SOAR TRAINING: SOO KI (수 기)
Happy Memorial Day! We will not have class on Monday in observance of this national holiday.
Most of us, when we think of karate or martial arts, we think of fast, responsive hands: seeing, reacting, and countering an opponent’s strike. In Tang Soo Do, we drill and practice these responses in a format called Il Soo Sik Soo Ki Dae Ryun or One Steps with Hands techniques.
This week, we learn what to do with our hands.
When you load your strikes or blocks, be sure you are fully loading everything. Don’t take shortcuts in training. It will get faster with proper practice. For your blocks (defense techniques), remember they should twist into place. Pay attention to the orientation of your hands and wrists at the completion of the technique. You can then rotate or twist your wrist/arm back to the loaded position. Most of the time, your arms are performing some type of rotation.
Regarding the pulling hand, the hand that is moving to a ready position, ask what you are supposed to be doing with that arm. Is it protecting an area? Is it defending against an attack from another angel? Are you grabbing and pulling an opponent’s appendage or clothing close to your body? Is it preparing to follow up with another technique (strike, block, or defense)?
As you practice your strikes, begin with those from your Hyungs (forms), then move to combinations from your One-Steps, and finally practice those your like. Combine your hand techniques with kicks as well. Have fun with it!
SOAR Tang Soo Do 