This subject can be quite complicated, and also controversial, so I have tried to explain it in simple terms. Whilst it is important that we understand the principles, never lose sight of the most important thing – that your techniques work effectively!

It cannot be stressed enough to allow the beginning student to move naturally first and get a feel for the movements rather than bombard them with scientific and mathematical concepts of ‘Sine Wave’.

Knee-Spring (or ‘Sine-Wave’, or “Down-Up-Down”)

History: The basis of this motion is a concept often referred to as ‘Sine Wave’, because General Choi likened the motion to a mathematical sine wave in the 1970’s, which is an oscillating up-and-down motion.

‘Knee-Spring’ is a better description, and the one we will use, because it describes what is happening – i.e. using the knees to ‘spring’ from one position to another (this does NOT mean bounce!). It is actually the natural way a human body moves from one point to another. Perhaps we could say we are ‘springing into action’.

Important: Though the ‘down-up-down’ motion of Knee-Spring is often exaggerated to make it clearer, in practice the motion should be slight, not exaggerated.

Knee-Spring is characterised by a down-up-down movement (as seen in the diagram above, and why General Choi likened it to a Sine Wave).

1. Down – Relax: we relax so we can start to move more quickly (accelerating), and in so doing we drop slightly because we flex our knees as we relax. This is a subtle movement. At this point we are compressing the knees like a spring. We move our arms to the ‘neutral’ position in front of the chest, still relaxed.
2. Up – flowing into the movement: We are now accelerating into the technique and have released the compression of our knees, which is why we rise up, creating potential energy. We continue accelerating towards the target in a flowing motion, chambering our next technique – i.e. move hands/feet to the point where we are ready to unleash the block/attack.
3. Down – Power: this is the point where everything comes together and we deliver an effective technique! We have reached full acceleration (speed) at the moment of impact with the target. We use our reaction force to achieve more speed. We exhale (breath-control) to maximise our body-weight (mass) and bring everything together, using kinetic energy and (to a small extent) gravity. We are balanced. We use the correct blocking/attacking tool, concentrating on the correct target.

When trying to describe this process, I often think of a wave breaking onto a shore when the power is unleashed… a smooth motion, not a jagged saw-tooth motion.

In order to understand the purpose and correct application of Knee-Spring, I suggest you review the Training Secrets of TaekwonDo, and take a good look at the Theory of Power.

Unfortunately, some TaekwonDo schools over-exaggerate the ‘Sine-Wave’ motion, forgetting the most important part of any technique, which is that it should work in a real situation! Over exaggerated Sine-Wave motion slows us down, which is the exact opposite of the most important part of delivering a technique that works – speed.

To emphasise the point:

• Knee-Spring (Sine Wave) should be a natural movement, not a forced or conscious action.
• The focus should be on the technique you are about to execute and focussing all your power into the blocking or attacking tool.
• During a ‘normal’ or regular stepping motion, Knee-Spring is generally created by the relaxation of the leg muscles at the initial stage of the technique’s execution, whether it be whilst stepping or whilst stationary.

So, hopefully we now understand how to move from one technique to the next properly, and the basic principles of why we use a Knee-Spring to do so.

But there’s more!

There are various ‘types of motion’ used in Patterns to describe different ways to deliver techniques; it is useful to learn these and to understand why we use them.

Please refer to the table at the bottom which summarises the use of Knee-Spring in each type of motion.

1. Normal Motion – This is the most common execution of a technique utilising the principles (or training secrets) of TaekwonDo. Techniques are executed one at a time, using a full Knee-Spring, culminating with a single breath-control at the end of each movement when the power is applied.

Example: All movements in Sajo-Jirugi, Sajo-Makgi and Chon-Ji use this motion.

Summary: 1 technique, 1 Knee-Spring, 1 breath

2. Continuous Motion – We see this first in Dan-Gun tul. In movement numbers 13-14, we execute a left outer-forearm low block followed by a left outer-forearm rising block in a continuous motion -meaning the two techniques are executed with a single count, with one continuous breath-control (which lasts from the beginning of the first movement until the end of the second movement). There is a full knee-spring for each movement.

