Kebonsu

As in the case of old wagon wheels where the hub is the foundation from which the spokes radiate out, so also are the kebonsu, or "foundation techniques" to the YON MU KWAN material as taught under the Confucian teaching model.   Each of the ten techniques provides an introduction to unique biomechanics which are then modified to produce the hundreds of grappling techniques for which Hapkido is known. 

Technique #1 : Knife-hand-to-elbow  

{K. “Kal lok ki” (갈 록 기) : “Knife-hand thrusting } 

Drill: The attacker executes cross grab to the wrist. The defender counters with a low inside roll followed immediately by an outside roll. Simultaneously defender steps forward with trailing leg, as trailing knife‑hand rises to strike attacker’s lead elbow in a rising and rolling fashion. Drawing away from the attacker with the lead hand, and rolling in a high arc with the trailing hand, the defender’s trailing foot steps through and plants just as the attacker’s locked arm is pressed to the defender’s knee with the elbow fully locked.

Points to Ponder:

·        The focus of this technique is the application of pressure to the back of the attacker’s elbow joint with the edge of the defender’s trailing hand. The target of this application is that area slightly above the hinge of the joint which when accomplished not only effects the ligaments and tendons of the joint but impacts the major nerve and artery that transits this joint. 

·        By tradition this is identified as the first technique Yong Sul Choi learned and is therefore taught as the first technique in all traditional Hapkido schools. This technique is the First of the original ten kebonsu, or “core techniques” of the traditional Yon Mu Kwan curriculum. 

Technique #2:  Standard Turning Leaf Throw

{ K. “Son mok  pak iro kyoggi” ( 손목  밖으로  껵기 ) : Outer Wrist Throw} 

Drill: The attacker executes a straight punch or grab. The defender responds with an Outside Palm-block, followed in rapid succession by a Lapping and a Turning Conversion. In applying a Pressing conversion to the back of the attackers’ hand, the defender steps forward with his trailing foot and pivots 90 degrees on the ball of the lead foot. The throw is executed by applying further pressure to the back of the attackers’ hand at a 45 degree oblique angle. Pressure on the back of the attackers’ hand, applied at an oblique 45 degree angle, combined with restraint of wrist causes pain at the wrist joint as it is hyper-flexed and induces the attacker to (air) roll to the floor to relieve the pain.

Points to Ponder:

·        As the torsion of this technique can be diffused throughout the forearm, it is necessary for the effectiveness of this technique to localize the pressure at the wrist joint.

·        This technique is often confused with its Level Two cousin, the Two-Finger Takedown. The difference is found in the vector of the pressure of the technique which is at 90 degrees to the travel of the wrist in the Two-Finger technique, and at a 45 degree oblique angle in the Turning Leaf Technique. 

·        This technique is the Second of the original ten kebonsu, or “core techniques” of the traditional Yon Mu Kwan curriculum.    

Technique #3:  Peel-Off Wrist Lock

{ K. “Son mok an iro kyoggi” ( 손목  안으로  껵기 ) : Wrist Lock } 

Drill: The attacker applies straight-hand wrist grab. The defender responds with outward wrist roll of lead hand to palm-down position with a strong flex. Simultaneously the defenders’ trailing hand crosses to the attackers’ lead hand, covering the attackers’ lead hand from above. Reversing his lead hand with an outside roll, the defender now executes an inside roll, grasping the attackers’ lead hand. In this configuration each of the defenders’ hands grasps a lateral edge of the attackers’ hand flexing the palm towards the attackers’ face, fingers pointed upwards. Pressure on the back of the attackers’ hand is combined with a full step exiting the attackers’ centerline to the defenders’ rear, inducing the attacker to bow forwards to relieve tension and discomfort.

Points to Ponder:

·        Focus the maximum pressure on the wrist joint for optimal effectiveness.

·        Watch for a counter-measure in the form of a sidekick for which the attacker is well positioned.

·        This technique is the Third of the original ten kebonsu, or “core techniques” of the traditional Yon Mu Kwan curriculum.   

Technique #4 :  Bent Arm Throw 

{ K. “Pal duk an iro kyoggi” ( 팔뚝  안으로  껵기 ) : Bent Arm Throw} 

Drill: The attacker executes straight-arm wrist grab. The defender responds with an outward wrist roll and firm draw of attackers’ hand towards defenders’ hip with the lead hand, and with a half-step towards attackers’ centerline with lead foot. Trailing hand arcs up low and behind the attackers’ lead elbow. Targeting the cleft of the elbow, the defender collapses the attackers’ arm with a sharp strike. In a unified rolling motion, the trailing arm draws on the elbow, the trailing hand joining the lead hand at the attackers’ wrist securing a Figure 4 configuration. The defenders’ lead leg steps two shoulder widths behind the trailing leg and the hips are snapped over 180 degrees. The defender drops to his trailing knee, focus is on the wrist and elbow pressure. The attacker is compelled to somersault over the defender to the mat to relieve pressure on the joint.

