Han Moo Kwon Tae Kwon Do is a close-in fighting martial art whose sole purpose is protection when options to avoid confrontation and conflict do not exist, which is the essence of traditional martial arts.
Therefore, all of our techniques and how we perform them and why we perform them the way we do all centers on whether or not it be effective in a self-defense situation. With that said, our goal is to maximize power and perform damage with every strike/block/ kick so we can end an altercation quickly and ensure we maximize the protection of our own body. Let’s look at some of our basic techniques and describe some of these attributes.
- We keep head above shoulders, chin level and shoulders square with hips at contact, so it is harder to be taken off-balance
- We maintain flat wrists, so we align the long bones (metacarpals) of the hand into the wrist and up the forearm. This alignment permits the impact to be supported by the body.
- We are always grounded. By staying grounded, techniques can be performed as a connection of the entire body with the earth. The end result is increased balance, stability, and strength with minimum use of muscular tension and strain.
2. Punches
- We drive from the elbow, close to the body, in a linear motion, so the punch is more forceful and harder to detect
- This motion is more powerful because it uses not just the delta muscles and biceps, but the larger pectoral muscles
- This
motion is also more protective of the body since a weak exists between the
deltoids and pectorals. By keeping the
arm close to the body, that spot is not exposed and therefore can not be taken
advantage of.
- In
addition, this motion helps ensure we hit with the first two knuckles and not
the last two which could easily result in damaging the hand
- We
extend forward and then rotate fist 180 degrees just before impact, the punch
is more powerful and harder to stop, and the final rotation can be used to tear
skin.
3. Low Block/ Medium Block/ High Block “preps”
- For our “preps”, we place our arms approximately one fist distance from our body to provide a strong defense; if too close, the position provides no defense and can easily be collapsed.
4. Medium Block
- We throw the strike such that arm is approximately 90-degree angle to maximize coverage
- We throw the strike with elbow down and such that fist ends at shoulder height to protect the ribs at all times
5. High Block
- We throw the strike such that the arm comes up past the head to ensure head is protected first, then goes outward
- We start the strike close to the face and extend outward for maximum distance, maximum force
We throw the strike with an arm angle such that object we are striking will slide off arm and covers entire head
- We throw the strike with a body lean to employ maximum force and energy; since it will be in the direction to counter an overhead strike
6. Knife Hand
- We throw the strike such that the arm close to the body, elbow down to protect the ribs
- We throw the strike linearly so it is more forceful and harder to detect (similar concept to the punches). See details under punches for more information.
- We throw the strike as a palm strike forward and then rotate just before impact to maximize power (similar concept to the punches)
7. Front Kick
- We use an arm position to be able to protect upper body if required
- We throw the kick with a piston action since it is harder to stop and harder to catch
- We throw the kick piston action so it is linear and all the force is in one direction resulting in a more powerful kick
- This motion is also more powerful because it ensures use of the large quadricep muscles
- We throw the kick such that the contact is with the ball of the foot and toes pulled back to protect toes
- Broken toes take a long time to heal and you’ll be surprised how much it will limit you even in every day life
8. Side Kick
- We use an arm position to be able to protect upper body if required
- We drive forward and rotate the hips to maximize the use of the large gluteus maximus muscles, while putting the body into perfect alignment, resulting in a more powerful kick
- We throw the kick linearly and so all the force is in one direction resulting in a more powerful kick
- We throw the kick linearly so it is faster; harder to stop, harder to catch
So, while you may think sometimes it may be faster and better to throw a technique differently, keep in mind that every detail from the start, to the motion to the end are specific to maximize power and ensure maximizing protecting self so you are most effective if you ever have to use this art form.
Regards,
Kelly
“Karate is not merely practiced for your own benefit; it can be used to protect one's family or master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding injury by using the hands and feet should one by any chance be confronted by a villain or ruffian.” ~ Anko Itosu (1830–1915), Okinawan Karate Master, from his letter 10 Precepts of Karate written in 1908
