Hapkido

 

Hapkido is a form of self defense that employs joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and other strikes. Hapkido practitioners train to counter the techniques of other martial arts as well as common unskilled attacks. There is also a range of traditional weapons including short stick, cane, rope, sword and staff which vary in emphasis depending on the particular tradition examined.

 

Although Hapkido contains both leg and close range fighting techniques, the purpose of most engagements is to get near for a close strike, lock or throw. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, non resisting movements and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage, avoiding the use of strength against strength.

 

Most forms of Hapkido include a series of double kicks used to promote balance, coordination and muscular control. An example of a double kick set is: Front Kick – Side Kick; Front Kick – Back Kick (“Turning-Side Kick”); Front Kick – Roundhouse Kick. After these kicks are mastered using one foot kick, the student moves on to jumping versions using alternate kicking legs.

 

Like most martial arts, Hapkido employs a great number of punches and hand strikes, as well as elbow strikes, very similar to Tae Kwon Do. The hand strikes are often used to weaken the opponent before joint locking and throwing, and also as finishing techniques. Much of Hapkido’s joint control  techniques are said to be derived largely from aikijujutsu. They are taught similarly to aikido techniques, but in general the circles are smaller and the techniques are applied in a more linear fashion. Hapkido’s joint manipulation techniques attack both large joints, such as the elbows, shoulder, neck, back, knee and hip and small joints such as wrists, fingers, ankles, toes and jaw.

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