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Taekwondo: Terms to Know

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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

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Taekwondo

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