Sine Wave (ITF TKD)

[sensei8]

While Danielle and Brian make great arguments of support for the sine wave...I'm still opposed to its practice because I truly believe that the sine wave robs the practitioner of power. I'm not doubting body mechanics, but, a straight line is still the fastest way from one point to another.

[brickshooter]

IMO, the sine wave could work if two opponents were to start a fight at least 10 feet apart, which would allow two full running strides before contact. But the problem is that most people don't start a fight 10 feet apart. And if they do, they don't stay 10 feet apart.

[bushido_man96]

While Danielle and Brian make great arguments of support for the sine wave...I'm still opposed to its practice because I truly believe that the sine wave robs the practitioner of power. I'm not doubting body mechanics, but, a straight line is still the fastest way from one point to another.

I'm not a big sine wave supporter, Bob. I have never trained to use it, and I don't particularly enjoy watching it when I search for forms on youtube. I understand some of the arguements for it, but I don't do it, or try to do it.

[DWx]

IMO, the sine wave could work if two opponents were to start a fight at least 10 feet apart, which would allow two full running strides before contact. But the problem is that most people don't start a fight 10 feet apart. And if they do, they don't stay 10 feet apart.

Maybe you misunderstand sine wave. Sine wave isn't about taking steps, its about weight management in the stance. Sine wave can be applied in a static stance when you're toe to toe with the other person.

I'm not trying to convert everybody to sine wave. Obviously we all know that you can get power without. Just don't think you should write it off as a "no power" method. Everything goes full circle and if our patterns are rubbish and powerless because of the sine wave, then most likely our sparring and breaking and everything else is rubbish too. I'll let you guys be the judge of that. And speaking of breaking, not everybody likes it, but breaking is a brilliant way of quantitatively measuring power and ITF guys can break using sine wave so you must be able to generate some force from it?

Sure power is best delivered in a straight line and that the quickest route from A to B is a straight line. But surely you guys don't solely use linear strikes? The vast majority of blocks, strikes, kicks are not linear and move in an arcing motion. Besides which, you're not solely using the mass of your fist/arm to punch. All you guys move your hips when you punch don't you? You're utilizing mass that isn't centred directly behind your fist by moving your hips and throwing your whole body weight in to it.

We use sine wave to assist in both putting the mass into the technique and also to assist in our mobility between stances and in stances. Besides there comes a point when talking about the raw power generated from your punch or strike becomes a bit pointless really. In an ideal world we'd all like for all fights to be ended by "one hit, one kill" but after a certain point, when you can already generate however many pounds of pressure from each kick and punch to smash a man's skull with one blow, the benefit of increasing your power starts to tail off. If you can get that first shot in and end the fight there then great. Well done you. But if not, now you've got to add in mobility so that you can move around and then chain together lots of strikes and we believe that proper use of sine wave assists with this. Anyway, I'm digressing.

Well its been a long an hard search but I've managed to find one school that practices the "Non Sine Wave" ITF. So I'm going for my free lesson ASAP. Will let you know how it goes!!!

All going well, I should get my long awaited BB in TKD after all

Good Luck

[ninjanurse]

While some blocks and kicks do travel in an arc-the energy produced needs to hit the target "squarely" or the energy is "smeared" across the target and loses it's effectiveness. It is my belief that the "sinewave theory" was intended to explain the physics of natural movement and evolved into an unnatural pattern of movement that wastes energy, and therefore decreases power. Techniques must be delivered in the most efficient manner possible to maximize the end product and I am not convinced that the "sinewave", as it is practiced, is efficient nor is it the best way to maximize this delivery.