Close distance
In kumdo, the close distance is any distance shorter than the basic distance (the one from which one step forward lets you strike). It makes striking easy, but it also lets the opponent strike easily, so it is dangerous.
How to say it
- Korean
- 가까운 거리gakkaun geori
- Spanish
- Distancia corta
- English
- Close distance
- Japanese
- 近間ちかまchikama
Close distance (가까운 거리, gakkaun geori; the Korean Kumdo Association's texts also call it 근거리, geungeori) is, in kumdo, a distance between two practitioners that is shorter than the basic distance. The basic distance is the one from which a single step forward lets you strike the opponent and a single step back lets you escape their attack.
- From the close distance, a practitioner can strike easily, but the opponent's attack is also possible, which is why it is described as a dangerous distance.
- The basic distance serves as the reference: with both practitioners in the 중단세 (jungdanse) stance, it is described as the point where the sword tips cross by about 10 cm.
- The basic distance is not an absolute measure but a relative one that varies with each practitioner's ability, so the close distance has no fixed measure either.
- It is contrasted with the far distance, 원거리 (wongeori), which is longer than the basic distance: at that range neither side can strike.
Updated: