Hyo Geom 

Attention Stance.

Feet shoulder width apart and the sword in the right hand. Right thumb is pressed lightly against the sword guard. The left hand is laid lightly, but firmly on the front of the left thigh.

2. Transfer sword to left side.

The sword is drawn its length and the tip presented to the left hand. The tip is inserted into a circle formed by the left thumb and forefinger and the sword is thrust into the “sheath” smoothly and firmly.

3. Bow.

Executed from the waist to about a thirty degree angle. The eyes remain focused ahead.

4. Attention stance.

Sword is held in the left hand with the left thumb pressed lightly against the sword guard. The right hand is laid slightly to the outside of the right thigh in a relaxed manner.

Drawing the Sword (Ppo-pa-kal)

1. Attention stance.

The sword is held in the left hand with the left thumb pressed lightly against the sword guard (k’o dung I) facing the 12 o’clock position.

2. Prepare to draw.

Leaning forward - the center of gravity is pressed forward shifting the body’s weight onto the balls of the feet - initiating  three rapid walking steps.

3. First Walking step.

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and pressing firmly with the ball of the rear foot, step forward with the right foot, maintaining contact with the floor.  

4. Second Walking step.

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and pressing firmly with the ball of the rear foot, step forward with the left foot, maintaining contact with the floor.  

5. Third Walking step.

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and pressing firmly with the ball of the rear foot, step forward with the right foot, maintaining contact with the floor. As the advancing right foot touches the floor, the right hand grasps the sword and rotates the blade 90 degrees.  

6. Draw the sword.

With a balanced effort of draw with the right hand and push with the left thumb the sword is drawn

at a 45 degree angle across the body.

7. Middle Guard Position (jun dazi)

As this movement is transitional, the weight is carried more  on the forward (right) foot than left. Note that the tip of the sword is somewhat higher than the usual throat-level position.

First Strike: Descending Straight Cut to the Left

8. Initiate turn.

This turn involves three individual moves all executed at the same time: a retraction and turning of the sword blade following the eyes, pivot on the ball of the right foot, a chambering of the left knee.

9. Complete turn

Continuing to pivot on the ball of the right foot, the Turn is completed, now facing the 6 o'clock position in a single-leg stance and in high guard position. Rather than pointed directly at the 6 o'clock position, the chambered knee is directed at the 7 o’clock position.

10. Initiate strike

As with the start of the form, the center of gravity is pressed out over the toes inviting a rapid step with the Left foot. The sword is carried forward to a striking Position overhead.

11. Follow Through (first step)

The downward stroke is begun as the left foot completes its step.

12. Follow Through (second step)

As the cut descends, a second step ((right) is taken. This step should be firmly in place before the sword has swung through the middle of the stroke.

13. Completion of strike.

Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg) to 40% (rear leg) with the edge of the sword just inside the right knee.

Second Strike: Turning Descending

Diagonal Cut to the right

14. Prepare to turn.

Retract sword from guard position to an angle approximately 45 degrees across the shoulder and chest area. Likewise the right foot is retracted so that the right heel is in line with the left heel,though the right toes are pointed directly to the 9 o'clock position.

 15. Initiate Cut.

Stepping out with the right foot, begin a diagonal Cut to the right.

16. Follow through.

The sword cut follows a path slightly sharper than 60 degrees targeting the area at the base of the opponent's neck.

17. Completion of strike.

Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg) to 40% (rear leg) with the edge of the sword outside the right knee.

Third Strike: Vertical Cut; 180 degrees to the Left

18. Initiate turn.

This turn, again, involves three individual moves all executed

At the same time: a retraction and turning of the sword blade following the eyes,  pivot on the ball of the right foot, a chambering of the left knee.

19. Complete turn

Continuing to pivot on the ball of the right foot, the turn is completed, now facing the 3 o'clock position in a single-leg stance and in high guard position. Rather than pointed directly at the 3 o’clock position and the chambered knee is directed at the 4 o’clock position.

20. Initiate strike. As with the start of the form, the center of gravity is pressed out over the toes inviting a rapid step with the left foot. The sword is carried forward to a striking Position overhead.

21. Follow Through (second step)

As the cut descends, a second step ((right) is taken. This step should be firmly in place before the sword has swung through the middle of the stroke.  

22.     Completion of strike.  (SHOUT)

Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg)

to 40% (rear leg) with the edge of the sword just inside the right knee.

Fourth Strike: Lateral Thrust to the Left

23. Recovery

Retract the sword to a shallow angle extending across, and just in front of the torso. The right foot is drawn back even with, and a foot width to the side of, the left foot.

24. Initiate Thrust

Side-stepping with the left foot, in the direction of a 10 o'clock position, into a straddle stance, the back of the blade rests on and is guided by the bicep of the right arm. The thrust is initiated in a horizontal position with the sword guard positioned in front of the  right hip.

Fifth Strike: Diagonal Cut to the Right

25. Completion of thrust

Weight is distributed evenly between both feet; the sword blade is horizontal, and the sword guard is in front of the left hip.

