The Reciprocal -- Chief Instructor's Blog September 2020

As a self-defense martial art, Han Moo Kwan tactics are based on close contact self-defense when no other option such as avoidance is available to you. These tactics require that you ensure you are protected (especially vulnerable targets) at all times. If you watch MMA, boxing, etc., they never have one hand at their waist. Never. Yet, this reciprocal position at the waist (or around the ribs) is very commonly taught in Tae Kwon Do and Karate schools/clubs, including ours. So why would we practice and teach techniques that put one of our hands at our hip – where it is not protecting a vulnerable spot.

When we first teach the basics in our Club, the emphasis on the reciprocal is primarily to: 

• Learn proper motion of the technique (for example, can help keep shoulders square, if throwing equal force) 

• Learn some basic body coordination 

• Experience some sense force due to the reciprocal motion 

The Japanese term for the reciprocal is “hiki-te” (after some searching, I could not find the equivalent Korean term. In fact, in most books, video, etc. I have on tae kwon do, the discussion of the reciprocal is very limited or not discussed at all). “Hiki” translates to “to draw” or “to pull” and “te” translates to “hand”, so its direct translation is drawing hand or pulling hand. 

If pulling, then the intent is that hand is very active. So, at intermediates’ level, this hand should be just as active as the lead hand throwing the technique and be ready at all times to throw a technique (punch, block, etc.). When you start thinking of the reciprocal as an active part of your technique, you are now throwing a two-handed technique (for example: opening move to Pyung Ahn 2 or ending moves to Pyung Ahn 1, etc.). And thinking of the technique that way (as a two-handed technique), you will start becoming more effective in throwing all other techniques since both hands will be equally active and ready for anything. A simple application that can help in visually this is using the reciprocal to pull an opponent off-balance from a same side grab or cross hand grab. 

The other benefit of the reciprocal is consciously or unconsciously it helps keep our focus at our hips which is where our true power comes from. It trains us to start from and/or come back to our center. This is also a very important concept to use your center to draw the power as you progress in your mastery of the artform. 

 I said up above that the reciprocal gave a sense of force. This is important in the beginning to feel your techniques can be effective and the reciprocal can give one that perception of opposite force helps with leading hand force. At some point you learn or realize (usually advanced blue or brown belt), placing too much emphasis on a force going backwards is actually taking away from your power (or as I call it – splitting your power). So, as you advance, the focus while the arm is traveling backwards is to actually focus forward while remaining very active. 

In close combat, which is what this art form was designed for, both hands (regardless if one is in the lead and one trailing) must be ready at all times. So, if have not started, ensure at all times both hands are active and start having an intention of what both hands are doing during each and every technique.

Regards, 

Kelly 

"When facing an opponent in a combative posture it is important to know the lead hand can be used to deal with both offensive and defensive issues. The lead hand can be used for both protecting and attacking concurrently. The rear hand is used as a reserve if and when the front hand cannot accomplish the intended outcome. Then mefutode can be used for both offense and defense.” ~ Choki Motobu (1871–1944), Founder of Okinawan Tomari-te Karate