TAE KWON-DO MOTION PHYSICS
-How Sine Wave and other components affect the Arts performance-
By: HALL SA SEONG (GWEN F. HALL)
Regarding technique and stance performance, General Choi based Tae Kwon-Do accomplishment, among other aspects, on what he called “Training Secrets of Tae Kwon-Do.” Tae Kwon-Do performed using this “Secrets” of technique and stance development is not only a Martial Art, but also a science and aesthetic art.
An important part in that regard is the proper performance of his Sine Wave during stance/technique execution. It is listed as number eight among the “Secrets” but is not discussed in any detail.
General Choi observed, in the Mathematical Sine Wave, certain aspects that he believed could be applied to the stance movements in Tae Kwon-Do, centering on a rise and fall motion while moving into a stance and while performing techniques in a stationary stance. To some degree, the concept can also be observed subtlety during preparatory portions of some hand techniques. The General’s Sine Wave together with other aspects of stance and technique performance is what I call Tae Kwon-Do Motion Physics.
Tae Kwon-Do Motion Physics encompasses a correct proportional performance relationship amongst specific aspects of technique and stance execution: i.e., Sine Wave utilizing an opposite direction force propulsion principle, correct timing of the inhale/exhale function (Breath Control), exact usage of the Reaction Force vector control support motion, Balance and Speed. But for Sine Wave, these aspects are also components of General Choi’s Theory of Power which is discussed in my article ‘The Theory of Power – a General Martial Art Concept.’ Tae Kwon-Do Motion Physics looks at Sine Wave and how it is performed, coupled with the Theory of Power components and how they are performed, to analyze their affect upon the execution of the Art’s stances and techniques.
SINE WAVE
General Choi used the term ‘Sine Wave’ to describe a curving motion used to obtain an optimum result from a stance/technique execution sequence. The motion is not an actual Mathematical Sine Wave as it is does not continue perpetually but ends upon stance/technique completion. When performing stance/technique sequences, there is usually a slight hesitation before proceeding to the next movement. This being said, the concept of gaining perpetual motion energy by using a preparatory rise/fall and or slight backward/forward ancillary motion as part of a stance’s movement or technique execution is valid.
General Choi’s Sine Wave, when properly applied as part of stance and technique performance, can be very effective. The partial Sine Wave motion or curve, correctly executed during stance movement and technique performance, augments their fluidity, thus helping obtain optimum force impact at technique-target contact.
Proper utilization of motion energy during Tae Kwon-Do performance requires absolute correct body movement during all execution phases. Succinctly used, the Tae Kwon-Do Sine Wave is not an expenditure of wasted energy. But, when incorrectly or overly performed, it wastes motion energy, compromises balance control and contributes to poor tool to target placement.
The frequent error during Sine Wave performance is an over use or exaggeration of the motions involved. In some cases, the exaggeration is so severe that the Sine Wave motion overrides the entire stance/technique sequence. The result is a flawed performance.
When General Choi would conduct seminars on Sine Wave, he would purposefully over do the knee action to show the knee movement involved, not that that much bend and rise (up and down) or exaggeration was to be the norm. The goal was to demonstrate the nature of the movement’s dynamics. Unfortunately, his exaggeration became the norm for those who totally missed what the General was teaching. They focused on the exaggeration rather than the stratagem of the movement. Said stratagem is to provide the physical finesse that augments stance/technique movement, to blend and meld with the stance/technique performance, NOT UPSTAGE IT.
During discussions about Sine Wave and its role in Tae Kwon-Do performance dynamics, I have heard it said that a large (exaggerated) Sine Wave is for Tul (pattern) performance to produce an aesthetic presentation of the Art’s stance and techniques: it was said to benefit all performance aspects of the Art. Yet, when stances and techniques are observed during free sparring, the sine wave is usually subtle and sometimes non-existent. When applied to three-step and two-step sparring, an exaggerated Sine Wave hinders fluid motion needed to respond to rapid attack sequences that three-, two- and one-step sparring present. An exaggerated Sine Wave is not beneficial for rapid attack sequence response.
The step sparring sequences are training tools used to develop “on the street” application of Tae Kwon-Do. Considering this, the over performed or exaggerated Sine Wave seen so often during Tul performance, is not street applicable – not practical for “real world” survival usage when directness is of the essence. Ergo, the Tul usage of Sine Wave needs to be toned down and more logically applied so that Tul practice becomes helpful in street or self-defense scenario training without losing aesthetic flavor.