In reality, the long breath is accentuated on the power application for each technique; it may be helpful to say “one and…. two” when practicing this type of motion, accentuating the ‘one’ and ‘two’. So in Dan-Gun ‘one’ would be the low block, ‘and’ would be the relaxation/re-chambering between techniques, and ‘two’ would be the rising block.

Purpose: Continuous motion always starts with a block. The main reason for using this kind of motion is to allow an instant response to an attack, by either blocking the next technique or delivering your own counter attack.

Summary: 2 techniques, 2 complete knee-springs, 1 continuous breath (accentuated on the power)

3. Fast Motion – This consists of two movements executed by a single count, performed ‘with urgency‘ (but not rushed). This differs from continuous motion because there are two breath-controls and a 2/3rd knee-spring between movements: i.e. there is no ‘relax’ downward movement between the techniques. This motion is used in movement numbers 15-16 and 19-20 of Do-San tul and 2-3/5-6 of Yul-Gok tul (middle punches).

Purpose: to deliver two techniques effectively, as fast as possible. For example, if you have a clear target such as the floating ribs, and are in position to deliver a punch, then two punches delivered in fast motion will be more devastating. So you don’t want a pause (relax) between the two punches!

Summary: 2 techniques, 2 knee-springs – but 2nd is only 2/3rds, 2 breaths

4. Slow Motion – Slow motion techniques require an incredible amount of balance, breath control and timing – which is why they are used as a training exercise! We are introduced to this motion in Joong-Gun tul. The pressing blocks and turning punch in Joong-Gun are both executed in slow motion. Everything has to come together simultaneously when performing this motion correctly, which is why it is so challenging. In more advanced patterns, kicking techniques are required in slow motion thus adding to the difficulty of the movement and pattern.

For most slow motion techniques, use a count of 4 seconds (“one and two and three and four”)

Purpose: Developing balance, breath control and timing.

Summary: 1 technique, 1 knee-spring, 1 breath-control (all performed in slow motion)

5. Connecting Motion – This motion differs from the others because it involves two movements with only one breath-control and one knee-spring. The movements are linked (connected) to each other. Hence, only one breath-control, which is emphasised at the end of the second movement, and one knee-spring is used for each count.

We first see this in Yul-Gok tul, moves 16/17 – palm hooking block followed by reverse punch. The first movement – the palm hooking block – is delivered on the ‘up’ part of the knee-spring used to move us from the previous technique; the reverse punch is then delivered during the ‘power’ downward movement. Therefore this is only considered a 1/3rd knee-spring.

There is no pause between techniques. It is usually impossible to determine where one technique ends and the next begins.

Purpose: Connecting motion is always with two movements using opposite arms. One reason for using this kind of motion is where one technique ‘sets up’ the opponent for an immediate attack.

Summary: 2 techniques, 1 knee-spring, 1 breath-control (at end of 2nd the technique)

6. Natural Movement – Although not technically considered a “motion”, this type of movement describes techniques that are ‘neither fast or slow’.  They do not require a ‘snap’ or powerful finish. The execution of the movement can be compared to the motion of picking up a pen or raising your arm. For example, moves 1 and 4 in Yul-Gok, and the hooking blocks in Kwang-Gae are examples of this type of motion. Also, the first movements in Connecting Motion are performed as a Natural movement (e.g palm hooking block/reverse punch in Yul-Gok).

Conclusion

Remember, Sine-Wave/Knee-Spring/Down-Up-Down is not power in itself, it merely contributes along with hip torque, breath control, reaction force, timing, acceleration, concentration, co-ordination and force summation.

