Taekwondo 태권도Taekwondo Preschool

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 »

Middle Punch

몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi

Difficulty Level: Beginner Technique: Strikes ( 지르기 jireugi )

Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi ) is a fist strike commonly originating from a chambered position aimed at the mid-section such as the chest ( 가슴 gaseum ), sternum ( 흉골 hyung-gol ), abdomen ( 복부 bogbu ), and ribs ( 늑골 neuggol ) area. Strikes should generally be thrown with some measure of shifting body weight supporting the blow, as opposed to just the striking with the fist.

A fist is an action where a hand ( 손 son ) has the fingers curled into the palm ( 손바닥 sonbadak ) and the thumb retracted, displaying the knuckles. The wrist ( 팔목 palmok ) must also be kept in proper alignment during a fist strike. If the wrist ( 팔목 palmok ) bends on impact, it can easily be sprained, dislocated or broken. Fighters tape their wrists ( 팔목 palmok ) to reduce wrist flex.

The strike ( 지르기 jireugi ) is performed commonly in sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ), patterns ( 품새 poomse ), breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ), self-defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ), one-step sparring, and demonstrations. The Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi ) is a technique that a practitioner should practice often and master. Practice is the act of rehearsing a behavior over and over, or engaging in an activity again and again, for the purpose of improving or mastering it, as in the phrase 'practice makes perfect'.

The human hand is made up of many small bones which may be damaged by heavy impact. If a hard part of the opponent's body or other hard object is inadvertently struck, the metacarpals may splay on impact and break. Fighters tape their hands so as to hold the metacarpals together and keep them from splaying. One can toughen one's bones by striking objects to induce osteoclasts (cells which remove bone) and osteoblasts (which form bone) to remodel the bone over the struck area increasing the density of bone at the striking surface.

Fight 100% says "more than 90% of the people actually don't know how to make a fist correctly", and adds that correct formation means the user "won't break [their] hand", "won't strain their wrist", will "be able to launch very powerful punches", and "be able to knock someone out in one punch". The act of creating a fist is known as "making a fist" or "clenching a fist".

Strikes should aim for a point 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) behind the target surface, to impart the most energy into the target. The striker in combat should attempt to strike through the target area, not just contact the surface. Strikers generally exhale as the strike nears the target. Breath control is also important to relax the body when not attacking; novice strikers often waste significant energy because they are tense at inappropriate times.

Variations

Training Methods

How well one improves with training depends on several factors, such as the frequency it is engaged in, and the type of feedback that is available for improvement. If a student does not train often enough, reinforcement fades, and he or she is likely to forget what was learned.

During training, taekwondo practitioners may use various equipment and gear for practicing the strike. Taekwondo extensively uses the heavy bag for developing power and endurance. Powerful strikes to the heavy bag aren't recommended for inexperienced, or younger athletes, as risk of sprain, strain, or bone plate damage may adversely affect bone structures. It is highly recommended to carefully focus strikes to reduce chance of injury.

The strike is best learned initially striking at the air as though there is an opponent but focusing on the form, speed, and technique; then moving on to soft surfaces striking punch mitts and target pads. Large heavy bags are used more for strength and endurance, while smaller targets such as punch mitts and target pads focus on faster hand speed, timing and coordination. Target pads are useful for training mobility and accuracy on a moving target.

Also a chest protector ( 호구 hogu ) worn by a partner can be used as a stationary or moving target which is useful for getting the feel of impacting the opponent. The chest protector ( 호구 hogu ) is the armor worn by practitioners of taekwondo during sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ).

In preparation for full contact sparring, students may be required to wait a few months, for safety reasons, because they must first build the skills they would ideally employ in their sparring practice. Some schools restrict the amount of force that may be used to hit an opponent, by allowing 'light contact' during sparring. Light contact allows a student to hit an opponent getting the feel of impacting the opponent but with controlled force and not full power. Light contact sparring is a good method to practice the technique.

Difficulty of Technique

Taekwondo students of geup ranking learn the most basic techniques first, and then move on to more advanced and difficult techniques as they approach 1st Dan Black Belt. The more difficult the technique, the more practice may be needed for the purpose of improving or mastering it, as in the phrase 'practice makes perfect'. Every technique must display the requisite speed, balance, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defense move.

50% Difficulty

Up to 70% Difficulty

* Please see a certified Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) for training. Proper guidance and instructions are needed to ensure safe training.

Promotion Tests

Students often undergo periodic testing and grading by their own Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) in order to advance to a higher level of recognized achievement such as a different belt color. They need to demonstrate their proficiency in the various aspects of the art such as the execution of patterns ( 품새 poomse ), which combine various techniques in specific sequences.

Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi ) is a requirement for the below belt levels (Techniques vary between schools). Promotion from one belt level to the next can proceed rapidly in some schools, since schools often allow geup promotions every two, three, or four months. Students of geup rank learn the most basic techniques first, and then move on to more advanced techniques as they approach first dan black belt. View Promotion Tests »

Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi )

Striking Surface

Various surfaces of the hand may be engaged as the striking surface depending on which area of the opponents body which is being targeted. This leads to a large array of hand positions. For more information on Impact Surface Areas »

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Suitable Targets

Experienced strikers learn through repetition and muscle memory when (not just how) to launch particular strikes, based on the circumstances they are facing. Focus helps in achieving proper penetration and in maximizing the damage at the point of impact to the area of the opponents body which is being targeted. For more information on Impact Surface Areas »

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Technique Injuries

Collisions with the ground, objects, and other taekwondo practitioners are common, and unexpected dynamic forces on limbs and joints can cause injury. Taekwondo injuries can also occur in techniques if done improperly or from overuse of a particular body part. Taking a break from training or reducing the volume and the intensity of the training will allow the body to recover. For more information on Injuries »

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Common Mistakes when Performing the Technique

When performing the technique, there will be more mistakes as a beginner and as the practitioner advances through the rankings, they will have learned and improved from the past. How well one improves with training depends on several factors, such as the frequency it is engaged in, and the type of feedback that is available for improvement.

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Some Combination Techniques after the Strike

After striking with the technique, the taekwondo practitioner may immediately combination strike again to the opponent with a kick ( 차기 chagi ) or punch ( 지르기 jireugi ). When the opponent is being attacked, they may be vulnerable recovering from the initial blow, strategic positioning by the attacker to gain advantage, imbalance by defender, and many more factors. Practitioners may combine techniques in a series to ensure one or more strikes impact their opponents.

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Some Stance(s) ( 서기 sogi ) used with the Strike

An example of the union of mental and physical discipline is the combination of stance ( 서기 sogi ), footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ), and technique (either with kick, block and/or strike), which requires both physical mastery of the technique and the concentration to focus one's power. Experienced practitioners learn through repetition and muscle memory when (not just how) to launch particular techniques, based on the circumstances they are facing.

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Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi )

Use in Sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi )

Under World Taekwondo (WT) and Olympic rules, sparring is a full-contact event and takes place between two competitors in an area measuring 8 meters square. A win can occur by points, or if one competitor is unable to continue (knockout) the other competitor wins. Points are awarded for permitted, accurate, and powerful techniques to the legal scoring areas; light contact does not score any points. For more information on World Taekwondo (WT) Tournament Sparring »

It is common to see the strike in taekwondo tournament sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ). This attacking method is linear and direct, striking the opponent with speed and efficiency while allowing one to get close and attack with more combinations.

Since sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) situations are fluid, understanding the tradeoff between power, balance, speed, and footwork, is important in making the appropriate decisions to adjust to each moment is key. Students must learn how to deal with a fast, powerful, and determined attacker. It forces the student to improvise, to think under pressure, and to keep their emotions under control.

Practitioners can perform the punch ( 지르기 jireugi ) to strike the chest protector ( 호구 hogu ) area. The chest protector ( 호구 hogu ) is the most common scoring area in taekwondo sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ). The blue or red colored area of the body protector is the scoring targets. The idea would be to rotate the hip as well as the leg during the punch ( 지르기 jireugi ) in order to take advantage of the hip's additional mass in terms of providing power to the punch ( 지르기 jireugi ).

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Use in Self-Defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) Applications

Self-Defense is to protect yourself from being attacked from would-be aggressors. It is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm and is designed primarily to cause injury or quickly incapacitate an attacker, in addition to being a deterrent against them. Attackers are typically larger, stronger, and are often armed or have an accomplice. With proper execution attackers may be incapacitated with a single blow, which lessens the number of attacks with multiple people. For more information on Self-Defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) »

Each technique must be correctly timed and aligned in order to defend effectively. Practitioners must have their body weight correctly distributed during the stance ( 서기 sogi ) including proper footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ). The strike is commonly performed during Self-Defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) scenarios.

If the taekwondo practitioner side steps ( 옆딛기 yeop-ditgi ) or does a turning step ( 돌아딛기 dora-ditgi ) during combat, the strike ( 지르기 jireugi ) can provide dominant angle of attack by achieving a positional advantage relative to your opponent. Some attackers move and strike in linear fashion and the Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi ) will throw them off when the strike ( 지르기 jireugi ) is least expected from the side. Deploying effective footwork ( 딛기 ditgi ) involves keeping balance, closing or furthering the distance, controlling positioning, and creating additional momentum for strikes.

