When you reach senior belt you are expected to guide the junior belts when they are beginning Taekwondo such as showing by example. To advance from one rank to the next, students typically complete promotion tests in which they demonstrate their proficiency in the various aspects of the art before a panel of judges or their teacher. View Taekwondo belt levels »
Strikes
( 치기 chigi )
Various surfaces of the hand ( 손 son ) may be engaged as the striking surface depending on which area of the opponents body is being targeted. Striking ( 치기 chigi ) are taekwondo techniques striking with the twisting force of the body excluding techniques using the fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) or fingertips ( 손끝 sonkkeut ). Thrusting ( 찌르기 Jjireugi ) are techniques striking with the fingertips ( 손끝 sonkkeut ). Chopping ( 찍기 Jjikgi ) are techniques striking with curled fingers. This leads to a large array of hand positions and taekwondo also makes use of reverse and front elbow strikes ( 팔굽 치기 palgup-chigi ).
Knife Hand Inward Strike ( 손날 안치기 sonnal-an-chigi ) is an intermediate technique that is executed by striking with the muscle at the side of the hand located between the base of the small finger and the wrist (abductor digiti minimi). The striking hand is kept in a knife hand ( 손날 sonnal ) position during the impact. It is used as both an offensive and defensive technique that can be executed as a high to low strike, though most commonly made to the side of the neck. Read more »
A closed fist may be brought down in a hammering motion to strike with the underneath. Such a strike called Hammer Fist Downward Strike ( 메주먹 내려치기 mejumeok-naeryeo-chigi ), can obliterate an opponent's nose, making it near impossible for the opponent to retaliate. The hammer fist can also be used horizontally like a backfist strike using the bottom fist. This strike will not damage the bones of the hands as there is no compression of the knuckles or metacarpals, and there is no leverage to bend the wrist. Read more »
Hammer Hand Outward Strike ( 메주먹 바깥치기 mejumeok-bakkat-chigi ) is an intermediate strike that is delivered by hitting the opponent's chest to the upper area of the face with the closed fist sideways at full velocity. The movement involves the elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ) being bent to unleash the powerful strike outwards. Read more »
Outward Back Fist ( 등주먹 바깥치기 deung-jumeok-bakkat-chigi ) is an intermediate technique where a clenched hand is swung backwards into the face of an opponent. The fist of the hitting arm starts at the opposite shoulder for maximum velocity. The back knuckle ( 등주먹 deung-jumeok ) of the hand makes contact and the momentum garnered in the swing makes this a very powerful strike. Read more »
Back Knuckle Forward Strike ( 등주먹 앞치기 deung-jumeok-ap-chigi ) is an intermediate technique striking with the back knuckle ( 등주먹 deung-jumeok ). The fist should pass over from the opposite waist to the armpit, to the chin level and then hitting with the back of the fist to the opponent's face. Read more »
Elbow Turning Strike ( 팔굽 돌려치기 palgup-dollyeo-chigi ) is a attack where the forearm is folded inwards towards the body and the strike is delivered with the outside of the forearm or elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ). Remember to use the twisting of your upper body to generate more power for the Elbow Turning Strike ( 팔굽 돌려치기 palgup-dollyeo-chigi ) and keep a firm stance for balance. Read more »
Elbow Target Strike ( 팔굽 표적치기 palgup-pyojeok-chigi ) is a technique that requires you to strike an imaginary target made by extending the other arm. The elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ) hits the palm of the other arm and the height is around the solar plexus. The striker relaxes to the extent possible during the strike, tensing the muscles of much of the body only at the time of impact, then relaxing again to recoil the striking part. Read more »
Flat Fingertips Horizontal Strike ( 편손끝 엎어찌르기 pyeonsonkkeut-eopeo-jjireugi ) is an effective advanced technique engaging the tips of the outstretched hand (known as the spearhand) to vital points, but if done improperly, the practitioner may well break their hand, wrist or fingers. Read more »
Palm Heel Forward Strike ( 바탕손 앞치기 batangson-ap-chigi ) is a classic self-defence strike where the hand is pulled back to engage the base of the palm ( 바탕손 batangson ) in an upwards thrusting strike. This is particularly dangerous if applied to the base of the opponent's nose or chin and can result in death. Read more »
Bent Wrist Upward Strike ( 굽힌손목 올려치기 gupinsonmok-ollyeo-chigi ) is also known as the Eagle Strike. This advanced striking technique begins with the fingers all touching together, hand pointing down, and the top of the wrist being exposed. The hand is then swung violently upward to strike explosively the underside of the opponent's jaw. Read more »
Pincer Hand Strike ( 집게주먹 지르기 jipge-jumeok-jireugi ) is a strike which uses thumb and forefinger to target the opponent's throat. In this advanced technique a fist is closed except for the thumb and forefinger which are fully extended outwards. This kind of strike is optimized for attacks to the opponent's neck and throat. Read more »
Scissors Fingertip Thrust ( 가위손끝 찌르기 kawisonkkeut-jjireugi ) is an advanced strike in which forefinger and middle finger are extended out as if to dig someone's eye out. Similar to Pincer Hand Strike ( 집게주먹 지르기 jipge-jumeok-jireugi ) except that the forefinger and middle finger are extended outwards to attack. Read more »
