Technical Aspects

Due to its comprehensive nature Gongkwon Yusul training covers a wide range of activities:

Striking (Takyeokgi)

Striking in Gongkwon Yusul utilises all parts of the body and includes: punching, empty-hand striking, elbows and knees. As you would expect with a Korean martial art, it also incorporates as wide variety of kicking techniques drawn from both Korean and non-Korean sources.

Throwing and Takedowns (Maechigi)

Includes throws using the hip, waist, shoulder and upper body. Also encompassing a wide range of sweeps, reaps and tackles. Takedowns are learnt from standing, sparring and kneeling applications.

Standing grappling techniques (Sulgi)

This includes grappling both with and without the gi/dobok. Includes joint locking (Matdeygi) using any of the major joints such as the wrist, finger, shoulder, elbow, ankle and knee. It also uses muscle locks, neck manipulations as well as chokes and strangles.

Groundwork Grappling (Wasul)

The integration of groundwork skills is important in Gongkwon Yusul comprising around 25% of the total system. As mentioned above it includes: joint-locks, chokes and strangles, positioning and pinning as well as strikes while on the ground.

Samwonbon

It is difficult to accurately describe this aspect of the art in English. Perhaps the closest equivalent term would be 'one-step sparring'. However Samwonbon encompasses much more than just basic repetition of techniques. In Samwonbon individuals apply the techniques of Gongkwon Yusul in a semi-cooperative fashion in order to develop an understanding of the principles behind Gongkwon Yusul. A single Samwonbon sequence may include the full range of techniques (striking, takedown, locking and or ground work) within the flow of the sequence. Samwonbon may be instigated from sparring, kneeling or grappling positions.

Sparring and sparring application (Daeyrunbon)

This may include pre arranged partner work as well as free flow sparring. Sparring is conducted in one of 4 formats:

  • Stand-up free sparing (no takedowns),
  • Stand up with takedowns (no head punching),
  • Groundwork only with no or limited striking,
  • Full contact-utilising head-gear which allows kicking and hand strikes to the head, takedowns and groundwork with striking.

Forms (Poomse)

At the higher Dan levels there is practice of forms, both to develop correct form of Gongkwon Yusul techniques and also for concentration and Dan Jun development. Forms include both striking and grappling techniques.

Weapons

At higher Dan levels training is undertaken in both traditional and non-traditional weapons.