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 Taekwondo Stances: The Foundation Everyone Overlooks


When I first stepped into a Taekwondo dojang, I’ll be honest—I only cared about the cool kicks. The fancy spinning ones, the ones that look like they belong in a Bruce Lee movie. But my instructor? He had other plans.

“Horse stance,” he barked.

I dropped into position and thought, This isn’t so bad. Thirty seconds later, my legs were screaming. Two minutes later, I was questioning all my life choices.

Turns out, those boring stances I wanted to skip were the real backbone of Taekwondo. Without them, your kicks have no power, your balance is shot, and your sparring looks like interpretive dance.


Why Stances Matter More Than You Think

Every block, punch, or kick begins with a stance. If your stance is weak, the move collapses before it even begins. Strong stance = strong technique. It’s as simple as that.


The 3 Big Stance Mistakes Beginners Make

  1. Too Narrow: You’re standing like you’re waiting for a bus, not fighting an opponent. Widen that base.

  2. Too Lean-y: Stances aren’t hammocks. Don’t slouch. Don’t tilt. Stay ready.

  3. Too Stiff: Taekwondo is about movement. Stances are the launchpad, not the final pose.


How to Fix Them (Simple Drills)

  • Horse stance wall-sit: Same burn, but add punches.

  • Mirror check: Watch your shoulders and hips. Keep them aligned.

  • Step-slide drill: Move through front stances without bouncing.


My “Aha!” Moment

After three months of grinding stance drills, I noticed something wild: my kicks got faster, my sparring felt smoother, and I wasn’t nearly as exhausted after training. It wasn’t magic—it was just better footing.


Want the Full Breakdown?

I barely scratched the surface here. If you want the complete guide with fixes and training hacks, check out this deep-dive blog:
👉 Common Taekwondo Stance Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Trust me, it’ll save you from years of bad habits.



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