Editing Hapkido (section)

== Techniques ==
Hapkido seeks to be a fully comprehensive fighting style and as such tries to avoid narrow specialization in any particular type of technique or range of fighting. It maintains a wide range of tactics for [[Strike (attack)|striking]], standing [[joint lock]]s, [[Throw (grappling)|throwing techniques]] (both pure and joint manipulating throws) and pinning techniques. Some styles also incorporate tactics for [[ground fighting]]. (Although, these tactics generally tend to be focused upon escaping and regaining footing or controlling, striking, and finishing a downed opponent, rather than lengthy [[wrestling]] or [[Submission wrestling|submission grappling]] engagements.)

The Korean term for technique is ''sool'' ({{Korean|hangul=술|hanja=術|rr=sul}}). As terminology varies between schools, some refer to defensive maneuvers as ''soolgi'' (술기; loosely translated as "technique-ing"), while ''hoshinsool'' ({{Korean|hangul=호신술|hanja=護身術|rr=hosinsul}}; meaning "self-defense") is preferred by others.

Proper hapkido tactics include using footwork and a series of kicks and hand strikes to bridge the distance with an opponent. Then to immediately control the balance of the opponent (typically by manipulating the head and neck), for a take down or to isolate a wrist or arm and apply a joint twisting throw, depending upon the situation; Hapkido is a comprehensive system and once the opponent's balance has been taken, there are myriad techniques to disable and subdue the opponent.

Hapkido makes [[Acupressure|use of pressure points]] known in Korean as ''hyeol'' ({{Korean|hangul=혈|hanja=穴}}) which are also used in traditional Asian medical practices such as [[acupuncture point]]. These [[pressure point]]s are either struck to produce unconsciousness or manipulated to create pain allowing one to more easily upset the balance of one's opponent prior to a throw or joint manipulation.

Hapkido emphasizes self-defense over sport fighting and as such employs the use of weapons, including environmental weapons of opportunity, in addition to empty hand techniques. Some schools also teach ''[[hyeong]]'' ({{Korean|hangul=형|hanja=型}}), the Korean equivalent of what is commonly known as "[[kata]]" (or "forms") in Japanese martial arts.

=== Kicking ===
[[File:Hkd-kby-kick.jpg|thumb|260px|A bidirectional kick.]]<br />
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Stevesexton flying sidekick.gif|thumb|260px|A [[Flying kick|flying side kick]].]] -->

The wide variety of [[kick]]s in hapkido make it distinctly Korean. Taekwondo kicks appear to be similar to many of the kicks found in hapkido, though again circular motion is emphasized. Also, in contrast to most modern taekwondo styles, hapkido utilises a wide variety of low (below the waist), hooking or sweeping kicks, with one of the most distinctive being the low spinning (sweeping) heel kick.

Hapkido's method of delivery tends toward greater weight commitment to the strikes and less concern for quick retraction of the kicking leg. Traditionally, Choi Yong-sool's ''yu kwon sool'' ({{Korean|hangul=유권술|hanja=柔拳術|rr=yugwonsul}}) kicking techniques were only to the lower body, but most derived varieties of hapkido, probably as a direct influence from other Korean arts, also include high kicks and jumping kicks. At the more advanced levels of Hapkido the practitioner learns "blade kicks" which utilize sweeping blade strikes of the inner and outer foot against pressure points of the body.

Two of the earliest innovators in this regard were [[Ji Han-jae]] and [[Kim Moo-hong]], both of whom were exposed to what were thought to be indigenous Korean kicking arts. They combined these forms together with the yu sool concepts for striking taught to them by Choi and during a period of 8 months training together in 1961 finalized the kicking curriculum which would be used by the Korea Hapkido Association for many years to come.<ref name="Hapkido Bible"/>

Other influences also were exerted on the kicking techniques of important hapkido teachers. [[Kwon Tae-man]] (권태만) initially studied under Ji Han-jae before immigrating to southern California in the United States. [[Han Bong-soo]] studied under ''[[Gwonbeop]]'' ({{Korean|hangul=권법|hanja=拳法}}) and [[Shūdōkan]] [[karate]] from [[Yoon Byung-in]] (윤병인), whose students were influential in the later forming of [[Kong Soo Do]] and [[Taekwondo]] styles, specifically the [[Chang Moo Kwan]] and [[Jidokwan]]. He, like Kim Moo-hong, also trained briefly in the Korean art of [[Taekkyon]] under Lee Bok-yong (이복용).<ref>Walker, Byron, Reflections of a Master: Philosophies of Hapkido Stylist [[Han Bong-soo]]. ''Martial Arts and Combat Sports Magazine''. September 2001.</ref>

Many other teachers like [[Myung Kwang-sik]] (명광식), Jeong Kee-tae (정기태), Lim Hyun-soo (임현수), and many others trained in tang soo do and kong soo do, [[Shotokan]] and Shūdōkan karate based systems which predated and influenced the forming of first [[Tae Soo Do|tae soo do]] and later modern taekwondo styles.

