Waist strike

Heorichigi (허리치기) is a kumdo striking technique aimed at the part of the torso that Korean texts call heori (허리), which in practice is the flank. It is one of the valid striking targets, alongside the head, the wrist and the thrust to the throat.

• Targets: the right or the left side of the torso may be struck. There are eight targets in all: the left and right wrists, the head, the thrust to the throat, and the left and right heori.
• Basic execution: according to the Korean federation, the jukdo is raised between the arms until the opponent's right side is visible. The striker then pushes off the left foot and leaps in with the right. The leap should match that of the front head strike.
• Details: the fists end at the same height as in the wrist strike and must not leave the centre line. The federation text also describes a downward cut at about 45 degrees. To return to the middle guard (jungdanse, 중단세), the jukdo is drawn forward with its edge.
• When it is used: the flank is covered by the arms, so the strike is made when the opponent shows an opening. An example is when the opponent raises the hands under the attacker's pressure (gongse, 공세).
• Practice: practice alternates between the opponent's right and left sides. In the one-count drill, the right side is struck while advancing and the left while retreating.
• Variants: the variants in the texts include the retreating strike (toegyeok heorichigi, 퇴격 허리치기), strikes after evading or receiving a head strike, and the strike after sweeping the opponent's jukdo upward (seuchyeoollyeo heorichigi, 스쳐올려 허리치기). Receiving a strike to the right side is also taught (heorichigi batneun bangbeop, 허리치기 받는 방법).