Ancient Arts: Kuk Sool Kwan Hapkido

Tumbling is part of the training at Ancient Arts K*k Sool Kwan Hapkido. B-twists are part of the black belt tumbling curriculum.

The 15th technique of the Joo Muhk Mahk Ki set, for orange belts of K*k Sool Kwan Hapkido at Ancient Arts in Irvine, CA

Hapkido is concerned with self defense, not sport, so when this was taught to me in the 90s as the 11th technique of our K*k Sool Kwan wrestling set Jop Ah Chi Ki, I never thought twice about it. It's extremely dangerous, however, because of the potential for damage to the cervical spine, and for that reason it's illegal in sport martial arts competition. Because of that, though, BJJ players aren't always familiar with it, and it is therefore very valuable in self defense against attackers who pull guard. Reminding BJJ players that "ground game" is truly just a game and is very unwise for self defense is also very bad for BJJ egos. ;-)

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Hapkido trains in the use of rapid restraint and capture with ropes, cords or belts, a technique set called "Po Bak Sool." It is absolutely possible to make a rapid capture of a punch with this technique. The skill is to simultaneously parry with the lead hand while spiraling the rope with the rear hand - and in this particular technique, the lead hand also snakes under and up to lock the shoulder in a position like "Sankyo" from aikido. My uke is not leaving his arm out. Since his pinkie is up, to retract his arm would lock his shoulder more and cause more pain. I retract it for him by painfully putting it behind his back. This trap is deceptive and is one of the highest percentage captures with a rope against a punch, but it takes months of practice to learn the spiral capture at a speed quick enough.

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When sparring with various BJJ and MMA trained people over the past 20 years, this technique has often helped me win quickly, usually earning me a "WTF, bro?" or "Bro, that's cheating!" In the last 3 years, however, wrist locks have crept into BJJ training, and now they'll claim that they have always been a part of BJJ 🙄. Maybe not, but they for sure have been part of Hapkido. 💯

If you can manage to pass guard and get into a stable side control, your uke may grab his gi trouser to prevent ude garami. That's the perfect time to use this, and you can even get this lock without uke relinquishing his grip because of the folding pressure.

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People say it's impossible to perform throws off of punches, but their error is in trying to catch the momemtum of a punch instead of the momentum of the whole person. Blocking to the outside allows one to sail carelessly past right crosses, and the natural retraction of the jab gives a perfect hooked appendage to latch onto at the bicep.

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One of the greatest perks of being an Oxford alumnus is having friends on hand to livestream presentations of rare manuscripts in the collection of the Bodleian library when they happen. As medieval curator Alison Ray explains, Rawlinson MS D. 252 is a 15th century manuscript compilation of spells, exorcisms, and protective talismans all in a portable little tome!

This works because it doesn't try to manipulate the wrist of an extended arm to get a throw, instead it attaches to the retracting arm and follows in for a close quarters strike. This is the 14th technique of the Joo Muhk Mahk Ki set of K*k Sool Kwan Hapkido.

Fencing is the basis for most unarmed melee combat strategy, so it's introduced early on in K*k Sool Kwan Hapkido. The footwork alone has much to teach a beginner about combat, whether armed or unarmed. In this drill, my top student Gabe Ruan helps me demonstrate the 9 parries and the 9 sword attacks, covering defense and attack for every quadrant of the body. K*k Sool is a branch of Hapkido that was heavily combined with Chinese kung fu, as you can see!

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Although it's tough to do off of a punch, practicing the speed it takes to catch a punch tightens skill at the ex*****on of the whole technique. The familiarity with locking and throwing enhanced with the aid of a rope lends adaptable uses to belts, towels, ropes, cords, and chains of all kinds, which is why it's important knowledge for bodyguards or any type of special operative.

Follow for more! I'm a grandmaster of Hapkido with a school in Southern California. This is K*k Sool Po Bahk Sool.