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The self-defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) applications would be difficult to score in sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) as they are designed primarily to cause injury or quickly incapacitate an adversary. Suitable targets for self-defense are less restrictive than sparring competitions and offers more areas to strike the opponent. An illegal technique in sparring competitions could lead to a penalty ( 감점 gamjeom ) or warning ( 경 고 gyeong-go ) but not in self-defense.

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Use in One-Step Sparring

One-Step Sparring is performed with a partner in which predefined movements are practiced. One student is the attacker while the other student responds with defenses, counterattacks, and/or other actions, based on part of the predefined movements. For more information on One-Step Sparring »

The strike is commonly featured during One-Step Sparring practice. Fundamentally, taekwondo One-Step Sparring is one of the learning grounds for real combat. As such, every technique including stance ( 서기 sogi ) must display the requisite speed, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defense move. One-Step Sparring varies between schools.

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Use in Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa )

The discipline of destroying inanimate objects such as wooden boards, baseball bats, ice blocks or cement bricks and is a feature common to martial arts including taekwondo. A single board or stack of boards may be broken or, alternatively, a series of boards may be broken in a pre-set sequence utilizing a variety of strikes. Advanced competitors may even break several boards in a single jump with multiple kicks before landing. For more information on Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ) »

In use, the strike is featured during Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ) events. General qualities that judges look for in any taekwondo practitioner include proper breathing technique and body control. The diaphragm must be engaged in deep breathing, shallow breathing concentrated in the upper abdomen results in raised shoulders and stressed muscles. Breaking ( 격파 gyeokpa ) varies between schools.

Advanced students break several wooden boards placed next to each other when demonstrating the strike. As time goes on, the taekwondo student's hands and bones become accustomed to breaking boards - repeated practice hardens bones, skin and tendons. Starting with coloured belts taekwondo students must learn breaking. As they progress through the ranks, the breaks they perform increase in difficulty as do the number of boards.

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Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi )

Use in Patterns ( 품새 poomse )

Strike is introduced in the following patterns:

BASIC PATTERN: Basic #1

TAEGEUK #: 1 2 3 4 6 8

PALGWE #: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

BLACK BELT: Koryo 품새 고려 ( 1st Dan ) Taebaek 품새 태백 ( 3rd Dan )

Poomse is the foundation for the teaching of taekwondo. A poomse or form is a detailed pattern of defense-and-attack motions and techniques used in traditional martial arts. Poomse is useful in developing proper kinetics, mental and physical fortitude.

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Most Kukkiwon 국기원 schools will use the poomse taegeuk whereas a few schools will use the poomse palgwe. The meanings, trigrams and symbols are shared by both poomse taegeuk and poomse palgwe, however the sequence of movements is different. The first 8 forms of the set of poomse differ from each other, whereas the last 9 forms (Black Belt forms) of the set are shared between the two sets. All students studying in World Taekwondo (WT) Kukkiwon style must learn these forms, or taegeuk, to advance to a higher belt level. There are eight taegeuk forms, each one similar to the previous one, but each time with more complicated techniques to display the students' mastery of the techniques learned during lessons, as well as the ability to interconnect these techniques.

For more information on taekwondo patterns refer to Poomse 품새 Section »

Learn other taekwondo strikes on the Main Strikes Section »

Use in Demonstrations

To promote taekwondo for its emphasis on high kicking and fast hand techniques, taekwondo schools perform at tournaments, community events, shopping malls, parks, and tv shows. Demonstrations vary from school to school, but may include such elements as the execution of poomse ( 품새 poomse ), which combine various techniques in specific sequences; the breaking of boards to demonstrate the ability to use techniques with both power and control; sparring ( 겨루기 gyeorugi ) and self-defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) to demonstrate the practical application and control of techniques; physical fitness usually with push-ups and sit-ups. For more information on Demonstrations »

The strike is commonly used in demonstration activities such as when performing poomse ( 품새 poomse ) which is the foundation for the teaching of taekwondo. A poomse ( 품새 poomse ) is a series of movements linked together in a prescribed sequence which is significant to demonstrate. As such, every technique must display the requisite speed, power and firmness to be realistically used as an attack or defense move.