Why do I say that? 1). Personal experience. 2). Because the General once commented to me that the Art was contained in the Tul and that they contained real world applicability, i.e., Won Hyo Tul. He also stated that the step sparring sequences were more applicable to street self-defense than free sparring and that of them, three-step sparring was key.
In reality, the main function of Sine Wave, when properly performed as a finesse, is to augment stance/technique fluidity and rhythm. If it does not facilitate these elements in both street application and Tul performance, then it is being incorrectly executed and adversely impacts Tae Kwon-Do motion physics. An exaggerated Sine Wave must be subdued to have beneficial application in Tul, step sparring sequences and self-defense techniques.
Subduing an exaggerated Sine Wave, is not “throwing the baby out with the bath water.” The beauty of the General’s Sine Wave is that it recognizes that motion is needed to facilitate motion. As Newton’s Law says, an object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to stay at rest. For the Tae Kwon-Do practitioner, this means their performance of Tul, step sparring, free sparring and self-defense must be fluid and when between stance/technique execution sequences, their body must not be static thus avoiding the need for an exaggerated motion to initiate the Sine Wave for the next motion sequence.
Stated differently, in order to perform a subdued Sine Wave, the practitioner must not be rigid or stiff either while in a ready stance or after stance/technique sequence completion. After a sequence is completed or if in a ready stance prior to beginning Tul or other training sequences, a person needs to be in a state of controlled looseness or fluid state of energy conservation in order to initiate subsequent motion effectively. All aspects of a completed technique sequence or ready stance position must relax (not possess tension) only using enough energy to remain in position as long as required until beginning the next or any stance/technique movement. In this way, the preparatory-ancillary motions of the opposite direction propulsion system used in Sine Wave can be easily initiated and used properly. If a person is tense or stiff prior to any motion, then they must relax first or use extra exertion to begin movement resulting in an exaggerated sine Wave while giving an opponent a slight action/response advantage. All of this movement needs to occur in unanimous orchestration.
The specific body movements involved in Sine Wave production are a knee flexation and ball-of-the-foot/ankle action moving harmoniously together. When correctly done, this action adds a smooth rise/fall dynamic to stance formation and motion. The Sine Wave also involves a subtle backward/forward “swaying” motion. This aspect of the Sine Wave action must also be controlled to compliment the rise and fall motion.
Looking at some specific stances, Sitting Stance clearly exhibits the rise and fall aspect while L-Stance and Walking Stance exhibit the rise/fall of the “swaying or backward-forward action booth during initial and succeeding stance/technique sequences. Both of these aspects can be observed in other stances in one format or another. Additionally, depending on the technique and stance, there is a “hip-twisting” motion entwined within the Sine Wave. It is not part of the Sine Wave motion but occurs during the Sine Wave action and can be observed especially in techniques being performed in Walking Stance or Sitting Stance. The nature of an L-Stance’s movement tends to mask the “hip-twist,” but it is there.
As an example, the knee bending/ball-of-the-foot/ankle action, body swaying preparatory backward/rising motion used in a stepping forward L-Stance Forearm Guarding Block, Side Punch or Side Knife Hand Strike, must not move too far back nor descend and rise too high before moving forward. It if does, the practitioner has to compensate for the exaggerated motions by using additional muscle energy maintaining balance to overcome or reverse the backward/rising body motion before proceeding forward. Subsequently, the practitioner then needs to utilize more additional muscle exertion to control the following forward/descending motion to maintain balance while executing the technique. All that extra exertion results in muscle fatigue, hampers endurance and adversely affects the placement of the technique when the entire motion sequence stops. In this regard, the more back descending sway, the more knee flexation is required to maintain balance and allow for forward movement. The knees take the brunt of an exaggerated Sine Wave.
The adverse effect of an exaggerated Sine Wave includes diminished impact power, incorrect technique tool to target placement and loss of reaction force vector control (control of the technique’s direction of movement) as well as balance.
If there is not a fluidity and feeling of relaxed balance comfort during the Sine Wave motion, then it is probably being overdone. If it feels like it is an effort and is “killing” the knees, then it is probably being overdone. As with many things, for Sine Wave motion to be beneficial to an entire stance/technique performance, whether a Tul, step sparring, free sparring or self-defense sequence, Moderation is the Key.
