Grading Material for 2nd Kup

Requirements:

• Hwa-Rang Tul
• Self Defence (Pre-arranged) Yakok Hosin Sul
• Free Sparring Jayu Matsogi
• Power:
  Side Piercing Kick Yopcha Jirugi
  Turning Kick Dollyo Chagi
  Reverse Turning Kick Bandae Dollyo Chagi
  Hand Technique Son Gilsool
  

HWA-RANG is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity. (For more about Hwa-Rang https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwarang)

HWA-RANG Movements - 29
Ready Posture - CLOSED READY STANCE C

1. Move the left foot to B to forma sitting stance toward D while executing a middle pushing block to D with the left palm.

2. Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward D.

3. Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward D.

4. Execute a twin forearm block while forming a left L-stance toward A, pivoting with the let foot.

5. Execute an upward punch with the left fist while pulling the right side fist in front of the left shoulder, maintaining a left L-stance toward A.

6. Execute a middle punch to A with the right fist while forming a right fixed stance toward A in a sliding motion.

7. Execute a downward strike with the right knife-hand while forming a left vertical stance toward A, pulling the right foot.

8. Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a middle punch to A with the left fist.

9. Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the left forearm.

10. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.

11. Pull the left foot toward the right foot while bringing the left palm to the right forefist, at the same time bending the right elbow about 45 degrees outward.

12. Execute a middle side piercing kick to D with the right foot while pulling both hands in the opposite direction and then lower it to D forming a left L-stance toward D, at the same time executing a middle outward strike to D with the right knife-hand.

13. Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the left fist.

14. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D at the same time executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.

15. Move the left foot to E turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward E while executing a middle guarding block to E with a knife-hand.

16. Move the right foot to E forming a right walking stance toward E while executing a middle thrust to E with the right straight finger tip.

17. Move the right foot on line EF forming a right L-stance toward F while executing a middle guarding block to F with a knife-hand.

18. Execute a high turning kick to DF with the right foot and then lower it to F.

19. Execute a high turning kick to CF with the left foot and then lower it to F forming a right L-stance toward F while executing a middle guarding block to F with a knife-hand. Perform 18 and 19 in a fast motion.

20. Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with the left forearm.

21. Execute a middle punch to C with the right fist while forming a right L-stance toward C, pulling the left foot.

22. Move the right foot to C forming a left L-stance toward C while executing a middle punch to C with the left fist.

23. Move the left foot to C forming a right L-stance toward C while executing a middle punch to C with the right fist.

24. Execute a pressing block with an X-fist while forming a left walking stance toward C, slipping the left foot to C.

25. Move the right foot to C in a sliding motion forming a right L-stance toward D while thrusting to C with the right side elbow.

26. Bring the left foot to the right foot, turning counter clockwise to form a closed stance toward B while executing a side front block with the right inner forearm while extending the left forearm to the side downward.

27. Execute a side front block with the left inner forearm, extending the right forearm to the side downward while maintaining a closed stance toward B.

28. Move the left foot to B forming a right L-stance toward B at the same time executing a middle guarding block to B with a knife-hand.

29. Bring the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to A forming a left L-stance toward A while executing a middle guarding block to A with a knife-hand.

END: Bring the right foot back to a ready posture.

After extensively practicing this exercise the student should be able to:

• Release from a least 6 typical grabs.
• 2nd kups will need to be able to 'escape' from the holds/situations listed below, using the A, B or R (Attack, Break, Release) method.
• 1st kup and higher will need to be able to release from any hold (undefined) by a single attacker.
• Listed below are 6 typical situations the students must be able to 'escape' from (Taken from Gen Choi gives examples on page 682 (1999 edition)).

• Opponent grabs your wrist/hand/arm with one hand
• Opponent grabs your wrist/hand/arm with both hands
• Defence from a hair grab
• Defence from a choke
• Defence from a necktie being grabbed.
• Defence from a rear choke hold.

Basic release from grabs can be taught to all grades but will not be examined until 2nd kup.

Free sparring is essentially open combat with controlled attacking and prohibition of attacking to certain vital spots.

