Purple Belt Form – In Wha 1 and Sparring Combinations

This is a reference page for Students at Kowkabany’s Family Martial Arts in Tampa, Florida, and covers ATA’s Purple Belt Form and the Purple/Blue Sparring Combinations; it is broken down into four parts:

1) A video of the Form – In Wha I – being done slowly, with a voice-over by Sr. Master David Kowkabany providing additional guidance on how to execute the techniques properly while avoiding some common mistakes.

2) A video of the Sparring combinations being performed slowly, with a voice-over providing additional guidance on how to execute the techniques properly.

3) A text segment for those who want to read more about the design of this Form, as well as some of the philosophy and methodology behind the Songahm Forms in general.

4) A page showing the specific breakdown of the form line by line.

OK, let’s get started!

Note: We suggest opening each video in a new window.

In Wha 1 Performed Slowly with Voice Over Explanations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-mzsNPPuY

(Note: In this form, the voice-over states the student will load on the “left” shoulder in preparation for the second square block… this load is actually done on the right side — the instructor in the video performs it correctly, however, if you are simply listening the voice over while practicing, then you should be aware of this difference.)

Sparring Combinations for Purple (and Blue) Belt Forms!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls-imLNxgnY

Here is some additional information regarding this Form!

At Kowkabany’s Family Martial Arts, we teach the Songahm Forms developed by the American Taekwondo Association in 1983. As with most forms taught in traditional martial arts, our forms were developed to help students improve the quality of their technique. The ATA took this basic concept much further, allowing for three main differences in our Songahm Forms:

First, every form is symmetrical—techniques done on one side of the body are done later in the form on the opposite side, promoting balanced development of techniques and of the body.

Second, every form is designed to teach the basic kicks, strikes, blocks and stances that a student at that rank should be practicing. For example, in In Wha 1, the student will practice a front kick – side kick combination and numerous new basics (hand techniques).

Third, every form taught in our traditional taekwondo system is on a set pattern of lines as depicted in the Songahm star, and begins and ends at the same point. There are 9 Color Belt Forms that use North, South, East and West lines; there are also 9 Black Belt Forms that use the same 4 basic directions, but also the diagonal lines that run Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest.

In Wha I Basic Facts:

* The form consists of 44 moves, basically using 8 lines.

* The pattern of the form is two squares; the lower square runs counterclockwise, and the square above it runs in a clockwise direction.

* The strikes in this form are done at mixed levels. Remember, for midsection level strikes should be equal to the student’s solar plexus (not shoulder level), and in general strikes are execute down the midline of the body.

* There are five stances in this form, the back, front, sparring, closed and middle stances.

* This form introduces the square block, elbow strikes, vertical punches, high-low blocks, as well as the head grab and knee strike.

* The kihaps (yells) are on moves: #14 — the second back elbow, #24 — the step front punch, and #34 — the side kick in the second front-side kick combination. The kihaps on the “4s” corresponds to “grade 4”, which is the grade that corresponds to the belt color purple.

* The color “Purple” is associated with mountains, thus the tree (student) is beginning to grow tall on the mountain. At blue, the tree reaches for the sky; and at brown, the roots of the tree are deep in the earth–representing a strong foundation.

* As with all Songahm forms, the passive hand (hand not executing a technique) should be drawn back tightly and high on the ribs after the other hand executes a technique; however, both hands should be “up” when executing kicks.

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