Elbow strike to PALM - Why?

[Jason E. Messerman]

In the Taegeuk forms, Why is an elbow strike delivered to the palm (along with crescent kicks, etc.)?

I've researched this online, in my manual, and I don't have an instructor anymore.

I figure it is to get a certain "feeling of impact" and perhaps to prevent some hyper-extension of the muscles.

I have noticed that higher elbow strikes done in-line with the leading leg (for example: left leading leg/ left elbow strike) this is not done.

Could someone tell me what the main significance is and whether it helps prevent "tennis elbow" (pardon the pun.)

Thanks!

Jason

 

[dortiz]

Two good reasons.
1. Aim and control/feel
2. Actual usage. You are grabbing your opponents neck/head and pulling/holding him in to your strike.

 

[Touch Of Death]

Two good reasons.
1. Aim and control/feel
2. Actual usage. You are grabbing your opponents neck/head and pulling/holding him in to your strike.

It would better serve you to lead with the palm in a real life situation.
Sean

 

[seasoned]

Big moves like elbows are generally proceeded my a preparatory move. It could also come from a grappling situation where your hand ends up behind their head and directs their head into your elbow. As your hand goes past their face you could hit with a palm strike to their face rocking their head back, then your hand would end up behind their head and finish with a pull into your elbow. Anyway, it is a simulation of the above movement.

 

[d1jinx]

Jason,

In the Taeguk forms, the elbow hitting the palm is supposed to be the one arm grabbing the opponent and the other delivering the elbow. The cresent kick (depending on which taeguek) is a backfist first to the head, then the kick to palm.

You can see each form and its application moves; see this here:
http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/viewfront/eng/data/technique_trunk2.jsp

Every movement has a "practical application" that you are performing. Its not just rythmic dancing!

If you want a book, Try this book, http://www.awma.com/index.cfm/action/productdetail/product_id/9243.htm

or spring the extra loot and get this one
http://www.amazon.com/TAEKWONDO-Textbook-Kukkiwon/dp/B000QG1EMQ

be warned.... its movements and terms are korean, so if you dont know them.....

but the website is free.

 

[Gordon Nore]

Hmmm. Don't know if the TKD form is the same as the one I know.

We had a form that we did in my Hapkido-Karate training that included the elbow strike to palm. See below. The palm is actually on one side of a person's head when you smack the other side with the elbow.

 

[VinsonTKD]

I agree with some above. The open hand it showing where your target is (aka you grabbing their head/hair) and pulling it into the strike.

This is sort of similar to Tai knees to the head. The usually grab two hands behind opponents head and pull it into the strike for twice the power (and control).

Plus, in forms, you are demonstrating that you can do certain techniques. So, it's a demonstration of your control and accuracy as well.

 

[TKDHermit]

This is sort of similar to Tai knees to the head. The usually grab two hands behind opponents head and pull it into the strike for twice the power (and control).

Taegeuk 7 has it too

 

[rlobrecht]

Several of the ITF patters have a similar action.

Coong Moo and Toi Gye have an action where you grab the shoulders or behind the head, and then pull down while doing an upward knee strike.

Yul Guk has the same motion you have where you grab the opponent behind the head, and then pull forward and strike with the elbow.

 

[bluekey88]

It's just a variation on the old classic "grab 'em and hit 'em" strategy. It's all over all teh Shotokan katas and the various TKD poomse/tuls that decended from those katas.

So, like everyone else said. the open palm is holding someting 9proabbl a head) and the elbos strike is smashing something like a face.

For example, in Taeguk 5, the setup is a side kick with a simultaneous punch, (in reality, the kick would be low, most likely benidin g the target over, the punch serves as a grab for the head)...this sets up the subsequent strike to the head quite nicely.

Peace,
Erik

 

[Manny]

Two good reasons.
1. Aim and control/feel
2. Actual usage. You are grabbing your opponents neck/head and pulling/holding him in to your strike.

That's my sambunim says, you are grabbing/pulling the head of the oponent to smash the elbow on it.

Manny

 

[Touch Of Death]

Better to do it as a 1, 2 motion than at the same time because your body moves better that way.
Sean

 

[Nomad]

If you try to deliver an elbow to someone's head, it's pretty easy for the other person to avoid with a small backwards or sideways motion. The other hand on the back of their head/neck (or side, depending on the form) prevents this rather nicely, and greatly enhances the effect of the elbow strike.

Plus, it looks and sounds a lot cooler.

 

[granfire]

(some 2000 years ago a fly landed on the Masters elbow as he demonstrated the form to his students. He swatted said fly without stopping his form and it has been made part of it ever since)

 

[StudentCarl]

(some 2000 years ago a fly landed on the Masters elbow as he demonstrated the form to his students. He swatted said fly without stopping his form and it has been made part of it ever since)

Nice!
When reading about the AAU/USAT drama, I increasingly find myself practicing the 'swat fly on forehead' technique.

 

[Miles]

Another "application" of this combination is found in the Filipino martial arts where the palm is parrying the opponent's punch into your elbow. This is the paradigm shift I learned by cross-training in other arts. If you practice this combination against a punch, make sure the puncher has on heavy boxing gloves because when it is knuckles versus elbow, elbow always wins.

 

[Touch Of Death]

Another "application" of this combination is found in the Filipino martial arts where the palm is parrying the opponent's punch into your elbow. This is the paradigm shift I learned by cross-training in other arts. If you practice this combination against a punch, make sure the puncher has on heavy boxing gloves because when it is knuckles versus elbow, elbow always wins.

I have placed my elbow in front of targets before but have never thought of parrying weaopons into my elbow. That sounds way cool.%-}
Sean

 

[granfire]

Another "application" of this combination is found in the Filipino martial arts where the palm is parrying the opponent's punch into your elbow. This is the paradigm shift I learned by cross-training in other arts. If you practice this combination against a punch, make sure the puncher has on heavy boxing gloves because when it is knuckles versus elbow, elbow always wins.

I knew there was an explanation, other than my made up legend! :lol: