Introduction
Kwang-Gae Tul is named after the famous Gwang-Gae-To-Wang, the 19th king of the Goguryeo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including much of Manchuria. The diagram of the pattern represents the Chinese character for land, symbolizing the expansion and recovery of lost territory.
The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 A.D., the year he came to the throne. Kwang-Gae Tul is performed by 1st Dan Black Belt students and introduces advanced combinations, consecutive kicking motion, slow motion, and complex stance transitions.
Pattern Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pattern Name | Kwang-Gae Tul |
| Rank | 1st Dan Black Belt |
| Movements | 39 |
| Diagram | Chinese character for land |
| Meaning | Represents expansion and recovery of lost territory |
Stances and Leg Techniques
- Parallel Ready Stance with Heaven Hand
- Low Stance
- Rear Foot Stance
- Close Ready Stance Type B
- Close Stance
- Sitting Stance
- L-Stance
- Walking Stance
- Low Pressing Kick (Foot Sword)
- Mid Front Snap Kick (Foot)
- Mid Side Piercing Kick (Foot)
Leg Placements and Motion Types
Leg Placements
- Heel Raised approximately 1 foot length ahead of opposite foot
- Heel Raised Close Stance
Motion Types
- Consecutive Kicking Motion
- Slow Motion
Arm Techniques
- Low Outward Block (Forearm)
- Low Inward Front Block (Knife-Hand)
- Mid Side Circular Downward Strike (Side Fist)
- High Hooking Block (Palm)
- High Guarding Block (Knife-Hand)
- Mid Block (Twin Forearm)
- High Inward Strike (Knife-Hand)
- Mid Upset Punch (Twin Forefist)
- Mid Upset Punch (Forefist)
- High Outward Strike (Backfist)
- Low Guarding Block (Knife-Hand)
- Low Pressing Block (Palm)
- High Vertical Punch (Twin Forefist)
- Mid Upward Block (Palm)
- High Thrust (Flat Fingertip)
- High Punch (Forefist)
- Mid Guarding Block (Knife-Hand)
Arm Placements and Body Movements
Arm Placements
- Hand stays in previous position
- Hands pulled rapidly to side in straight line
- Hands transition in circular motion
- Into opposite palm in circular motion
- Side fist in front of opposite shoulder
- Hands stay in previous position
Body Movements
- Double Stepping Forward
- Sliding (Shifting) Backward
- Slipping (Pulling) Backward
- Turning Left 180 Degrees
- Slipping Forward
- Stepping Backward
- Turning Right 180 Degrees
- Turning Left 90 Degrees
- Stepping Forward
Performance Notes
Kwang-Gae Tul combines strong linear movement with advanced black belt coordination. Students must demonstrate balance, rhythm, and smooth transitions between slow motion, stepping combinations, and consecutive kicking techniques.
Particular attention should be given to the hooking blocks, upward palm blocks, and the consecutive kicking sequences. The pattern also requires strong understanding of distance control and posture during sliding and slipping motions.
Because this is a black belt pattern, students should demonstrate maturity, power control, breathing coordination, and technical precision throughout the entire performance.
Movement Sequence
| Move | Body Movement | Direction | Stance / Leg Technique | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Ready Position | 12:00 D | Parallel Ready Stance with Heaven Hand | Ready Position |
| 1 | Slowly Stepping Forward | Forward | Close Ready Stance Type B | Preparation |
| 2 | Slowly Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Upset Punch |
| 3 | Slowly Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Upset Punch |
| 4 | Double Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Hooking Block |
| 5 | Stepping Backward Sliding Shifting Backward | Rear | L-Stance | Low Guarding Block |
| 6 | Double Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | High Hooking Block |
| 7 | Stepping Backward Sliding Shifting Backward | Rear | L-Stance | Low Guarding Block |
| 8 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Rear Foot Stance | High Guarding Block |
| 9 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Rear Foot Stance | High Guarding Block |
| 10 | Turning Left 180 Degrees | 6:00 C | Walking Stance | Mid Upward Block |
| 11 | Slowly Stepping Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | Mid Upward Block |
| 12 | Slowly Stepping Forward | Forward | Close Stance | Low Inward Front Block |
| 13 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 3:00 E | Low Pressing Kick | Preparation |
| 14 | Consecutive Kicking Motion | Forward | Mid Side Piercing Kick | Consecutive Kicks |
| 15 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | High Inward Strike |
| 16 | Slipping Pulling Backward | Rear | Close Stance | Mid Side Circular Downward Strike |
| 17 | Turning Right 180 Degrees | 9:00 F | Low Pressing Kick | Preparation |
| 18 | Consecutive Kicking Motion | Forward | Mid Side Piercing Kick | Consecutive Kicks |
| 19 | Stepping Forward | Forward | L-Stance | High Inward Strike |
| 20 | Slipping Pulling Backward | Rear | Close Stance | Mid Side Circular Downward Strike |
| 21 | Slowly Turning Left 90 Degrees | 6:00 C | Low Stance | Mid Upward Block and Low Pressing Block |
| 22 | Slowly Stepping Forward | Forward | Low Stance | Mid Upward Block and Low Pressing Block |
| 23 | Turning Right 180 Degrees | 12:00 D | Sitting Stance | High Outward Strike |
| 24 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Block |
| 25 | Sliding Shifting Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | Low Outward Block |
| 26 | Slowly Slipping Forward | Forward | Low Stance | High Thrust |
| 27 | Turning Left 180 Degrees | 6:00 C | Sitting Stance | High Outward Strike |
| 28 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Block |
| 29 | Sliding Shifting Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | Low Outward Block |
| 30 | Slowly Slipping Forward | Forward | Low Stance | High Vertical Punch |
| 31 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Upset Punch |
| 32 | Turning Left 90 Degrees | 3:00 A | Mid Front Snap Kick | Preparation |
| 33 | Heel Raised Close Stance | Forward | Close Stance | Mid Guarding Block |
| 34 | Turning Right 180 Degrees | 9:00 B | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block |
| 35 | Stepping Backward | Rear | Walking Stance | High Punch |
| 36 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Walking Stance | Mid Upset Punch |
| 37 | Stepping Forward | Forward | Mid Front Snap Kick | Preparation |
| 38 | Turning Left 180 Degrees | 3:00 A | L-Stance | Mid Guarding Block |
| 39 | Stepping Backward and Return | 12:00 D | Parallel Ready Stance with Heaven Hand | Return to Ready Position |
Key Learning Objectives
- Develop control during slow motion and consecutive kicking motion
- Improve coordination during sliding and slipping movements
- Demonstrate strong balance in low stance transitions
- Understand advanced black belt rhythm and timing
- Perform techniques with precision, posture, and power control
Important Reminder
Kwang-Gae Tul requires strong technical control, accurate timing, and disciplined execution. Students should focus on maintaining posture, breathing coordination, and balance throughout all stance transitions and kicking combinations.