Kim Sang-cook states that while many of the original yu kwon sool students were exposed to many different contemporary Korean arts the [[Chung Do Kwan]] was of particular importance in the transition from the original jujutsu based form to what we know today as modern hapkido.<ref>Hentz, Eric (editor). Article by Dick Morgan ''Interview With Grandmaster Kim Sang-cook''. ''Taekwondo Times'', November 2005. Tri-Mount Publications, Iowa 2005.</ref>

Most forms of hapkido include a series of double kicks used to promote balance, coordination and muscular control.

; An example of a double kick set
* Front Kick 
* Side Kick''';'''
* Front Kick 
* Back Kick ("Turning back-side Kick")''';'''
* Front Kick 
* Roundhouse Kick''';'''
* Front Heel/Hook Kick
* Roundhouse Kick''';'''
* Inverted Low Side Kick
* High Side Kick''';'''
* Inside Crescent Kick/Outside Crescent Kick (or Heeldown/Axe-Kick for both)
* Side Kick (or Inside Heeldown Kick and Side Kick)''';'''
* Outside Heel-down Kick
* Roundhouse Kick''';'''
* Ankle Scoop Kick 
* Side Kick''';'''
* Cover Kick 
* Front Kick''';'''
* Inside Heel Hooking-the-Thigh kick
* Front Kick''';'''
* High Spinning Heel Kick
* Low Spinning Heel Kick''';'''
* Inside Footblade Kick 
* Outside Footblade Kick''';'''
* Outside Heeldown Kick 
* Roundhouse Kick

After these kicks are mastered using one foot, the student moves on to jumping versions, alternating the kicking legs.

Kim Chong-sung (김종성, Jang Mu Won Hapkido Founder) was one of the oldest living active hapkido instructors, who maintains that the source of these kicking methods is from the indigenous Korean kicking art of [[Taekkyon]]. Others feel that these kicks are more representative of kong soo do and tang soo do styles which emerged from an adaptation of Japanese karate forms.

=== Hand strikes ===
Like most martial arts, hapkido employs a great number of punches and hand strikes, as well as elbow strikes. A distinctive example of hapkido hand techniques is "live hand" strike that focuses energy to the ''baek hwa hyul'' in the hand, producing energy strikes and internal strikes. The hand strikes are often used to weaken the opponent before joint locking and throwing, and also as finishing techniques.

Hand striking in hapkido (unless in competition) is not restricted to punches and open hand striking; some significance is given to striking with fingernails at the throat and eyes; pulling at the opponent's genitals is also covered in conventional training.

In order to recall hand strikes more easily in an emotionally charged situation, beginning students are taught conventional, effective patterns of blocks and counter-attacks called ''makko chigi'' (막고 치기), which progress to more complex techniques as the student becomes familiar with them.

=== Joint manipulation techniques ===
[[File:hyperflexingwristlocksmall.JPG|thumb|170px|A hyperflexing [[wristlock]] used as a [[Pain compliance hold|pain compliance technique]].]]
[[File:Armlock juji-gatame armbar.jpg|thumb|170px|The straight [[armlock]] is an example of a very effective elbowlock.]]

Many of hapkido's joint control techniques are said to be derived largely from [[Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu]]. They are taught similarly to [[Aikido]] and [[Ju Jutsu]] techniques, but in general the circles are smaller and the techniques are applied in a more linear fashion. Hapkido's joint manipulation techniques attack both large joints (such as the elbow, shoulder, neck, back, knee, and hip) and small joints (such as wrists, fingers, ankles, toes, and jaw).

Most techniques involve applying force in the direction that a joint moves naturally and then forcing it to overextend or by forcing a joint to move in a direction that goes against its natural range of motion. These techniques can be used to cause pain and force a submission, to gain control of an opponent for 'come along' techniques (as is often employed in law enforcement), to assist in a hard or gentle throw or to cause the dislocation or breaking of the joint. Hapkido differs from some post-war styles of Aikido in its preservation of a great many techniques which are applied against the joint that were deemed by some{{Who|date=May 2014}} to be inconsistent with Aikido's more pacifistic philosophy.

; Wristlocks
Hapkido is well known for its use of a wide variety of [[wristlock]]s. These techniques are derived from Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu although their manner of performance is not always identical to that of the parent art. Still many of the techniques found in hapkido are quite similar to those of Daito-ryu and of Aikido, which was derived from that art. Examples of such techniques are: the supinating wristlock, pronating wristlock, internal rotational wristlock, and the utilization of pressure points on the wrist. These techniques are common to many forms of Japanese Jujutsu, Chinese [[Chin Na|chin na]], and even "catch as catch can" wrestling.

; Elbowlocks
Although well known for its wristlocking techniques, Hapkido has an equally wide array of tactics which center upon the manipulation of the elbow joint (see [[armlock]]). The first self-defense technique typically taught in many hapkido schools is the ''knife-hand elbow press''. This technique is thought to be derived from Daitō-ryū's ''ippondori'', a method of disarming and destroying the elbow joint of a sword-wielding opponent. Hapkido typically introduces this technique off a wrist-grabbing attack where the defender makes a circular movement with his hands to free himself from the opponent's grasp and applies a pronating wristlock while cutting down upon the elbow joint with their forearm, taking their opponent down to the ground, where an elbow lock is applied with one's hand or knee to immobilize the attacker in a pin. Both Daito-ryu and Aikido prefer to use hand pressure on the elbow throughout the technique rather than using the forearm as a "hand blade ({{Korean|hangul=수도|hanja=手刀}})", cutting into the elbow joint, in the Hapkido manner.

=== Throwing techniques ===
[[File:Hapkido1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Hapkido students practice [[Throw (grappling)|throws]] and [[Joint lock|joint manipulation]] in a ''[[dojang]]''.]]

In addition to throws which are achieved by unbalancing one's opponent through the twisting of their joints, hapkido also contains techniques of pure throwing which do not require the assistance of jointlocks. Some of these techniques are found within Daito-ryu but a great many of them are held in common with [[judo]] (pronounced "yudo 유도" in Korean). Many of early practitioners of hapkido had extensive judo backgrounds including Choi Yong-sool's first student Seo Bok-seob.

Judo techniques were introduced in the early years of the 20th century in Korea during the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese colonial period]]. Judo/Yudo tactics employ extensive use of throws, various [[chokehold|chokes]], [[Pinning hold|hold downs]], joint locks, and other [[grappling]] techniques used to control the opponent on the ground. It is believed that these techniques were absorbed into the hapkido curriculum from judo as there were a great many judo practitioners in Korea at that time and its tactics were commonly employed in the fighting of the period. Indeed, there also exists a portion of the hapkido curriculum which consists of techniques specifically designed to thwart judo style attacks.

[[File:Hapkido3.gif|thumb|250px|Hapkido practitioners perform [[grappling]] techniques.]]
[[File:050907-M-7747B-002-Judo.jpg|thumb|200px|Hapkido holds many [[Throw (grappling)|throwing]] techniques in common with [[judo]].]]
[[File:Nunchaku.png|thumb|200px|[[Nunchaku]] (Ssahng Jol Gohn; 쌍절곤), one of hapkido weapons.]]

The judo/yudo techniques were however adopted with adjustments made to make them blend more completely with the self-defence orientation which hapkido stresses. For example, many of the judo style throwing techniques employed in hapkido do not rely upon the use of traditional judo grips on the uniform, which can play a large role in the Japanese sport. Instead in many cases they rely upon gripping the limbs, head or neck in order to be successful.

Even today Korea remains one of the strongest countries in the world for the sport of judo and this cross influence on the art of Korean hapkido to be felt in Hapkido influenced styles such as [[GongKwon Yusul]] (공권유술).

=== Weapons ===
As a hapkido student advances through the various belt levels (essentially the same as other Korean arts, e.g. [[taekwondo]]), he or she learns how to employ and defend against various weapons. The first weapon encountered is most often a [[knife]] ({{Korean|hangul=칼|rr=kal}}). Another initial weapon used to teach both control and the basic precepts of utilizing a weapon with Hapkido techniques is the Tan Bong ([[Baton (law enforcement)|police baton]] sized stick), techniques and defenses against the 35&nbsp;cm short stick ({{Korean|hangul=단봉|hanja=短棒|rr=danbong}}), a [[walking stick]] or [[Stick-fighting|cane]] (chi-pang-ee; 지팡이), and a [[rope]] are introduced in hapkido training. Many hapkido organisations may also include other weapons training such as a [[sword]] (keum; 검), long [[Stick fighting|staff]] ({{Korean|hangul=장봉|hanja=長棒|rr=changbong}}), [[Jō|choong bong length staff]], [[nunchaku]] ({{Korean|hangul=쌍절곤|hanja=雙節棍|rr=ssangchulbong}}), war-fan or other types of bladed weapons such as twin short swords. Some schools even teach students to defend against firearms.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} Hapkido weapons techniques are often incorporated into many military and law enforcement training curricula.