Technical

Before considering poomsae or sparring, it is essential to understand the technical aspects of Taekwondo. The many techniques used in Taekwondo can be broken down into four broad groups – kicks, blocks, strikes and stances. To progress in your training you must develop your skills in all areas, and grading exams will test your technical knowledge first and foremost. Learn more about each group below, and follow the links to find help guides to common techniques. 

Kicks

Taekwondo is famous for its fast, dynamic kicking techniques. From basic front kicks to advanced spinning and jumping kicks, kicking forms a major part of training, poomsae and sparring. Learning strong kicking fundamentals improves balance, flexibility, co-ordination and control, while advanced kicks require timing, speed and precision to perform effectively.

In competition Taekwondo, additional points are scored for head-height kicks and spinning kick techniques. One of the defining features of Taekwondo training, kicking techniques will form the basis of your training and will feature heavily in grading exams. Find guides to the most common kicking techniques on the dedicated page below.

White icon on a black background showing a stick figure performing a Taekwondo kick

Example Techniques:

  • Front Kick (Ap Chagi)
  • Side Kick (Yeop Chagi)
  • Push Kick (Mireo Chagi)

Most Useful For:

  • Sparring
  • Poomsae
Kicking Guides
White icon on a black background showing a stick figure performing a middle block

BLOCKS

Blocking techniques are an essential part of Taekwondo training and are used in poomsae, self-defence and technical drills. Students learn a variety of blocks designed to protect different target areas, including high, middle and low sections. Strong blocking fundamentals improve timing, reactions, balance and defensive awareness during training.

Although often associated with defence, many Taekwondo blocking techniques can also be used to redirect attacks, control distance and create openings for counter attacks. As students progress through the grades, blocks become more advanced and are frequently combined with strikes, stances and footwork in poomsae and self defence applications.

Blocking Guides

Example Techniques:

  • High Block (Eogool Makgi)
  • Low Block (Arae Makgi)
  • Inward Block (Momtong Makgi)

Most Useful For:

  • Self Defence
  • Poomsae

Strikes

Striking techniques in Taekwondo include punches, knife hand strikes, elbow strikes and a range of hand-based attacking movements. While Taekwondo is often recognised for its kicking techniques, striking remains an important part of poomsae, self-defence and technical training. Strong striking fundamentals improve speed, accuracy, timing and coordination.

Different striking techniques are designed for different situations and target areas. As students progress, striking combinations become more advanced and are often linked together with footwork, blocking techniques and stances.

White icon on a black background showing a stick figure performing a middle punch

Example Techniques:

  • Punch (Jireugi)
  • Elbow Strike (Palgup Chigi)

Most Useful For:

  • Self Defence
  • Combinations
  • Poomsae
Striking Guides
White icon on a black background showing a stick figure performing a middle block

Stances

Stances form the foundation of almost every movement in Taekwondo, providing balance, stability and power, while also helping students maintain control during movement and transitions. Students are introduced to basic stances early in training, and they are refined and expanded upon throughout the grades.

Stances serve multiple purposes, with some focusing on mobility and speed for sparring, while others prioritise stability and power for poomsae. Stances are one of the most important technical areas in Taekwondo training and are integral to speed, power and stability.

Stance Guides

Example Techniques:

  • Attention Stance (Charyot Seogi)
  • Long Walking Stance (Apgubi Seogi)

Most Useful For:

  • Self Defence
  • Poomsae