-Releasing techniques in the Tuls –

The first Taekwon-do encyclopedia that was published is still the closest to the original intent of the techniques, as they were taken from Karate. Here only techniques are described, and no applications, as in later encyclopedias. Those applications indicate what a technique is used for. The level of this explanation is often shockingly low. I therefore attach little value to those applications and investigated myself what the techniques could be intended to mean. I work out that interpretation below, for example about releasing techniques,

It makes sense that releasing techniques occur in theTuls because, being grabbed is not a favorable situation for a Taekwondo-ka. It’s not that the Taekwondo-kain such close-rangefighting is defenseless. There are plenty of techniques (e.g., with the elbow) to get out of this.But it’s better if the Taekwondo-ka has room around them to be able to create arm and foot techniques.

The Tuls develop different ways of escaping:

– Do-San Tul: movements 7A. The right finger strike of the Taekwondo-kais, at thewrist, grabbed by an opponent. The Taekwondo-katurns counterclockwise from a ready stanceto a sitting stance and simultaneously turns the “striking hand” as well until it is horizontal. Hereafter, theentire body turns forcefully inward. The turn in the technique is now not at the end, but at the beginning of the movement.

– Joong-Gun Tul: In movements 14 and 15, a left backfist strike high is released with a turn of the wrist. The Taekwondo-kagoes from an L-stance to a walking stance,with which he moves toward the attacker. The power required for that technique comes fromthe hips; there is no counter-movement. Even now, the technique turns at the beginning of the movement.

– Hwa-Rang Tul: movement 11, “bring both hands to release”. This involves a firm grip on the forearm that is released with a strong yank, with both arms involved. Even now, he moves toward the attacker. The attacker not only grabs, but also wants to pull the attacker toward himself. By moving along with him, he loses balance. The escape does not happen by turning the wrist, because the fist remains with the back of the fist facing upward. The elbow is the pivot point of the forearm with which the fists break free.

– Sam-Il Tul: movement 28. In this situation, the opponent takes hold of the Taekwondo-ka’s blocking counter arm of the forearm-to-hand. The crossed startingposture is ready to make a low forearm block, but the attacker grabs the wrist. In response, the Taekwondo-kar does not pull the counter arm back to the belt, but instead moves it in a straight line to the rear, with a twist at the beginning of this movement. The block can be executed normally.

– Yo-Sin Tul: movement 1. The twin upward elbow strikes to the high area are executed as a releasing technique. The Taekwondo-ka body is held in place with the arms. By taking the sitting stance, the Taekwondo-ka lowers slightly while his arms rise powerfully. This allows him to break free from the hold.

– Ge-Baek Tul; movement 16. This is an example of a releasing technique, as found in the Tuls in various variations: “pull the arms back towards a neutral posture”. Thearms, as instructed, are pulled forcefully back toward the body, and there has to be a good reason for it. Releasing someone from a wrist grip, or from the forearm, is a logical explanation for this.