Small movement

Small movement (작은 동작, jageun dongjak) is a way of striking in kumdo that contrasts with the large movement (큰 동작, keun dongjak).

• Order of learning: Korean sources say that after the continuous step (이어걷기, ieogeotgi) and the large strikes to the head (머리치기, meori chigi), wrist (손목치기, sonmok chigi) and waist (허리치기, heori chigi), students learn the small movement (for example jageun meori and jageun sonmok), practised as gonggan chigi or tagyeokdae chigi. Another source says that once the posture for striking with large movement is set, small-movement striking is practised, followed by small and continuous movements. An English-language kumdo manual likewise says small movement attacks are not taught until large movement is mastered.
• Execution: unlike the large movement, the jukdo (죽도, bamboo sword) is not lifted above the head before the strike; the strike is made with a wrist snap (스냅). One source notes that experienced practitioners produce enough striking power with a small movement because they use the wrist snap skilfully, which makes the swing small and fast.
• Use: one Korean source calls it the most common attack in kumdo, and an English-language manual states that most points in sparring and tournaments are scored with small movement.
• Relation to the large movement: one source says the proper form of jageun meori is the large head-strike movement performed in reduced size.