Kyorugi
겨루기
Italicized text following the Hangul is the approximate phonetic pronunciation.
Kyorugi
Competitive Fighting
겨루기
“K’yuh-Roo-Gee”
A catch all term used for sparring, regardless of the rule set.
Olympic Sparring
Ollimpik Kyorugi
올림픽 겨루기
“Ohl-Lihm-Pihk K’yuh-Roo-Gee”
Official sport of the Summer Olympic Games. The rule set used focuses on scoring with dynamic and exciting kicking techniques to the body and face as well as punches to the body of an opponent.
Open Sparring
Jayu Kyorugi
자유 겨루기
“Jah-Yoo K’yuh-Roo-Gee”
TKD based sparring using a rule set that allows for more freedom of technique use than the Olympic style. There is currently no centralized federation or rule set for this style of Taekwondo, however there are now some independent organizations appearing.
Hogu
Chest Protector
호구
“Hoh-Goo”
A protector worn over the trunk of the body during sparring practice and Olympic competition.
Kyeorumsae
Fighting Posture
겨룸새
“K’yuh-Room-Seyh”
There are many different types of fighting stances with a range of guard positions, weight distributions, foot alignment, etc.
Some guard positions include:
High Guard
Middle Guard
Low Guard
“No” Guard
Long Guard
Cross Guard aka Crab Guard
Reverse Cross Guard
Philly Shell
Peek-a-Boo Guard
Eotseogi Jase
Closed Stance
엇서기 자세
“Uht-Suh-Gee Jah-Say”
When two sparring opponents have their chests facing opposite directions.
Matseogi Jase
Open Stance
맏서기 자세
“Maht-Suh-Gee Jah-Say”
When two sparring opponents have their chests facing the same direction.
Peikeu Mosyeon
Fake Motion (Feint)
페이크 모션
”Pay-Ee-Koo Moh-Shuhn”
Techniques used to misdirect an opponent.
Front Foot Feint
Ap Bal Peikeu
앞 발 페이크Back Foot Feint
Dwit Bal Peikeu
뒷 발 페이크
Cancel / Check / Clash
Cha Bada Makgi
차 받아 막기
"Chah Bahd-Ah Mahk-Gee"
Lifting the front leg with the shin held horizontally in order to disrupt the opponent’s attack.
Clinch
Keullinchi
클린치
"Kool-Lihn-Chee"
The fighting range where both opponents engage in upper body wrestling.
Cheong
Blue
청
“Chuhng”
The fighter wearing a blue hogu.
Hong
Red
홍
“Hohng”
The fighter wearing a red hogu.
Gamjeom
Penalty
감점
“Gahm-Juhm”
When a fighter commits a prohibited act during a match the referee will issue them a penalty, rewarding the opposing fighter with 1 point. Too many penalties will result in a disqualification.
Seung
Winner
승
“Soong”
The referee will declare who has won the match.
Charyeot
Attention
차렷
“Chah-L’yuht”
Stand tall in a Closed Stance / Moa Seogi with your fists held to your sides.
Gyeonglye
Bow
경례
“G’yuhng-L’yay”
Pay respect to your opponent and their coach by bowing at the waist by lowering yourself approximately 45°. Bowing must be done at the beginning and end of a match, and is optional between rounds.
Junbi
Ready
준비
“Joon-Bee”
When the referee calls “junbi” both fighters will adopt their sparring posture with a loud kihap.
Sijak
Start
시작
“Shee-Jahg”
The referee will say this at the beginning of a new round.
Gong-Gyeog
Fight
공격
“Gohng-G’yuhg”
The referee will say this while making a hand signal if one or both fighters have not engaged within 3 seconds of the previous fighting exchange. A further 3 seconds of inactivity after the command will result in a gam-jeom (penalty).
Prior to 2023 referees would say “Fight!” in English while giving the associated hand signal, but it has since changed over to being said in Korean.
Kallyeo
Break (Separate)
갈려
“Kahl-L’yuh”
When the referee would like the fighters to break apart. The referee may issue a penalty before calling for the match to resume.
Kyesok
Continue
계속
“G’yay-Sohg”
The referee will say this to have the match resume after it has been paused.
Keuman
Stop
그만
“Koo-Mahn”
The referee will say this at the end of a round.
Kyeshi
Time Out
계시
“K’yay-Shee”
When the match must be paused for a technical issue.
Shigan
Injury Time Out
시간
“Shee-Gahn”
When the match must be paused due to a medical issue.
Helmet
Meoli Bohodae
머리 보호대
“Muh-Lee Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn on the head.
Mouth Guard
Ip Bohodae
입 보호대
“Eep Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn over the teeth.
Forearm Guards
Pal Bohodae
팔 보호대
“Pahl Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn on the forearms.
Hand Guards (Gloves)
Son Bohodae
손 보호대
“Sohn Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn on the hands.
Groin Protector
Nagsim Bohodae
낭심 보호대
“Nahng-Shim Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn over the groin.
Shin Guards
Dali Bohodae
다리 보호대
“Dah-Lee Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn over the shins.
Foot Guards
Bal Bohodae
발 보호대
“Bahl Boh-Hoh-Deyh”
Protective equipment worn on the feet, including e-socks for PSS kyorugi.
Olympic TKD Kyorugi Scoring
1 Point: Punch (Body)
2 Points: Kick (Body)
3 Points: Kick (Head)
4 Points: Spinning Kick (Body)
5 Points: Spinning Kick (Head)
Permissible Olympic Kyorugi Techniques
Head Kicks: ✓
Head Punches: X
Body Kicks: ✓
Body Punches: ✓
Pushing: ✓
Elbow Strikes: X
Low Kicks: X
Knee Strikes: X
Clinching: ✓
Trips, Throws & Takedowns: X
Permissible Open Kyorugi Techniques
Head Kicks: ✓
Head Punches: ✓
Body Kicks: ✓
Body Punches: ✓
Pushing: ✓
Elbow Strikes: ✓
Low Kicks: ✓
Knee Strikes: ✓
Clinching: ✓
Trips, Throws & Takedowns: ✓
Open Sparring Techniques Allowed
• All punching techniques executed with a closed fist to the front and sides of the head, the torso, and the legs.
• All striking techniques using the hands (Knife Hand, Ridge Hand, Back Fist, Hammer Fist) to the front and sides of the head.
• All elbow strikes to the sides of the head (requires elbow pads) and the torso.
• All kneeing techniques to the torso and the legs.
• All kicking techniques to the front and sides of the head, the torso, and the legs (excluding the knees)
• All takedown, sweeping, reaping and throwing techniques (other than those listed below).
• Clinching with the intent to immediately attack afterward. Cannot strike more than 2 times per grab.
• Pushing with the intent to immediately attack afterward.
• Kick catching with the intent to immediately attack afterward.
Open Sparring Techniques Not Allowed
• Attacking a grounded opponent.
• Attacking the eyes, throat, neck, spine, groin, knees or the back of the head.
• Single or Double Leg Takedowns without first catching the opponent's kick.
• Clinching or grabbing for any reason other than to immediately execute a legal attack.
• Suplexes or any other throwing techniques over the head.
• Throwing or spiking the opponent intentionally on their head or neck.
