Taekwondo Yells: Kihap, Commands, and Their Significance

What is Yelled in Taekwondo?

In Taekwondo, various vocalizations are employed, primarily the "Kihap" (a sharp, guttural yell) to enhance power and focus, alongside specific Korean commands and counting for instruction and discipline.

The Kihap: The Signature Taekwondo Yell

The Kihap (기합) is arguably the most recognizable vocalization in Taekwondo. It is a short, sharp, and often guttural shout expelled during the execution of a powerful technique. Far from being mere noise, the Kihap serves multiple critical functions rooted in both physical performance and psychological strategy.

• Purpose and Benefits:
  • Focus and Concentration: The act of yelling helps the practitioner channel their mental and physical energy into a single, explosive moment. It creates a powerful mind-body connection, sharpening focus.
  • Power Generation (Kime): From a biomechanical perspective, the Kihap is often synchronized with the "kime" (기합), the precise moment of maximum power and impact. Expelling air forcefully from the diaphragm during the yell promotes core stability and muscle contraction throughout the kinetic chain, contributing to greater force transfer in strikes and blocks. This controlled exhalation also helps prevent the Valsalva maneuver, ensuring efficient breathing.
  • Intimidation: Psychologically, a strong Kihap can momentarily startle or intimidate an opponent, creating a window of opportunity or disrupting their concentration during sparring.
  • Breath Control and Energy Release: Yelling helps expel stale air from the lungs, promoting efficient breathing and preparing the body for the next movement. It acts as a natural release of tension and accumulated energy.
  • Signaling: In a training environment, a Kihap can signal to an instructor or partner that a technique has been executed with proper intent and power.

Essential Korean Commands and Terminology

Beyond the Kihap, various Korean commands are routinely used by instructors and students during Taekwondo training to maintain discipline, facilitate learning, and honor tradition. These commands are integral to the structure and flow of a class.

• Cha-ryeot (차렷): Attention – Used to call students to a formal stance, standing tall with heels together and hands at their sides.
• Kyong-nye (경례): Bow – Instructs students to perform a respectful bow, often done at the beginning and end of class, and when addressing instructors or senior belts.
• Joon-bi (준비): Ready – Commands students to assume a ready stance, typically the parallel ready stance (Naranhi Seogi), signifying preparation for the next exercise.
• Shi-jak (시작): Begin – Signals the start of an exercise, drill, or sparring round.
• Geu-man (그만): Stop – Commands an immediate halt to the current activity.
• Ba-ro (바로): Return – Instructs students to return to their original ready stance after an exercise.
• Dwi-ro Dol-a (뒤로 돌아): Turn Around – Command to turn 180 degrees.
• Hae-san (해산): Dismiss – Used to dismiss students at the end of class.
• Gye-sok (계속): Continue – Often used in sparring to indicate that the match should proceed despite a minor pause.
• Gall-yeo (갈려): Separate – Used by referees in sparring to separate opponents.

Counting in Korean

Counting in Korean is fundamental for timing repetitions, establishing rhythm, and ensuring synchronized movements during drills and forms (poomsae). Students learn to count from one to ten, and often higher, to follow instructions effectively.

• Hana (하나): One
• Dul (둘): Two
• Set (셋): Three
• Net (넷): Four
• Da-seot (다섯): Five
• Yeo-seot (여섯): Six
• Il-gop (일곱): Seven
• Yeo-deol (여덟): Eight
• A-hop (아홉): Nine
• Yeol (열): Ten

The Role of Voice and Breath in Martial Arts Performance

The vocalizations in Taekwondo underscore the profound connection between breath, voice, and physical performance. Proper breath control, often initiated from the diaphragm, is crucial for generating power and maintaining stamina.

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: The deep, abdominal breathing associated with powerful yells like the Kihap engages the core muscles, providing a stable platform for limb movement. This type of breathing is more efficient for oxygen exchange and can reduce fatigue.
• Vocal Cord Activation: The controlled tension and release of vocal cords during a Kihap is an extension of the body's overall muscular engagement. It contributes to the kinetic chain, much like clenching a fist or tensing the core, amplifying the force of a technique.
• Psychological Impact: Beyond physical benefits, the confident use of voice projects an aura of determination and presence. For the practitioner, it reinforces mental fortitude and commitment to the technique.

Cultural and Etiquette Considerations

Understanding what is yelled in Taekwondo also requires an appreciation for the cultural context and etiquette of the martial art. These vocalizations are not arbitrary but are deeply embedded in the discipline's tradition.

• Respect for Tradition: The use of Korean terminology and the Kihap honors the Korean origins of Taekwondo and fosters a sense of unity and shared heritage among practitioners worldwide.
• Appropriate Usage: Knowing when to yell is as important as knowing how. The Kihap is typically reserved for moments of peak effort in techniques, forms, or sparring, not for casual conversation or disruptive behavior. Commands are used by instructors to maintain order and facilitate learning.
• Dojo Etiquette: Students are expected to respond clearly and promptly to commands, demonstrating discipline and respect for the instructor and the training environment (dojang).

Conclusion: More Than Just Noise

The sounds and commands yelled in Taekwondo—from the powerful Kihap to the structured Korean terminology—are far more than mere auditory cues. They are integral components of the discipline, serving critical functions in physical performance, mental focus, cultural preservation, and instructional efficacy. Mastering these vocalizations is as much a part of the Taekwondo journey as perfecting a kick or a block, embodying the art's blend of physical prowess, mental fortitude, and respectful tradition.