Taekwondon Punch Continues

Continuing from the previous post on Taekwondo punch, besides the few main points to take note, the other point to note just like for kicking techniques, is the use of the hip. When we throw a punch just like when we kick, it is not just about the hand or the kicking foot but it is the combination together with the hip.

It is important that we deliver a punch in with the twist, we will twist our hip throwing it forward too. That is where the force can be generated. Next of course depending on the situation, we will not always be able to throw our punch together with our body or hip in. We need to retract it back so as to continue or follow up with more punches, kicks or to leave some room for not being too slow or prone to a counter.

Of course, punches can come in many different styles. But to generate a punch with a maximum force, the body and hip is an important ingredient.

Taekwondo punch

A punch is one very basic thing that a Taekwondo practitioner will start doing. Horse riding stance and start to punch. In all the grading pattern, there are also punches but yet punches are the less often being used in Sparring. What is the reason for that? It is harder to score a point is what some will say. The kick is easier and to certain extent that is true.

In Taekwondo sport, scoring is part of the game and to win one need to score more. Or rather, more training is done to perfect the technique of kicking which is easier to score points. But at least, one should not neglect the technique of punching. It will come in handy also.

But a punch itself has many kind of styles, all in its own way is effective. For a Taekwondo punch, there are actually a few parts to it. Today we shall talk about twisting of your hand at the right moment.

It is important to note that when you throw a punch, 1. make sure that you should not clench tightly when you are throwing a punch, 2. at the point of contact to your target, twist the wrist the fastest you can and clench your fist tightly.

Note the point of contact and that the arm should not locked.

Taekwondo low block

Taekwondo low block is one of the most basic and effective blocks used. It was part of the basic training when someone begins Taekwondo. Usually in Poomsae, the exponent is supposed to lift his or her arm to the shoulder level and then cut down to block a kick or punch.

The motion is pretty straight forward but the key lies in the twisting at the moment of contacting the opponent's attack. The twisting has to be done fast and that's where our twisting muscle comes in. That's where practioners need to take note that why learning martial art is different and what does the training entails.

In blocking, the twisting is key because of the technique of deflection that we are learning. The Taekwondo low block is effective is sparring also and it is often used. The blocks in Poomsae are often known to be impractical and it is for show but it has its use when it comes to the practical part just that there may be some slight changes. We will come to this at a later post.

In short, to perform a low block one has to note that:

1. Relax your hand first and ensure that your fingers which are already in a fist clenching position but facing inwards to your body for maximum effectiveness.

2. Twist the wrist first at the moment of contact and clenched your fist hard.

You may ask why should we relax our hand and fist when it is supposed to be clenched already at first? This will in a way make your block faster when it is more relax and agile making your motion less stiff and less strength is wasted.

Use your strength wisely is another thing we can also learn from our basic techniques.

New Taekwondo event at the 25th Sea Games

There was something new to this year's Sea Games. Sea Games stands for Southeast Asia Games and in this region it has actually a handful of World class Taekwondo players who have won medals at the World Championships and even at the Olympics. The something new refers to have poomsae as an event actually in the games. This allow more players to have the opportunity to win more medals for their countries. Besides the poomsae there is of course as usual the sparring event. Here is a video of the gold medal team for poomsae:



This year's Sea Games is actually held in Laos which the host nation also had a gold medal from the Taekwondo event. More Sea Games actions will be shown later up.

Kukkiwon Taekwondo

This video feature an experience in Korea with real Taekwondo at the Headquarters of the World Taekwondo Federation also known as Kukkiwon. Here in the video they also show the demonstration at the Kukkiwon. If one were to visit Korea and want to learn more about Taekwondo, visit Kukkiwon to find out more about its history, culture and heritage.

Pattern which needs good flexibility

Look at this video and one may be amazed by the ability and flexibility of the practitioner. The pattern she performed really demonstrates her control of her kicks able to hold up in the air and to do continuous high kicks on a single leg. Overall it is like a combination of gymnastic and taekwondo.

How are the Poomsae competitiors being judged?

If you like to participate in Poomsae competitions, one may be interested to find out how is the score given and is based on what. It basically has three categories the score is based on. Accuracy, mastery and presentation. Under accuracy, you have accuracy in terms of basic movement and in terms of individual movements of the poomsae. This comprises of half of the score given. The other half falls in mastery and presentation which sees one volume of movement, balance, power and speed. Coordination of rhythm and tempo together with softness and power and expression of ki are the things that will be considered as well as they are the presentation part.

More principles of basic movements

Besides all the hands movements in a poomsae. The kicks are also being scrutinised. For front kick, the placement of the fists depends on their positions before the kick. If one fist is on the hip, pull the other fist back to the front of the body while executing the kick. If both fists are in positions other than the hip, they should be placed in the front of the body in guarding position while kicking. If sidekick is followed by a elbow strike, the arm on the kicking side is to be extended naturally as if to do outward hammer fist. If not, the aims should be placed in a comfortable position in front of the body.

Some principles of basic movements

For a poomsae to be executed well, there are some principles of basic movements to be adhered to.

Generally, high blocks starts from the waist, low section blocks from the shoulder and middle section block from either the shoulder or waist.

At the start of middle session and low section blocks, the fist should not exceed shoulder level. If knife hand is used, it may exceed the level slightly.

It is also important to note that blocks are done from 'outside' while strikes are executed from 'inside'.

When blocking, do it in circular motion to give the body better cover. When striking or punching, shoot directly to the target for speed.

One must remember also that the contact point regardless forearm or knife hand of blocking techniques should be at the level of the line of the attacking point

Poomsae an art

I have just realised that i didn't talk much about Poomsae in the blog ha and perhaps i should just write a little how i feel about it. Poomsae also known as pattern is the set of movements practioners will execute and it comprises of basic movements such as blocks, hand strikes and kicks. To me poomsae is like an art, it got to be done with the required force and most importantly gracefully then the poomsae will look nice. Poomsae is required in grading and only in recent years, they have poomsae competitions. In the past, competitions only involved sparring. World Taekwondo Poomsae competitions was only held recently and is not competed in any major games.