Force Summation:

In humans, the production and combination of forces from different parts of the body to work together at the same time. From: simultaneous force summation in The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine

 

This table summarises the use of Knee-Spring in each type of movement:

The beginning student may ask “Where does one obtain the power to create the devastating results attributed to TaekwonDo?” This power is attributed to the utilisation of a person’s full potential through the mathematical application of TaekwonDo techniques. The average person uses only 10 to 20% of their potential. Anyone, regardless of size, age, or sex who can condition themselves to use 100% of their potential can also perform the same destructive techniques.

Reaction Force

According to Newton’s Law, every force has an equal and opposite force. 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

By applying the impact force onto the smallest target area, it will concentrate the force and therefore, increase its effect. 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.

Equilibrium

Balance is of utmost importance in any type of athletics. In TaekwonDo, 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.

To maintain good equilibrium, the centre 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 centre of the foot if it is necessary to concentrate the bulk of body weight on one foot. The centre 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

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 continuous motion.

Mass

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. 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.

Speed

Speed is the most essential factor of force or power. Scientifically, force equals mass multiplied by acceleration.

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 TaekwonDo. 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 TaekwonDo.

by Mark Banicevich, IV dan.

More correctly, this article should be called, “Three things must ye know about every movement in all of ye Taekwondo patterns”, but that is too long for a title.

When we learn Taekwondo patterns, we commonly begin by learning the sequence of movements, and then practicing them over and over until they become automatic. The problem with this method is that we frequently fail to understand each and every movement.

General Choi never taught patterns this way. Indeed, one key element of General Choi’s Training Secret of Taekwondo is: “To understand the purpose and method of each movement clearly.”

The three things must ye know about every movement in ye patterns are:

1. What is it called (English and Korean)?
2. What is it for?
3. How does it work?

To know what a movement is called, you must know its stance, tool, height, technique name and stepping – preferably in Taekwondo terminology in both English and Korean.

You must know whether the technique is an attack or a defence, and you must know the appropriate targets for the tool. You must know the body facing and line of each technique. You must also know where the technique finishes and how it gets there, including the intermediate position.

When you know what a technique is called and what it is for, knowing how it works is simply a matter of practice. You can achieve this through a progression of spot exercises, line work, pad work, pre-arranged exercises and free sparring.

What is it called?

The name of a technique comprises of six parts:

1. Stance, and whether it is left or right
2. Tool, and whether it is left or right
3. Height
4. Technique
5. Stepping
6. Type of motion

A completely unambiguous technique name includes all of these elements. This enables instructors to call out a technique and expect students to know exactly what it is. It also enables you to learn patterns from a book.

Let’s take movement two of pattern Chon Ji – “step forward into right walking stance, right fore-fist middle obverse front punch”. This is a complete and unambiguous description of the movement. It is performed stepping forward, into a right walking stance, whilst performing a right fore-fist middle section obverse punch. As long as you know what this means, you can perform the technique.

In the interest of efficiency, common terms are assumed, so we usually call the above technique “right walking stance middle punch” (“orun gunnun so kaunde jirugi”). We may also add “nagagi” – “forward stepping”.

What is it for?

What distinguishes Taekwondo patterns from dancing is that every movement we perform has an express purpose in attack or defence (“with few exception”, as General Choi would say). If you don’t know this purpose, you might as well be dancing! Taekwondo is the Korean martial art of self defence. Unless you know what every movement is for, you are not really learning self defence.

This means, as General Choi said, you must “understand the purpose and method of each movement clearly.” To achieve this, you must know four things about every movement:

1. whether it is an attack or a defence
2. the target of the technique which you hit with the tool
3. its facing and its line
4. how the movement passes through the intermediate position to the finished position.

The first of these elements is fundamental to understanding what a movement is for. It is the starting point for the other three elements.

If you know it is an attack, what are the appropriate targets for attack? The forefist can be used to attack many targets, including the philtrum, sternum, solar plexus, jaw, point of chin, floating ribs and lower abdomen. See a diagram here.

