Yongmudo-Hapkido's Formal Exercises
On this page you will find information about the closest things Yongmudo-Hapkido has to forms: the 16-Step and the Counterthrows (first set). In reality, both are exercises based upon defenses to punch, and is not so rigid as a set of forms. For example, many of the 16-Step may be performed with hard or soft blocks, wrist techniques may be large- or small-circle, and throws can occur from a variety of angles. Finally, and most importantly, they are exercises because defenders should always compensate for personal differences (e.g., size and weight) by varying the use of the techniques.
The 16-Step
All 16 Step begin with an attacker's front-kick front-punch combination. While the defender should become equally proficient in defending against both left- and right-sided attacks, the 16 Step are described below as defending against a right-sided attack. Through dan-candidate level, students are not expected to be practiced in defending left-side attacks within this exercise.
Someone I know wanted to start the rumor that there were originally "36 Steps." Over time, a number were eliminated due to horrific injuries (even death!) and the others combined. In reality, the 16th of the 16 Step isn't even taught, lending credence to this story.
1. Forward Wrist Twist (Wave Throw)
Defender begins in left front stance; step back with left leg; right down block; right in-to-out soft middle block; grab wrist and pull to continue the attacker's forward momentum; step in front of attacker with left leg to parallel stance facing away from attacker; bring attacker's wrist in long forward wave motion; step back with right leg while pulling wrist back.
2. Outward Wrist Twist
Defender begins in right front stance; step back with right leg; left down block; left out-to-in middle block; grab attackers hand; circle forward with right leg; circle back with left leg; bring attacker's hand in front performing outside wrist twist.
3. Arm Bar, Foot Sweep
Defender begins in left front stance; step back with left leg; right down block, right soft in-to-out middle block; grab wrist and step behind attacker's right foot with defender's left foot; arm bar attacker's right arm across defender's chest as defender's left hand reaches around attacker's head and grabs throat, release arm bar and pull up and back on throat while sweeping attacker's right foot up and forward with defender's left foot.
4. Scissor Throw
Defender begins in right front stance; step back with right leg; left soft out-to-in lower block forcing defender into right side stance; left in-to-out soft middle block; defender grabs attacker's right shoulder with left hand; right foot steps forward (toward attacker) behind left foot; jump and scissor left leg in front of attacker, right leg behind.
5. Crescent, Spinning Crescent, Low Back Kick
Defender begins in right front stance, step back with right leg; left down block; right out-to-in crescent kick to block punch; right jumping turning out-to-in crescent kick, left turning sidekick from the floor.
6. Low, Middle, High Roundhouse, High Heel Kicks
Defender begins in right front stance, step back with right leg; left down block; left in-to-out soft middle block while turning left foot slightly outward; triple-roundhouse kick, low-middle-high, with right leg; left spin heel kick to temple; kick of defender's choice.
7. Stomach Throw
Defender begins in right front stance, step back with right leg; left down block; left in-to-out soft middle block while sliding left foot between attacker's feet; left hand grabs attacker's right sleeve while right hand grabs attacker's left lapel; right foot on attacker's hip; sit and throw.
8. Side Sacrifice
Defender begins in right front stance, step back with right leg; left down block; left in-to-out soft middle block while sliding left foot slightly outside/in front attacker's right foot; left hand grabs attacker's right sleeve while right hand grabs attacker's right shoulder; defender's right foot is placed across attacker's right ankle; swing around to right and fall.
9. Arm Bar, Pickup (Back Fireman's Pickup)
Defender begins in left front stance; step back with left leg; right palm heel down block; right in-to-out soft middle block; grab wrist; step behind attacker's right foot with left leg while positioning attacker's arm on right shoulder; arm bar attacker's right arm; pull attacker's arm at 45 degrees from vertical; circle shoulders in and lift attacker so that attacker's belt is at your neck; slide forward with right leg, while swinging attacker's right arm down across your waist; pull up on right arm.
10. Shoulder Wheel Throw (Front Fireman's Pickup)
Defender begins in right front stance; step back with right leg; left palm heel down block; left in-to-out soft middle block; grab wrist; step between attacker's feet with right leg while pulling attacker's arm at 45 degrees from vertical; circle shoulders in and upward strike with right forearm into attacker's groin; lift attacker so that attacker's belt is at your neck; circle back with left leg and forward with right leg; duck head and drop attacker forward; pull up on right arm.
11. Major Outer Reaping Throw
Defender begins in left front stance; step back with left leg; right palm heel down block; right in-to-out soft middle block; step forward left foot and left elbow to attacker's temple; pivot and right elbow to attacker's kidney; right arm reaches across attacker's front and execute major outer reaping throw.
12. Shoulder Throw (Tiger Throw)
Defender begins in right front stance; step back with right leg; left palm heel down block; left in-to-out soft middle block; right backhand knife-hand strike to attacker's temple or throat; reach right hand around back of attacker's head and grab; shoulder throw.
13. Inner Thigh Reap
Defender begins in right front stance; step back with right leg; left palm heel down block; left in-to-out soft middle block; right foot steps forward and right forward knife-hand strike to attacker's throat; step left foot forward and left elbow to attacker's solar plexus; pivot clockwise and right elbow to attacker's solar plexus; circle right arm under attacker's left arm and across back; throw at 45 degrees to left while right leg reaps attacker's left leg.
14. Front Rice Thresh Throw (Front Carpet Roll)
Defender begins in right front stance; step back with right leg; left palm heel down block; step forward with right leg and right right upper block; drop right arm over attacker's left shoulder and grab; slide left foot forward; left arm wraps attacker's left (rear) leg; arch stomach forward under attacker's hips and lift; unroll and drop.
15. Rear Rice Thresh Throw (Rear Carpet Roll)
Defender begins in left front stance; step back with left leg; right palm heel down block; right in-to-out soft middle block;reach right arm over attacker's right arm and grab attacker's left shoulder; slide left foot forward behind attacker's feet; left arm wraps attacker's right (front) leg; arch stomach forward under attacker's hips and lift; unroll and drop.
16. Straight arm pickup (Hmmmm....)
Defender begins in left front stance; step back with left leg; right palm heel down block; right in-to-out soft middle block; right hand grabs under attacker's right shoulder; left foot slides forward and left hand grabs attacker's right hip; continue attacker's forward motion while pressing upward so that attacker is held directly over defender (defender's arms locked straight upward); defender steps right foot forward, circles left foot back and drops.
The Counterthrows
This second set of Yongmudo-Hapkido exercises are developed to demonstrate additional expertise in some of the skills required at advanced levels. The Counterthrow forms are required for testing at the level of 2nd dan and above. Each exercise requires a dual-performance: first demonstrating the throw and then receiving the throw and demonstrating the counterthrow. Therefore, two testing partners may be required to each perform an exercise four (4) times.
Unlike the 16-step, this exercise may shift starting stances of the partners depending on the specific technique. Also unlike the 16-step, this exercise is slightly more formal.
1. Huri Tuigi (Spring Hip or Hane Goshi)
Attacker: fast (skipping) left roundhouse kick, right front kick, right front punch
Defender: spring hip throw
Attacker's counter to defender throw: allow entry into throw but block off-balancing, counter with lateral sweep with right foot
2. Huri Furigi (Sweping Hip) or Harai Goshi)
Attacker: right roundhouse kick (low), right 2-step side kick (high), right punch
Defender: sweeping hip throw
Attacker's counter to defender throw: allow entry into throw but block off-balancing, counter with reverse (inverted or rear-facing) hip throw (defender lands in knee-under fall)
3. Huri Chaegi (Full Hip Throw or Tsuri Komi Goshi))
Attacker: right front kick, turning left back kick, right front punch
Defender: full hip throw
Attacker's counter to defender throw: as defender enters into throw and begins off-balancing, step around to face defender, counter with side-sacrifice (wind-surfer from 16-step #8, above)
4. Eup-phur (Opho) Chigi (One-Arm Shoulder Throw or Ippon Seoi Nage
Attacker: right scoop kick (low), left front kick (middle), right front punch
Defender: one-arm shoulder throw
Attacker's counter to defender throw: allow entry but block off-balancing with side-scissor choke and bracing right leg on defender's support leg while falling to the back right
5. Ttwi-o (Dwe Eur) Chigi (Floting Drop or Uki Otoshi)
Attacker: right ax kick, step into jump left spin-heel kick, right front punch
Defender: floating drop
Attacker's counter to defender throw: allow entry into throw but step around attacker, off-balancing forward and executing uchi mata
6. Ukgkae Romae Chigi (Shoulder Wheel or Fireman Carry Throw or Kata Guruma)
Attacker: right front-left roundhouse double kick, right punch
Defender: Shoulder wheel throw (same as 16-step #10, above)
Attacker's counter to defender throw: allow entry into throw but side-step around to face defender, counter with stomach throw
7. Pit Tanggyo (Beat danggyeu) Chigi (Forward Body Drop Throw or Tai Otoshi)
Attacker: right low spin heel kick, right front kick, right front punch
Defender: forward body drop
Attacker's counter to defender throw: allow entry into throw but block off-balancing, counter with major outer reap
