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General terms
Dobok
The white, V-neck uniform worn during taekwondo matches. The style is based on traditional peasant garb
Dojang
A training gym or school where a student develops his body and mind
Hogu
A padded chest protector. In international competition, the hogus must be marked red (chung) or blue (hong)
Gyoroogi
Sparring or competing against an opponent. This is the type of competition that is practiced during the Olympics
Jeon
One round of competition
Jeum
A point scored during competition
Joo Sim
A referee
Kyeong-rye
Bow. Contestants bow to each other and to the officials before and after the match
Poomsae
A pattern of techniques used against an imaginary opponent. In some competitions, an athlete's poomsae is scored and specific moves are required, similar to the compulsory round in figure skating
Types of attacks
Ahp cha-gi
A front kick, performed by thrusting the foot to the target in a linear motion
Cha-gi
Kick
Dolryo cha-gi
A frequently used roundhouse kick
Dui-hooryo cha-gi
A spin whip kick, performed by pivoting on one leg, spinning the body around and release the kicking leg in a circular motion. The sole of the foot is used to strike the opponent's face
Dwi cha-gi
A back kick, used mainly for counter-attacking
Guligi cha-gi
A hook kick
Naeryo cha-gi
An axe kick, performed both with a bent knee and a straight leg. When executed with a bent knee, the knee is unfolded in a downward direction, beginning at the highest point of the kicking path. The straight leg kick is performed by lifting the leg straight up at a slightly off-center angle and dropping it on the target
Twi-o cha-gi:
A jump kick
Yop cha-gi
A side kick
Chi-gi
A punch
Dung-joomock chi-gi
A back fist punch
Guligi chi-gi
A hook punch
Me-joomok chi-gi
A hammer fist punch
Pyon-joomock chi-gi
A knuckle fist punch
Sob-nal chi-gi
A knife hand punch
Referee signals
Cha-ryeot
Attention. The referee shouts this prior to the start of a match to both competitors
Counting
If a knockdown occurs, the referee will count from 1 ("ha-nah") to 10 ("yeol") in Korean to give the downed athlete time to recover. Even if the downed contestant stands up and wants to resume, he or she must wait while the referee continues counting to 8 ("yeo-dul")
Kalyeo
The referee's order to break
Keuman
Stop. The match ends when the referee declares this
Shijak
Start. The competition does not begin until the referee says this
Parts of the body
Baal
Foot
Dari
Leg
Eolgul
Face
Joomock
Fist
Mok
Neck
Mo-li
Head
Moo-rup
Knee
Momtong
The middle part of the body, or trunk
Palmmock
Forearm
Son
Hand
Sonmock
Wrist