicks and strikes that a student learns by heart and performs alone. At Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, color belts learn the ITF forms, and black belts learn the forms Kwang-Gae and Koryo. A child learns each form in class, from the school's instructors.
Chung TKD teaches Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art also written taekwondo, to children ages 2 to 13, in three programs by age: Pee-Wee, Children and Youth. Grandmaster Howard Chung, 9th Dan, has taught Tae Kwon Do since 1970 and opened the school in 1984. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
What is a form in Tae Kwon Do?
A set pattern of moves, learned by heart and done alone. Each form puts blocks, kicks and strikes in a fixed order, and a student performs it start to finish. A form is also called a pattern, or a hyung in Korean, pronounced hyuhng, and our parent's glossary explains the other Korean words for a form.
Which forms does my child learn at Chung TKD?
The ITF forms through the color belts, then Kwang-Gae and Koryo at black belt. Each belt has its own form, and Brown and Black have two each.
- White: Chun-Ji
- Gold: Tan-Gun
- Orange: To-San
- Green: Won-Hyo
- Purple: Yul-Gok
- Blue: Choong-Gun
- Red: Toi-Gye
- Brown: Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo
- Black: Kwang-Gae and Koryo
The color belt forms are ITF patterns, from the International Taekwon-Do Federation tradition. Our guide to the belt colors in order covers each belt.
Where do the ITF forms come from?
General Choi Hong-hi designed them, and the International Taekwon-Do Federation's curriculum has 24 of them, as Wikipedia's Teul entry explains. Each is named after a person, idea or event in Korean history. Chon-Ji means heaven and earth, Dan-Gun is named for Dangun, from ancient Korea, and Do-San for Ahn Changho, from the years of Japanese rule. Wikipedia spells the first three forms Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun and Do-San, and Chung TKD spells them Chun-Ji, Tan-Gun and To-San. This is general Tae Kwon Do background, not Chung TKD's own account of its forms.
Are the forms the same at every Tae Kwon Do school?
No. Chung TKD teaches the ITF forms. World Taekwondo schools teach their color belts a different set of eight forms, which they call poomsae, as Wikipedia's Hyeong entry explains. Their black belt series starts with a form named Koryo, for Goryeo, an old Korean dynasty. Koryo is also the name of one of Chung TKD's two black belt forms. This is general Tae Kwon Do background, not Chung TKD's own account of its forms.
What are the black belt forms at Chung TKD?
Kwang-Gae and Koryo. A student learns both at black belt. Black belt tests are big events, and the school's past black belts come back for them.
Who teaches my child forms?
The school's instructors, in class. At Chung TKD, the instructors teach the classes, and Grandmaster Chung leads the school and runs every belt test. Ask an instructor after class which form your child is learning.
How do forms fit into stripes and belts?
Each belt asks more of a child in six areas, and forms are one of them. The other five are attendance, technique, sparring drills, breaking and terminology. A child earns a stripe for a class in which they reviewed their curriculum, and the forms are part of that curriculum. After a set number of classes and stripes, an instructor checks whether the child is ready to test, and a child earns each belt by performing correctly. Our guide to how stripes work has more on the readiness check.
Are forms part of Tae Kwon Do tournaments?
Yes. At the school's in-house tournaments, held twice a year, the three events are forms, sparring and breaking. Families watch, divisions are kept small, and the awards are usually gold medals and grand champion trophies. Our guide to kids Tae Kwon Do tournaments explains what a first tournament is like.
How can my child practice a form at home?
In short, slow sessions, with you watching. Go through this checklist with your child.
- Ask your child which form they are learning now. If neither of you is sure, ask an instructor after class.
- Clear some space, and have your child practice barefoot rather than in socks on a smooth floor.
- Have your child do the form slowly first, start to finish.
- Be the audience, not the instructor, and ask your child to show you the form.
- Praise effort and focus. If a move looks off, ask an instructor after class rather than correcting it at home.
- Keep it short, and stop while it is still fun.
Our guide to practicing Tae Kwon Do at home covers stances, kicks and Korean words too.
Where is Chung TKD?
Chung TKD is at 1527 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
How do we get started?
Start with the two free trial classes. A parent or guardian stays for both, and kids wear something comfortable, sweats or shorts. Book a free class online, and our guide to a first Tae Kwon Do class covers the first visit.
Questions parents ask
What is a Tae Kwon Do form?
A set pattern of blocks, kicks and strikes that a student learns by heart and performs alone.
What are Tae Kwon Do forms called?
Hyung, or patterns.
Which forms does Chung TKD teach?
The ITF forms through the color belts, and Kwang-Gae and Koryo at black belt.
What is the first form my child learns at Chung TKD?
Chun-Ji, at White belt.
What are the black belt forms at Chung TKD?
Kwang-Gae and Koryo.
Are forms part of the in-house tournaments at Chung TKD?
Yes. Forms, sparring and breaking are the three events, and families watch.