Poomse, or Forms, in Taekwondo are like
choreographed routines that combine defensive
and attacking moves. They're not just random
movements; they have a long history and
tradition behind them. When someone
performs Poomse, it's not just about showing
off their moves—it's also a way for instructors
to see how much they know and how good they
are. To do Poomse well, you have to be really
good at blocking, striking, and kicking. But it's
not just about the physical side; things like your
attitude, where you look, how you stand, and
even how you breathe are super important too.
Poomse is a way to train both your body and
your mind, helping you become a better martial
artist overall.
Kyorugi, also known as Sparring in Taekwondo,
is like a friendly fight between two people.
Unlike Poomse, where movements are pre-
planned, Kyorugi is more spontaneous. During
Kyorugi, practitioners aim to score points by
kicking their opponent in specific areas like the
head and trunk.
To do well in Kyorugi, you need to show off a
range of techniques and skills, like different
kinds of kicks and blocks. It's not just about
throwing punches; you also need to be flexible,
focused, and have lots of energy.
Kyorugi isn't just about winning matches; it's
also a way to see how much you've improved in
Taekwondo. It tests your abilities in real-time
and helps you learn how to adapt to different
situations.
SUMMARY
POOMSE (Forms):
• Poomse consists of defined patterns of
defense-and-attack motions, rooted in ancient
practices.
• It assesses a practitioner's knowledge, skill
level, strength, and focus.
• Proper execution requires mastery of blocking,
striking, and kicking techniques, along with
understanding the form's history and principles.
• Attitude, eye focus, posture, balance, timing,
power, breathing, and kihop (spirit shout) are
crucial aspects of Poomse training.
KYORUGI (Sparring):
• Kyorugi is a free-form fight between two
individuals, assessing Taekwondo ability through
kicks to the head and trunk area.
• It requires demonstrating various techniques,
flexibility, concentration, and stamina.
• Kyorugi serves as a test of one's advancement
in Taekwondo and encompasses a wide range of
sparring training methods.
Overall, both Poomse and Kyorugi are integral
components of Taekwondo training, aiming to
develop skills, discipline, and self-awareness.
Both Poomse and Kyorugi are important parts of
Taekwondo training, but they focus on different
things.

Poomse is like a structured dance, where you

practice specific movements in a set order. It
helps you get better at techniques and teaches
you discipline and focus.

Kyorugi is like a friendly fight where you kick

each other, but only in certain areas. It's about
applying what you've learned in a real situation.
It helps with skills like thinking quickly, being
flexible, and staying focused.

So, Poomse and Kyorugi both help you become

better at Taekwondo, but in different ways.
Poomse teaches discipline and technique, while
Kyorugi teaches how to use those skills in a
dynamic situation.