Glossary for Ssireum

Close-range standing fight in which opponents hold each other by the neck, arms or torso. In muay thai and MMA it is used for knee strikes and takedowns.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools United States

A fast, chaotic exchange in ground fighting where nobody has control and both fighters try to reach a better position.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools United States

Bringing an opponent from standing to the ground so that the attacker ends up on top. It includes shots at the legs and throws.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools United States

Korean command meaning “attention”. The student stands upright with heels together and arms along the body. In taekwondo it usually precedes the bow.

Command and signal South Korea

A master grade in Japanese and Korean martial arts, usually with a black belt. First awarded in 1883 by Kano Jigoro in judo.

Title and rank Japan

Training uniform in Korean martial arts, mainly in taekwondo. The Korean counterpart of the Japanese keikogi, written with the same characters 道服.

Clothing South Korea

Training hall of Korean martial arts, mainly taekwondo and hapkido. Written with the same characters as the Japanese dojo (道場).

Place and space South Korea

Korean command meaning “salute” or “bow”. In taekwondo it follows the command charyeot at the start and end of training, a match and an exercise.

Command and signal South Korea

Korean term for sets of techniques, the counterpart of the Japanese kata. WT taekwondo calls them poomsae, ITF taekwondo teul, older and other arts hyeong.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools South Korea

Combat shout in Korean arts, the counterpart of the Japanese kiai with the same characters (氣合). It tightens the body during a strike and focuses power.

Etiquette and ceremony South Korea

Korean martial arts school, literally “hall”. Taekwondo emerged from the first kwans after 1945. The head of a school is called a kwanjang.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools South Korea

A student grade before the master dan grades. It is counted downward, from a high number to first kyu, and in Korean is called gup.

Title and rank Japan

Korean title of a martial arts instructor. Politely addressed as sabeomnim. Written with the same characters as the Japanese shihan.

Title and rank South Korea