Taikyoku sokugi sono san
Name
Romaji: Taikyoku sokugi sono san / Sokugi Taikyoku sono san
Japanese: 足技太極三段
Sokugi means foot or leg technique: the Taikyoku embusen trains kicks, support, retraction, foot placement and completion. Sono san means the third form. Sokugi Taikyoku sono san is an alternative name; Galaz Dojo keeps Taikyoku sokugi sono san for consistency.
Introduction
The third Sokugi form combines side kicks with inward and outward circular keage. At turns, perform Jōdan yoko geri, set Zenkutsu-dachi and complete Kake wake uke. Short advances use Haisoku uchi mawashi keage; the three-step main-line sequences use Teisoku soto mawashi keage. It develops the preceding forms through greater control of circular paths and contact surfaces.
Place in the system
Group: Foundational kicking kata. Level: Beginner / early kyu. Practise after understanding the basic embusen and Sokugi ichi and ni, including Kake wake uke. Check turning kicks, supporting-leg balance, hip control, controlled retraction, Zenkutsu-dachi after each kick, centre line, no corrective steps and zanshin after every action.
Technical profile
Stance: Zenkutsu-dachi. Foot techniques: Jōdan yoko geri, Haisoku uchi mawashi keage, Teisoku soto mawashi keage. Hand technique: Kake wake uke. Movement: Taikyoku embusen with 90°, 180° and 270° turns. Kiai: 8 and 16. The focus is circular paths, distinct contact surfaces, support and recovery.
Embusen and technical diagram
Diagram unavailable: The embusen diagram described in the source is absent from this edition. Follow the directions and movement sequence in the text.
The form follows the basic Taikyoku embusen, with 20 main counts. Read its directions and order alongside the sequence; a diagram alone cannot describe support, kick path, hips, retraction or breathing. Check main directions and turns, the supporting leg, controlled retraction, Zenkutsu-dachi after each kick, gaze before completion and absence of corrective steps.
Stances
Zenkutsu-dachi follows every kicking action and actively completes the technique. Keep the supporting leg stable, retract the kicking leg before setting it down, preserve the centre and land without corrective steps. The formal start and finish use Fudō-dachi.
After yoi, finish in Heikō-dachi or the selected local yoi position. Complete Kake wake uke together with the landing stance at the turns.
Principal techniques
Jōdan yoko geri develops a high side line, hip control, support and retraction, with upper-level attack or control from a new angle. Haisoku uchi mawashi keage moves inward with the instep/top of the foot; Teisoku soto mawashi keage moves outward using the sole as its contact area. Their applications develop contact surface, hips, recovery, balance and control. Do not confuse inward/outward paths or haisoku/teisoku; a kick thrown upwards without direction or retraction loses the line and ability to continue.
Zenkutsu-dachi after the kick supplies stability, direction and control. Retraction is as important as the kick: losing it undermines balance, direction and the next technique.
Kake wake uke follows Jōdan yoko geri as the foot lands in Zenkutsu-dachi; it completes the movement. In application it can open, deflect or separate after a kick.
Start and finish
Begin in Fudō-dachi, facing shinden. Announce Taikyoku sokugi sono san or Sokugi Taikyoku sono san according to dojo standard. On yoi, take the selected dojo-standard ready position. In mugōrei, perform without ongoing counting after hajime. Only the 20 main counts are numbered here; start, yoi, naore and yasume are separate. On naore, retract the left foot and return 90° anticlockwise to Fudō-dachi, retaining the preceding gaze direction until the turn finishes. On yasume, return to rest.
Movement sequence
The following teaching sequence supports practice and revision according to the selected Galaz Dojo/modern Kyokushin standard; it does not replace dojo instruction.
