From owner-the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Mon Mar 16 06:02 EST 1998 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 19:10:26 -0800 From: Holcombe Thomas To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: the_dojang: Promotion requirements for chodan Hello, all. I just received and translated the current chodan requirements from the Korea Hapkido Federation. I thought (and so did Ray, when I asked him) that they might be of interest to Digest readers. First dan requirements I. Self-defense (writst and clothing grabs). (1) Same-side wrist grab (e.g., right hand grabs left wrist) -- strike, joint lock, throw (one each). (2) Clothing/body grabs, from the front -- sleeve end, mid-sleeve, rear of the collar, front lapel (straight on, lifting, and with hand reversed, i.e., thumb pointing down), belt grabs (with fingers pointing both up and down), hair grabs, (all one handed), front bear hugs (both under and over the defender's arms). (3) Clothing/body grabs, from the rear -- one-handed collar grab, both shoulders (with both hands), both elbows, both wrists (at defender's sides and with wrists pulled back), rear bear hugs (both under and over defender's arms). NOTE: Any defenses are okay for #'s 2 and 3, but testers do ask for additional techniques and sometimes specify a strike, lock, or throw. (4) Cross-hand wrist grab (e.g., right hand to right wrist) -- strike, lock, throw (one each). II. Defenses against fist strikes/punches, after blocking -- strike, lock, throw (one each). III. Defenses against kicks (sike kicks) -- strike, lock, throw (one each). IV. Defenses against attacks (1) Against attempts to grab, defending as the attack comes -- strike, lock, throw (one each). (2) After being grabbed, any two defenses, may be in any category. (3) Against throws, any two defenses, may be in any category. NOTES: I think that a testee would be better off with a strike and a throw here, for example, than with two strikes. These attacks differ from those in #1 in that they are dynamic; they are done on the move. In #1, the attacks are from static positions. V. Initiative techniques (a poor translation; the Chinese characters literally mean "before technique." The defender seizes the initiative and moves first. -- Strike, lock, throw (one each). NOTE: Police-style arrest techniques are part of this grouping. VI. Breakfalls -- Hwe Jon Nak Pop, turning breakfall, flipping in the air into a side breakfall/roll. NOTE: I don't think I have ever seen a test here, at any rank, which did not include rolls and often other breakfalls. VII. Basic kicks -- straight-leg rising heel kick (straight leg raise, basically, to the front), side kick, round-house kick, hook kick, inside and outside crescent kicks. NOTE: Variations of any and all are fair game for the examiner. VIII. Advanced kicks -- spinning hook kick (head level), jump spinning hook kick (to the head), mid-level spinning hook kick (from more-or-less a ready stance), sitting/lower level spinning hook kick, double front kicks (to the front, both feet together, and to the sides), double side kick (i.e., with same foot, kicking low/mid, usu. as a fake, and then high). NOTES: 1. These are the association's minimums. Individual instructors can, and do, add additional requirements. 2. Self-defense techniques are divided into strikes, joint locks, and throws. Joint locks typically hyper-extend a joint (most often the elbow) or twist the joint (wrists). Throws off-balance the opponent, generally, but not always, without causing pain (at until impact). The yudo/judo-derived throws are examples. A throw with twisting the wrist is generally classified at a joint-lock, even if the lock serves only to take the opponent's balance. 3. At times, examiners will ask for additional techniques or kicks. If the examiner knows that a student knows more advanced techniques (knife or sword takaways or the various bong kisul, for instance, or if the examiner thinks the testee is particularly good in given area, these techniques may be requested. 4. In my school, at least, my instructor does not generally test his own students. An old friend of his, from our sister school, typically tests our students. My instructor reciprocates by testing his friend's students. This keeps the system a bit more honest, perhaps, and induces a little more stress in the students. 5. Obligatory disclaimer: The translation is mine, as are any errors. The notes are mine, as well, and reflect my observations and understanding of the techniques and the testing uprocess. If something is not accurate, I apologize. Finally, if anyone has questions or comments, I'll be happy to respond in the Digest or via private e-mail. Holcombe Thomas Kyung Moo Kwan Hapkido Pusan, Korea