Grappling Techniques
Ssileum Kisul - 씨름 기술

When most people think of grappling they rightfully think of Wrestling, Judo, or Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu. Kukkiwon Taekwondo does possess a limited set of techniques intended to deal with an opponent once the striking range has been closed however it is vastly underdeveloped due to the rules favoured in competition and the general focus of the average dojang.

Taekwondo Poomsae in fact mostly feature grappling techniques and positions and the majority of movements should be interpreted as being for clinch range non-consensual violence. Over time the emphasis of TKD has completely changed from close range self-defense to a distance striking sport, so the vast majority of Taekwondoin are understandably not skilled in this area of fighting unless they cross-train in another reality based, pressure tested grappling focused martial art.

It is important to understand that while these techniques exist in Kukki TKD if they are not trained and drilled regularly with the chance to try them in a pressure testing situation they should not be considered as an applicable ability in one’s skill set.

 

Grab
Japgi
잡기

“Jahp-Gee”

Holding an opponent in place to deliver a strike.

Wrist Grab
Sonmok Japgi

손목 잡기
“Sohn-Mohk Jahp-Gee”

Holding an opponent’s wrist in order to control their arm before delivering a strike or a joint lock.

Ankle Grab
Balmok Japgi

발목 잡기
“Bahl-Mohk Jahp-Gee”

Holding an opponent’s ankle after catching their kick before delivering a strike or a takedown.

Head Grab
Meori Japgi

머리 잡기
“Muh-Ree Jahp-Gee”

Holding an opponent’s head before delivering a strike.

Shoulder Grab
Eokkae Japgi

어깨 잡기
“Uh-Keyh Jahp-Gee”

Holding an opponent’s shoulder or sleeve prior to delivering a strike or a takedown.

Neck Grab
Mok Japgi

목 잡기
“Mohk Jahp-Gee”

Holding an opponent’s throat before delivering a strike or a takedown.

Arm Drag
Palkkeulgi

팔끌기
”Pahl-Kool-Gee”

A grappling technique which pulls on the back of an opponent’s triceps while directing their wrist on the same arm across their body.

Double Wrist Lock
Kimura

기무라
”Kee-Moo-Rah”

A medial key lock. From any one of several positions, use both arms to entangle one of your opponent’s arms while twisting it to the outside or inside to control their elbow.

Also known as the Figure Four Arm Lock, the Americana or the 腕緘 Ude Garami.

When called a Kimura it is done so in honour of 木村 政彦 Masahiko Kimura (1917 - 1993), a Japanese Judoka who famously broke Hélio Gracie’s arm with the technique during a challenge match in 1949.'

A staple of self-defense technique.

Overhook
Obeohuk

오버훅
”Oh-Buh-Hook”

English loan word. Securing an opponent by wrapping one’s arm over top of theirs.

Underhook
Eondeohuk

언더훅
”Uhn-Duh-Hook”

English loan word. Securing an opponent by wrapping one’s arm underneath theirs.

Collar Tie
Keolleotai

컬러타이
”Kuhl-Luh-Tah-Ee”

English loan word. Securing an opponent by pressing your forearm to their collarbone while grabbing their trapezius muscle, neck or head.

  • Single Collar Tie
    Sing-Geul Keolleotai / 싱글 컬러타이

  • Double Collar Tie
    Deo-Beul Keolleotai / 더블 컬러타이

Choke / Strangle
Joreugi

조르기
“Joh-Roo-Gee”

Techniques used to restrict the air and/or blood flow of an opponent.

Joint Lock
Kkeokgi

꺾기
“Kuhk-Gee”

A series of techniques meant to disable an opponent by twisting, snapping, or breaking bones and/or joints by proper use of leverage.

Throw
Neomgigi

넘기기
“Nuhm-Gee-Gee”

Techniques which are used to throw, trip, sweep and reap the opponent off balance and generally onto the ground.

Techniques which sweep or trip the opponent’s leg are 걸어 넘기기 Georeo Neomgigi and techniques which pick the opponent up are 들어 넘기기 Deureo Neomgigi.

Breakfall
Nagbeob

낙법
“Nahg-buhb”

Techniques used to reduce damage from falling or being thrown.

Push
Milgi

밀기
“Meel-Gee”

Techniques for pushing an opponent.

Pull
Ppaegi

빼기
“Peyh-Gee”

Techniques for pulling an opponent.