If you know it is a defence, what are the appropriate targets for defence? For example, a forearm low block is used to block an attacker’s hand or foot directed at the defender’s lower abdomen. The target will usually be the tibia or the back forearm.

When you know all of these things, the method of the movement is often obvious – but your instructor can smooth out any minor errors for you. If you are punching the solar plexus with the fore-fist, it is clear that the fore-fist should travel in a straight line to the target. If you are blocking the tibia with a forearm low block, it is no surprise that you must cross on top at shoulder height, and block downward and outward to the target.

Most movements are either half facing, full facing or side facing. The tool is centre line, chest line or shoulder line. It is important to know these things.

You must understand where each movement begins, the intermediate position through which it passes, the finished position, and the trajectory your body and each limb travels to get from start to finish.

It helps to practice a new movement slowly, to get the feel of it, before you try it out. Sometimes it helps to practice one limb at a time, then put them together. For example, the twin forearm block is easier to master if you try one hand, then the other, then both together.

How does it work?

With an understanding of what a technique is for and how it should work, it is time to do it. You need to practice new skills in a closed way, progressing to an open way. That is, you practice them in controlled situations, progressing to uncontrolled situations:

• spot technique
• line work
• target work
• pre-arranged exercises
• free exercises

General Choi always told us we should first learn every technique as a spot technique. From the appropriate ready position, perform the technique to the right, return to ready position, perform the technique to the left, return to ready position, and continue (vice versa for defence). This is the best time for an instructor to correct technique.

Once you are performing the movement correctly, you practice the technique in line work. In this way, you repeat the movement to train your muscles to remember the correct method.

It is not until this point that General Choi advocated learning the pattern – after you have performed every new technique in the pattern to this level. However, to master the technique, and develop the best patterns, each movement must be developed as an open skill.

When you are comfortable using the technique alone, it is time to perform it against a target. The technique can be performed in focus exercises using a partner or focus pad, and in power exercises using an air shield or bag. These exercises utilise a stationary target.

The next step is to practice the technique with a partner in pre-arranged exercises. These include all forms of pre-arranged sparring (and result in great techniques for gradings).

Finally, you should try to utilise the technique in free sparring. Initially, try semi-free sparring to consciously use the technique in certain situations. Ultimately, the goal is to unconsciously use the technique in free sparring. I believe this is what General Choi wanted when he continually berated our tournament sparring as “cock fighting” – he wanted us to use a much greater variety of Taekwondo techniques.

Three things must ye know

General Choi used to challenge our understanding of techniques by asking three things:

“What is tool? What is target? Show me….”

If you know what a technique is called, you know the tool. If you know what it is for, you know the target. If you understood how to do it, you could show him.

Know these three things about every movement in your patterns, and you are a long way towards performing the best patterns you can perform. Moreover, you will have better step sparring, better free sparring, and a greater range of techniques if you ever need to use Taekwondo to defend yourself or others.

This article is from the SooShimKwan blog.

Reference: Definition of Taekwon-Do (ITF Encyclopaedia: Vol. 1, p. 21-23.)

In volume one of the Encyclopaedia, the definition of Taekwon-Do begins with the statement “A way of life.” It would do you good to read through this section in the Encyclopaedia on your own. However, I would like to highlight and comment on some sections.

“To put it simply TaekwonDo is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self-defence.” This statement says much about how we should consider TaekwonDo. Firstly it is a form of combat. It is, in other words, a method of fighting, battling or making war! The goal of this combat, fighting or war is self-defense. In Korean history, the Korean nation only went to war as an act of self-defence. This is the same in TaekwonDo, only fighting when needing to protect yourself or your loved ones.

“It is the scientific use of the body in the method of self-defence; a body that has gained the ultimate use of its facilities through physical training and mental training.” It is quite clear that TaekwonDo training has two parts; physical training being the one and mental training being the other.

