Poomsae (Forms) | Tiger Martial Arts

Color Belt Forms

Taegeuk poomsae
Palgwe poomsae

Taegeuk Poomsae

Tiger Martial Arts teaches the Taegeuk forms in accordance with modern Sport Poomsae standards, as established by USA Taekwondo, following the guidelines of the World Taekwondo Federation.

Palgwe Poomsae

Tiger Martial Arts also teaches the older Palgwe forms. These older forms inherit similar techniques from Okinawan Karate Heian forms, which in turn are derived largely from the Temple series of Karate forms (Ji-On, Jitte, Ji-In) and Kanku Dai. In turn, the Temple forms are direct descendants of Southern Chinese Shaolin forms (the Ji kanji refers to the Fujian Shaolin Temple, which was burned down by the Qing Imperial army in the 17th century).

Black Belt Forms

Weapons Poomsae

Because of this close tie to older Okinawan forms, Okinawan Kobudo techniques can be found in the Palgwe forms, and therefore the Palgwe forms also serve as the basis for our weapons program. The weapons program combines modern sport Chambara, Okinawan Kobudo, and Hapkido.

Forms for Belt Promotion

These are the forms for TMA belt promotion. The forms required for competition, especially for World Class Sport Poomsae, are based on age, not rank, and significantly different (see the USA Taekwondo webpage on Sport Poomsae Rules).