Punching Techniques
Jireugi Kisul - 지르기 기술
Jab Punch / Jaeb Jireugi / 잽 지르기
Straight Punch / Ap Jireugi / 앞 지르기
Lead Hook Punch / Ap Son Dollyeo Jireugi / 앞 손 돌려 지르기
Rear Hook Punch / Dwit Son Dollyeo Jireugi / 뒷 손 돌려 지르기
Lead Uppercut / Ap Son Ollyeo Jireugi / 앞 손 올려 지르기
Rear Uppercut / Dwit Son Ollyeo Jireugi / 뒷 손 올려 지르기
Lead Turn Over Punch / Ap Son Jeojhyeo Jireugi / 앞 손 젖혀 지르기
Rear Turn Over Punch / Dwit Son Jeojhyeo Jireugi / 뒷 손 젖혀 지르기
Lead Twist Punch / Ap Son Biteureo Jireugi / 앞 손 비틀어 지르기
Rear Twist Punch / Dwit Son Biteureo Jireugi / 뒷 손 비틀어 지르기
Lead Twist Hook Punch / Ap Son Biteureo Dollyeo Jireugi / 앞 손 비틀어 돌려 지르기
Rear Twist Hook Punch / Dwit Son Biteureo Dollyeo Jireugi / 뒷 손 비틀어 돌려 지르기
Superman Jab / Syupeomaen Jaeb / 슈퍼맨 잽
Superman Punch / Syupeomaen Peonchi / 슈퍼맨 펀치
Punching In Taekwondo
These punches have always existed in both Kukkiwon as well as Chang-Heon style Taekwondo. People often look at patterns or Olympic style sparring and assume that these strikes are not a part of TKD but this is a misconception.
Jack Dempsey (Boxing World Heavyweight Champion from 1919 - 1926) divided the skill of punching into two parts:
Setting your weight into motion
Relaying your weight to a desired point
Setting your weight into motion can be accomplished by combining at least two of the following four methods:
Falling forward
Springing forward
Torso rotation + weight shifting
Surging upward
Jab
Jaeb Jireugi
잽 지르기
”Jehyb Jee-Roo-Gee”
The front fist travels directly to the target without any sort of preparatory movement. Also called 앞 손 앞 지르기 Ap Son Ap Jireugi / Lead Straight Punch.
Called Choku Tsuki 直突き in Shotokan Karate.
Basic Punch 1
Straight Punch
Ap Jireugi
앞 지르기
”Ahp Jee-Roo-Gee”
The rear fist travels directly to the target without any sort of preparatory movement. Also called 뒷 손 앞 지르기 Dwit Son Ap Jireugi / Rear Straight Punch.
Called Choku Tsuki 直突き in Shotokan Karate.
Basic Punch 2
Lead Hook Punch
Ap Son Dollyeo Jireugi
앞 손 돌려 지르기
“Ahp Sohn Dohl-Leeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
The front fist travels in an arc toward the target by pivoting the foot on the same side, with the fist being vertical for a close range strike and horizontal for a long range strike.
Called Mawashi Tsuki 回し突き in Shotokan Karate.
Basic Punch 3
Rear Hook Punch
Dwit Son Dollyeo Jireugi
뒷 손 돌려 지르기
“Dweet Sohn Dohl-Leeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
The rear fist travels in an arc toward the target by pivoting the foot on the same side, with the fist being vertical for a close range strike and horizontal for a long range strike.
Called Mawashi Tsuki 回し突き in Shotokan Karate.
Basic Punch 4
Lead Uppercut
Ap Son Ollyeo Jireugi
앞 손 올려 지르기
“Ahp Sohn Ohl-Leeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
The front fist travels in a vertical line to attack the chin of a standing opponent or the solar plexus of one who is bent over.
Also known as 앞 치 지르기 Ap Chi Jireugi.
Called Age Tsuki 上げ突き in Shotokan Karate.
Basic Punch 5
Rear Uppercut
Dwit Son Ollyeo Jireugi
뒷 손 올려 지르기
“Dweet Sohn Ohl-Leeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
The rear fist travels in a vertical line to attack the chin of a standing opponent or the solar plexus of one who is bent over.
Also known as 뒷 치 지르기 Dwit Chi Jireugi.
Called Age Tsuki 上げ突き in Shotokan Karate
Basic Punch 6
Lead Turn Over Punch
Ap Son Jeojhyeo Jireugi
앞 손 젖혀 지르기
“Ahp Sohn Juhj-Heeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
Commonly misidentified as an Uppercut, it is in actuality closer related to a Straight Punch to the body, though delivered from a closer range. Also known as a Bolo Punch.
Jeojhyeo is sometimes written as Jeotyeo or Jeocheo.
Called Ura Tsuki 裏突き in Shotokan Karate.
Punch 7
Rear Turn Over Punch
Dwit Son Jeojhyeo Jireugi
뒤 손 젖혀 지르기
“Dweet Sohn Juhj-Heeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
Commonly misidentified as an Uppercut, it is in actuality closer related to a Straight Punch to the body, though delivered from a closer range. Also known as a Bolo Punch.
Jeojhyeo is sometimes written as Jeotyeo or Jeocheo.
Called Ura Tsuki 裏突き in Shotokan Karate.
Punch 8
Lead Twist Punch
Ap Son Biteureo Jireugi
앞 손 비틀어 지르기
“Ahp Sohn Bee-Tool-Uh Jee-Roo-Gee”
The front fist travels forward as in a Jab, however the entire arm twists so that the thumb is pointing down at the moment of impact with a slightly bent elbow, which points upward. Also known as a Corkscrew Punch.
Punch 9
Rear Twist Punch
Dwit Son Biteureo Jireugi
뒷 손 비틀어 지르기
“Dweet Sohn Bee-Tool-Uh Jee-Roo-Gee”
The rear fist travels forward as in a Jab, however the entire arm twists so that the thumb is pointing down at the moment of impact with a slightly bent elbow, which points upward. Also known as a Corkscrew Punch.
Punch 10
Each punch can have multiple interpretations, some of which aren’t actually punching techniques at all.
Poomsae indicates the intention the technique should be performed with while practicing patterns.
Kyorugi indicates the intention of the technique when it is used in consensual violence aka sparring.
Hoshinsul indicates the concept being applied when it is used in non-consensual violence aka self-defense.
Dang-Gineun Son
Pulling Hand
당기는 손
“Dahng-Gee-Noon Sohn”
The hand which is placed at the hip or solar plexus during a poomsae style technique.
Can also be called 당기 손 Danggi Son.
When taken as a practical idea, the pulling hand is always meant to have grabbed onto the other person in an attempt to:
disrupt their balance or posture
provide proprioceptive feedback
clear one of their limbs in order to make a path for offensive movements
This hand should never be interpreted as:
a “guard” posture
a method of power generation
a preparatory motion
"Hiki-Te – pulling hand, the moment you block the opponent's fist, you grab and pull his fist towards you. In doing so, you attack him. The fact that you pull him in towards you means that you are disabling your opponent from using his waza (technique) and making him lose balance. At the same time, the effectiveness of your fist increases; this is most important. It is even more effective if you can pull-in with a twisting motion rather than just pulling."
- Gichin Funakoshi, the Father Of Modern Karate
Forward Punch
Bandae Jireugi
반대 지르기
“Bahn-Deyh Jee-Roo-Gee”
Can be translated as “Same Side Punch”.
Called Oi Tsuki 追い突き in Shotokan Karate.
Poomsae: The rear fist pulls back to the hip chamber while the lead fist delivers a pulling style punch.
Kyorugi: The rear hand traps the opponent’s glove while punching with the lead hand.
Hoshinsul: The front fist punches while the rear hand grabs onto the aggressor to disrupt their balance or reposition one of their limbs to help facilitate the strike.
Reverse Punch
Baro Jireugi
바로 지르기
“Bah-Roh Jee-Roo-Gee”
Can be translated as “Opposite Side Punch”.
Called Gyaku Tsuki 逆突き in Shotokan Karate.
Poomsae: The lead fist pulls back to the hip chamber while the rear fist delivers a pulling style punch.
Kyorugi: The lead hand traps the opponent’s glove while punching with the rear hand.
Hoshinsul: The rear fist punches while the lead hand grabs onto the aggressor to disrupt their balance or reposition one of their limbs to help facilitate the strike.
Double Punch
Dubeon Jireugi
두번 지르기
“Doo-Buhn Jee-Roo-Gee”
Poomsae: A combination where a Forward Punch is followed by a Reverse Punch.
Kyorugi: A combination where a Jab Punch is followed by a Straight Punch.
Hoshinsul: A combination where a Jab Punch is followed by a Straight Punch.
Downward Punch
Naeryeo Jireugi
내려 지르기
“Neyh-Leeuh Jee-Roo-Gee”
Poomsae: The attacking fist travels downward while kneeling.
Kyorugi: The attacking fist arcs down toward the temple or jaw as the center of mass is dropped. Also called an Overhand Punch.