The definition continues to say that though TaekwonDo is a martial art: “…its discipline, technique and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve.” It is TaekwonDo’s aim to uplift the character. The TaekwonDo Black Belt should courageously and firmly stand for what is right no matter the circumstances, and with humility. (Note how humility is defined in TaekwonDo: Moral Culture, Part Two, C. Be Humble.)

“It is this mental training,” continues the section, “that separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist content with mastering only the fighting aspect of the art.” When a student asked his Grand Master ‘What is the essence of TaekwonDo training?’ the Grand Master answered: ‘It is just mind training.’

Because TaekwonDo is first and foremost an art of fighting, it has the innate possibility of being misused. TaekwonDo is a “lethal weapon” intended for the “rapid destruction of…opponents.” It is therefore imperative that “mental training must always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it.” This mental training is known as Moral Culture in TaekwonDo. A student trained in TaekwonDo, but without the Moral Culture to govern it, is to be compared with a gun in the hands of a child!

How little time is spent on anything else but the fighting aspect of the art? Most TaekwonDo classes focus only on the fighting aspect. There are many reasons for this, but I am not going to discuss them now. However, the Black Belt must, therefore, make it his or her self-proclaimed obligation to spend quality time at this mental training that is so ignored. This mental training is one of the reason we can call TaekwonDo an “art of self-defence”.

Added to self-defence is “health”. General Choi says that TaekwonDo: “…indicates the mental training and the techniques of unarmed combat for self-defence as well as health…” How pitiful it is when we teach people how to defend themselves against aggressors, but we neglect to teach them principles for healthy living. If we do not teach our practitioners how to defend themselves against an unhealthy lifestyle we can just as well stop teaching them to defend against an enemy, for both have the ability to shorten the life. Self-defence should be broadened to self-preservation, which includes protection from various forms of attack on one’s well-being. Do you now understand the importance of something like “Health Principles” in martial art study? It is the natural overflow of studying an art of self-defence.

TaekwonDo is also defined as a “scientific” method of self-defence. “Involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet to the rapid destruction of the moving opponent or opponents.” This says quite a lot about the characteristics of TaekwonDo. As a scientific method, it should include the “scientific use of the body” through scientifically sound techniques. In other words, the use of “punches, kicks, blocks and dodges” should make sense scientifically. This means that their use should make sense both on an anatomical/biological level as well as be in coherence with the science of physics.

TaekwonDo’s technical superiority is clear when we consider its understanding in the fields of anatomy and biology in such teachings as “Vital Spots”, “Blocking and Attacking Tools” and the “Training Secrets” and in its use of Newtonian Laws in such principles as the “Theory of Power”.

What many overlooks is that TaekwonDo’s ultimate goal, as an art of self-defence, is fighting against “moving” opponents. As an art that relies on traditional physics, Black Belts should familiarise themselves with these theories of motion, balance and momentum in the context of human combat. The Encyclopaedia states: “Most of the devastating manoeuvres in TaekwonDo are based especially on the initial impact of a blow plus the consequential additional force provided by the rebound of the opponents moving part or body.”

When I tell students that TaekwonDo has much in common with styles such as Tai Chi Ch’uan or Aikido they are shocked. This is because of an unbalanced understanding of TaekwonDo. Clearly, they have never read the following sentence that follows on the previous quote: “Similarly by using the attacker’s force or momentum, the slightest push is all that is needed to upset his or her equilibrium and to topple him or her.” Does not this sound like something from an Aikido lesson? No, dear reader, this is basic TaekwonDo theory and part of the “definition” of our art!

The final thing I would like to highlight from this section of the Encyclopaedia is that TaekwonDo, which is “A way of life” should be natural and instinctive. “In the case of the students of TaekwonDo who have been in constant practice or the experts themselves, they spend no time thinking, as such an action comes automatically to them. Their actions, in short, have become conditioned reflexes.”

In conclusion, I hope that from the above, you as a Black Belt have become aware of some of the voids in your understanding of TaekwonDo. Study these voids and through practice fill them and you will have attained the mind of a TaekwonDo Black Belt.