Saju Makgi
SAJU MAKGI (10TH GUP WHITE BELT, 8 MOVEMENTS PER SIDE)
4-Direction Block is a fundamental excersise practiced by 10th grade holders or new starters to Taekwon-Do. It is comprised of two sides, left and right, each with 8 movements.
Stances and leg techniques
- Parallel Ready Stance
- Walking Stance
Arm techniques
- Mid Block [Inner Forearm]
- Low Block [Forearm]
Body movements
- Turning L 90°
- Turning R 90°
- Stepping Forward
- Stepping Backward
Diagram directions
| Letter | Direction |
|---|---|
| A | 3:00 |
| B | 9:00 |
| C | 6:00 |
| D | 12:00 |
Left side sequence
| # | Body Movement Motion [Method] | Diagram Direction | Feet In Motion | Leg Section Stance/Leg Technique [Tool; Line] | Arm Section Arm Technique [Tool; Line] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stepping Backward | 12:00; D | R | L Walking Stance | L Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 2 | Stepping Forward | 12:00; D | R | R Walking Stance | R Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| 3 | Turning L 90° / Stepping Backward | 9:00; B | R>L / R | L Walking Stance | L Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 4 | Stepping Forward | 9:00; B | R | R Walking Stance | R Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| 5 | Turning L 90° / Stepping Backward | 6:00; C | R>L / R | L Walking Stance | L Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 6 | Stepping Forward | 6:00; C | R | R Walking Stance | R Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| 7 | Turning L 90° / Stepping Backward | 3:00; A | R>L / R | L Walking Stance | L Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 8 | Stepping Forward | 3:00; A | R | R Walking Stance | R Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| - | Turning L 90° | 12:00; D | R | Parallel Ready Stance |
Right side sequence
| # | Body Movement Motion [Method] | Diagram Direction | Feet In Motion | Leg Section Stance/Leg Technique [Tool; Line] | Arm Section Arm Technique [Tool; Line] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stepping Backward | 12:00; D | L | R Walking Stance | R Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 2 | Stepping Forward | 12:00; D | L | L Walking Stance | L Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| 3 | Turning R 90° / Stepping Backward | 3:00; A | L>R / L | R Walking Stance | R Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 4 | Stepping Forward | 3:00; A | L | L Walking Stance | L Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| 5 | Turning R 90° / Stepping Backward | 6:00; C | L>R / L | R Walking Stance | R Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 6 | Stepping Forward | 6:00; C | L | L Walking Stance | L Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| 7 | Turning R 90° / Stepping Backward | 9:00; B | L>R / L | R Walking Stance | R Low Block [Knife-Hand; Cl] |
| 8 | Stepping Forward | 9:00; B | L | L Walking Stance | L Mid Block 1 [Inner Forearm; Cl] |
| - | Turning R 90° | 12:00; D | L | Parallel Ready Stance |
Training note
Saju Makgi is one of the first directional defensive exercises introduced in ITF Taekwon-Do. It develops coordination, stepping, correct walking stance mechanics, turning, blocking accuracy, reaction timing, and directional awareness. Students should practice both sides evenly while maintaining proper posture, balance, breathing, and correct execution of low and middle blocking techniques.