Retreating strike

In kumdo, toegyeok (퇴격) is a technique in which the attacker strikes while stepping backward, from close contact (momba-deum or kodeungi-saum). It is delivered to the head, the wrist or the side (waist) target.

Toegyeok (퇴격) is, according to the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회), a technique of striking while retreating, performed during momba-deum (몸받음) or kodeungi-saum (코등이싸움). It is listed among the striking techniques of kumdo.

Because the strike is made while moving back from a very close distance, it lacks speed and leaves the attacker open to a counter, so quick movement is required. A practitioner's article says the name became standard in Korea because one strikes and then moves backward, and that the technique is marked by finishing with a posture of readiness (jansim, 잔심).

Basic variants:

Toegyeok meorichigi (퇴격 머리치기): a head strike made while stepping straight back or diagonally back, using mireogeotgi (밀어걷기) or beollyeogeotgi (벌려걷기).
Toegyeok sonmokchigi (퇴격 손목치기): a strike to the opponent's right wrist while retreating widely and quickly to the diagonal back left with beollyeogeotgi.
Toegyeok heorichigi (퇴격 허리치기): a strike to the opponent's right side (waist) while retreating straight back or diagonally back with mireogeotgi or beollyeogeotgi.

Points to note:

The best moment is when the opponent's posture has been broken and the continuity of body and technique is cut. Use the opponent's pushing force by yielding or turning aside, and strike the opening.
Strike accurately with the striking part of the jukdo (죽도).
Striking while retreating tends to carry less force than striking while advancing, so the wrist is used well to strike strongly and quickly.
It is also practiced in combination after a first strike, e.g. head → toegyeok to the head, wrist or side, within two- and three-stage strikes.

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