How to Punch (Jireugi) in Taekwondo

"Punch (Kwon)" is the most important technique used in Taekwondo to target an opponent at point blank. The punch is widely useful for attacking the face, solar plexus, lower abdomen, and virtually any part of the body. To be highly effective, you must master this move using both fists and knuckles in a very precise way. While the punch can take many forms, this article addresses the three main angles.

Edit Steps

Edit Part 1: Preparing the Fist

Begin with either hand. Spread your hand out with all fingers held straight and kept together.

Fold your fingers. With the exception of the thumb, fold your fingers in from the last phalanx, folding them towards the palm.

Hold the four fingers together tightly. Keep the fingers you have folded against the palm held together tightly.

Press the thumb firmly upon the folded mass of the four fingers. The thumb is folded downward and back a little and out of the way, while tightened against the fingers.

Straighten the wrist. Next, form the other fist as with the first fist. You will base the punch on the simultaneous actions of both fists involved in different but coordinated, forceful motions, from the waist level, as detailed in the following instructions and examples.

Edit Part 2: Executing the Punch from Different Angles

Prepare to do a body punch (Momtong Jireugi).
- Bring either one of your prepared fists toward your waist level.
- Keep it rotated upwards to increase the force on the solar plexus of the target.
- Simultaneously, while that fist is very quickly drawn back to the waist, forcefully and quickly use your other fist for the punch.

Execute this punch with a powerful forward thrust from waist level. Aim the two middle knuckles at your opponent. Visualize a kind of reciprocal action so that one fist is drawing back to the waist while other fist is thrusting to the target point from the waist.

Use very much the same technique to execute the face punch (Olgul Jireugi). With this punch, however, the fist is aimed at the face of the opponent, with the knuckles impacting the target. Refer to the method described for the body punch (Momtong Jireugi).

Practice the lower punch (Arae Kireugi). Aim the fist at the lower abdomen of the opponent. Once again, use the same technique as the body punch (Momtong Jireugi).