Hapkido Ten Basic Techniques - Part 1

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Hapkido Ten Basic Techniques - Part 1

Hapkido Basic Techniques – Part 1

The late GM Myung Kwang Sik developed the 10 Hapkido Basic Techniques from the thousands of techniques in Hapkido. These 10 basic techniques can be found in defenses against basic wrist grabs, to attack techniques, weapons defense, and advanced multiple attack defenses. Mastery of these techniques will yield tremendous benefits for joint lock, striking, and throwing techniques.

All the basic techniques are performed with both the attacker and partner facing each other with the same foot forward. The attacker performs the techniques. Sequential pictures of these techniques can be found in the picture gallery. A video of the first five techniques can be accessed on this link, Hapkido Basic 10 (1 through 5).

Falling

Hapkido techniques appear to be flashy and at times, choreographed or even staged. While aerial falling appears to be staged, it is a necessity to allow the attacker to execute the technique at full or near full speed. If one resists and does not follow the motion of the attack, the area being attacked will sustain tremendous damage including dislocations. Thus, the motion of falling is not for show or flair, but to allow the attacker to perform techniques without injuring the partner. The practice of respect, morality, stems from literally entrusting your well being, perhaps even life, to your partner, that they will execute the technique to the best of their ability without injuring their partner. Without respect and morality, one will not be allowed to practice in a school and run out of partners very quickly through injury. Another interesting aspect is the tremendous learning potential of being the receiving partner in a technique. In order to fall correctly, one must have a thorough understanding of the technique. Hence, being a partner and falling is one of the best learning tools in Hapkido. There are also some techniques where falling may seem premature and truly staged, but in reality, the fall is in expectation of an imminent and dangerous attack such as a strike. It is extremely difficult to time a fall at the exact moment before being struck, as well as trying to pull back a strike at the exact moment before impact. In addition, pulling back before a strike does not allow for full practice of the speed and power of a technique. Hence, while a fall may look premature and staged, it is again, to avoid serious injury to the training partner.

Follow Up Techniques

It is common to see many follow up techniques after the initial technique. The goal of the technique, as my first instructor Master Song Ho Jin said, is “one strike, one victory” – Il Kyuk Pil Seung (일격필승). Simply put, the goal of the first technique is to completely dominate the opponent through immobilization or destruction of joints, pressure points, vital organs, etc. There may be cases where due to error in execution, environment (e.g., thick clothing), or other factors, additional techniques are warranted. The versatility of Hapkido allows for continuation of the initial technique into numerous transitional attacks. However, keep in mind that the goal of training is to execute perfect technique the first time, every time.

Hapkido Basic Techniques Part 1 – 1 through 5

Knife Arm
Wrist Throwing
Reverse Wrist Lock
Arm Lock and Throw
Inverse Wrist Lock

Knife Arm

This is likely one of the most easily recognized techniques of Hapkido. The knife arm (칼날“kal nal” in Korean) is formed by opening the hand tightly. This allows the bone on the outer forearm to be exposed and utilized in joint locks. If the hand is not held open tightly, the muscles of the forearm will contract and the bone will not be exposed limiting the effectiveness of any technique utilizing the knife arm. Key points include pulling in the opponent’s arm closely against the chest and raising the right leg and stepping into the technique as the knife arm is applied against the opponent’s upper arm. Another key point is to grab and push the opponent’s arm away from your body then to immediately pull it against your chest. This motion facilitates control over the opponent’s body consistent with the principle of utilizing the opponent’s power against them. If you try to pull the opponent’s arm directly in, they may resist. Due to the advantage of greater strength, the opponent may be able to resist the pull and neutralize the attack. By initially pushing the opponent’s arm away, it destabilizes the opponent and minimal amount of strength is required to pull the arm back in. Without proper instruction, these are points that are often unseen in pictures or even video.

The target area is three finger spaces above the elbow joint. Common mistakes include allowing the opponent’s arm to drop as the knife arm is applied. By keeping the opponent’s arm closely to the chest, greater pressure and the power full power of the body is applied against the opponent as well as maintaining control during the lock. Advanced techniques include transitions to immobilization or throws. One follow through is to continue the joint lock forcing the opponent to the ground and pinning the upper arm with the hand with the knee pinning the back of the shoulder.

Wrist Throwing

This is another classic Hapkido technique. While stepping forward, grab the opponent’s wrist with the right hand grabbing the wrist on top of the left hand. Critical aspects are placing the little fingers tightly on the opponent’s inner wrist. Also, the right thumb is used to attack the pressure point on the back of the hand below the opponent’s ring finger while the left thumb is placed over the right thumb forming an “X” while executing the throw. These two points allow for control of the opponent’s wrist as well as ease in executing the throw. Advanced forms of this technique include control and restraint using the wrist joint lock.

Reverse Wrist Joint Lock

The initial movement of this technique is similar to basic technique #1 where the opponent’s wrist is grabbed and first pushed away from the body and then back. The opponent’s wrist should be rotated from up to down in a counterclockwise circular motion. As with technique #2, the pressure point on the back of the opponent’s hand must be attacked in addition to placing the little fingers tightly inside the opponent’s inner wrist. The power of the grip comes from holding the little fingers tightly inside the opponent’s wrist and the index fingers should be pointed straight out.

Arm Lock and Throw

The Korean name for this technique is “Sa Bang Kuk Ki” – 사방꺾기. It literally translates to “Four” joint lock as the opponent’s arm is locked in a figure four stressing the elbow and shoulder joints. As you step into the technique, execute a straight punch to the face while grabbing the opponent’s wrist in an in to out circular motion bringing the opponent’s arm around in a counterclockwise circular motion. While stepping in, grab the opponent’s wrist with both hands rotating the opponent’s arm into a figure four. This is an extremely dangerous joint lock which stresses both the elbow and shoulder. For beginning training, this technique can be executed by pulling the opponent arm straight down rather than forming a figure four. Follow up can be to trap the opponent’s wrist on the ground and placing the left hand on top of the upper arm with the right hand free to attack or restrain the opponent on the ground.

Inverse Wrist Lock

Grab the opponent’s wrist and step in and under the opponent’s arm. The thumb is used to execute a pressure point strike to the back of the hand just under the web of the thumb (“Hap Gok” - 합곡 pressure point). The opponent’s wrist will be twisted and in a vertical position with the wrist lock twisting the wrist forcing the opponent upwards. The technique is completed by stepping forward and throwing the opponent to the front. Advanced form of this technique is a restraint and control of the opponent with the wrist in a stressed lock position. Steven Seagal uses this technique in many of his movies, at times using just one hand to control and restrain the opponent. As with other techniques, this technique can transition smoothly into other technique such as the knife arm followed by a throw.

Hapkido 10 Basic Techniques Part 2

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