"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
Martial Arts Training in Harrow & Pinner, Middlesex
Phone: 07759 438779
Patterns: The Devil Is In The Details - Part 3
by Stuart Anslow
Page 2/2
Juche’s Diagonal Stance Landing
This is not really an error, but something I feel is more related to the difficulty of performing it 100% correctly - which is very hard to do.
Juche’s Backfist Horizontal Strike
Now we`ll take a look at move #41 of the pattern...the Backfist Strike. We do so as it seems many do not realize that it is not your standard Backfist, and is different to those you that you have previously performed in other patterns such as pattern Do-San. In Do-San and other patterns requiring a Backfist, they are usually High Backfist Strikes and align with the temple or eye-level, where as the one in Juche is termed ‘Backfist Horizontal Strike’ and has a number of important and distinct differences with other Backfists. Firstly, it doesn't align at temple height, but is actually inline with the solar plexus (though some can argue shoulder) and secondly, the arm is almost dead straight upon execution.
I am referring to landing in a Diagonal Stance (move #38), following the Two Directional Kick (move #37) in Juche. To perform the whole movement in an absolutely correct manner, you have to land directly in the Diagonal Stance as opposed to landing then forming the stance. However, to make matters even more difficult, at the same time you need to be executing the Twin Palm Rising Block as opposed to executing it after you have landed (or indeed formed the stance). Like I said, its very difficult to achieve so diligent practice is a must and the reason I mention it here is because, through time these details may be lost as instructors still struggle with the combination.
Bending Ready Stance ‘B’
Following the Side Elbow Thrust (move #39) in Juche, the student then executes a Right Bending Ready Stance ‘B’. This stance is also seen in other patterns (such as pattern Moon-Moo, moves #19 and #22) and the same small error is made.
That error is that it is performed almost identically to a Bending Ready Stance ‘A’, with the knee up (though usually a little more outwards), but more importantly the head direction is the opposite of the Bending Ready Stance ‘A’ and should be looking over the shoulder on the side of the bent leg, not forwards as many seem to do it. A small, but significant detail and something I see done time and time again at tournaments.
Juche’s Flying Consecutive Punch
To finish this article, as well as common faults seen within the pattern Juche, we`ll take a look at the Flying Consecutive Punch (move #43) found near the end of the pattern. As most will know its a Flying technique with a Front Punch and an Upset Punch performed at the same time. The common error occurs with the second punch, which see’s many students executing it either as they land or more often, after they have landed in the Closed Stance, however, both are incorrect!
In actual fact, both the Front Punch and the Upset Punch should be executed whilst the student is Flying i.e. While the student is still in the air. The student lands with the arm (in this case the right arm) simply held in the position of the final punch.
As an interesting aside, ITF’ers do not use a reaction hand motion between the two punches, but GTF’ers do!
The musings in this article are randomly off the top of my head, but the photo’s and foot diagrams are taken from my books ‘The Encyclopedia Of Taekwon-Do Patterns: The Complete Patterns Resource For Ch’ang Hon, ITF & GTF Students Of Taekwon-Do” and feature Dan grade students from Rayners Lane Taekwon-Do Academy.
Look out for Part 4 - Coming Soon