Main stance dimensions
| Reference point | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 shoulder width wide |
| Measuring point | Measured from the inside edges of the big toes |
| Length | 0 shoulder widths |
| Length detail | The stance has no long front-to-back length, but the feet are offset diagonally |
| Foot offset | The heel of the front foot is aligned on a straight horizontal line with the toes of the rear foot |
| Weight distribution | 50% on the front leg and 50% on the rear leg |
Foot and leg structure
| Body part | Technical requirement |
|---|---|
| Front foot | Points straight forward at 0 degrees |
| Rear foot | Points straight forward at 0 degrees |
| Feet | Parallel to each other, with the front foot diagonally offset from the rear foot |
| Knees | Bent over the balls of the feet |
| Body weight | Balanced equally through both legs |
How to measure the stance
The width of Diagonal Stance is 1 shoulder width. It is measured from the inside edges of the big toes. This measuring point is important because Sasun Sogi is not measured from the outside edges of the feet or from the centers of the insteps.
The stance has 0 shoulder widths of length, but it is not simply a square stance. The feet are offset. The heel of the front foot is aligned on a straight horizontal line with the toes of the rear foot. This offset creates the diagonal structure that defines the stance.
Students should check both the width and the offset. If the feet are placed evenly side by side, the stance may begin to resemble a different stance. If the feet are moved too far forward and backward, the stance begins to take on a long front-to-back structure that does not match Sasun Sogi.
Weight distribution and knee position
Diagonal Stance uses a 50% and 50% weight distribution. The body weight is shared equally between the front leg and the rear leg. The practitioner should not lean heavily into the front foot or sit back onto the rear foot. Equal weight is one of the main structural checks for the stance.
Both knees are bent over the balls of the feet. This gives the stance a strong and grounded base. The knees should not collapse inward, drift randomly outward, or straighten during the position. The knee line must match the parallel foot position and the equal weight distribution.
The body should remain stable and centered. Because the feet are offset diagonally, the student may be tempted to shift more weight to one side. The correct position should feel controlled through both legs, with the feet flat, the knees bent, and the posture organized above the stance.
Facing options
| Facing | Use in Diagonal Stance |
|---|---|
| Full facing | Used when the shoulders and hips are squared toward the front |
| Half facing | Not listed as a standard facing option for Diagonal Stance in this reference |
| Reverse half facing | Not listed as a standard facing option for Diagonal Stance in this reference |
| Side facing | Used when the stance is oriented sideways while the diagonal foot relationship is maintained |
Full facing in Diagonal Stance
Diagonal Stance may be performed in Full Facing. In full facing, the shoulders and hips are squared toward the front. The feet remain parallel, the knees remain bent over the balls of the feet, and the weight remains evenly divided between both legs.
Full facing should not disturb the diagonal foot relationship. The heel of the front foot should still align with the toes of the rear foot. The stance should remain 1 shoulder width wide, measured from the inside edges of the big toes.
Side facing in Diagonal Stance
Diagonal Stance may also be performed in Side Facing. In this facing, the stance keeps the same lower-body structure, but the body is oriented sideways according to the required movement or application.
The facing changes the orientation of the body, not the structure of the stance. The feet remain parallel, the width remains 1 shoulder width, the knees remain bent over the balls of the feet, and the body weight remains 50% on each leg.
Reference checklist
| Check | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Stance name | Diagonal Stance (Sasun Sogi) |
| Width | 1 shoulder width |
| Measuring point | From the inside edges of the big toes |
| Length | 0 shoulder widths, with diagonal foot offset |
| Foot offset | Heel of the front foot aligned with the toes of the rear foot |
| Weight | 50% front leg and 50% rear leg |
| Foot angles | Both feet point straight forward at 0 degrees |
| Knees | Bent over the balls of the feet |
| Facing options | Full facing or side facing |
Common technical errors
The most common error in Diagonal Stance is losing the foot offset. The heel of the front foot should align on a straight horizontal line with the toes of the rear foot. If the feet become even, the stance no longer keeps its diagonal structure.
Another common error is turning the feet outward. Both feet should point straight forward at 0 degrees and remain parallel. If the toes open outward, the stance loses its correct foot alignment and the knees may no longer track correctly over the balls of the feet.
Students should also check the width. Diagonal Stance is 1 shoulder width wide, measured from the inside edges of the big toes. If the stance is too narrow, it becomes unstable. If it is too wide, the knees and hips may become difficult to control.
The final check is weight distribution. The stance uses 50% weight on the front leg and 50% on the rear leg. The body should stay centered, with both knees bent and the lower body organized before applying the required Taekwon-Do movement.
Key principle
Diagonal Stance creates a stable angled base by keeping both feet parallel, both knees bent, and the weight equally distributed while the feet are offset diagonally.
Technical purpose
Diagonal Stance, called Sasun Sogi in Korean terminology, is an ITF Taekwon-Do stance with a wide base, parallel feet, bent knees, and a distinctive offset between the front and rear foot. It is not a long stance like Walking Stance or L-Stance. Its structure is defined by width, diagonal alignment, equal weight distribution, and controlled knee position.
This article is a technical reference. It focuses on the specific structure of the stance: width, length, measuring point, foot offset, weight distribution, foot angles, knee position, and facing options. Students should use it to check the stance accurately, while instructors may use it as a simple correction guide in the Dojang.