Joong-Gun is an unusual pattern. It is the first color belt form not based on the Heian/Pinan kata. It introduces odd movements such as the upward palm block and U-shaped block. It is also, I would argue, unusual in its design and applications.
The "official" application of the upward palm block in Step 3 is to lift up an incoming punch or kick.This application is bad, as lifting the punch does nothing to deflect it. This also does not explain the cat stance. Another suggested application is an arm break, pushing up under the opponent's right elbow.While better, this is still not to my liking. Instead, I apply this set against a front kick.
The ready position is used to catch the kick: overhook a left leg kick with your right arm. Then use the ridgehand block to lift the opponent's knee towards them while stepping forward. Kick their groin with your front leg. Why the front leg? Because we then land on their instep. This traps their standing leg as we push up their heel towards them, throwing them.
This application has several benefits:
- It explains the ready position
- It explains why the first movement is a ridgehand block
- It explains why we kick with the front leg
- It explains why the third step is in cat stance (we use our weight on the back leg to trap the opponent's standing leg)
- It explains the upward palm block
Why would the sixth ITF pattern begin with a kick defense?
In my opinion, the first five patterns (Chon-Ji through Yul-Gok) form a mini-system somewhat equivalent to the Pinan/Heian kata. It is after that system that the ITF patterns start teaching single-leg takedowns (starting in Joong-Gun) and wrist locks (starting in Toi-Gye).
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