BREATH CONTROL
Breath control, the correct timing of the inhale/exhale function during Tae Kwon-Do performance, helps produce optimum force impact of a technique. It also affects stance shifting motion and stance changing motion. Incorrect breathing during technique sequence and stance performance restricts body movement and hinders technique execution: thus, force vector control, technique placement, impact power are compromised and energy endurance expenditure is wasted. Three errors affecting breath control are hold one’s breath, exhaling too soon and inhaling during the final point of stance/technique execution.
- Holding one’s breath: Holding one’s breath forces the middle body muscle system to use its energy keeping the lungs expanded. The energy is directed inward rather than flowing outward to accommodate the direction of technique execution. Motion physics wants energy to move rather than to remain stagnant. In Tae Kwon-Do, muscle energy expended trying to restrict an involuntary muscle function is wasted energy, exhausts the system and compromises the stance/technique performance. Tae Kwon-Do movements seek to effectively transfer energy toward a target. Holding ones breath prevents that successful transfer. Additionally, it could possibly trigger an adverse vagus nerve response due to the straining of holding one’s breath while exerting middle body energy needed in performing Tae Kwon-Do techniques, especially kicks.
By not exhaling during technique execution, the practitioner locks the body’s muscle energy expenditure process inside – a process that desperately needs the suspended CO2 release/Oxygen replacement process to continue functioning – totally diminishing or hampering the motion physics of the stance/technique performance.
It is exhausting and because the exhale comes too late, all aspects of any technique performance are restrained – wasted. Balance, speed, reaction force are all compromised. As a result, the force vector is unstable, tool impact is weakened and there is an immediate need to inhale. Everything is out of sync and needs to “Reboot.”
- Exhalation: Timing one’s exhalation to the execution or exertion phase of stance/technique performance is not only vital to a successful movement sequence, but is also crucial to the practitioner’s maintaining a viable endurance level. If the exhale occurs prior to the completion of the sequence, then the sequence impact power is spent before the stance/technique apex causing the need to inhale at the end of the motion. Tool to target contact is diminished. Because of the wrongly timed inhale, the forward energy of the force vector is rained in along with all other aspects of the forward momentum.
The release of the air needs to coincide with the execution motion, not expelled prior to nor after the apex of the sequence has occurred. Exhalation stance/technique performance must be in unison, in harmony, to facilitate apex technique completion.
- Inhalation: In most cases, the practitioner obtains the best motion physics by inhaling the appropriate amount of air prior to beginning movement and exhaling the appropriate amount of air in time with stance/technique movement. A common example of this regimen is – for Basic Ready Stance, inhale prior to stepping sideways into a Sitting Stance Front Middle Punch and exhale as the stance/technique sequence is performed – all air being exhaled using a Ki-Hop (yell of concentration) at the sequence apex (tool to target impact point). The timing of this action is to be performed in agreement with the Sine Wave motion. This is a good stance/technique, breath control training sequence for the beginning student. The student learns the basic principles of Sine Wave, breath control, reaction force, the rest of the Theory of Power, how to make a Ki-Hop and what three functions a Ki-Hop performs: to startle the opponent, give more power to the technique and to harden the body against a blow. The rudimentary components of the Art are introduced in this beginner’s technique sequence.
As a student progresses, they encounter another aspect of the inhalation phase of breath control relating to the preparatory portion of stance/technique execution. That is, that depending on the stance and technique, there is an attachment of the inhalation phase of breath control to the initial motions of the sequence. An example of this is stepping into an L-Stance Forearm Guarding Block or Side Knife Hand Strike; especially when following through into another stance/technique sequence. The inhale occurs simultaneously with the stance’s initial motion and the technique’s initial motion with the exhalation occurring during the exertion phase of both the stance and technique motions, i.e., the exhale begins when the L-Stance starts the descending forward motion of the Sine Wave and the arms begin their forward slice toward the attacking tool.
Such coordination between inhalation/exhalation and preparation/exertion can also be observed during some weight lifting techniques. While performing arm curls, a weight lifter will be inhaling on the lowering motion and exhaling on the lifting or raising motion. The exertion comes with the lifting motion: preparation comes with the lowering motion.
In Tae Kwon-Do, a coordinated inhale/exhale function occurring with the preparation/execution (exertion) phases’ of stance/technique performance, facilitates a rhythmical blend of the Sine Wave motion, breath control and stance/technique execution. Proceeding and succeeding movements may indicate when such an inhale/exhale pattern may be used. This is a precisioned breathing function that requires graceful practice to perfect.
BALANCE
Without exact equilibrium, maximum or optimum impact can not be achieved. Regarding Tae Kwon-Do motion physics, one’s balance must remain correct both during movement (dynamic balance) from one stance to another and while remaining in the stance (static balance). The practitioner’s center of gravity during both balance aspects is key. If moving, that balancing point has to be focused on the center of the foot supporting the body as the person steps. If the practitioner is not moving, then the center of gravity passes midway between both legs with the body weight being equally placed on each foot.
Stances that put more body weight on one foot than the other, i.e., L-Stance and Rear Foot Stance, require the center of gravity to be toward the weight bearing foot, whether stepping into another stance or remaining in position.
The practitioner has to keep the balance center correctly aligned when moving from one stance to another in order to be stable when the stepping foot lands and technique impact or completion occurs. By so doing, the force vector of the attacking or blocking tool maintains precise trajectory without losing its momentum. The body’s muscle energy dynamics are not over expended by having to recover a lost balancing point to place the technique tool correctly on target. Without balance, Tae Kwon-Do motion physics is compromised.
SPEED
The speed with which a stance/technique sequence is performed acts as a “force multiplier.” If all other aspects of performance are executed correctly, the motion physics in the sequence becomes increased by a factor of the practitioner’s speed. Speed is the “crowning touch” so to speak. However, if even one element involved in the stance/technique performance is off – even in the slightest aspect – then speed becomes the compounding hindrance.
Errors made slowly are easier to notice and correct during practice and an error’s effect on an entire sequence is generally less drastic: the exception being balance. Poor balance is always a true nemesis and the faster the action the more disastrous the results.
In Tae Kwon-Do performance, speed and balance are key components. This is why it is best not to practice new or unsure techniques too rapidly. Slow and correct is always better than fast and wrong.
In some respects, harnessing performance speed is an art unto itself. Learning where slow and rapid motion best compliments a movement sequence takes time and a certain amount of talent, especially during Tul performance. This is because speed in Tae Kwon-Do performance equates to a motion pentameter – motion heroic verse. To some extent, such finesse can be taught; but, during Tul performance, speed aesthetics is sometimes a gift a practitioner either has or doesn’t.
REACTION FORCE
Another component in Tae Kwon-Do Motion Physics is the correct application of the reaction force adjoined to any technique’s or stance’s performance. This principle and action is not always recognized nor specifically taught; thus, it is not utilized to its full potential. Reaction force is a part of any stance/technique sequence motion even if not necessarily felt.
Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion teaches that for any action there is an opposite and equal reaction; i.e., for Tae Kwon-Do, Reaction Force.
Newton’s Cradle, a device with several steel balls suspended touching each-other, is used to demonstrate how motion energy can be stored, transferred and returned back towards the initiating motion energy source – his third law or Reaction Force. If one ball is lifted away from the others and then released to hit the others, the ball at the opposite end of the string will bounce away while the others in-between remain in place.
When the raised ball fell and struck the others, the impact energy traveled through all of the balls: but, when that traveling energy came to the last ball, it had nowhere else to go. As a result, the energy wave entered the last ball making it move away from the others to the same distance that the first ball was lifted away from the string and it traveled back at that same speed that the first ball traveled in its descent. Thus the last ball travels back down to the string of balls and initiates the entire process all over again from the opposite end of the string. This process will continue until friction and (to us) invisible expansion of the balls caused by their repeated impact with each other slows them down until they eventually stop.
The back and forth motion of the balls demonstrates how the impact and travel energy (motion) moves and reverses itself when said energy is redirected by having reached the limit “wall” of the original motion energy initiated by the first ball’s striking the rest of the string.