Points to Ponder:

Technique #5:  (Inside) Forward Wrist Throw

{ K. “Son mok  pyo ko donjigi ” (손목 껵어 던지기) : Forward Wrist Throw} 

Drill: The attacker executes cross-arm wrist grab. The defender exerts a slight pull downward immediately followed by an outward wrist roll with defender seizing the attackers’ lead wrist and feeding to the trailing hand which seizes the back of the attackers’ hand. The defender exits the attackers’ centerline with the trailing foot resulting in the attackers’ elbow rising towards the ceiling. Stepping under the attackers’ arm with the lead foot, the defender pivots 180 degrees, but maintains the forearms’ vertical position. The attacker and defender are now hip to hip, facing the same direction with the attackers’ arm in the “double flex” position, vertical in front of his shoulder, his and palm facing forward. Stepping forward with the trailing foot, the defender "casts” the attacker forward into a forward roll.

Points to Ponder:

Technique #6: (Outer) Hammerlock Spiral Projection

{ K. “Pal-duk dweero jimo kyoggi ” (팔뚝 뒤로 접어 껵기): Hammer Lock } 

Drill: The attacker executes a straight grab to the defenders’ wrist. The defender responds with a “C-out” with the lead hand. The trailing hand arcs up and over the attackers’ lead elbow and hooks the cleft of the elbow from behind with the middle finger. As defenders’ trailing leg steps two shoulder-widths behind the leading leg and slightly forward, the lead hand presses toward the attackers’ centerline. Snapping the hips over, drawing with the trailing hand, the defender drives forward with the lead hand, scribing a moderate downward spiral, pressing the attacker to the floor at the defenders’ feet.

Points to Ponder:

Technique #7:  Elbow-Wrist Throw 

{ K. “Pal-duk uwe ro kyoggi ” (팔뚝 위로 껵기) : Elbow-Wrist Throw}

Drill: The attacker executes a straight grab to the lapel. The defender executes a cover with the trailing hand and hook the attackers’ elbow with the lead index finger. Having accomplished the basic S-arm configuration, the defender steps two shoulder-widths behind the trailing leg with their lead leg as they torque the wrist and draw on the attackers’ elbow. The drag is accomplished as the defenders’ hips unwind, drawing on the elbow and pressing on the back of the attackers’ hand, the attacker is guided to the floor. 

Points to Ponder:

Technique #8:  (Single) Leg Sweep

{K. “Pal-gol o don jigi ” (발걸 어 던지기) : Leg Sweep Throw} 

Drill: The attacker applies straight wrist grab. The defender responds with a low outside wrist roll with the lead hand, grasping the attackers lead wrist.   Simultaneously the defender enters the attacker’s centerline with trailing foot.  As the defenders’ trailing foot plants, his leading foot, by substitution sweeps the attackers lead foot as the lead wrist is drawn out and down. The technique is completed as the attacker is taken to the mat in front of the defender. A typical follow-up might be a knee-drop to the chest or a floor-pin.

Points to Ponder:

Technique #9:  (Outside) Hip Throw

{K. “Ho ri  chi gi” (허리 치기) : Hip Throw}   

Drill: The attacker applies a cross-wrist grab. The defender responds with a low, inside wrist roll, and a firm pull, on the attacker’s arm. Simultaneously the defender enters the attackers’ centerline with trailing foot, continues to draw firmly on attackers’ lead arm and slips the trailing arm in an arc across the attackers’ shoulder blades. As the defenders’ trailing foot plants inside the attackers’ trailing instep, the defenders’ trailing hand inserts in the attackers’ armpit and the defenders’ lead hip impacts the attackers’ groin. The attacker is hefted across the defenders’ hips and thrown to the floor.

Points to Ponder:

Technique #10:  (Rearward) Shoulder Throw

{K. “Op o chi gi” (업 어 치기): Shoulder Throw} 

Drill: The attacker executes a cross- wrist grab. The defender responds with a low slight inside wrist roll with the lead hand. Simultaneously the defender cross-steps in front of leading foot, exiting the attacker’s centerline, the defenders trailing arm snaps in sharply into the attacker’s armpit. As the defender seizes the attacker’s upper arm, his hips pivot 180 degrees. Flexing sharply at the hips, the defender throws his partner to the mat. 

Points to Ponder: