HOW TO STRIKE FROM THE GROUND!
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TKD Ground Position·URBAN COMBATIVES: SCHOOL OF SELF-PROTECTION
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TKD Ground Position
Familyテコンドー寝技ポジション(Tekondō Newaza Pojishon)
Translation: Taekwondo ground position
Overview
The TKD Ground Position family covers ground fighting positions and techniques within Taekwondo's curriculum, which though primarily a striking and kicking art, includes ground awareness and basic positional skills for self-defence application. [1] Traditional Taekwondo (particularly ITF-style under General Choi Hong Hi's system) includes some ground fighting elements influenced by Japanese jujutsu and judo, while modern Olympic-style (WT/WTF) Taekwondo focuses almost exclusively on kicking. [1],[2] TKD ground positions primarily cover getting back to standing after being taken down, basic ground control concepts, and defensive ground awareness rather than submission grappling — reflecting Taekwondo's philosophy that the fight should be conducted standing. [2],[3]
Taekwondo Ground PositionKRTKD Ground TechniqueKorean Ground Fighting
History & Origin
Taekwondo's ground elements derive from the art's historical connections to Japanese martial arts. [1] General Choi Hong Hi's ITF Taekwondo included self-defence techniques (hosin sul) that addressed ground scenarios, influenced by Choi's training in Shotokan karate and Korean martial traditions. [1],[2] Modern Olympic TKD has largely eliminated ground fighting from its curriculum in favour of sport-specific kicking. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
TKD ground positions are basic survival tools — they provide rudimentary ground awareness but are not comparable to dedicated grappling systems like BJJ or wrestling for ground fighting effectiveness. [1] Their value lies in providing kicking-focused martial artists with minimum ground survival skills for self-defence. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
TKD ground positions are not used in modern Olympic Taekwondo competition, which restarts after falls. ITF tournaments may include limited ground scenarios. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Maintaining awareness and basic control on the ground while working to return to standing as quickly as possible
Joints Involved — Hips (base and balance on the ground), arms (posting and framing to create space for standing), legs (primary tools for creating distance — push-kicks from the ground and standing back up)
Force Vector — Upward and away — the emphasis is on creating distance from the opponent and returning to the feet rather than engaging in ground grappling
Positional Mechanic — TKD ground positions focus on maintaining a defensive posture on the ground while using kicks and frames to prevent the opponent from establishing control, then standing back up as rapidly as possible
Position & Entry
From failed takedown defence — After being taken down in a self-defence situation, immediately establish a defensive guard with feet toward the opponent, use push-kicks to maintain distance, and work to stand up [1]
From a fall or trip — After falling during a kicking exchange, protect the head and immediately begin the technical standup process
From ground awareness drill — ITF Taekwondo curricula include ground defence positions practiced as part of self-defence (hosin sul) training
Videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
TKD ground positions are basic defensive postures focused on returning to standing
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓TKD ground positions are primarily self-defence oriented — the goal is always to return to standing where TKD's kicking strengths can be used [1]
✓Technical standup should be drilled until reflexive — it is the most important TKD ground skill
✓Ground awareness drills should be part of self-defence training even in kicking-focused schools
✓Cross-training in BJJ or wrestling is recommended for any TKD practitioner who wants comprehensive ground skills [2]
✓ITF-style TKD includes more ground awareness than WT/Olympic style
✓These positions complement TKD's standing skills but are not a substitute for dedicated grappling training
Common Mistakes
!Staying on the ground — TKD ground positions are transitional; the goal is always to stand up quickly
!Turning away from the opponent on the ground — always face the opponent with feet toward them
!Not practicing falls — proper ukemi (breakfalling) prevents injuries from takedowns and trips
!Attempting to grapple without grappling training — TKD ground positions are defensive/transitional, not a grappling system
!Neglecting ground awareness entirely — even kicking-focused martial artists should have basic ground defence skills
Related Techniques
Technical Standup — the primary skill for returning to feet from groundTKD Kicking — the standing fighting system that TKD ground positions supportSelf-Defence (Hosin Sul) — the broader self-defence curriculum within which ground positions sitGuard — BJJ guard positions that provide a much more comprehensive ground fighting system
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Fall or Be Taken Down — arrive on the ground through a takedown, trip, or fall
2Protect — guard the head and establish a defensive posture
3Face Opponent — orient with feet toward the opponent
4Create Distance — use push-kicks and frames to prevent the opponent from advancing
5Stand Up — execute technical standup to return to fighting stance
6Re-engage — return to TKD kicking range
Sources & References
Primary Source
Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (Choi Hong Hi, 1983)
1BookEncyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (Choi Hong Hi, 1983)
Description sources — [1] Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (Choi, 1983) on hosin sul ground techniques [2] ITF vs WT curriculum differences [3] Modern TKD competition evolution
2BookTaekwondo: The Korean Martial Art (Yeon Hee Park et al., 1999)
3CitationEncyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (Choi Hong Hi, 1983)
Description sources — [1] Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (Choi, 1983) on hosin sul ground techniques [2] ITF vs WT curriculum differences [3] Modern TKD competition evolution
4CitationTaekwondo: The Korean Martial Art (Yeon Hee Park et al., 1999)
Community
Athletics
Requires
basic ground awareness, ability to technical standup
Favours
athletic ability, leg strength for push-kicks from ground
Key muscles
core (sitting up from ground), legs (push-kicks and standing up), arms (posting and framing)
Sub-techniques
TKD Ground Control
SubFamilyTKD Ground Control adapts basic pinning and control concepts for taekwondo practitioners who find themselves on the ground in MMA. [1]
Explore
TKD Mount Transition
SubFamilyTKD Mount Transition teaches taekwondo practitioners how to transition to and maintain the mount position from standing knockdowns. [1]
Explore
Notes
TKD ground positions are documented in Lukasz's Taekwondo Grappling Techniques — adapting ground control concepts for TKD practitioners training for MMA. A relatively modern addition to the TKD curriculum. (Lukasz, Taekwondo Grappling Techniques)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to establish control before striking from the ground?
Control is crucial because striking from an uncontrolled position leaves you vulnerable to counterattacks. According to Urban Combatives: School of Self-Protection, you should first secure control of your opponent's limbs and position before attempting any strikes, as attacking from an unprotected stance allows your opponent to strike back with their free hands.
What striking tools work best when you have control on the ground?
The tool depends on range and position. Urban Combatives emphasizes that from a dominant ground position, you can use palm strikes, hammerfists, elbows, or fists, with palm strikes often being preferable due to range and defensive positioning considerations.
Should I try to stay on the ground or get back to my feet?
You should work to stand up as soon as possible, as the ground environment is unforgiving due to weapons, multiple attackers, and hazards. Urban Combatives stresses getting off the floor quickly rather than prolonging ground engagement.
How does the TKD Ground Position work?
The TKD Ground Position family covers ground fighting positions and techniques within Taekwondo's curriculum, which though primarily a striking and kicking art, includes ground awareness and basic positional skills for self-defence application. Traditional Taekwondo (particularly ITF-style under General Choi Hong Hi's system) includes some ground fighting elements influenced by Japanese jujutsu and judo, while modern Olympic-style (WT/WTF) Taekwondo focuses almost exclusively on kicking.
Where does the TKD Ground Position come from?
Taekwondo's ground elements derive from the art's historical connections to Japanese martial arts. General Choi Hong Hi's ITF Taekwondo included self-defence techniques (hosin sul) that addressed ground scenarios, influenced by Choi's training in Shotokan karate and Korean martial traditions.
Is the TKD Ground Position legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the TKD Ground Position?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — TKD ground positions are basic defensive postures focused on returning to standing
How do I set up the TKD Ground Position?
The standard setup chain: Fall or Be Taken Down → Protect → Face Opponent → Create Distance → Stand Up → Re-engage.
How do I defend against the TKD Ground Position?
Standard counters include: These positions are themselves defensive counters — they address the problem of a kicking specialist being taken to t… / The primary 'counter' is the technical standup to return to standing / Push-kicks from the ground maintain distance from the approaching opponent.
What are the variants of the TKD Ground Position?
Common variants: Defensive guard from ground (sitting with feet toward opponent, hands up, ready to pus…); Technical standup (rising from the ground to standing position while maintai…); Ground block (blocking kicks or strikes while on the ground using TKD b…); Mount escape (basic) (fundamental escape concepts for self-defence application).
How effective is the TKD Ground Position in competition?
TKD ground positions are not used in modern Olympic Taekwondo competition, which restarts after falls. ITF tournaments may include limited ground scenarios.
What are common mistakes when doing the TKD Ground Position?
Top errors to watch for: Staying on the ground — TKD ground positions are transitional; the goal is always to stand up quickly / Turning away from the opponent on the ground — always face the opponent with feet toward them / Not practicing falls — proper ukemi (breakfalling) prevents injuries from takedowns and trips / Attempting to grapple without grappling training — TKD ground positions are defensive/transitional, not a grappling s….
What are other names for the TKD Ground Position?
The TKD Ground Position is also known as Tekondō Newaza Pojishon, Taekwondo Ground Position, TKD Ground Technique, Korean Ground Fighting.