나이한지 초단

Naihanchi Cho Dan

Iron horse, first

Where it usually sits

Often brown or high red

Floor pattern

A straight line sideways

In the set

Form 10 of 14

Naihanchi (also Naihanji or Najin) travels sideways in horse stance. There is almost no stepping forward. The form is about rooting: knees tracking over the toes, a tight guard, and short punches that stay close to the ribs. It is old Okinawan material, and Tang Soo Do keeps the side-to-side embusen.

Steps

One common Moo Duk Kwan reading, counted from the first technique. Ready stance comes before step 1. If your instructor splits or joins a count, use theirs. The whole form travels sideways. Do not step off the line.

1. 1Look right. Cross the left foot in front of the right. Both hands press down in front of the belt.
2. 2Step the right foot out to horse stance. Right backfist or elbow strike, the left hand meeting the right elbow, then both hands return to the chest.
3. 3Look left. Left low block to the side and a short punch, still in horse stance.
4. 4Cross the right foot over. Hands cover the center.
5. 5Step the left foot out to horse stance. Left inside-outside block to the front.
6. 6Draw the left hip back, then a short kick with the left leg that lands back in horse stance, with a punch. Some schools use a scooping crescent instead of a side kick.
7. 7Chamber the right hand. Left hammerfist across the body, elbow toward the opposite fist.
8. 8Sweep the left foot inward, then the right foot inward, and close.
9. 9Repeat the cross-step to the right, the horse stance, and the same arm phrase.
10. 10Sweep the right foot in, then the left.
11. 11Return to the Naihanchi ready posture, feet together, hands in front.

What to watch for

• Horse stance that doesn’t pinch the knees inward
• Crossing steps that stay on one line
• Short-range elbows, blocks, and punches

YouTube examples

Performances differ by organization. Use them to remember the shape, then match your instructor’s version.