Basic striking methods

기본 격자법 (gibon gyeokjabeop), "basic striking methods", is the section of the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회, Daehan Geomdohoe) manual devoted to the basic strikes. It sits under the basic techniques of large movement (큰 동작 기본기술, keun dongjak gibongisul). The manual presents it after a preliminary stage that builds basic fitness and correct posture.

The term 격자 (gyeokja) does not simply mean hitting the opponent. A teaching source says it requires ki, sword and body to coincide (기검체일치, gigeomcheilchi) and the blow to land on a permitted target.

The methods are divided by target:

• 정면 머리치기 (jeongmyeon meorichigi): strike to the head, from the front.
• 좌우 머리치기 (jwau meorichigi): strikes to the left and right sides of the head.
• 손목치기 (sonmokchigi): strike to the wrist.
• 허리치기 (heorichigi): strike to the waist. The jukdo (죽도) is raised between the arms until the opponent's right waist is visible, then the left foot pushes off and the right foot jumps in.
• 찌름 (jjireum): thrust.

According to the manual, each target is trained in stages of 3, 2 and 1 movements (dongjak), except the thrust:

• 3동작치기 (sam-dongjak chigi): the raising, the striking and the middle guard (중단세, jungdanse) are separated so the posture can be checked.
• 2동작치기 (i-dongjak chigi): raising and striking are done in a single beat, then the practitioner returns to the middle guard.
• 1동작 머리치기 (il-dongjak meorichigi): a training exercise in which the practitioner strikes continuously with every step moved.

Points noted by the Association and by affiliated dojang sources:

• At the moment of the strike, ki, sword and body must coincide (기검체일치).
• In the 2동작치기, the shout (기합, gihap) and the pulling up of the left foot must coincide. The target is called out as the strike lands: 머리!, 손목!, 허리! or 찌름!.
• From the beginner stage, practitioners are taught to show the attitude of 존심 (jonsim) after the strike.
• When jumping in to strike from a correct middle guard, the 밀어걷기 (mireogeotgi) step is used: the left foot pushes off hard, the right foot advances one step and stamps the floor as the strike lands, and the left foot is brought up at once.