Hapkido effectiveness

[harmoniouswarrior]

Ok, but how long does it take before you can effectively use hapkido in the streets? Is it like Aikido and it takes forever, or is it quick?

Traditional hapkido, first, is only for those with young joints. I tried to start at 40-something, and five knee sprains later was forced to bow out. But if you can hang with that, it has some very good street applications. The problem is, these are mixed in with totally unrealistic techniques, like an inside crescent kick to an opponent's head when you're at arm's length. Can set you up for a serious counter move by him. So, I found it was a matter of weeding out what I needed for the next belt test from what I'd use if someone jumped out of the bushes as I was walking to my car.

BTW, those street-worthy moves/strikes began to be sprinkled in at white belt...So, usefulness does not have to take until 'mastery'.

harmoniouswarrior

[ravenzoom]

Thanks for the reply, that answers my question!

[harmoniouswarrior]

Thanks for the reply, that answers my question!

Pleased to help, and appreciate you letting me know. HW

[h2whoa]

Ok, but how long does it take before you can effectively use hapkido in the streets? Is it like Aikido and it takes forever, or is it quick?

Traditional hapkido, first, is only for those with young joints. I tried to start at 40-something, and five knee sprains later was forced to bow out. But if you can hang with that, it has some very good street applications. The problem is, these are mixed in with totally unrealistic techniques, like an inside crescent kick to an opponent's head when you're at arm's length. Can set you up for a serious counter move by him. So, I found it was a matter of weeding out what I needed for the next belt test from what I'd use if someone jumped out of the bushes as I was walking to my car.

BTW, those street-worthy moves/strikes began to be sprinkled in at white belt...So, usefulness does not have to take until 'mastery'.

harmoniouswarrior

This is not traditional HKD....no high kicks in traditional HKD, we have four kicks, front snap, roundhouse (turning kick in TKD), side and back, all aimed at the lower body and groin.

I ask what is a cresent kick.....but am afraid of the answer!!

[harmoniouswarrior]

Ok, but how long does it take before you can effectively use hapkido in the streets? Is it like Aikido and it takes forever, or is it quick?

Traditional hapkido, first, is only for those with young joints. I tried to start at 40-something, and five knee sprains later was forced to bow out. But if you can hang with that, it has some very good street applications. The problem is, these are mixed in with totally unrealistic techniques, like an inside crescent kick to an opponent's head when you're at arm's length. Can set you up for a serious counter move by him. So, I found it was a matter of weeding out what I needed for the next belt test from what I'd use if someone jumped out of the bushes as I was walking to my car.

BTW, those street-worthy moves/strikes began to be sprinkled in at white belt...So, usefulness does not have to take until 'mastery'.

harmoniouswarrior

This is not traditional HKD....no high kicks in traditional HKD, we have four kicks, front snap, roundhouse (turning kick in TKD), side and back, all aimed at the lower body and groin.

I ask what is a cresent kick.....but am afraid of the answer!!

Why would you be afraid of the answer to what a crescent kick is? Or is this a bit of sarcasm meant to cast me in a poor light? If the latter, cast away.

I've heard the term in Shaolin Kempo, American Kenpo, Kung Fu San Soo, and Hapkido. All I know about high kicks in HKD is that Master Kim--who spoke broken English and was about as traditional as I've seen--taught them. The crescent was one.

[h2whoa]

Ok, but how long does it take before you can effectively use hapkido in the streets? Is it like Aikido and it takes forever, or is it quick?

Traditional hapkido, first, is only for those with young joints. I tried to start at 40-something, and five knee sprains later was forced to bow out. But if you can hang with that, it has some very good street applications. The problem is, these are mixed in with totally unrealistic techniques, like an inside crescent kick to an opponent's head when you're at arm's length. Can set you up for a serious counter move by him. So, I found it was a matter of weeding out what I needed for the next belt test from what I'd use if someone jumped out of the bushes as I was walking to my car.

BTW, those street-worthy moves/strikes began to be sprinkled in at white belt...So, usefulness does not have to take until 'mastery'.

harmoniouswarrior

This is not traditional HKD....no high kicks in traditional HKD, we have four kicks, front snap, roundhouse (turning kick in TKD), side and back, all aimed at the lower body and groin.

I ask what is a cresent kick.....but am afraid of the answer!!

Why would you be afraid of the answer to what a crescent kick is? Or is this a bit of sarcasm meant to cast me in a poor light? If the latter, cast away.

I've heard the term in Shaolin Kempo, American Kenpo, Kung Fu San Soo, and Hapkido. All I know about high kicks in HKD is that Master Kim--who spoke broken English and was about as traditional as I've seen--taught them. The crescent was one.

Do you know how many kims there are teaching MA! My master is also a master Kim !!

Because he is Korean doesnt mean it must be traditional, we train for military hapkido, it is short and brutal...my master holds a 8th degree BB in HKD, and has told us that the HKD with high kicks, is a TKD/HKD mix, and that we should only use high kicks if we wish to die!!

as for my remark about the cresent kick...it was not directed at you, but at the technique. It sounds fancy, but as you pointed out unrealistic! I suppose I was just validating that I agree that high kicks are not for SD! If you took it the wrong way, please be assured that it was not my intent for you to feel I was making fun of you!

[harmoniouswarrior]

Thanks for the clarification, H2Whoa. Sounds like your instructor knows what he's about.

[h2whoa]

Thanks for the clarification, H2Whoa. Sounds like your instructor knows what he's about.

He is in the states teaching the swat teams!

[harmoniouswarrior]

Way cool. He's obviously a great instructor. -HW

[Goju_boi]

harmoniouswarrior

This is not traditional HKD....no high kicks in traditional HKD, we have four kicks, front snap, roundhouse (turning kick in TKD), side and back, all aimed at the lower body and groin.

I ask what is a cresent kick.....but am afraid of the answer!!

a cresent kick is when u swing your leg in a circular motion from either the inside outside towards the head of your opponent.It looks nice, but it's hard to pull it off without it being noticed.