Poomsae (품새) are taekwondo’s forms: set sequences of stances, blocks, strikes and kicks performed against imaginary opponents along a fixed floor pattern. The word is used by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo; ITF schools call their forms tul (patterns), and older styles say hyeong. The Kukkiwon curriculum has 17 poomsae: eight Taegeuk forms for the color belts and nine black belt forms, from Koryo to Ilyeo. Poomsae are part of every belt test, and World Taekwondo runs poomsae competitions scored on accuracy and presentation.
| Korean | 품새 (poomsae, also spelled pumsae or poomse) |
|---|---|
| Other names | Forms; tul or patterns (ITF); hyeong (older styles) |
| Color belt forms | Taegeuk Il Jang to Taegeuk Pal Jang (8 forms) |
| Black belt forms | Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansu, Ilyeo (9 forms) |
| In competition | Recognized and freestyle poomsae, scored out of 10 |
Meaning
What does poomsae mean?
Poomsae is the Korean term for a form: a prearranged pattern of attack and defense techniques. Each movement has a purpose. A low block stops a kick, a middle punch targets the chest, and a turn means a new attacker from another direction. Seen from above, each form follows its own floor line, and most forms finish on the spot where they started.
Poomsae do the same job as kata in karate. They let you practice technique, balance, timing and focus on your own, and they give instructors a clear way to check your progress at each belt test.
Color belts
The 8 Taegeuk poomsae
The Taegeuk series replaced the older Palgwe forms in the early 1970s and is the color belt curriculum in Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo schools. Each form is linked to one of the eight trigrams of the I Ching, and students learn them in order, usually one per color belt, so Taegeuk Pal Jang comes just before black belt. Some schools still teach the Palgwe forms as well.
| Poomsae | Trigram | Represents |
|---|---|---|
| Taegeuk Il Jang | Geon ☰ | Heaven and light |
| Taegeuk I Jang | Tae ☱ | Lake |
| Taegeuk Sam Jang | Ri ☲ | Fire |
| Taegeuk Sa Jang | Jin ☳ | Thunder |
| Taegeuk O Jang | Son ☴ | Wind |
| Taegeuk Yuk Jang | Gam ☵ | Water |
| Taegeuk Chil Jang | Gan ☶ | Mountain |
| Taegeuk Pal Jang | Gon ☷ | Earth |
The numbers in the names are Sino-Korean: il, i, sam, sa, o, yuk, chil, pal. See taekwondo numbers.
Black belt
The 9 black belt poomsae
After the Taegeuk forms, Kukkiwon black belts learn the Yudanja (black belt) series. Each form is associated with a dan rank, and the higher forms are usually studied by senior black belts and masters.
| Poomsae | Dan | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Koryo | 1st | Named for the Goryeo dynasty |
| Keumgang | 2nd | Diamond; hardness |
| Taebaek | 3rd | Linked to the legend of Dangun and Mt. Baekdu |
| Pyongwon | 4th | A vast plain |
| Sipjin | 5th | The ten symbols of longevity |
| Jitae | 6th | The earth |
| Cheonkwon | 7th | The sky |
| Hansu | 8th | Water |
| Ilyeo | 9th | Oneness of body and mind |
For how black belt ranks work, see taekwondo black belt levels and the taekwondo belt order.
Training
What poomsae training develops
Technique
Clean basics
Every block, punch and kick must be correct in form, height and target, the same way you would use it against a partner.
Stances
Balance and posture
Forms move through walking, front, back and other stances. Weak stances show up at once in turns and transitions.
Rhythm
Timing and tempo
Each move is finished before the next begins, with fast and slow movements where the form calls for them.
Power
Speed and breathing
Stay relaxed during a movement, tense at the moment of impact, and exhale on the strike. Set points in each form include a kihap.
Focus
Eyes and intent
Look where the imaginary opponent is before you turn, and perform each technique as if it has a real target.
Memory
Knowing the form
Students learn the order of moves, the floor pattern and what each form represents, which examiners often ask about.
Brush up on the building blocks: taekwondo stances, taekwondo blocks, taekwondo kicks and the kihap.
Competition
How poomsae are judged in competition
World Taekwondo runs poomsae competitions alongside sparring. Under its current rules there are two main formats.
- Recognized poomsae: competitors perform set Taegeuk and black belt forms, chosen by age division, in up to 90 seconds. The score is out of 10: accuracy is worth 4.0, with 0.1 off for each small mistake and 0.3 for each big one, and presentation is worth 6.0, split between speed and power, rhythm and tempo, and expression of energy.
- Freestyle poomsae: competitors create their own routine to music, lasting 90 to 100 seconds. Technical skills, mostly jumping, spinning and acrobatic kicks, are worth 6.0, and presentation is worth 4.0.
- Events: individual, pair and team divisions, plus mixed events that combine a recognized and a freestyle poomsae.
- Judging: panels of five or seven officials, with the highest and lowest scores dropped.
Poomsae has been a medal event at the Asian Games since 2018. It is not an Olympic event; Olympic taekwondo is sparring only. See Olympic taekwondo.
Styles
Poomsae, tul and other forms
- Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo: poomsae, with the Taegeuk and black belt series above.
- ITF: tul, or patterns. There are 24, from Chon-Ji to Tong-Il. See the ITF belt order and patterns.
- ATA: its own Songahm forms, tied to its belt system. See the ATA belt order.
- Older Kukkiwon schools: the Palgwe series, eight forms that came before Taegeuk.
Practice
How to practice poomsae
- Learn the form in short sections, then join them together.
- Count the moves in Korean so you always know where you are.
- Practice slowly first, checking each stance and block, then build up speed.
- Check your finish: if you do not end where you started, a stance length or turn is off.
- Turn your head before your body so your eyes lead each new direction.
- Film yourself or practice in front of a mirror to spot dropped hands and short stances.
- Review earlier forms too; examiners often ask for them at belt tests.
Tip
Learn the meaning of each form and the Korean names of its techniques. See taekwondo terminology, and if you are just starting, taekwondo for beginners.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is poomsae in taekwondo?
Poomsae are taekwondo forms: set sequences of stances, blocks, strikes and kicks performed against imaginary opponents along a fixed floor pattern. They are part of every belt test.
How many poomsae are there in taekwondo?
The Kukkiwon curriculum has 17: eight Taegeuk forms for color belts and nine black belt forms, from Koryo to Ilyeo. ITF taekwondo has 24 patterns, called tul.
What is the first poomsae?
Taegeuk Il Jang, which represents heaven and light. It uses walking and front stances, low, middle and high blocks, middle punches and front kicks.
What is the difference between poomsae and kata?
They serve the same purpose. Poomsae is the Korean word used in taekwondo; kata is the Japanese word used in karate. The techniques and the forms themselves are different.
How is poomsae scored?
In World Taekwondo recognized poomsae, the score is out of 10: 4.0 for accuracy, with deductions for mistakes, and 6.0 for presentation, covering speed and power, rhythm and tempo, and expression of energy.
Is poomsae in the Olympics?
No. Olympic taekwondo is sparring only. Poomsae has been a medal event at the Asian Games since 2018.
The short version
Poomsae are taekwondo’s forms, set patterns of techniques against imaginary opponents. Kukkiwon schools teach eight Taegeuk forms for color belts and nine black belt forms from Koryo to Ilyeo. They are tested at every belt grading and judged in competition on accuracy and presentation. Learn them slowly, section by section, and know what each form means.