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Use in Warming-Up

A warm-up generally consists of a gradual increase in intensity in physical activity, joint mobility exercise, and stretching, followed by the activity. Warming-up brings the body to a condition at which it safely responds to nerve signals for quick and efficient action. For more information on Warming-Up »

In addition to being a strike in itself, the strike is an exercise used by many instructors to teach the principle of focusing, stretching, relaxing the muscles, increasing the range of motion and flexibility, something which is considered important in taekwondo. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion.

Dynamic stretching increases range of movement, blood and oxygen flow to soft tissues prior to exertion. Increasingly coaches and sports trainers are aware of the role in dynamic stretching in improving performance and reducing the risk of injury. Dynamic stretching works by the practitioner gently propelling their muscles towards their maximum range of motion.

In general, the practitioner wants to move (stretch) the muscle in a similar way that they are going to move them in a workout. For example a taekwondo practitioner who wants to stretch a hamstring ( 햄스트링 haemseuteuling ) for a kick ( 차기 chagi ) may swing a straight leg forward to gradually increase the height they can obtain. Doing light kicks, with little explosive acceleration, while gradually increasing height, could also be considered a dynamic stretch. For more information on Dynamic Stretching »

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).

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Middle Punch ( 몸통 지르기 momtong-jireugi )

Training Highlights Summary

The Strike contains many key point highlights. There are some that are simple and straightforward but then some are complex and detailed that require repeated training to learn and master.

strike commonly originating from a chambered position aimed at the mid-section
suitable targets are the chest ( 가슴 gaseum ), sternum ( 흉골 hyung-gol ), abdomen ( 복부 bogbu ), and/or ribs ( 늑골 neuggol ) area
wrist must also be kept in proper alignment during a fist strike
strikers generally exhale as the strike nears the target

Strength Requirement of the Technique

Most strikes should generally be thrown with some measure of shifting body weight supporting the blow. The striker in combat should attempt to strike through the target area, not just contact the surface. Some strikes do not need as much strength as they target vulnerable areas such as the eyes ( 눈 nun ), neck ( 목 mok ) or sternum ( 흉골 hyung-gol ). The below is an approximate measurement of how much strength the strike requires from the practitioner to be effective.

70% Strength

Up to 100% Strength

Precision of Striking Technique

With proper execution opponents may be incapacitated with a single striking blow, which lessens the number of further strikes. Some techniques can strike with more precision which will often cripple or knockout the opponent. The below is an approximate measurement of how precise the strike requires from the practitioner to be effective.

75% Precision

Experienced practitioners learn through repetition and muscle memory when (not just how) to launch particular strikes, based on the circumstances they are facing.

* Please see a certified Master Instructor ( 사범님 sabeomnim ) for training. Proper guidance and instructions are needed to ensure safe training.

Quiz

Question. In what year was the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) officially established?

The World Taekwondo Federation is the International Federation [IF] governing the sport of Taekwondo and is a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations [ASOIF]. The WTF was established at its inaugural meeting held at the Kukkiwon ( 국기원 ) with participation of 35 representatives from the world and until this day there is a total of 205 Member Nations. The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has renamed itself to World Taekwondo (WT) in 2017.

Question. What is the name of Taegeuk #3 in Korean?

Taegeuk 태극 (in World Taekwondo (WT)) refers to a set of poomse 품새 used to create a foundation for the teaching of taekwondo. A poomse or form is a detailed pattern of defense-and-attack motions and techniques used in traditional martial arts. Each taegeuk form symbolizes a specific state thought to be indicative of the belt the student currently holds, and is represented in World Taekwondo (WT) by trigrams similar to those found in the four corners of the South Korean flag.

Question. What is the korean terminology for Front Stance?

Front Stance is a precursor of the fighting stance ( 겨루기준비 gyeorugi-junbi ) according to some martial arts authors. Body should be relaxed in this stance ( 서기 sogi ) when performed in patterns ( 품새 poomse ) and self-defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ). Although the specifics of the stance vary by style, overall it is visually similar to a lunge, with the forward leg bent at the knee, and the rear leg straight, while the hips and shoulders remain squarely facing forward.

Additional Resources

Taekwondo Strikes ( 지르기 jireugi )

This book is available for download with Apple Books on your Mac or iOS device, and with iTunes on your computer. Book can be read with Apple Books on your Mac or iOS device.

