Snapshot & Meaning

Ge-Baek is named for General Ge-Baek of the Baekje dynasty, associated with discipline and resolve. Traditionally, the pattern represents strong principle and commitment.

In system terms, Ge-Baek trains strength with control: deeper stances, stronger finishes, and stability under heavier movement.

Why This Pattern Exists

At 2nd Dan, the system expects control to be reliable. Now it increases the “weight class” of movement: stronger stances and clearer commitment. If technique depends on lightness or speed alone, Ge-Baek exposes it.

• Reinforces strong base and stance discipline
• Demands stable posture through heavier motion
• Tests power delivery without over-tension
• Increases endurance through longer length

New Demands Introduced

Ge-Baek raises demands mainly by making “solid” unavoidable. You must carry structure through deeper stances and more forceful intent.

• Maintaining stance depth without collapsing posture
• Delivering power without becoming rigid
• Keeping transitions clean when legs are under load
• Managing fatigue while staying precise

What It Emphasizes (and What It Still Avoids)

Mechanical Focus (Plain)

Stance Depth Without Collapse

Deep stances often cause hips to tuck, chest to rise, or knees to drift. Ge-Baek trains “supported depth”: low and stable without losing alignment.

Power and Timing

Power should come from structure, weight transfer, and timing — not from tightening every muscle early. The pattern rewards relaxed preparation with a crisp finish.

Leg Load and Fatigue

Under heavier stance demands, fatigue shows up in transitions: extra steps, sloppy turns, and inconsistent height. That’s where training should focus.

Transitions — Heavy but Clean

Ge-Baek transitions should feel grounded. If transitions become noisy or “stompy,” you’re using weight instead of control.

Common Mistakes

Trying to look powerful by tensing early

Early tension makes movement slow and kills balance. Power should peak at impact, not during the whole motion.

Dropping too low

Lower isn’t always better. If stance depth breaks posture or knee alignment, it reduces stability and increases injury risk.

Rushing because it’s long

Ge-Baek punishes rushing. Consistency matters more than intensity.

What Ge-Baek Does Not Teach

• Live sparring tactics and timing
• Opponent adaptation
• Deception and feints

Ge-Baek is about strong fundamentals under heavier demands, not opponent-driven chaos.

Learning the Pattern

This article explains what Ge-Baek trains and why it matters. For official instruction on how to perform the pattern, refer to the ITF Taekwon-Do Encyclopedia.

View Ge-Baek in the ITF Taekwon-Do Encyclopedia →

(Replace with the official encyclopedia reference.)

Drills to Practice

Depth Holds

Hold key stances for 10–20 seconds with good alignment. If posture collapses, reduce depth and rebuild.

Heavy-to-Light Pass

Do one run with calm, grounded intent (not stiff), then one run focused on smoothness and quiet transitions. The goal is power without harshness.

Transition Segments

Pick a section where legs burn and drill only that section with clean pacing. Train endurance without losing form.

Summary

Ge-Baek is a 2nd Dan test of power under load. It asks for strong stance discipline, grounded movement, and consistent quality through fatigue — without stiffness or collapse.