Saturday, April 1, 2017

Protect Self At All Times - - Chief Instructor's Blog April 2017


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