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THEORY OF POWER

The beginning student may ask: “Where does one obtain the power to create the devastating results attributed to TaeKwon-Do?” This power is attributed to the utilization of a person’s full potential through the mathematical application of TaeKwon-Do techniques. The average person uses only 10 to 20 percent of his potential. Anyone, regardless of size, age, or sex who can condition himself or herself to use 100 percent of their potential can also perform the same destructive techniques.

Though training will certainly result in a superb level of physical fitness, it will not necessarily result in the acquisition of extraordinary stamina or superhuman strength. More important, TaeKwon-Do training will result in obtaining a high level of reaction force, concentration, equilibrium, breath control, and speed; these are the factors that will result in a high degree of physical power.

REACTION FORCE (Bandong Ryok)
According to Newton’s Law, every force has an equal an opposite reaction force. When an automobile crashes into a wall with the force of 2,000 pounds, the wall will return a force of 2,000 pounds. If your opponent is rushing towards you at a high rate of speed, by the slightest blow at his head, the force with which you strike his head would be that of his own onslaught plus that of your blow.

The two forces combined; his, which is large, and yours, which is small is quite impressive. Another reaction force is your own. A punch with the right fist is aided by pulling back the fist to the hip.

CONCENTRATION OF FORCE (Jip Joong)
By applying the impact force onto the smallest target area, it will concentrate the force and therefore, increase its effect. The blows in TaeKwon-Do are often concentrated onto the edge of the open palm or to the two large knuckles. It is very important that you should not unleash all your strength at the beginning but gradually, and particularly at the point of contact with your opponent’s body, the force must be so concentrated as to give a knock out blow. That is to say, the shorter the time for the concentration, the greater will be the power of the blow. The utmost concentration is required in order to mobilize every muscle of the body onto the smallest target area simultaneously.

Concentration is done in two ways: one is to concentrate every muscle of the body, particularly the bigger muscles around the hip and abdomen towards the appropriate tool to be used at the proper time; the second way is to concentrate such mobilized muscles onto the opponent’s vital spot. This is the reason why the hip and abdomen are jerked slightly before the hands and feet in any action, whether it be attack or defense.

EQUILIBRIUM (Kyun Hyung)
Balance is of utmost importance in any type of athletics. In TaeKwon-Do, it deserves special consideration. By keeping the body always in equilibrium, that is, well balanced, a blow is more effective and deadly. Conversely, the unbalanced body is easily overpowered. The stance should always be stable yet flexible, for both offensive and defensive movements.

To maintain good equilibrium, the center of gravity of the stance must fall on a straight line midway between both legs when the body weight is distributed equally on both legs, or in the center of the foot if it is necessary to concentrate the bulk of body weight on one foot. Flexibility and knee spring are also important in maintaining balance for both a quick attack and instant recovery.

BREATH CONTROL (Hohup Jojul)
Controlled breathing not only affects one’s stamina and speed but can also condition a body to receive a blow and augment the power of a blow directed against an opponent. Through practice, breath stopped in the state of exhaling at the critical moment when a blow is landed against a pressure point on the body can prevent a loss of consciousness and stifle pain. A sharp exhaling of breath at the moment of impact and stopping the breath during the execution of a movement tense the abdomen to concentrate maximum effort on the delivery of the motion, while a slow inhaling helps the preparation of the next movement. An important rule to remember; never inhale while focusing a block or blow against an opponent. Not only will this impede movement but it will also result in a loss of power.

MASS (Zilyang)
Mathematically, the maximum kinetic energy or force is obtained from maximum body weight and speed and it is all important that the body weight be increased during the execution of a blow. No doubt the maximum body weight is applied with the motion of turning the hip. The large abdominal muscles are twisted to provide additional body momentum. Thus the hip rotates in the same direction as that of the attacking or blocking tool. Another way of increasing body weight is the utilization of a springing action of the knee joint. This is achieved by slightly raising the hip at the beginning of the motion and lowering the hip at the moment of impact to drop the body weight into the motion.

SPEED (Sokdo)
Speed is the most essential factor of force or power. Scientifically, force equals mass multiplied by acceleration (F = MA) or (P = MV2).

According to the theory of kinetic energy, every object increases its weight as well as speed in a downward movement. This very principle is applied to this particular art of self-defense. For this reason, at the moment of impact, the position of the hand normally becomes lower than the shoulder and the foot lower than the hip while the body is in the air.

Reaction force, breath, control, equilibrium, concentration, and relaxation of the muscles cannot be ignored. However, these are the factors that contribute to the speed and all these factors, together with flexible and rhythmic movements, must be well coordinated to produce the maximum power in TaeKwon Do.