Technical purpose
Sitting Stance Middle Punch, called Annun So Kaunde Jirugi in Korean terminology, is an ITF Taekwon-Do punching technique performed from Sitting Stance to the middle section. It uses the forefist as the attacking tool.
This article focuses on the front version of the technique. The body is full facing, the stance remains symmetrical, and the punching fist finishes on the center line of the body at the moment of impact.
Key principle
The middle punch must travel directly from the hip to the target, rotate fully at impact, and finish on the center line while the Sitting Stance remains stable and full facing.
Technique identity
| Item | Technical reference |
|---|---|
| Technique name | Sitting Stance Middle Punch |
| Korean terminology | Annun So Kaunde Jirugi |
| Technique family | Punching technique, or Jirugi |
| Stance | Sitting Stance, or Annun Sogi |
| Attacking tool | Forefist |
| Target level | Middle section, or Kaunde |
| Direction | Front |
| Facing | Full facing at the moment of impact |
Sitting stance base
| Stance point | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Width | 1.5 shoulder widths wide |
| Width measuring point | Measured from the inside edges of the big toes |
| Length | No length |
| Foot position | Both feet are even and parallel |
| Foot direction | Both feet point straight forward |
| Weight distribution | 50% on the left leg and 50% on the right leg |
| Knees | Bent outward over the balls of the feet |
Punching requirements
| Check | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Punch path | From the hip to the target by the shortest distance |
| Fist line | The fist finishes on the center line of the body |
| Fist rotation | The fist turns a full 180 degrees at the moment of impact |
| Opposite fist | Withdraws to the hip at the same time as the punch moves out |
| Back fist at hip | Faces downward |
| Shoulders | Full facing, without pulling the punching shoulder out |
| Back posture | Upright and controlled at impact |
How to execute the technique
Begin from a correct Sitting Stance. The stance should be 1.5 shoulder widths wide, with both feet parallel and pointing forward. The knees are bent outward over the balls of the feet, and the body weight is shared equally between both legs.
The punching fist begins at the hip and travels directly to the middle-section target. The path should be short and straight. Do not swing the arm, lift the elbow outward, or allow the fist to drift away from the center line.
At the moment of impact, the fist completes a full 180-degree rotation and finishes on the center line of the body. The opposite fist pulls to the hip at the same time, with the back fist facing downward.
The shoulders remain full facing because this is the front version of the technique. Full facing should not become shoulder reaching. Keep the back upright and do not pull the punching shoulder out at impact.
Center-line focus
The main correction point in Annun So Kaunde Jirugi is the position of the fist at impact. The fist should finish on the center line of the body. If the fist finishes too far to the side, crosses the body, or stops off-line, the punch loses structure and direction.
The center-line position connects the fist to the full-facing body and the symmetrical Sitting Stance. The punch should look direct, stable, and balanced. The stance gives a strong base, while the fist delivers force through the middle line.
Reference checklist
| Check | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Technique | Sitting Stance Middle Punch (Annun So Kaunde Jirugi) |
| Stance | Sitting Stance, or Annun Sogi |
| Tool | Forefist |
| Target level | Middle section |
| Direction | Front |
| Facing | Full facing |
| Fist position | On the center line at impact |
| Fist rotation | Full 180-degree turn at impact |
| Opposite hand | Withdrawn to the hip with the back fist facing downward |
| Stance base | Feet parallel, knees bent outward, weight 50% and 50% |
Common technical errors
A common error is letting the fist finish away from the center line. In the front version of Annun So Kaunde Jirugi, the fist should finish on the center line of the body at the moment of impact.
Another error is failing to rotate the fist fully. The forefist should turn 180 degrees at impact. If the fist does not revolve, the punch loses an important part of its standard ITF mechanics.
Students also commonly pull the opposite fist incorrectly. The opposite fist should return to the hip at the same time as the punch moves out, with the back fist facing downward.
Another frequent error is changing the Sitting Stance while punching. The stance should remain 1.5 shoulder widths wide, with the feet parallel, knees bent outward, and weight equally distributed.
The final error is pulling the punching shoulder out. The shoulders should remain full facing, but the punch should not be made longer by overreaching with the shoulder.