Northeast Iowa
April 12, 2014
I love Tae Kwon Do. I have learned so much from the moment I walked in the door of my first Do-Jang. I am sure I learn something new almost every night I go to Tae Kwon Do class. One of the first things I learned was that I really didn’t know my right from my left. I am sure most Tae Kwon Do students would agree they had trouble with that at the beginning. I am very proud of what I have accomplished so far in my Tae Kwon Do life, but I still have a long way to go.
As I was preparing for my Third Dan test, Mr. Johnson suggested several different subjects for me to write my paper on. He suggested that since my first three papers have focused on my personal insights and feelings of my experiences, that maybe I should write a paper a little more technical or clinical if you will, about an aspect of Tae Kwon Do. A technical or how to look at breaking, or how Tae Kwon Do is an art form. I struggled with this subject. I first thought about writing about the Tenets of Tae Kwon Do.
There are many aspects of Tae Kwon Do I enjoy. I enjoy free sparring, all of the step sparring, performing forms, but I do my best work when performing a break. I am able to generate a lot of power. I don’t believe I am stronger than most people but I feel I do a good job of incorporating the five theories of power when I break a board.
The International Tae Kwon Do Federation website (www.tkd.co.uk/powertheory/) describes breaking as part of the program for promotion to each higher level and included in competitions. The goal of breaking is to allow the student to develop self-confidence. Breaking demonstrates that the student has mastered the techniques that allow him or her to produce maximum power.
Power breaking demonstrates technical efficiency, precision, aim, and power.
According to the website for Han’s Tae Kwon Do (www.hanstkd.con/power.php) -- The Theory of Power involves five elements. One must employ all five elements of the Theory in order to have maximum power in one’s techniques. Like the Tenets of Tae Kwon Do, they are listed in no particular order. Each element is just as important as every other. Also as in the tenets, the elements of power interact with each other and depend on each other. For example, if one does not have good concentration, one’s equilibrium may suffer, and if one does not have good equilibrium, it can be difficult to employ reaction force or maintain speed.
I recently lined up to do a speed ridge hand break. Having never done one before, I paid particular attention to how I lined up my technique. Below, I will go through the different theories of power as it coincides with setting up and performing my speed break.
First theory of power – Breath Control
The International Tae Kwon Do Federation website (www.tkd.co.uk/powertheory/) says that controlled breathing not only affects one’s stamina and speed but can also condition a body to receive a blow and augment the power of a blow directed against an opponent.
As I lined up to break, I focused first on my breathing to ensure I inhaled and exhaled at the proper times. Before I perform any break, I take at least one deep cleansing breath to relax my entire body. When I am ready to break, I take a deep breath and hold in, I then ki-hap and exhale all of my breath as I perform the technique.
Second theory of power – Reaction Force
The International Tae Kwon Do Federation website (www.tkd.co.uk/powertheory/) has the following information about reaction force. According to Newton’s Law, every force has an equal and opposite force. When an automobile crashes into a wall with the force of 2,000 pounds, the wall will return a force of 2,000 pounds; or forcing the end of the seesaw down with a ton of weight will provide an upward force of the same weight. One example given: A punch with the right fist is aided by pulling back on the left fist to the hip.
As I lined up my technique, I practiced my ridge hand several times ensuring that as I brought my right hand back, I also rotated my body and moved my left hand toward my right hand. As I began my strike not only was I pushing with my right hand but I was also pulling back with my left hand
Third theory of power – Equilibrium
The International Tae Kwon Do Federation website (www.tkd.co.uk/powertheory/) has the following information about equilibrium. Balance is of the utmost importance in any type of athletics. In Tae Kwon Do, it deserves special consideration. By keeping the body always in equilibrium, that is well balanced, a blow is more effective and deadly. Conversely, the unbalanced one is easily toppled. The stance should always be stable yet flexible, for both offensive and defensive movements.
I paid close attention during the setup to the placement of my feet. I wanted to ensure that I was in a strong front stance when I made my strike. In a front stance most of my weight will be on my front leg, however I need to ensure my entire body is aligned for proper power transfer from my entire body to the target.
Fourth theory of power – Concentration
The International Tae Kwon Do Federation website (www.tkd.co.uk/powertheory/) has the following information about concentration. By applying the impact force onto the smallest target area, it will concentrate the force and therefore, increase its effect. For example, the force of water coming out of a water hose is greater if the orifice is smaller. Conversely, the weight of a man spread out on snow shoes makes hardly and impression on the snow. The blows in Tae Kwon Do are often concentrated onto the edge of the open palm or to the crook of the fingers.
I feel that concentration is a very important theory of power. It has two parts, the first is concentration of the mind. You must concentrate on the target with your mind. If you are distracted then your power will suffer. Second there is concentration of body to put all of your power in a small area that you are striking with to the smallest target area. By concentrating all of your power with a small striking area to the smallest target area you will increase the effect of that power.
As I am lining up my break, I imagine a very small sliver of the board in the center and I am trying to hit that sliver with just a small part of the edge of my hand.
The last theory of power – Speed and Mass
The International Tae Kwon Do Federation website (www.tkd.co.uk/powertheory/) has broken speed and mass into two different parts. Starting with mass the site says that mathematically, the maximum kinetic energy or force is obtained from maximum body weight and speed and it is all important that the body weight be increased during the execution of a blow. No doubt the maximum body weight is applied with the motion of turning the hip. The large abdominal muscles are twisted to provide additional body momentum. Thus the hip rotates in the same direction as that of the attacking or blocking tool. Another way of increasing body weight is the utilization of the springing action of the knee joint. This is achieved by slightly raising the hip at the beginning of the motion and lowering the hip at the moment of impact to drop the body weight into the motion.
The ITF website says speed is the most essential factor of force or power. Scientifically, force equals mass multiplied by acceleration (F=MA) or power equals mass times velocity squared (P=MV2).
During my setup, I ensure that not only do I get my arms accelerating through the target, and I ensure that I have my entire body moving with my arms and at the last instant drop my entire body at the point of attack. My process is to rise up on to the balls of my feet and slightly straighten my knees. The dropping of my hips is the transfer from the balls of my feet to being flat footed. This enables me to get my entire weight into my technique, thus giving me both speed and mass.
I was successful that night at my first break with a speed ridge hand. I always learn something each night of class, and on that particular night, I learned I need more practice!!
Thank you for your time in reading my paper and judging my test!!
Jim Springsteen
Pil-Sung!!
