(( Traditional Hapkido ))

[blade_cs]

Well, most of us have heard of the art called "Hapkido" from either Bong Soo Han and Jin Pal Kim.

What do you guys think of this martial art?

Is it street effective as it says?

All instructors claim that it works in every situation cause Hapkido integrates every fighting form (ie: punching, kicking, joint locks, throws, pressure point strikes, etc.) together.

They say that if your opponent is a puncher, then kick or joint-lock him, doing techniques that the other guy don't have.

Also, there's this "new" art called Combat Hapkido, which is supposedly better than the traditional one.

[JUDO Novice]

This is only my Opinion...

Someone told me that combat hapkido takes out all the ineffective stuff, and uses the most effective techniques of Traditional Hapkido. But, I think that it would take a long time to master both considering the fact that Hapkido tries to cover all ranges of attack. They can't throw as good us Judo guys, they can't grapple as good as BJJ guys, they can't box or kick as good as kickboxers/thai/western boxers. But, they do have a lot of arm breaks, and come alongs that would be good but at times very hard to use. Which leads me to the point that a Hapkido practioner is ready for all ranges of combat but does not compare to the level of thai boxers, bjj, or Judo guys in their respected range of fighting. Because your trying to learn so much material you'll be a jack of all ranges but a master of one (arm breaks & wrist locks). Hope this helps....

[H@pkid0ist]

This is an excerpt from a post I did on another site for someone that had a question.

To date there are 2 primary recognized ways of doing HKD. Each with whatever changes people have put on it. 1 is Choi's way, focusing more on Aki type techniques, Joint locks and manipulation, pressure points, throws, very little striking. 2 is Ji's way focusing more on refined striking techniques (hitting, kicking), but still focusing on the joints, pressure points, throws, and ground work. But the more refined 4 degree and up techniques of Choi were never taught to Ji by Choi. But that does not mean that Ji never learned them from elsewhere. You ask how do I know this. Well my teacher began studying under Choi a year after Ji did. He studied under Choi until the day Choi died in 1986. I’ve seen the photos to prove it. As well he studied under Ji and received his 9 Dan in 1983. I would not doubt that my GM taught Ji the techniques that Choi wouldn't. My teacher felt that the best and most effective form of Hapkido was one that was a combination of the 2. But he did not really wish to take out much of either. So to achieve master certification we have to learn and become efficient in over 7000 different techniques. We are the best of both worlds. As well my teacher was a golden gloves boxer 5 years in a row, attained Dan ranks in Judo, extensively studied Kung Fu under a Buddhist monk, studied Kendo, and Chinese weapons. He has incorporated all of this into what he teaches us today.
I got very lucky finding my teacher

Judo Novice. Your info is not quite accurate.
Yes Combat Hapkido takes out what they feel to be innefective, but not everything they feel to be useless, is. Basically its a simpler form of Hapkido. Traditional hapkido is a combat system. Yes we train in all aspects of fighting, and we train to fight trained fighters. Hence we have to be just as effective as a specialist in a particular style. A good Hapkidoist is just as proficient as anyone in a specialized art, such as Judo, Ju Jitsu, TKD, Boxing, ect. This is what we strive for. If we trained to be only partly as good as other systems then what would be the purpose of our training?

[StraightBlaster]

The techniques of hapkido are decent but the training methods are poor like most "old" martial arts. The style of hapkido does not produce fighters of a high quality. Of course people will disagree with me, but if the style did produce good fighters, where are they all? I've never seen a champion in any combat sport that used hapkido. And please no sport vs street nonsense. If hapkido was actually a good martial art a couple of rules would not render the art helpless. If you have to ask if the art is good, then most likely its not.

[H@pkid0ist]

If you are speeking from experience then I am sorry you had a bad one. I guarentee you that my training is nothing like what you have stated. Neither are most Hapkido schools. If your comment is becouse you don't see many hapkido competetors then you are definately making a coment on an uninformed opinion. We are not and never have been a sport. That is the mindset of most Hapkidoist. Those that do chose to compete do so using TKD type techniques, becouse much of our techniques are about joint control and manipulation. These and many of our other techniques are not aloud to be done in tournaments and competitions. Overall we train for self defense and not for sport and that is just the plain facts. You cant judge the effectivness of a system by wether they compete or not and how often they win in a fight with rules that limit what is permited. This goes for any art. By your standards you will probebly say next that profesinal wrestlers are high quality fighters or that its even real. And don't forget there is more than one system of HKD out there. And like any good art we always change with the times and adapt with other systems. (SB )

[blade_cs]

Originally posted by StraightBlaster
The techniques of hapkido are decent but the training methods are poor like most "old" martial arts. The style of hapkido does not produce fighters of a high quality. Of course people will disagree with me, but if the style did produce good fighters, where are they all? I've never seen a champion in any combat sport that used hapkido. And please no sport vs street nonsense. If hapkido was actually a good martial art a couple of rules would not render the art helpless. If you have to ask if the art is good, then most likely its not.

What's wrong with "old" (traditional) martial arts? Traditional means it's been kept from many years ago, but what's wrong with that? When martial arts were created, it was meant for fighting. Wouldn't it also work for today's world as well? I don't understand

Well, of course I don't mean martial arts that still train long staff and outdate weapons are still useful, but many Hapkido schools train gun defense.

[StraightBlaster]

Hapikido has never proven itself in limited rule fights, i.e. MMA/vale tudo type stuff. If hapkido was really a good art then taking out things like groin shots and eye attacks would not render it helpless.

