Gyeokpa
격파
Breaking boards, tiles or bricks with a strike or a kick. In taekwondo it is shown at demonstrations and in ITF it is also a competition discipline.
Quick Facts
Term typeTraining method
LanguageKorean
Formnoun
Pronunciation[kyuhk-pah]
Alternative Namesbreaking
Readings and romanizations
Revised Romanizationgyeokpa
McCune–Reischauerkyŏkp'a
Word breakdown
擊 (격)gyeokto strike
破 (파)pato break
Definition
Gyeokpa (격파, 擊破) means “to break with a strike”. The practitioner breaks wooden boards, roof tiles or bricks with a hand strike, a kick or an elbow. This shows strength, accuracy and the correct striking surface. At taekwondo demonstrations, gyeokpa is among the best-known elements, often with jumping kicks. ITF competitions have two disciplines: power breaking (wiryeok) and special techniques in a jump (teukgi). At dan examinations, breaking is part of the program depending on the organization. Today, plastic boards that come apart are also used for the sake of repeatability.