Let’s look how your physical techniques evolve over time and the expectations as you are promoted from rank to rank. We will explore four aspects of techniques as one progresses over time: Mechanics, force, grounding, and energy projection. The figure below depicts generally the expectations of these four aspects over time as a student progresses in the art form.
Mechanics
As a white belt, the focus is almost exclusively on mechanics and the drills and practice are focused on perfecting the mechanics. By the time a student reaches Brown Belt, it is expected the mechanics are near perfect. And as you move towards Black Belt, a student must maintain that balance so their mechanics stay near perfect as they learn different aspects of the art form.
Use of Force
As a white belt, there is very little emphasis on physical force. The mechanics are the foundation for all techniques and without them adding force proves to be very ineffective. As the mechanics become more effective and safe, there is more emphasis on the use of force. In order to reach blue belt there is an expectation that a majority of your techniques have significant force. However, there must always be a balance between mechanics, refining the mechanics, and adding force. By the time a student reaches Brown Belt, it is expected they are always throwing force in every technique and the mechanics are near perfect. After Brown Belt, as a student progresses towards a Black Belt, there is actually an expectation that there is a decrease in the use of force as students are expected to use more and more energy and less physical force in their techniques.
Grounding
As a white belt, there is very little emphasis on grounding. In order to progress there is an expectation that students are grounded more often in their techniques, hyung, self-defense etc. By being grounded; techniques can be performed as a connection of the entire body with the earth (ground). The end result is increased balance, stability, and strength with minimum use of muscular tension and/or strain. As a student continues to progress it is expected that they are grounded more and more and in order to reach First Degree Black Belt they are grounded nearly all the time.
Energy Projection
As a white belt, the concept of energy projection is introduced through drills such as the fire hose drill and the light and heavy drill, however, energy projection is not expected to be performed at that time with the techniques. As a student continues to progress it is to project energy with their techniques more and more, and in order to reach Second Degree Black Belt they project energy with all their techniques. In addition, it is expected that energy matches the philosophy of Han Moo Kwan: direct, offensive, linear, destructive. Part of the rationale for the progression of energy projection is without the perfect mechanics, being grounded, and an understanding of how force feels when applied correctly; applying energy is not usually effective.
While this may seem a lot to think about regarding the expectation of the physical techniques in order to progress n the art form, it is part of what makes the art form always interesting and challenging to study.
Regards,
Kelly
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~ Lao-Tzu (6th century BC), philosopher of ancient China, and best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching
