power the heel alone can be used. Thus, the spinning motion of the body
and the snapping motion of the leg combine to create the energy for the
strike. The primary target for this kick is the head, and most knockouts in
competition occur because of this kick.
In addition to these kicks, which are performed with one foot on the
ground, taekwondo adheres to a philosophy that any kick that can be per-
formed while one foot is on the ground can also be performed while jump-
ing. Thus, in addition to the kicks that have already been described, there
are jumping versions of the kicks. These jumping kicks are extremely pow-
erful, as the force and momentum of the leap itself are added to the power
of the kick. These kicks are obviously more difficult to employ than the ba-
sic kicks, but advanced practitioners are expected to be able to throw
jumping kicks as well as the standing variants. Advanced taekwondo prac-
titioners routinely employ these kicks in competition and combat, despite
their inherent difficulty.
One of the most remarkable kicks used in taekwondo is the 360-degree
roundhouse kick. With this kick, the practitioner jumps and spins the body
a full 360 degrees while simultaneously snapping the foot out horizontally.
Reliance on kicking as the primary source of attack is the trademark of
taekwondo. The major philosophy behind this martial art is that the feet can
be used as dexterously as the hands for attacking an opponent, and because
the legs are stronger and have greater reach than the arms, the feet are ideal
as attacking weapons. This philosophy is reflected in the tremendous vari-
ety and variations of kicks that are available to a taekwondo expert.
Hand techniques are also taught, although they are sometimes sec-
ondary to the kicking techniques. The most utilized technique is the
straight punch, much like the type of punch used in many systems of
karate. With this technique, the punch is thrown straight, beginning from
a “cocked” position at the chest with the fist pressed next to the body,
knuckles facing the floor. The arm is then extended and the fist rotates so
that the knuckles are pointed toward the ceiling at the completion of the
technique. This turning motion increases the power behind the technique.
Other hand techniques include knife-hand blows, made with the edge of
the hand; spear-hand strikes, made with the four fingers of the hand ex-
tended so that the strike uses the points of the fingers; and clawing attacks,
made with the hand in a claw formation.
There are currently various organizations and rules for sport tae-
kwondo competition worldwide, but the most well known are Olympic
style and non-Olympic style. Olympic-style rules are rules of competition
used in international and Olympic events. Olympic-style competitors are
required to wear head protection, which covers the head but leaves the face
exposed; chest protectors, which protect the sternum, stomach, solar
614 Taekwondo