Taegeuk 6 (Taegeuk Yuk Jang): the sixth color belt form, every move step by step

Taegeuk Yuk Jang (태극 6장), the form for 3rd geup, is often learned at blue or blue-red belt. It brings in the roundhouse kick, Taekwondo’s signature technique, along with a slow and graceful opening block and a final section where you move backward, blocking and punching as you retreat. It is a longer, more flowing form than those before it.

Meaning: Gam, water

Yuk Jang represents Gam (☵), a solid line between two broken lines, the trigram for water. Water flows around obstacles without stopping, and over time it wears down even stone. The form should feel continuous and patient, never stuck, with steady power that builds rather than explodes. The slow low opening block in the middle is a good place to show that calm control.

Floor pattern

As with Taegeuk Sam Jang, the first and third lines repeat the same combination, which makes the form easier to learn.

Step by step

Line 1

1. Turn 90 degrees to the left into a left front stance (apkubi) with a left low block (arae makgi).
2. Right front kick (ap chagi), then step back into a back stance (dwitkubi) with the left foot forward, performing a left outside block (bakkat makgi) as you land.
3. Turn 180 degrees to the right into a right front stance with a right low block.
4. Left front kick, then step back into a back stance with the right foot forward and a right outside block.

Up the center

5. Turn 90 degrees to the left to face forward in a left front stance with a right single knife-hand high twist block (hansonnal eolgul biteureo makgi): the right knife-hand rises in front of the face, palm turned outward, as if catching an opponent’s shoulder.
6. Right roundhouse kick (dollyeo chagi), then set the foot down and turn 90 degrees to the left.

Line 2

7. Step into a left front stance facing left with a left high outside block (eolgul bakkat makgi), followed by a right middle punch. Then right front kick, landing in a right front stance with a left middle punch.
8. Turn 180 degrees to the right into a right front stance with a right high outside block and a left middle punch.
9. Left front kick, landing in a left front stance, with a right middle punch.

Up the center to line 3

10. Turn 90 degrees to the left to face forward, stepping into a parallel stance (naranhi seogi). Cross the wrists in front of the chest and slowly, over about eight counts, open both arms downward into a low opening block (arae hecheo makgi).
11. Step forward into a right front stance with a left single knife-hand high twist block.
12. Left roundhouse kick with a gihap. Set the foot down beside the right foot, then turn to the right, swinging the right foot back, until you face left.

Line 3 (a repeat of line 1)

13. Land in a right front stance facing left with a right low block. Then left front kick and step back into a back stance with the right foot forward and a right outside block.
14. Turn 180 degrees to the left into a left front stance with a left low block.
15. Right front kick, then step back into a back stance with the left foot forward and a left outside block.

Stepping backward to the start

16. Turn 90 degrees to the left to face forward in a back stance with the left foot forward, and perform a double knife-hand block (sonnal makgi).
17. Step backward into a back stance with the right foot forward and a double knife-hand block to the right.
18. Step backward into a left front stance with a left palm-heel middle block (batangson momtong makgi), followed by a right middle punch.
19. Step backward into a right front stance with a right palm-heel middle block, followed by a left middle punch.

On baro, draw the right foot back beside the left and return to the ready stance.

Technique notes

The roundhouse kick here should be clean and chambered, not a sparring-style flick. Lift the knee, pivot on the supporting foot so the heel turns toward the target, and strike with the top of the foot at around middle-to-high level. After the kick, put the foot down under control before turning to the next line.

The single knife-hand twist block is unusual, and students often mix up which hand and which foot go forward. A helpful rule: the forward hand and the forward foot are always opposite, and the blocking hand points in the direction of the roundhouse kick that follows.

The low opening block in step 10 is slow by design. Breathe out steadily as the arms open, and keep the shoulders down. Rushing it is one of the most common deductions at belt tests.

Common mistakes

In the opening combination, students often land the front kick forward instead of stepping back into the back stance. The kick should land and immediately retreat, as if you kicked and then gave ground. The high outside block in step 7 is also often confused with a regular high block; it sweeps outward in front of the face rather than rising above the head. In the backward section, keep your stances long and solid. Many students take tiny steps back and finish far in front of their starting point.

Practice tips

Drill the roundhouse kick separately on both legs so neither feels weak in the form. Then practice the slow low block with a count, aiming for an even eight seconds. Finally, practice the last four movements stepping backward along a line on the floor, checking that you end on your starting mark. When Yuk Jang feels smooth and continuous, move on to Taegeuk Chil Jang.