Jireugi (지르기) Punching

Danggyeo-jireugi (당겨지르기) Pulling and Punching>

A technique of pulling the opponent with one hand and delivering a blow to the opponent’s chin or solar plexus with the fist turned over.
By holding the opponent by the collar, one can immobilize him or her and deliver a blow in the chin or solar plexus with the fist turned upside down.

Digeutja-jireugi (‘ㄷ’자지르기) Diguetja Punch (‘ㄷ’ Shaped Punch)

A technique of punching with both arms shaped after the Korean letter ‘ㄷ’. The performer fist delivers oelgul-jireugi (Punch in the face) while the other does jeotcheo-jireugi (Turn-over Punch). When seen from a lateral view, this punching skill is executed in the shape of a Korean letter ‘ㄷ.’

Jeocheo-jireugi (젖혀지르기) Turn-over Punch

A technique of striking the opponent with the fist turning over. When the opponent closes in, the performer strikes the opponent's ribs from the bottom up.

Yeop-jireugi (옆지르기) Side Punch

A striking technique by turning one’s body toward the side. This skill is to throw the fist in a straight line by turning the body to the side using the turning force of the body.


They are the skills of striking the opponent’s vital points with the Fist, Extended Knuckle Fist, Pincers Fist, Trigger Finger Fist and Half?clenched Fist (Flat Fist). 


Naeryeo-jireugi (내려지르기) Downward Punch

A technique of striking a lower target with the fist. This is a skill of striking a lower target by executing a vertical, downward punch by lowering one’s back. It is mainly used in breaking a target or attacking the opponent on the ground.

Dollyeo-jireugi (돌려지르기) Turning Punch


A technique of striking the side of an opponent standing in front of the performer with the fist. This is a skill of delivering a punch traveling in a circular motion to the side of a target. It is mainly used when attacking the side of the face or the side of the trunk.

Chi-jireugi (치지르기) Lift Punch

A technique of thrusting a punch vertically upward. This is a striking skill to deliver a turned over fist vertically to the target. It is mainly used to strike the chin; however, if the opponent lowers his or her head, one may hit his or her philtrum.

Sewo-jiruegi (세워지르기) Vertical Punch

A technique of striking a target with the wrist turned vertically. This skill is to throw the vertically erected fist straight to the target by using the turning force of the body.


These striking surfaces are utilized with jireugi, jeocheo-jireugi (Turn-over Punch), dollyeo-jireugi (Turning Punch), dwi-jireugi (Punch to the rear), etc.

Geumgang-jireugi (금강지르기) Geumgang Punch

A technique of blocking upward and punching forward or sideways simultaneously. This skill is named after the figure of Geumgangyeoksa statue (literally meaning, the Diamond Warrior, whose role was to protect the Buddhist temples during the period of the Silla dynasty in ancient Korea). One hand is used for ollyeo-makgi (Upward Block) while the other is used to deliver a strike to the face or trunk of the opponent standing in front or to the side.

Dwi-jireugi (뒤지르기) Punch to the rear


A technique of striking a target behind the performer. This is a skill of delivering a punch to the head of the opponent standing behind the performer. The fist travels in a circular motion by turning the waist to the target standing behind the back of the performer.

Pyojeok-jireugi (표적지르기) Target Punch

A technique of striking an imaginary target with the fist. By making an imaginary target with one’s hand, the performer uses it as a virtual target.

Chetdar-jireugi (쳇다리지르기) Fork Punch Punch

A technique of extending both arms in the shape of a fork. Both fists are aimed at the trunk of the opponent. When seen from above, the shape of both arms looks like that of a fork

                                                                               *Photographs and description courtesy of Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters)