Offensive pressure

Offensive pressure (공세, gongse) is defined by the Korea Kumdo Association as an attacking action that seeks an opportunity to strike (gyeokja, 격자) by pressing the opponent while both face each other in guard (gyeonumse, 겨눔세).

The Association describes three ways of applying it:

• By spirit (기, gi): a strong fighting spirit overpowers the opponent's spirit, breaks their will and frustrates their intention to attack.
• By body: light footwork centered on the hips, or a strong body clash (mombadeum, 몸받음), breaks the opponent's balance and pushes them onto the defensive.
• By the sword tip (칼끝, kalkkeut): handling the jukdo (죽도, bamboo sword) by pressing down (nureugi), opening aside (hechigi), shaking off (teolgi) or winding (gamgi) takes the center line (jeongjungseon, 정중선) or a favorable position and creates the chance to strike.

These methods work best when combined in harmony (gigeomcheilche, 기검체일체) rather than used independently.

From the middle guard (jungdanse, 중단세) the sword tip presses on the opponent's center with strong spirit. If the opponent lowers the tip or leaves the center, a head strike (meorichigi, 머리치기) follows. If the tip rises, a wrist strike (sonmokchigi, 손목치기) follows. If the hilt rises, a waist strike (heorichigi, 허리치기) follows. A thrust (jjireum, 찌름) to the throat is also possible when the tip drops or leaves the center. The correct striking distance (iljogildo, 일족일도) should be kept, and the pressure applied with a supple wrist rather than shoulder strength.

The Association's textbook gives this sequence: guard, offensive pressure, waiting (참기: test and reaction), sensing the opponent's collapse, then the strike (gyeokja).

Community writings add that simply closing the distance can already count as offensive pressure. They say it is genuine when the person receiving it feels attacked. English-language kendo sources likewise describe the idea as pressuring the opponent before the attack in order to create an opening to strike.