Hoshinsul: Attacking with straight punches while in Full Mount position.
Side Punch
Yeop Jireugi
옆 지르기
“Yuhp Jee-Roo-Gee”
Poomsae: A pulling style punch done from a stance where the body is oriented in a sideways posture (Riding Stance, Crane Stance, etc.).
Kyorugi: A long jab with the forward foot extended and the torso turned sideways.
Hoshinsul: A punch delivered to an adversary who is beside you in a scenario such as sitting on public transportation.
Vertical (Fist) Punch
Sewo Jireugi
세워 지르기
“Say-Woh Jee-Roo-Gee”
Called Tate Tsuki 立て突き in Shotokan Karate.
Poomsae: A punch delivered with the fist vertical rather than horizontal.
Kyorugi: A Jab or Straight Punch delivered with the fist vertical rather than horizontal, useful for splitting a tight high guard and reducing telegraphing.
Hoshinsul: A Jab or Straight Punch delivered with the fist vertical rather than horizontal, useful for splitting a tight high guard and reducing telegraphing.
Target Punch
Pyojeok Jireugi
표적 지르기
“Peeoh-Juhg Jee-Roo-Gee”
Poomsae: A pulling style punch in which one hand holds the target directly in the path of the attack.
Kyorugi: An attack in which one hand holds the back of the opponent’s head while punching their face.
Hoshinsul: An attack in which one hand holds the back of the opponent’s head while punching their face.
Diamond Punch
Keumgang Jireugi
금강 지르기
“Koom-Gahng Jee-Roo-Gee”
Poomsae: A simultaneous execution of an Upward Block and Forward Punch or Reverse Punch.
Kyorugi: A punch where one hand intercepts the attack while the other delivers a counter punch.
Hoshinsul: A technique where one arm applies upward force to the attacker’s throat or arm while the other delivers a strike.
Fork Punch
Chetdari Jireugi
쳇다리 지르기
“Chayt-Dah-Lee Jee-Roo-Gee”
Called Morote Tsuki 双手突き in Shotokan Karate, which translates to Double Fist Punch.
Poomsae: A punch where both fists travel simultaneously to the body of an opponent with the arms horizontally parallel to one another.
Kyorugi: A technique where the front arm sweeps the opponent over the front leg while the other assists in off balancing them.
Hoshinsul: A technique where the front arm sweeps the opponent over the front leg while the other assists in off balancing them.
Mountain Punch
Taesan Jireugi
태산 지르기
”Teyh-Sahn Jee-Roo-Gee”
Also known as ‘ㄷ’자 지르기 Digeutja Jireugi “Dee-Goot-Jah Jih-Roo-Gee”, named for the Hangul character ㄷ which makes the sound “d/t”.
Called Yama Tsuki 山突き in Shotokan Karate, which translates to Mountain Punch.
Poomsae: The simultaneous delivery of a High Forward Punch and a Turn Over Punch.
Kyorugi: A punch where one fist attacks the lower abdomen while the other attacks the face. The lower punch should serve as a distraction.
Hoshinsul: A counter attack against an adversary who has grabbed your hand. Pull the grabbing hand downward while delivering an Overhand Punch.
Spring Punch
Soseom Jireugi
소섬 지르기
“Soh-Suhm Jee-Roo-Gee”
Also called 밤 주먹 지르기 Bam Jumeok Jireugi.
Poomsae: A pulling style Uppercut with the middle knuckle extended and supported from below by the thumb.
Kyorugi: Not applicable.
Hoshinsul: A close range movement in which you dig the extended knuckle of the middle finger into the throat or eye socket of the opponent while controlling their head with your other hand.
Uncommon Punches
This is a list of punches which exist but don’t show up in any Recognized Poomsae and are more or less relics of the early “Korean Karate” days of Taekwondo but are worth looking at for educational purposes.
Flat Fist Punch
Pyeon Jumeok Jireugi
편 주먹 지르기
“Pyuhn Joo-Muhk Jee-Roo-Gee”
A punch using the next set of knuckles down from the main ones used for punching.
Pincers Fist Punch
Jipke Jumeok Jireugi
집게 주먹 지르기
“Jeep-Kay Joo-Muhk Jee-Roo-Gee”
A punch using the thumb and forefinger to strike and squeeze the trachea of an opponent.
Back Punch
Dwi Jireugi
뒤 지르기
“Dwee Jee-Roo-Gee”
A punch directed to someone who is behind you. Extremely ineffective on its own but it may lead to a chance to reposition.