"Educate the young to create heroic
leaders" -General Choi, Hong Hi, Founder of TKD |
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THE THEORY OF POWER |
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The beginning
student may ask; 'Where does one obtain the power to create the devastating results
attributed to Taekwon-Do?' This power is attributed to the utilization of a
person's full potential through the mathematical application of Taekwon-Do
techniques. The average person uses only 10
to 20 percent of his potential. Anyone, regardless of size, age, or sex who
can condition himself to use 100 percent of his potential can also perform
the same destructive techniques. Though
training will certainly result in a superb level of physical fitness, it will
not necessarily result in the acquisition of extraordinary stamina or
superhuman strength. More important, Taekwon-Do training will result in
obtaining a high level of reaction force, concentration, equilibrium, breath
control and speed; these are the factors that will result in a high degree of physical
power. REACTION FORCE (Bandong Ryok) According to
Newton's Law, every force has an equal and opposite force. When an automobile
crashes into a wall with the force of 2,000 pounds, the wall will return a
force of 2,000 pounds; or forcing the end of the seesaw down with a ton of
weight will provide an upward force of the same weight; if
your opponent is rushing towards you at a high speed, by the slightest blow
at his head, the force with which you strike his head would be that of his
own onslaught plus that of your blow. The two
forces combined; his, which is large, and yours, which is small is quite
impressive. Another reaction force is your own. A punch with the right fist
is aided by pulling back the left fist to the hip. CONCENTRATION (Jip Joong) By applying
the impact force onto the smallest target area, it will concentrate the force
and therefore, increase its effect. For example, the force of water coming
out of a water hose is greater if the orifice is smaller. Conversely, the
weight of a man spread out on snow shoes makes hardly any impression on the
snow. The blows in Taekwon-Do are often concentrated onto the edge of the
open palm or to the crook of the fingers. It is very
important that you should not unleash all your strength at the beginning but
gradually, and particularly at the point of contact with your opponent's
body, the force must be so concentrated as to give a knock-out blow. That is
to say, the shorter the time for the concentration, the greater will be the
power of the blow. The utmost concentration is required in order to
mobilize every muscle of the body onto the smallest target area
simultaneously. In
conclusion, concentration is done in two ways: one is to concentrate every
muscle of the body, particularly the bigger muscles around the hip and
abdomen (which theoretically are slower than the smaller muscles of other
parts of the body) towards the appropriate tool to be used at the proper
time; the second way is to concentrate such mobilized muscles onto the
opponent's vital spot. This is the reason why the hip and abdomen are jerked
slightly before the hands and feet in any action, whether it be attack or
defence. Remember, jerking can be executed in two ways:
laterally and vertically. EQUILIBRIUM
(Kyun Hyung) Balance is of
utmost importance in any type of athletics. In Taekwon-Do, it deserves
special consideration. By keeping the body always in equilibrium, that is,
well balanced, a blow is more effective and deadly. Conversely, the
unbalanced one is easily toppled. The stance should always be stable yet
flexible, for both offensive and defensive movements. Equilibrium
is classified into both dynamic and static stability. They are so closely
inter-related that the maximum force can only be produced when the static
stability is maintained through dynamic stability. To maintain
good equilibrium, the center of gravity of the stance must fall on a straight
line midway between both legs when the body weight is distributed equally on
both legs, or in the center of the foot if it is necessary to concentrate the
bulk of body weight on one foot. The center of gravity
can be adjusted according to body weight. Flexibility and knee spring are
also important in maintaining balance for both a quick attack and instant
recovery. One additional point; the heel of the rear foot should never be off
the ground at the point of impact. This is not only necessary for good
balance but also to produce maximum power at the point of impact. BREATH CONTROL (Hohup Jojul) Controlled
breathing not only affects one's stamina and speed but can also condition a
body to receive a blow and augment the power of a blow directed against an
opponent. Through practice, breath stopped in the state of exhaling at the
critical moment when a blow is landed against a pressure point on the body
can prevent a loss of consciousness and stifle pain. A sharp exhaling of
breath at the moment of impact and stopping the breath during the execution
of a movement tense the abdomen to concentrate maximum effort on the delivery
of the motion, while a slow inhaling helps the preparation of the next
movement. An important rule to remember;
Never inhale while focusing a block or blow against an opponent. Not only
will this impede movement but it will also result in a loss of power. Students
should also practice disguised breathing to conceal any outward signs of
fatigue. An experienced fighter will certainly press an attack when he
realizes his opponent is on the point of exhaustion. One breath is required
for one movement with the exception of a connecting motion. MASS (Zilyang) Mathematically,
the maximum kinetic energy or force is obtained from maximum body weight and
speed and it is all important that the body weight be increased during the
execution of a blow. No doubt the maximum body weight is applied with the
motion of turning the hip. The large abdominal muscles are twisted to provide
additional body momentum. Thus the hip rotates in the same direction as that
of the attacking or blocking tool as in figure F. Another way of increasing
body weight is the utilization of a springing action of the knee joint. This
is achieved by slightly raising the hip at the beginning of the motion and
lowering the hip at the moment of impact to
drop the body weight into the motion as in figure G. SPEED (Sokdo) Speed is the
most essential factor of force or power. Scientifically, force equals mass
multiplied by acceleration (F = MA) or (P = MV2). According to
the theory of kinetic energy, every object increases its weight as well as speed
in a downward movement. This very principle is applied to this particular art
of self-defence. For this reason, at the moment of impact, the position of
the hand normally becomes lower than the shoulder and the foot lower than the
hip while the body is in the air. Reaction
force, breath, control, equilibrium, concentration, and relaxation of the
muscles cannot be ignored. However, these are the factors that contribute to
the speed and all these factors, together with flexible and rhythmic
movements, must be well coordinated to produce the maximum power in
Taekwon-Do. In
summarizing, it is necessary to point out that the principles of force
outlined here hold just as true today in our modern scientific and nuclear
age as they did centuries ago. I am sure
that when you go through this art, both in theory and in practice, you will
find that the scientific basis of the motions and the real power which comes
out a small human body cannot fail to impress you. |
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30 Willand Drive | Somersworth, NH 03878 Phone: (603) 534-3868 | [email protected] |
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