And old arts are not good because they are old technology. Good arts evolve and become better. Ever seen what boxing was a hundred years ago? very simular to wing chun and not as efective as it is today. It has improved over time. Holding on to the techniques of hundreds of years ago is like going into battle with a musket when your enemy has ak47's.

Any art that is street effective will work in MMA. There are so few rules in these things that truly effective arts will still be effective. Fighting is fighting even if there are a hand full rules. If you think your art is good for street fighting but not MMA you are living a lie. Exceptional people can get poor arts to function in real fights against poor opponents, but people need an art that will work in a MMA enviroment in order to be able to handle skilled streetfighter.

The best possible form of sparring is sparring with as few rules as possible. This is how you get as close to street fighting as possible. If you spar with the least rules possible then your doing MMA.

Also don't forget that all fights look like MMA. When two guys that are untrained or traditionally trained get into a fight it looks like bad MMA. When two guys that are untrained or traditionally trained get into a striking only fight it looks like bad boxing/kickbing. This is because real fighting is like MMA.

[blade_cs]

Shorinji Kempo & Hapkido

I've seen both Shorinji Kempo and Hapkido, and they look pretty similar. At least for the strikes can locks.

What do you guys think? What do you see as the difference (besides Kempo originating from Japan and Hapkido from Korea).

[hapkidoist]

If people knew more about Hapkido, their eyes would open. It is a very effective MA. Right now there is too much contraversy over what is true Hapkido. Lots of different organizations claiming to teach true Hapkido i.e. Hapkiyoosool.com. This guy trained at my first dojang in Korea. This organization is not reconized by the Korean government. I know that for a fact. But in America you can say what you want and get away with it. Maybe he was missled by his master. This in fighting damages our art. Until we unite, the art will suffer.

[shredder]

The fellow in the Game of Death could hold his own, Han Jae Ji.

[Ice Phoenix]

Originally posted by StraightBlaster
Hapikido has never proven itself in limited rule fights, i.e. MMA/vale tudo type stuff. If hapkido was really a good art then taking out things like groin shots and eye attacks would not render it helpless.

And old arts are not good because they are old technology. Good arts evolve and become better. Ever seen what boxing was a hundred years ago? very simular to wing chun and not as efective as it is today. It has improved over time. Holding on to the techniques of hundreds of years ago is like going into battle with a musket when your enemy has ak47's.

Any art that is street effective will work in MMA. There are so few rules in these things that truly effective arts will still be effective. Fighting is fighting even if there are a hand full rules. If you think your art is good for street fighting but not MMA you are living a lie. Exceptional people can get poor arts to function in real fights against poor opponents, but people need an art that will work in a MMA enviroment in order to be able to handle skilled streetfighter.

The best possible form of sparring is sparring with as few rules as possible. This is how you get as close to street fighting as possible. If you spar with the least rules possible then your doing MMA.

Also don't forget that all fights look like MMA. When two guys that are untrained or traditionally trained get into a fight it looks like bad MMA. When two guys that are untrained or traditionally trained get into a striking only fight it looks like bad boxing/kickbing. This is because real fighting is like MMA.

I agree! The only problem with MMA today is it's beginning to stray off the course of true MMA/NHB. "True" MMA/NHB is/was a very accurate way to test the effectiveness of an individuals fighting skills.

Now though, MMA is beginning to spiral down hill, adding more and more rules, until finally it will just be another sport, with so many rules it won't any longer represent reality fighting at all. And that was the original purpose of MMA/NHB - to expose the TRUTH in fighting and the martial arts!

For example, where are the groin kicks/shots in MMA? They are banned thanks to the stupid ****ing state athletic commissions. I think?

[H@pkid0ist]

You know our main focus is not groin shots and eye gouges. Next time you get to sparr full force with someone whos primary studies is joint control, manipulatin, and breaking then tell me how you feel. Its not the same ball game when you pop someones elbow or break it , or any other joint even with light contact. then tell me how you feel.

[hapkiyoosool]

Per the "Hapkidoist": Lots of different organizations claiming to teach true Hapkido i.e. http://www.Hapkiyoosool.com This guy trained at my first dojang in Korea. This organization is not reconized by the Korean government. I know that for a fact. But in America you can say what you want and get away with it. Maybe he was missled by his master.

I have a feeling I know who you are and where your "first dojang" was in Korea. As a matter of fact, OUR federation IS registered with the Korean Government. I want proof from you that our federation is NOT registered! I suppose you went to the government building in Seoul, Korea(why would they give Korean papers to an American with no need for them about some one elses business?) and do you have them in your possesion now? Post them!

I suggest that you guys Call Grandmaster Chang and ask him for yourselves at 011-82-11-746-0976.
Or email him directly at intlhapkido@yahoo.co.kr
There must have been something that made you train there. There are around 5 Hapkido schools or more in that town, all students of Grandmaster Chang.
FACT,You can't start your own martial arts federation in Korea unless you are registered with the Korean government. Just like you can't have a Corporation in the USA without registering with the government. What's wrong with people making claims they cannot back up! Our federation was started by Grandmaster Chang and his school was opened in 1968! He has been there ever since, to this day. Our grand opening was in 1970.
I think you should email people directly before making any accusations about any federation. hapkiyoosool@msn.com
If anyone has questions about our federation, you should ask us first. NOT listen to hearsay. Look at our website and take a look around.



What's next?