In a free sparring there is no prearranged mode between the players, and both are completely free to attack and defend with all available means and methods with only one exception: The attacker MUST STOP the attacking tool just before reaching the vital spot.

Because Taekwon-Do is a lethal form of self-defence, the sparring rules (unlike those of other competitive sports) count only blows focused within two centimeters of a vital spot instead of counting the number of ineffective blows by the use of sheer brute strength, In sparring focused blows, speed, power, balance, strong and accurate blocking, skillful dodging and attitude are taken into consideration.

With true Taekwon-Do style sparring, through theoretical, powerful movements that are aesthetically pleasing while avoiding "chicken fighting". Chicken fighting is caused by those students who use only stereotyped movement without any tactics and regard for the opponents position.

Main points:

1. Defence
2. Instant Attack and Counter Attack
3. Deception
4. Selection of a proper target
5. Direction of Attack and Defence
6. Technique Experimentation
7. Development of Tactic and Maneuver
8. Dodging Technique
9. Counter Attack
10. Flying Multiple Techniques
11. Position Change

Taekwon-Do is a Martial Art because it aims at a noble moral rearmament, good health and a variety of techniques to defend oneself and the weak by discriminating against political involvement and commercialisation to embody a just society. Unfortunately many instructors forgetting this true nature of Taekwon-Do, rely on showmanship and over emphases free sparring to cover up their lack of technique.

As a result, their students have a tendency toward arrogance once winning a local or national championship without trying to improve and expand their technique.

Of course free sparring is a very important part of Taekwon-Do to build courage, experience, sense of victory, ability of performance and significance of participation. However, it should not be the only focus of the training. A student will see free sparring is not real combat and is a very small part of Taekwon-Do due to the following limitations

1. Prohibition of attacking the vital spots
2. Limited number of attacking tools
3. Limited number of attacking areas
4. Limited space for fighting
5. Limited number of attacking methods
6. Safety equipment
7. No full contact

Accordingly, in free sparring the player can have a chance to exchange less than a dozen fundamental movements, compared to the over 3000 available. This is the reason General Choi emphasized correct training of fundamental movements rather than on free sparring.

Composition of Taekwon-Do

Taekwon-Do is composed of fundamental movements, patterns, dallyon, sparring and self-defence techniques that are so closely related that it is impossible to segregate one phase of instruction from another. Fundamental movements are necessary for sparring and patterns, while both patterns and sparring are indispensable for perfection of fundamental movements.

There is, in fact, like the Deity, no beginning or end. A student will find that he will have to return time and time again to the beginning fundamental movements to perfect his advanced sparring and self-defence techniques.

Each fundamental movement, in most cases, represents and attack or defence against a particular target area or definite action of an imaginary opponent or opponents. It is necessary to learn as many fundamental movements as possible and fit them into complete proficiency so the student can meet any situation in actual combat with confidence. The pattern actually places the student in a hypothetical situation where he must avail himself to defence, counterattack, and attack motions, against several opponents. Through constant practice of these patterns, the attack and defence become a conditioned reflex movement. Power and speed must be developed to such a high degree that only one single blow is needed to stop an opponent, so the student can shift stance and block or attack another opponent. Each pattern is different from the other in order to develop reaction against changing circumstances.

Once the basic patterns are mastered, the student then begins to physically apply the skill obtained from fundamental patterns and movements to sparring against actual moving opponents.

Collaterally with sparring, the student must begin to develop his body and toughen his attacking and blocking tools so he is able to deliver maximum damage in actual combat. Once a student has applied himself to fundamental movements, patterns, sparring and dallyon, then the time has arrived for the student to test his coordination, speed, balance, and concentration against spontaneous attacks: ie. self-defence. The student will constantly find himself returning, however, to his fundamentals even when he has achieved the highest possible degree of self-defence techniques. As in military training, Taekwon-Do progression follows a certain parallel:

1. Fundamental Movements = Individual soldier's basic training
2. Dallyon = Maintenance of equipment (conditioning of the body in Taekwon-Do)
3. Patterns = Platoon tactics
4. Sparring = Field exercises in simulated combat conditions
5. Self-defence = Actual Combat