Lower Body Shifts

Body movement has always been directly connected to the success of every technique in Taekwondo.

Dodging is the movement of portions of the body, or the entire body, to avoid an attack and possibly prepare for a counterattack. Although foot work is limited to the movements of the legs and feet, dodging involves dynamic body movements that require shifting of position.

Steps

Moving one or both feet to avoid an attack. The following are one step dodges:

• Step front foot straight forward and step rear foot forward into position.
• Step rear foot straight backward and step front foot backward into position.
• Step rear foot to the side while pivoting on the front foot until rear foot is outward toward the side.
• To step the front foot to the side, it must be followed by a second step in same direction with rear foot. If not, you will exposed to attack.
• Step front foot straight backward to turn upper body 90 degrees toward that side.
• Step rear foot straight forward to turn upper body 90 degrees toward opposite direction.
• Step front foot diagonally backward to turn upper body 90 degrees toward that side.
• Step rear foot diagonally forward to turn upper body 90 degrees in opposite direction.
• Step front foot in a circular 180 degree motion in front of body while pivoting on the rear foot until front foot is now in rear. Guard will now be facing opposite side.
• Step rear foot in a circular 180 degree motion behind body while pivoting on the front foot until rear foot is now in front. Guard will now be facing opposite side.
• A second step may be added to a one step dodge by initially stepping with the other foot in the same direction as the foot making the stepping dodge, such as in the third movement of the pattern To-san. Steps may be performed in sliding or jumping motions.
  

Other lower body movements

• Lean. Lean upper body to side without moving feet to avoid a high or middle section attack.
• Shift. Shift body weight to rear leg and lean entire body backward, without moving feet, to avoid a high or middle section attack.
• Pull-In. Shift body weight to rear and pull middle section of body backward, sucking it in, to avoid middle section attack.
• Duck. Bend legs to duck under an attack.
• Jump. At the moment attacker begins forward motion, execute a both jump to the side or rear to avoid the attack.
• Slide. First foot that moves take a step while other foot slides into position. For example: to step backward, rear foot steps backward and front foot then slides backward into position.