Winding strike

감아치기 (gamachigi) is a kumdo technique in which you press your own jukdo (죽도, bamboo sword) against the opponent's and trace a spiral circle with it, from right to left or from left to right. The spiral winds the opponent's jukdo either upward (감아올리기, gamaolligi) or downward (감아 떨어뜨리기, gama tteoreotteurigi). This breaks the opponent's guard (겨눔세, gyeonumse) and you then strike (격자, gyeokja).

Typical examples given in Korean sources:

• 감아 올려서 손목 (gama ollyeoseo sonmok): wind upward, then strike the wrist.
• 감아 떨어뜨려서 머리 (gama tteoreotteuryeoseo meori): wind downward, then strike the head.
• 감아 떨어뜨려서 찌름 (gama tteoreotteuryeoseo jjireum): wind downward, then thrust.

The action of 감기 (gamgi) means placing the jukdo against the opponent's jukdo near the 코등이 (kodeungi, the guard) and applying force as if drawing a small circle, to stop the opponent's jukdo from moving. It is one of the ways of handling the opponent's jukdo with the sword tip (칼끝에 의한 공세), along with 누르기, 헤치기 and 털기. They are used to take the centre line or a favourable position and to create an opening for a strike.

The Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회) manual describes 감아치기 as winding the opponent's jukdo on the inside (right side) or the outside (left side). You step in with the right foot from a suitable attacking distance. While winding, you should not let go of the opponent's jukdo until the end, as if snatching it. After winding, your own sword tip should not leave the opponent's body.