Main stance dimensions
| Reference point | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Width | Minimal width |
| Width detail | The heels are almost entirely on a straight line |
| Length | 1 shoulder width long |
| Length measuring point | Measured from the big toe of the rear foot to the big toe of the front foot |
| Weight distribution | 60% on the rear leg and 40% on the front leg |
Foot and leg structure
| Body part | Technical requirement |
|---|---|
| Rear foot | Turns 15 degrees inward |
| Front foot | Turns 15 degrees inward |
| Rear leg | Straight and carrying 60% of the body weight |
| Front leg | Straight and carrying 40% of the body weight |
| Body weight | Slightly biased toward the rear leg, without leaning backward |
How to measure the stance
The length of Vertical Stance is 1 shoulder width. It is measured from the big toe of the rear foot to the big toe of the front foot. This shorter length separates it from longer stances such as Walking Stance, L-Stance, Fixed Stance, and Low Stance.
The width is minimal. The heels are almost entirely on a straight line, which keeps the stance narrow and compact. This does not mean that the feet should be forced into an uncomfortable line. The structure should remain precise, but the student must still be able to stand with control and balance.
Because the stance is narrow, students should not widen it to feel safer. A wider base changes the character of Soojik Sogi and makes it less accurate. The stance should remain compact, measured, and organized, with the body placed cleanly over the feet.
Weight distribution and posture
Vertical Stance uses a 60% and 40% weight distribution. The rear leg carries 60% of the body weight, while the front leg carries 40%. The weight is therefore not equal, but the difference is moderate compared with stances such as L-Stance or Rear Foot Stance.
Both legs are held straight. The student should not bend the knees as in Sitting Stance, Walking Stance, or Low Stance. The straight-leg structure is one of the defining features of this stance. At the same time, the knees should not be locked aggressively. The body should remain upright, balanced, and able to move.
The rear-weighted structure gives the stance a controlled defensive quality. It can help the practitioner absorb force or prepare for a quick shift. However, the body should not lean backward. The 60% rear-leg weight should come from correct placement of the stance, not from collapsing the posture away from the front foot.
Facing options
| Facing | Use in Vertical Stance |
|---|---|
| Full facing | Not used for Vertical Stance in this reference |
| Half facing | Strictly used for Vertical Stance |
| Reverse half facing | Not used for Vertical Stance in this reference |
| Side facing | Not used for Vertical Stance in this reference |
Half facing in Vertical Stance
Vertical Stance is performed strictly in Half Facing. In half facing, the shoulders and hips are angled so that the body presents a narrower target. This facing supports the compact nature of the stance and keeps the practitioner ready for controlled defensive or shifting movement.
The facing should not disturb the stance measurements. The length remains 1 shoulder width, the width remains minimal, both feet remain turned 15 degrees inward, and the weight distribution remains 60% on the rear leg and 40% on the front leg.
A common issue is turning the upper body without organizing the hips and feet. In Vertical Stance, the whole structure must work together. The feet set the base, the legs remain straight, the body weight sits slightly toward the rear, and the shoulders and hips maintain half facing.
Reference checklist
| Check | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Stance name | Vertical Stance (Soojik Sogi) |
| Width | Minimal width |
| Width detail | Heels almost entirely on a straight line |
| Length | 1 shoulder width |
| Measuring point | From the big toe of the rear foot to the big toe of the front foot |
| Weight | 60% rear leg and 40% front leg |
| Foot angles | Both feet turn 15 degrees inward |
| Legs | Both legs straight |
| Facing | Strictly half facing |
Common technical errors
The most common error in Vertical Stance is making the stance too wide. Because the stance feels narrow, students may separate the feet too much for comfort. This changes the stance and weakens the technical accuracy. The heels should remain almost entirely on a straight line.
Another common error is placing the body weight equally on both legs. Vertical Stance is not a 50% and 50% stance. The rear leg carries 60% of the body weight, and the front leg carries 40%. The difference should be visible in the structure but should not create a backward lean.
Students should also check that both legs remain straight and both feet turn 15 degrees inward. If the knees bend, the stance begins to lose its defining shape. If the feet open outward or point straight ahead, the stance no longer follows the correct foot angle. The final check is the facing: Vertical Stance is strictly half facing.
Key principle
Vertical Stance keeps both legs straight, places more weight on the rear leg, and uses half facing to keep the body compact and controlled.
Technical purpose
Vertical Stance, called Soojik Sogi in Korean terminology, is an ITF Taekwon-Do stance with a narrow base, straight legs, and a clear rear-to-front weight distribution. It is used when the practitioner needs a compact stance that can absorb force or prepare the body for quick shifting movements.
This article is a technical reference. It focuses on the specific structure of the stance: length, minimal width, measuring point, weight distribution, foot angles, leg position, and facing. Students should use it to check the position accurately, and instructors may use it as a simple correction guide in the Dojang.