Taekwondo hand strikes are performed as a close distance alternative to kicks ( 차기 chagi ). 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 most commonly in self defense ( 호신술 hosinsool ) applications. Muscles should only be tensed at the moment of imaginary impact in order to commute maximum power to any individual taekwondo technique.
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TAEKWONDO STRIKES
	Hangul 한글	Korean	Belt Requirement	Difficulty Level	Tutorial
Fist Punch	주먹 지르기	jumeok-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Middle Punch	몸통 지르기	momtong-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Front Hand Middle Punch	몸통 반대 지르기	momtong-bandae-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Low Punch	아래 지르기	arae-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
High Punch	올려 지르기	olgul-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Rear Hand Middle Punch	몸통 바로 지르기	momtong-baro-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Double Punch	몸통 두번 지르기	dubeon-jireugi		Beginner Level	Tutorial »
Knife Hand Inward Strike	손날 안치기	sonnal-an-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Lift Punch	치지르기	chi-jireugi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Back Knuckle Forward Strike	등주먹 앞치기	deung-jumeok-ap-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Downward Punch	내려지르기	naeryeo-jireugi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Swallow Hand Blade Inward Strike	제비품 손날 안치기	jebipoom-sonnal-an-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Spearhand Vertical Thrust	편손끝 세워찌르기	pyeonsonkkeut-sewo-jjireugi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Supporting Vertical Thrust	거들어 세워찌르기	kodureo-sewo-jjireugi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Elbow Turning Strike	팔굽 돌려치기	palgup-dollyeo-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Elbow Target Strike	팔굽 표적치기	palgup-pyojeok-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Hammer Fist Strike	메주먹 치기	mejumeok-chigi		Intermediate Level
Hammer Fist Downward Strike	메주먹 내려치기	mejumeok-naeryeo-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Hammer Fist Outward Strike	메주먹 바깥치기	mejumeok-bakkat-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Vertical Punch	세워지르기	sewo-jireugi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Turning Punch	돌려지르기	dollyeo-jireugi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Outward Back Fist	등주먹 바깥치기	deung-jumeok-bakkat-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Hand Blade Outward Strike	손날 바깥치기	sonnal-olgul-bakkat-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Hand Blade Side Strike	손날 옆치기	sonnal-yeop-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Elbow Rear Strike	팔굽 뒤치기	palgup-dwi-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Elbow Downward Strike	팔굽 내려치기	palgup-naeryeo-chigi		Intermediate Level	Tutorial »
Side Punch	옆지르기	yeop-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Turn Over Punch	젖혀지르기	jeocheo-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Fist Turn-over Punch	주먹 젖혀지르기	jumeok jeocheo-jireugi		Advanced Level
Double-Fist Turn-over Punch	두주먹 젖혀지르기	dujumeok jeocheo-jireugi		Advanced Level
Downward Chop	내려찍기	naeryeo-chigi		Advanced Level
Inward Chop	안찍기	an-chigi		Advanced Level
Forward Chop	앞찍기	ap-chigi		Advanced Level
'C' Shape Punch	‘ㄷ’ 자지르기	digeutja-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Pulling and Punching	당겨지르기	danggyeo-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Target Punch	표적지르기	pyojeok-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Palm Heel Forward Strike	바탕손 앞치기	batangson-ap-chigi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Swallow Palm Heel Front Strike	제비품 바탕손 앞치기	jebipoom-batangson-ap-chigi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Extended Knuckle Fist	밤주먹 지르기	bamjumeok-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Extended Knuckle Fist Turn-over Punch	밤주먹 젖혀지르기	bamjumeok-jeocheo-jireugi		Advanced Level
Bent Wrist Upward Strike	굽힌손목 올려치기	gupinsonmok-ollyeo-chigi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Pincer Hand Strike	집게주먹 지르기	jipge-jumeok-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Scissors Fingertip Thrust	가위손끝 찌르기	kawisonkkeut-jjireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Flat Fingertips Horizontal Strike	편손끝 엎어찌르기	pyeonsonkkeut-eopeo-jjireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Single Fingertip Vertical Thrust	한손끝 세워찌르기	hansonkkeut-sewo-jjireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Combined Two Fingertips Vertical Thrust	모은두손끝 세워찌르기	moeundusonkkeut-sewo-jjireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Combined Three Fingertips Vertical Thrust	모은세손끝 세워찌르기	moeunsesonkkeut-sewo-jjireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Ridgehand Inward Strike	손날등 안치기	sonnal-deung-an-chigi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Ridgehand Downward Strike	손날등 내려치기	sonnal-deung-naeryeo-chigi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Fork Punch	쳇다리지르기	chetdar-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Keumgang Punch	금강지르기	keumgang-jireugi		Advanced Level	Tutorial »
Keumgang Forward Punch	금강 앞지르기	keumgang-ap-jireugi		Advanced Level
Keumgang Side Punch	금강 옆지르기	keumgang-yeop-jireugi		Advanced Level

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. For more information View Taekwondo Strikes »