• One must develop an understanding of each karate form, for individual moves as well as pattern and flow.

• Focus on the varying speeds and rhythms of the form.

• Practice correct breathing throughout the form.

• Maintain a consistent energy level throughout the form.

• Always train with full effort and concentration.

• Remember: a Ke-I is a reflection of your karate power and attitude.

• Each strike should be executed with power equal to that in a self-defense situation.

• When you finish a form, check your mark; the finishing mark should be the same as the starting point.

• When executing forms or basics, focus points are determined by your own height in working with an imaginary opponent. So, if your stance is lowered (e.g., straddle leg) and you’re punching temple level, then punch at the level of your temple in the lowered stance.

BASIC RULES:

• Always look before you fold and fold before you step.

• Following any karate block with a stepping hand strike or kick, one must extend the blocking arm(in front of the solar plexus) at the instant one starts to step forward.

• Exception: when a stepping double strike follows a block (such as> side kick/bottom fist, as found in Pyong-An Sa Dan and Bassai).

Each form is a foundation for the one following. Thus, intermediate and advanced forms cannot be executed properly unless the beginning forms are perfected. Instructors often warn students who are preparing for their Black Belt test that one is able to judge whether or not a student will pass by the very first move of Giecho Hyung II Bu!

CAUTION: One should aim to be a well-rounded karate student. In pursuit of fighting expertise, students often tend to neglect their forms. Conversely, a student may prefer forms and avoid the combat of sparring.

In Tang Soo Do karate, the perfection of forms can be used to train distance, balance, flow, timing, power, focus, speed, and techniques expressed in fighting.

MORE BASIC RULES:

• In the forms Giecho Hyung II Bu through Giecho Hyung Sam Bu, when turning with blocks: whichever direction you look, you fold, step, and block in the same direction.

• All blocks are followed by punches.

• Moves number 8 and 16 are executed with Ke-l’s.

• After every Ke-l, there is a 3/4 turn to the left (the left hand folds). This rule applies to the basic forms, advanced forms are not as consistent in this regard.

• In forms executed in an “I” formation, the center moves consist of 3 steps, 3 strikes, and a Ke-l on the third strike (which is followed by a 3/4 turn to the left; left hand folding). (An aerial view of the form would look like the capital letter I).

Similarly, “K” formation refers to moves that would look like the letter K if observed from an aerial perspective and are evident in Pyong-an Cho Dan and Pyong-an Yi Dan.

• Following a low block, the hand that blocked raises to solar plexus level to prepare for the next step. (This arm also serves as a defense and sets you up for the reverse motion of your striking hand).

• With the exception of Bassai, all Tang Soo Do Karate forms can be executed on an instructional count of 20.