Technical purpose
Walking Stance, called Gunnun Sogi in Korean terminology, is a strong stance used for the front and rear, both in attack and defense. It gives the practitioner a stable base for fundamental movements, pattern work, blocking, striking, and forward or backward movement.
The stance must be measured accurately. If it is too long, movement becomes slow and weak. If it is too narrow, the body becomes weak against an attack from the side. If it is too wide, it becomes weak against attacks from the front or rear.
Key principle
Walking Stance is a strong front-and-rear stance with equal weight on both feet, a bent front leg, a fully extended rear leg, and either full-facing or half-facing body position.
Stance structure
| Reference point | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Stance name | Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi) |
| Length | 1.5 shoulder widths |
| Length measuring point | Measured between the big toes |
| Width | 1 shoulder width |
| Width measuring point | Measured from the center of one instep to the center of the other instep |
| Weight distribution | 50% on the front foot and 50% on the rear foot |
| Front leg | Bent until the kneecap forms a vertical line with the heel |
| Rear leg | Extended fully |
| Facing | Full facing or half facing, both in attack and defense |
Foot position
| Foot | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Front foot | Toes point forward |
| Rear foot | Turned 25 degrees outward |
| Rear foot warning | Turning the rear foot outward more than 25 degrees weakens the leg joint against an attack from the rear |
| Heel contact | Both feet should stay grounded; the rear heel should not lift |
| Foot tension | Tense the muscles of the feet with the feeling of pulling them toward each other |
How to form the stance
Move one foot to the front or rear so the distance between the big toes is 1.5 shoulder widths. Set the width to 1 shoulder width, measured from the center of one instep to the center of the other instep.
Bend the front leg until the kneecap forms a vertical line with the heel. The opposite leg is extended fully. The body weight is distributed evenly on both feet, with 50% on the front foot and 50% on the rear foot.
Keep the toes of the front foot pointing forward. The rear foot turns 25 degrees outward. Both feet should feel active, as if the muscles of the feet are pulling toward each other. This helps maintain a firm stance and prevents the base from becoming loose.
Right and left naming rule
Walking Stance is named by the bent front leg. When the right leg is bent, it is called a right Walking Stance, or Own Gunnun Sogi. When the left leg is bent, it is called a left Walking Stance, or Wen Gunnun Sogi.
This naming rule is important because the stance is not named by the rear leg or by the direction of the technique. First identify which knee is bent in front, then name the stance as right or left.
Facing options
| Facing | Use in Walking Stance |
|---|---|
| Full facing | The shoulders and hips are squared toward the opponent or direction of the technique |
| Half facing | The body is angled to reduce the target area while keeping the stance structure unchanged |
Reference checklist
| Check | Correct standard |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.5 shoulder widths between the big toes |
| Width | 1 shoulder width from center instep to center instep |
| Front knee | Kneecap vertical with the heel |
| Rear leg | Fully extended |
| Weight | 50% front foot and 50% rear foot |
| Front foot | Points forward |
| Rear foot | Turns 25 degrees outward |
| Feet | Muscles tense with the feeling of pulling both feet toward each other |
| Naming | Named by the bent front leg |
| Facing | Full facing or half facing |
Common technical errors
A common error is making the stance too long. A distance over 1.5 shoulder widths makes movement slow and weak, especially when moving backward or responding to an attack.
Another error is making the stance too narrow. If the width between the feet is too narrow, the stance becomes weak against an attack from the side. The width should be 1 shoulder width, measured from center instep to center instep.
Students also commonly make the stance too wide. If the distance between the feet is too wide, the stance becomes weak against attacks from the front or rear and the movement becomes heavy.
Another important error is pointing the rear foot forward. If the rear toes face forward, the rear heel may lift from the ground. The rear foot should turn 25 degrees outward and remain grounded.
Students should also avoid turning the rear foot outward more than 25 degrees. This weakens the leg joint against an attack from the rear. The final error is bending the front leg excessively, which creates poor weight distribution and can make movement and kicking with the front foot more difficult.