Practical 5-6

#5 Response to overhand hammerfist.
Skip to the sideand divert the hammerfist with the farthest hand as you attack with an up arcing ridgehand to solar plexus from the closer hand. As he bends over, use the same attacking arm to downward smash an elbow to the spine of the attacker.

#6 Response to a neck strike
Step away from the blow and block with the new lead hand. Grab the attacker's hard to balance yourself and throw a sidekick to the floating rib.

Formal Practicals (One-Steps) 1-4

#1 - Response to a middle punch
Step to inside in a back stance, block with lead arm and counter with reverse punch to solar plexus.

#2 - Response to a middle punch
Step to outside in a back stance, block and push on opponent's elbow and then punch to the floating rib.

#3 - Response to a middle punch
Step to outside in a back stance, block with lead arm and counter with reverse punch to floating rib.

#4 - Response to upper punch
Cross arms in an x-block to chest as you step back with right leg. Upper block and reverse punch, making sure to close distance with a skip if needed. Defender steps up and attack steps back.

Hapkido Defenses 1-5

#1 Straight punch
Avoid the attack by sidestepping while simultaneously blocking the arm. Immediately execute koteigashi or side step take-down.


#2 High Chop/Neck Strike
Same as above


#3 Low Chop/Kidney strike
Same as 1 and 2


#4 Straight punch
Avoid the attack by sidestepping to attacker's outside while simultaneously blocking the arm. Using the rolling sword motion, step into the attacker and come down with the non-blocking arm onto the elbow (slight above for safety) and sink down with your center. This will take down the attacker.

#5 Low slash to the groin
Rock forward and down into a horse stance while scooping the attacking hand with both of your hands. While grasping the hand, step to the attacker's outside and perform ikkyu.

White Belt Self Defense

vs. front bear hug arms pinned:
Execute a two finger jab against hip pressure points on both sides. This will free up space for a knee to the groin. Follow up with a o-soto-gari type take down to either side of your attacker.

vs. front bear hug arms not pinned
Clap both your hands against attacker's ears. Follow up with a palm heel to the chin while side-stepping to take him to the ground.

vs. rear bear hug arms pinned
Stomp on instep of attacker's foot. With arms bent at the elbow at about 90 degree angle, drop into a horse stance while butting your rear into the attacker. Simultaneously, raise your arms above your head. This will open the attacker's grip on you. Backfist him in the face and then execute a classical hip toss from the rear, or you can do the hip toss with the natural movement torque.

variation two calls for you to hook one leg behind the attacker's leg, calf to calf, and then just sit down. This will take both you and the attacker down. Backfist to face while on the ground.

vs. rear bear hug arms not pinned
Stomp on attacker's instep, then slash a knifehand chop to groin. Execute the hip toss or natural movement hip toss variation.


vs. lapel grab
execute koteigashi on the non-grabbing hand

vs. wrist grab
Using your free hand, pull the trapped hand out against the attacker's v-grip. Strike with a backfist or other attack.


vs. double wrist grab
using natural movement, arc your entire body away in a circle. This will break the hold. Backfist the attacker.

vs. front choke
slam a series of punches to the attacker's gut. Use the o-soto-gari takedown, calf to calf.

vs. rear choke
Turn your neck into the v of the choke to get a little air and gain time

vs. straight punch
Step to outside to attacker with a block. Immediate grab his wrist and execute a side wrist throw/take down. This is really koteigashi.