A Deep Dive into Taekwon-Do Terminology – Understanding the Language Behind the Art

So TKDCoaching began working with the Hong Kong International Taekwon-Do Alliance to finally put together something I’ve wanted to make available for a long time — a detailed, practical webinar on Korean terminology, taught in a clear and very accessible way.

The final edited version runs for 1 hour and 38 minutes, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most useful resources we’ve ever put out for instructors and serious students.

Why This Topic Matters to Me

It’s very easy in Taekwon-Do to focus solely on the physical side, but the Korean language gives those movements meaning, structure, and logic. Once you understand how the terminology is constructed, techniques start to make sense in a completely new way.

Over the years I’ve seen how much more confident instructors become when they understand the terminology properly. Students, too, tend to remember their techniques far better when they grasp the naming logic instead of trying to memorise everything blindly.

This webinar does an excellent job of breaking all of this down in a simple, practical way.

What’s Inside the Webinar

The webinar is organised into five clear, progressive sections — each one building your understanding step by step, so by the end you not only recognise Korean terminology, you actually understand how it works, why it matters, and how to apply it correctly in training and teaching.

PART 1 – Reasons to Believe

Why terminology matters more than most people realise

The session opens with a meaningful look at why we study terminology in ITF Taekwon-Do. This isn’t just about memorising unfamiliar Korean phrases — it’s about deepening your technical understanding. You’ll explore how correct terminology:

• sharpens your technique by making you think more specifically about what you are doing

• improves communication between instructors and students

• strengthens your connection to General Choi’s original teachings

• removes common misunderstandings that creep into training

• provides clarity during gradings and assessments

By the end of this section, you can clearly see how terminology is not an “extra”— it’s a key part of becoming a skilled, knowledgeable practitioner.

PART 2 – Basic Korean Terminology

Everyday training vocabulary, explained properly

Next, the webinar covers the fundamental Korean words we use constantly in class — but which many people have never heard broken down or explained in an accessible way. This section focuses on:

• clear pronunciation (slow and correct, with guidance)

• word meanings and how they relate to training

• common variations and misunderstandings

• how to teach these terms effectively to students

• links between terminology and the underlying ITF principles

Even experienced practitioners often say this part corrected things they didn’t realise they were mispronouncing or misinterpreting for years.

PART 3 – Construction of Technique

The heart of the webinar — understanding how a technique name is built

This is the most substantial and eye-opening section of the entire presentation. It breaks down, step by step, how every technique name in ITF Taekwon-Do is structured. Instead of memorising long names, you learn how to decode them.

Each technique name is explored through its components:

1. Stance – understanding what each stance implies in terms of weight distribution, direction, and purpose

2. Tool – the striking or blocking tool, and why accuracy in naming matters

3. Height – why middle, high, and low have very specific definitions

4. Obverse / Reverse – one of the most misunderstood areas, clarified with simple logic

5. Descriptions – directional words, trajectory cues, and descriptive modifiers

6. Technique Type – block, punch, thrust, strike (kick terminology too), and the reasoning behind each classification

This section gives you the “formula” behind technique names. After learning this framework, you can hear or read any Korean technique and instantly know exactly what it means — even if you’ve never seen it before.

For many attendees, this was the moment everything suddenly clicked.

PART 4 – Practical Exercises

Putting knowledge into action

Theory is made real through interactive exercises. Participants work through examples, decode technique names, and check their understanding in real time. The exercises include:

• identifying stance + tool combinations

• interpreting full technique names from scratch

• correcting common naming mistakes

• matching terminology to real movements

This is a fun and engaging section that reinforces accuracy and builds confidence.

PART 5 – Q&A Session

A relaxed, insightful finish to the webinar

The session ends with a generous Q&A where participants ask about pronunciation, naming conventions, grey areas in terminology, and teaching strategies. This section brings together:

• valuable clarifications

• teaching tips for instructors

• real-world examples

• deeper explanations of tricky terminology

It’s an ideal conclusion — informal, practical, and full of insights that help you apply the learning immediately in your own training or classes.

A Huge Thank You

This project wouldn’t have happened without Master Anton Ng and Mr Carlos Machado, who led the session with passion and outstanding clarity. I’m very grateful for the hours they put in, both during and behind the scenes.

Watch the Webinar

If terminology is something you’ve always wanted to understand more deeply — or if you’re an instructor wanting to teach it more confidently — I think you’ll really enjoy this session.

TKDCoaching Members can now watch the full webinar and download the presentation PDF. Remember also that you can use our TAGS feature so that you can target the topics you are most interested in – e.g. Terminology