| No. | Direction | Stance | Technique | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turn 90° left | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn anticlockwise, perform jōdan yoko geri, set Hidari zenkutsu-dachi and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 2 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi haisoku uchi mawashi keage | Perform uchi mawashi keage with haisoku and advance into Migi zenkutsu-dachi. |
| 3 | Turn 180° right | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn clockwise to the opposite direction, perform jōdan yoko geri, set Migi zenkutsu-dachi and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 4 | Forwards | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari haisoku uchi mawashi keage | Perform uchi mawashi keage with haisoku and advance into Hidari zenkutsu-dachi. |
| 5 | Turn 90° left onto the main line | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn anticlockwise onto the main line, perform jōdan yoko geri and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 6 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi teisoku soto mawashi keage | Perform soto mawashi keage with teisoku and advance. |
| 7 | Forwards | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari teisoku soto mawashi keage | Continue along the main line with controlled balance and retraction. |
| 8 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi teisoku soto mawashi keage, kiai | Finish the first main line with soto mawashi keage, kime and kiai. |
| 9 | Turn 270° left | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn 270° anticlockwise, perform jōdan yoko geri and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 10 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi haisoku uchi mawashi keage | Perform uchi mawashi keage with haisoku and advance. |
| 11 | Turn 180° right | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn clockwise to the opposite direction, perform jōdan yoko geri and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 12 | Forwards | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari haisoku uchi mawashi keage | Perform uchi mawashi keage with haisoku and advance. |
| 13 | Turn 90° left onto the main line | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn anticlockwise onto the main line, perform jōdan yoko geri and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 14 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi teisoku soto mawashi keage | Perform soto mawashi keage with teisoku and advance. |
| 15 | Forwards | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari teisoku soto mawashi keage | Continue along the main line, retaining height and direction. |
| 16 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi teisoku soto mawashi keage, kiai | Finish the second main line with soto mawashi keage, kime and kiai. |
| 17 | Turn 270° left | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn 270° anticlockwise, perform jōdan yoko geri and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 18 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi haisoku uchi mawashi keage | Perform uchi mawashi keage with haisoku and advance. |
| 19 | Turn 180° right | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi jōdan yoko geri / kake wake uke | Turn clockwise to the opposite direction, perform jōdan yoko geri and finish with kake wake uke. |
| 20 | Forwards | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari haisoku uchi mawashi keage | Finish the final technical movement with controlled posture, direction and zanshin. |
Breathing, rhythm and kiai
Distinguish the turning kick, forward kicks, retraction, foot placement and technical finish, especially through the longer 270° turns at 9 and 17. Kiai is at 8 and 16. Connect kick, recovery, landing and final technique as one action. Balance, controlled retraction and a stable finish take priority over uncontrolled height or speed; coordinate breath, kime and kiai with completion.
Technical key points
Lead turns and kicks with the gaze; pivot clearly before the side kick; keep the supporting leg stable; distinguish each kick path and contact surface; retract before setting down; set Zenkutsu-dachi without extra steps; retain an upright, centred upper body without leaning backwards; coordinate gaze, hips, kick, retraction and stance; keep height subordinate to control; and maintain zanshin between techniques. Check the 270° turns at 9 and 17 carefully.
Complete Kake wake uke with the stance, as part of the same technique.
Common errors
Uncontrolled leg swings, high kicks that lose balance, missing retraction, backward-leaning posture, unstable pivoting, unclear 270° turns, late gaze, setting the foot in the wrong direction, short/high/unbalanced Zenkutsu-dachi, extra corrective steps and breath, kiai or kime disconnected from the finish.
Forgetting Kake wake uke or adding it afterwards without stance connection and kime. Confusing inward and outward keage or losing the distinction between haisoku and teisoku.
Bunkai and application
Keep applications simple and within the technical level. Explore kick, direction, distance and stance together. Pivoting changes direction towards a new attack; the supporting leg and hips provide balance, direction and power; Zenkutsu-dachi gives stability after the kick; and zanshin preserves readiness through retraction and foot placement. Practise with a partner under control, without exceeding what the form warrants.
Jōdan yoko geri develops a high side line, hip control, support and retraction, with upper-level attack or control from a new angle. Haisoku uchi mawashi keage moves inward with the instep/top of the foot; Teisoku soto mawashi keage moves outward using the sole as its contact area. Their applications develop contact surface, hips, recovery, balance and control. Do not confuse inward/outward paths or haisoku/teisoku; a kick thrown upwards without direction or retraction loses the line and ability to continue.
Zenkutsu-dachi after the kick supplies stability, direction and control. Retraction is as important as the kick: losing it undermines balance, direction and the next technique.
Kake wake uke follows Jōdan yoko geri as the foot lands in Zenkutsu-dachi; it completes the movement. In application it can open, deflect or separate after a kick.
Training method
- Review the embusen of Taikyoku sono ichi.
- Review the structure of Sokugi ichi and ni.
- Practise Jōdan yoko geri separately.
- Practise Kake wake uke separately.
- Practise Jōdan yoko geri, foot placement and Kake wake uke together.
- Practise Haisoku uchi mawashi keage separately.
- Practise Teisoku soto mawashi keage separately.
- Check the distinction between inward and outward kick paths.
- Check the supporting leg and retraction.
- Add the turns slowly.
- Check 90°, 180° and 270° turns.
- Set Zenkutsu-dachi after every kick.
- Add breathing, rhythm, kime and kiai.
- Practise without counting, retaining zanshin from start to finish.
- Try simple partner bunkai, then return to the form.
Comment
This form tests whether sideward and circular kicks, balance, direction, recovery, stance and Kake wake uke remain one kata structure. The selected standard uses 20 main counts, kiai at 8 and 16, and separately described start, yoi, naore and yasume. Some references contain minor inconsistencies in terminology or movement descriptions. Here the selected standard consistently uses Jōdan yoko geri at turns, Haisoku uchi mawashi keage on short lines and Teisoku soto mawashi keage on main lines. Technical control, support, direction, correct recovery and contact surface, Kake wake uke, breathing, kime and zanshin take priority over maximum height.