Ridgehand Inward Strike ( 손날등 안치기 sonnal-deung-an-chigi ) is a deadly advanced striking technique. By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ), or reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the first finger. Read more »
Swallow Strike ( 제비품치기 jebipoom-chigi ) is an intermediate technique of striking with one hand while blocking upward with the other hand. The block upward is most commonly the Hand Blade Upward Block ( 손날 올려막기 sonnal-ollyeo-makgi ), while the strike is either the Knife Hand Inward Strike ( 손날 안치기 sonnal-an-chigi ) or the Palm Heel Forward Strike ( 바탕손 앞치기 batangson-ap-chigi ). Read more »
Swallow Hand Blade Inward Strike ( 제비품 손날 안치기 jebipoom-sonnal-an-chigi ) is a technique of striking inward with one hand while blocking upward with the other hand. This is an offensive and defensive move at the same time. The block upward is most commonly the Hand Blade Upward Block ( 손날 올려막기 sonnal-ollyeo-makgi ). Read more »
Swallow Palm Heel Front Strike ( 제비품 바탕손 앞치기 jebipoom-batangson-ap-chigi ) is a strike where the hand is pulled back to engage the base of the palm ( 바탕손 batangson ) in an upwards thrusting strike, while the other hand blocks upward with most commonly the Hand Blade Upward Block ( 손날 올려막기 sonnal-ollyeo-makgi ). Read more »
Spearhand Vertical Thrust ( 편손끝 세워찌르기 pyeonsonkkeut-sewo-jjireugi ) is delivered just as with a punch except that the hand is held open like with a knife hand ( 손날 sonnal ), but positioned as flat fingertips ( 편손끝 pyeonsonkkeut ). The intended striking areas are with the tips of the fingers, but if done improperly, the practitioner may well break their hand, wrist or fingers. The ideal target is the sternum, though the eyes and throat areas are also possible. Read more »
Supporting Vertical Thrust ( 거들어 세워찌르기 kodureo-sewo-jjireugi ) is a technique that allows one to block and attack at the same time. Most commonly one hand executes a Palm Heel Pressing Block ( 바탕손 눌러막기 batangson-nulleo-makgi ) while the other performs a Spearhand Vertical Thrust ( 편손끝 세워찌르기 pyeonsonkkeut sewo-jjireugi ). Supporting Vertical Thrust ( 거들어 세워찌르기 kodureo-sewo-jjireugi ) is a form of Vertical Thrust ( 세워찌르기 sewo-jjireugi ). Read more »
The Hand Blade Outward Strike ( 손날 바깥치기 sonnal-olgul-bakkat-chigi ) is a strike that is delivered by hitting mostly the neck area with the hand blade ( 손날 sonnal ) facing sideways. The movement involves the elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ) being bent to violently unleash the strike outwards. The technique is executed by striking with the muscle at the side of the hand located between the base of the small finger and the wrist (abductor digiti minimi). Read more »
Hand Blade Side Strike ( 손날 옆치기 sonnal-yeop-chigi ) is an advanced technique of striking the opponent from the side by swinging a hand blade ( 손날 sonnal ) from the inside to the side. Suitable targets for the Hand Blade Side Strike ( 손날 옆치기 sonnal-yeop-chigi ) include the mastoid muscles of the neck, the jugular, the throat, the collar bones, the third vertebra (key stone of the spinal column), and the upper arm. Read more »
Ridgehand Downward Strike ( 손날등 내려치기 sonnal-deung-naeryeo-chigi ) is an advanced technique of striking from a higher level to a lower level with the ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ) in a vertical direction. By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ), or reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the first finger. Read more »
Elbow Rear Strike ( 팔굽 뒤치기 palgup-dwi-chigi ) is an intermediate technique that is executed when one is grabbed from behind. The elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ) is delivered backwards striking the ribs of the opponent. Other suitable targets include the sternum, or even possibly the opponent's chin and jaw. The elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ) striking from the rear could be very effective and damaging, due to the opponent not seeing the attack from the awkward angle. Read more »
Elbow Downward Strike ( 팔굽 내려치기 palgup-naeryeo-chigi ) is an intermediate technique of striking from a higher level to a lower level with the elbow ( 팔굽 palgup ) in a vertical direction. Strikes that go from high to low like hammer fists, downwards elbows, and stomp kicks see their force enhanced by gravity. Read more »
Related Articles
Taekwondo hand strikes are performed as a close distance alternative to kicks ( 차기 chagi ). Various surfaces of the hand may be engaged as the striking surface depending on which area of the opponents body is being targeted. This leads to a large array of hand positions. They are executed in a number of ways - from standing, jumping, spinning and rushing forwards. Hand strikes make up fast combinations of strikes which can leave an opponent stunned and unable to defend himself. Taekwondo also makes use of reverse, front and downward elbow strikes. View Taekwondo Strikes »
Risk of injury can be reduced by completing an effective warm up consisting of a heart raiser to get your pulse up, followed by sport specific dynamic stretches (stretches whilst moving). Please follow the guidance of a certified Master Instructor or trainer when doing sports related activities. Depending on the intensity of the exercise, cooling down can involve a slow jog or walk, or with lower intensities, stretching can be used. Cooling down allows the heart rate to return to its resting rate. View more information on Warming Up and Cooling Down ».
