Jung Shin Hapkido (Self Defense )

 Hapkido roughly translated is the art of coordinating ones power. Hapkido is the primary system of Korean martial art that exists solely and strictly for the purpose of self-defense. So effective is Hapkido, that during the Vietnam conflict, United States special-forces groups were taught the skills of Hapkido as a means of hand to hand combat. Within a scenario of self-defense a hapkidoist usually avoids meeting an attack head on. The Hapkidoist stands his ground and wait for the assault unless the situation warrants for an offensive response. When attacked a hapkidoist’s usual response is to step to the side and deflect the blow before taking the offensive by countering with numerous attacks, taking full advantage of the opponent's momentum and motions. While this is the main course of action taught in hapkido in order to manage conflict, when necessary hapkidoist are taught preemptive techniques that encompass the same physical conflict resolution strategies. The hapkidoist’s objective is to overwhelm the opponent with swift, strong and tremendous force. The hapkidoist achieves this objective through a series of counter-offensive techniques involving strikes, kicks, pressure point strikes, joint locks, sweeps and/or throws.