나이한지 삼단

Naihanchi Sam Dan

Iron horse, third

Where it usually sits

Often cho dan

Floor pattern

Same line, fuller kicks

In the set

Form 12 of 14

Sam Dan completes the sideways set. Schools that teach all three usually save this one for black belt preparation. The legs work harder; the line on the floor stays the same.

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. Same line as the first two. The legs work harder.

1. 1Look right. Cross-step and step out to horse stance. Use your school's third-form arm phrase. It is usually a fuller block than Ee Dan, often with both hands working.
2. 2Kick and return to the same width. Sam Dan is where a second kick, or a kick that chambers twice, shows up in many schools.
3. 3Cross the line the other way and repeat the phrase.
4. 4Close with the inward sweeps. The last stance should sit on the spot where you started.
5. 5Return to the Naihanchi ready posture.

What to watch for

• Endurance in horse stance
• Kicks that return to the same width
• Not drifting forward or back off the line

YouTube examples

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