|
|
|
|
|
|
 | | The following are further excerpts from HapKiDo by Marc Tedeschi: |
Circular Movement:
Many Hapkido techniques are made up of circular movements. Large or small circles can be seen in the motions of strikes, blocks, throws and locks. Circles can also be seen in footwork and overall body movements. | | Circular movements in Hapkido can be either large or small depending upon technique or the particular system/school. Different systems have often have different preferences. In the hands of highly-skilled practitioners, many Hapkido techniques are applied using tight, small circles. | | Hapkido is often incorrectly perceived as an art of large circular techniques. This likely stems from the following: |  | When teaching circular movements (example, traps, throws, locks), the traditional method was to initially teach large circular motions. | | | Very large movements assist the student in learning the basic mechanics, overall direction and flow of the techniques. | | | Large circular movements are safer techniques to practice but for this reason they are less effective. | | | Large motions were taught to also camouflage the real nature of the technique, until students had proved their loyalty over many years. In other words, the students practiced 'bad' techinques until their master decided to give them the key that allowed them to progress to a higher level. This practice of holding back is common to most Asian martial arts. | | | Today, many American schools are beginning to introduce small circle techniques at the beginner level. | | | This isn't to say that all small circle techniques are superior to large circle techiques. Consider the spinning back fist strike or spinning heel kick. Additionally, many throws are more effective utilizing larger movements. |
| | Circular motion is also applied by spinning. This can be seen in certain strikes, spin kicks, and throws, in which fast body-spins create devastating speed and power. This is a simple result of physics. The impact force is directly related to the velocity and weight of the appendage. The velocity is directly proportional to the speed of rotation as well as the length of the limb. Therefore the faster the rotation and longer the arm or leg, the greater the force. |
|
|
|
|
Students Of The Week
|
|
Check Back Later!
|
|
|
|