26. Recovery

Maintaining the sword in its thrust position, the head turns 180 degrees to the right to reference the next target as the left foot is retracted to the center about six inches.

27. First Side-step

Maintaining the sword position, step side-wards with the right foot in the direction of the 4 o’clock position. 

28. Second Side-step

Maintaining the sword position, step side-wards with the right foot in the direction of the 4o’clock position.

29. Third Side-step

Maintaining the sword position, step side-wards with the Right foot in the direction of the 4 o'clock position.

30. Initiate Cut.

As the last side-step is completed, the sword begins to rise along a path outside of the shoulder, rather than over it.

31. Follow Through.

32. Completion of strike.

Weight is distributed approximately 70% (front leg) to 30% (rear leg)  with the blade of the sword to the outside of the right knee.

Sixth Strike: Overhead Cut to the Left

33. Left Turn

Pivoting on the ball of the foot, the toes of the left foot are pointed directly to the left (12 o'clock position). The blade of the sword has been raised to a position  45 degrees  across the right shoulder.

34. Initiate strike

Advancing the left foot a half-step, the sword is raised to an over head strike position and begins its movement Down in a straight line targeting the opponent's head.

35. Follow Through (second step)

As the cut descends, a second, full, step (right) is taken. This step should be firmly in place before the sword has swung through the middle of the stroke.

36. Completion of strike. 

Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg) to 40% (rear leg) with the edge of the sword just inside the right knee.

Seventh Strike: Full Turn Descending

                                                        Diagonal Cut to the right

37. Prepare to turn.

Retract sword from guard position to an angle approximately 45 degrees across the shoulder and chest area. At the same time the right foot is extended a half step towards the 12 o'clock position.

38. Initiate pivot

Maintaining the position of the sword, pivot 180 degrees on the balls of both feet. As 80% of the weight is carried on the right foot while the left foot is retracted to a point to, and then past, the right foot.

39. Complete pivot

Maintaining the position of the sword, the weight load is now shifted to the heel of the left foot.

40. Initiate Spin

Maintaining the position of the sword, pivot 180 degrees on the heel of the left foot. The dynamics of this cut require that the hips rise significantly to maximize the travel and power of the downward cut. The technique is executed at a 60 degree angle and targets the opponent’s collarbone.

41. Complete Spin

The dynamics of this cut require that the hips rise significantly to maximize the travel and power of the downward cut. The strike itself is at a 60 degree angle and targets the collarbone of the opponent.

42. Completing the strike. (SHOUT)

The diagonal strike is completed almost simultaneously with the completion of the spin, as the right foot contacts the ground.  The posture is an extended forward stance, with the weight distributed approximately 80% (front leg) to 20% (rear leg). The edge of the sword is outside the left knee.

Conclusion: Closing techniques

43. Recovery and clearing

In a single sharp motion, the right foot retracts a half step, the left hand releases the sword grip, while the right hand, maintaining the sword's downward position, snaps the blade over to shed debris. The left hand is likewise snapped sharply out and back, parallel to the sword.

44. First Rearward Walking Step

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and maintaining the sword position, step rearward with the right foot, maintaining contact with the floor.

45. Second Walking Step

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and maintaining the sword position, step rearward with the left foot, maintaining contact with the floor.

46. Third Walking Step

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and maintaining the sword position, step rearward with the right foot, maintaining contact with the floor.

47. Fourth Walking Step

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and maintaining the sword position, step rearward with the left foot, maintaining contact with the floor.

48. Fifth Walking Step

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and maintaining the sword position, step rearward with the right foot, maintaining contact with the floor.

49. Initiate Middle Guard Position

Advancing the left foot a half-step, the left hand crosses in front of the hips to locate the sword grip. The sword is raised over, and just to the outside of the shoulder. This motion, as well as others to the end of the form are executed with measured grace, and heightened awareness.

50. Follow Through (second step)

As the cut descends, a second, full, step (right) is taken. This step should be firmly in place before the sword is at Middle Guard position.

51. Middle Guard Position

Re-sheathing the Sword (Ko Ja Kal)

52. Recovery

Retract the sword to a shallow angle extending across and just in front of the left hip. The left wrist rests lightly on the belt at the hip. The left thumb and forefinger are joined at the finger tips to form an "O".  The back of the sword blade, just forward of the guard rests lightly in the juncture between the two fingertips.

52. Draw

In a single steady motion draw the length of the sword over the juncture of the fingertips, allowing the blade to ride smoothly on it's side over the first knuckle of the index finger.

53. Sheathing

Insert the tip of the sword into the opening of the sheath ("O") and press the sword into its sheath with a single steady pressure, once again allowing it to glide smoothly on the side of the blade

54.Rotation

At the completion of the sheathing, rotate the sword and sheath 90 degrees clockwise.

55. Attention Stance

In a balanced stance, with feet about a shoulder width apart Complete the form by executing a bow from the waist.