Newton’s Cradle demonstrates that the amount of motion energy initiated by the first ball’s impact is the same amount (equal and opposite) that comes back. If one ball is lifted, one ball goes out and returns; if two balls are lifted, then two balls will go out and return, if three, then three; if four, then four. If the cradle has five balls and all five are lifted, they will all swing back and forth until gravity and our atmosphere causes them to stop. The motion energy in each of the examples is not destroyed. It is either redirected (action/opposite and equal reaction) or absorbed and changed into another energy form.
Reaction force motion energy centers on either a “recurving follow through” principle during hand/arm technique execution or a “recoil propulsion” principle during stance stepping and kicking technique performance. Both types contribute to the motion energy expended and help support force vector control for technique placement.
Harnessing the reaction force energy component in motion physics is a skill needed to obtain the most impact power from any Tae Kwon-Do technique delivered. The key to gaining the most benefit from reaction force is explicit performance of any stance/technique sequence.
An example of hand technique motion physics being augmented through reaction force is the “pulley-wheel” effect during a Front Middle Punch and High Finger Tip Strike. I tell my beginning students to visualize a Pulley-Wheel with each fist holding one end of a rope. As they punch with the reaction force belt location fist holding it’s end of the rope, imagine pulling back with the other fist already in a punch position holding it’s end of the rope. Both fists must change their position moving at the same time going at the same speed so as to arrive at their new positions simultaneously. By so doing, the reaction force from the fist returning to the belt/hip location, curves around the back of the shoulders (like the motion traveling through the balls of Newton’s Cradle) into the punching arm/fist to increase the impact of the punching fist on its contact with a target. Without the returning motion of the reaction force fist, the contact fist is starved of half of its potential impact energy.
An ancillary reaction force energy is obtained from a correctly performed Sine Wave that produces motion energy that travels through the body and out the action arm performing a technique.
If a practitioner is stepping into a stance while performing a technique, the recoil energy produced by the foot’s placement on the floor is also reaction force energy being introduced to the motion physics of a technique. A Tae Kwon-Do practitioner’s foot is a lot softer and more permeable to receiving the contact energy than the floor onto which the practitioner stepped. The recoil energy from that contact (reaction force) travels up the leg, through the body and exits along with the pulley-wheel energy (if performing an action force hand technique) and Sine Wave energy out the technique performing arm(s) or leg, i.e., motion physics.
Kicking techniques are no less involved with reaction force than hand techniques. The preparatory actions for kicking techniques sets them up for reaction force motion energy. Depending on the kick, there is a certain amount of arm and body action that is a source of reaction force energy. The hip and body motion during kicking techniques and the recoil from foot placement when stepping into a kick or launching into a jumping or flying kick all produce reaction force energy that will exit the kicking foot on its contact with a target, opponent or completed aerial action. Jumping and flying kicks obtain most of their height or distance from the propulsion energy gained with the extreme foot placement recoil produced by the firm or stomping action of the launching foot and leg muscle expenditure – motion physics in the extreme.
ENERGY TRANSFER
Whether kicking, striking, punching or blocking, after the impact of the technique tool with the target or technique completion point if no target contact, there is a moment of energy transfer due to separation of the impact tool from the target; or, if no contact, then energy dissipation into the air.
The fraction of time and the unperceived space that occurs between the impact tool and target at the moment of contact allows the technique’s energy wave to transfer and penetrate into the target causing either a redirection of the Force Vector of an opponent’s attacking appendage with a successful block or an impact wave penetration into an opponent’s body – providing the offensive technique was correctly delivered.
When contact is made, that separation is what allows the forward reaction force energy wave to continue and penetrate the target. Should that separation not occur, then a rebounding reaction force results causing the lesser of the two impacting objects to be over-whelmed by the force of the mass difference between them. It is the separation after the impact between a correctly performed stance/technique sequence and an opponent that lets the smaller defender protect them self from a larger attacker. The impact energy wave has no other travel medium except the opponent on the receiving end of the technique’s force vector.
Recapping, Tae Kwon-Do Motion Physics is a successful melding of correct Sine Wave execution, energy transfer, breath control, reaction force, balance and speed. Except for Sine Wave and energy transfer, these are some of the elements included in General Choi’s “Theory of Power.” Studying Tae Kwon-Do Motion Physics allows the Tae Kwon-Do practitioner to dissect more explicitly how all these components actually function in creating power: more importantly, motion physics explains the why and how of what makes Tae Kwon-Do a most effective and dynamic Martial Art.
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