I mentioned in the
October 2016 blog “Key To Practicing” that protecting one’s self at all times was
one of the four keys to practicing. As I
noted in the blog in October, every technique and “in
between” technique is meant to keep you safe (protect self) and/or cause
damage. In causing damage you are also
keeping yourself safe by ending an altercation (if it must go physical) quickly
and using appropriate techniques that are effective against certain targets. The longer an altercation goes on the higher
the probability you may get harmed.
These concepts are embodied in
the Han Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do emblem which contains a "V"; for
victory, olive leaves for peace, and a dragon for power. Our training teaches focus, intensity, and
confidence to end a fight quickly (victory).
The training is used strictly for self-defense and self-protection if
avoidance, de-escalation, or escape is not an option (peace). The training focuses on a direct, linear
straightforward fighting art style (power).
While I provided
a couple of examples in the October 2016 blog related to how our techniques are
taught and expected to be performed to help you stay safe, for this blog plan I
plan to expand and add more examples.
These examples are not meant to be a complete list of every aspect of
the techniques listed below that we teach and emphasize to keep you safe and
effective, but hits on the highlights.
Punches
For
forward and attack punches, the elbow stays close in as your fist moves. Wrist is square/flat and punching arm remains
bent at impact. If the elbow flairs out,
you are more likely to hit with your outer knuckles which are not supported and
could cause an injury. Keeping the elbow
close to the body helps ensure a more linear punch which is more forceful and
more effective. Keeping the wrist flat
and square aligns the long bones (metacarpals) of the hand into the wrist and
up the forearm. This alignment permits
the impact of a punch to be supported by the body. Without a strong closed fist, the punch will
be ineffective and you may injure yourself. By keeping a
bent arm at impact you are less susceptible to an arm
bar which again keeps you safe.
Medium Block
For
medium block, it is important the in the “prep”, both arms are crossed and
touch near the inner elbows. This
ensures the middle of the body is protected.
In medium block, we use the outer edge of the arm for the
strike/block. The outer forearm is stronger
and less susceptible to damage than the inside or outside portion of the
forearm.
High Block
First
off, the prep position is meant to protect your torso. From that prep position, the fist should go
straight up, elbow staying pointed downward (continue to protect the ribs), and
then when the fist gets approximately to the top of the head the first goes
outward.. The intent is to protect the head, if cut this motion short, your
head is left open and vulnerable for the entire motion,. Similar to medium block, we use the outer
edge of the arm for the strike/block.
The
end position blocking arm covers the head, arm at approximately 45
degree angle from horizon. This angle
should be enough so objects slide off arm and some of the force is dispersed,
while completely covering head.
Knife Hand
For
example, in striking with a basic knife hand the elbow stays pointed downward
and close to the body for the majority of the motion to protect the ribs. In addition, the striking arm stays close to
the body to protect a vulnerable spot on the body between the anterior deltoids
and the pectorals muscles. By keeping
the arms close to the body you are not allowing that vulnerable spot to be
exposed. If an opponent struck that
area, it could cause damage to your shoulder.
The
palm is flat and hand is tight aligning the knuckles which support the hand
during impact. The striking
surface is the outer edge of the hand (muscle between joint of pinkie finger
and wrist) to protect your joints.
Side Medium Block
Similar
with side medium block; the elbow should stay down at the hip and fist at
shoulder height and at the hip so the ribs are protected while transitioning
and the fist is shoulder height. Similar
to knife hand, the striking arm stays close to the body to protect a vulnerable
spot on the body between the anterior deltoids and the pectorals muscles. Similar to medium block and high block, we
use the edge of the arm for the strike/block.
Front Kick
In
Front Kick, the arms/fists remain in front of your body to protect your torso
and ready to be used as weapons if needed. Front kick uses the ball of the foot which is
much stronger and less vulnerable than using the top of the foot with its many
small bones that can break easily. The
piston motion has more force and is much harder to stop, making it more
effective and more likely to cause damage.
Side Kick
Similar
to Front Kick, arm/fists remain in front of your body. A side kick should have the heel go straight
out towards the target. If during the kick
the heel moves in an arc and “flips” out towards the target, it is slower to
the target, easier to see coming and therefore easier to stop. In
addition, the outer edge near heel is used as the contact point which is a very
strong part of the foot resulting in a more forceful and effective kick.
So, when
practicing, watch yourself in a mirror as you perform the techniques to ensure you
are protecting vulnerable targets on your body as long as possible until you
strike. In addition, ensure motion and
your alignment is correct which will result in more effective and forceful
techniques which will end an altercation more quickly.
Go forth, practice, and stay safe.
Regards,
Kelly
"Don't block with
your face" - Unknown
